The Coach Doctor Podcast

James Barkell

Dr James Barkell discusses all aspects of sports science and coaching with top researchers, high performance practitioners, sports coaches, exercise physiologists and many more people on the front line of the sports industry. Interviews discuss coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, sport psychology, leadership, gender issues in sport, how to deal with a losing season and many other topics. If you are involved in sports performance and looking for that extra edge for your team or athletes, the Coach Doctor may be able to help. In this podcast we aim to cover all things coaching from grassroots to grandstands for all levels of coaches. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

  1. 07/18/2025

    Steven Webster - Asensei

    In this episode of the Coach Doctor Podcast, I speak with Steven Webster. Steven is a lifelong entrepreneur, technologist, martial artist and coach, and the CEO & Founder of ASENSEI, a technology that uses motion capture and human movement recognition software to power personalized health and fitness experiences. He holds a 4th degree black belt and two 2nd degree black belts in Ju Jitsu and Karate and is one of the most successful sports coaches in British University Sport. He captained and then coached Edinburgh University Karate Club to 10 consecutive national championship prior to moving to California in 2009. Whilst coaching, Steven has also worked for some of the leading tech industries including Microsoft and Adobe before starting Asensei in 2014. In a nutshell Asensei has created Movement Recognition and Coaching Intelligence technology that is powered by human movement recognition. His goal is to blend his deep coaching knowledge with his technological expertise to create connected health and fitness experiences that empower people to achieve their personal best. Website: asensei.ai Social Media LinkedIn: Asensei Youtube: @asensei Instagram: @asensei_rowing Facebook: @asensei To see Asensei in action check out the following videos: Rowing Video Training Video Yoga Video Additional Reading: Leveraging machine learning to repetitions in reserve estimates during resistance training Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

    1h 14m
  2. 05/28/2025

    Andrew Higham - Looking after Number 1: A look at coach well-being.

    In this episode of the coach doctor podcast, I talk with Dr Andrew Higham. Andrew has recently been appointed as an Assistant Professor at Heriot Watt University in Scotland working in the areas of psychology and sport psychology. At the time of recording, he was a lecturer in sport psychology at Shefield Hallam University in England. He has published work in multiple academic journals including Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health; Psychology of Sport and Exercise and the International Sports Coaching Journal. He has also presented internationally at the International Council for Coaching Excellence Global Coach Conference, where I was fortunate to listen to Andrew speak. I was completely blown away, not just by the originality of his research, but also his passion and devotion to his subject matter. In today’s conversation I wanted to discuss Andrew’s research around coach well-being and unpack some of the challenges that coaches face both in the spotlight and behind the scenes in what can be a very fickle and pressure filled world. This conversation made me think a lot about my own well-being as a coach and made me consider how often I recharge my own battery. Coaching is a demanding job that requires immense dedication, time, and energy at all levels from amateur to professional. It's easy for coaches to prioritize their athletes' needs over their own, but neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, stress, and decreased effectiveness. Maintaining well-being allows coaches to be at their best, both mentally and physically. When coaches take care of themselves, they can bring more energy, positivity, and focus to their teams. This not only enhances their coaching performance but also sets a positive example for their athletes. It's important for coaches to find a balance between their professional responsibilities and personal lives. This might involve setting boundaries, seeking support from colleagues, and making time for activities that bring joy and relaxation. Coaches should feel empowered to seek help if they're struggling and to create an environment where mental health is openly discussed and supported, and organisations should also support their coaches in providing this support. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

    1h 22m
  3. 10/20/2024

    Sam Miller - Proteus Motion

    In this episode of The Coach Doctor podcast, I talk with Sam Miller, the CEO and founder of Proteus Motion. Proteus is a groundbreaking training system that has transformed the world of fitness and human performance. It has expanded the scope of quantifiable human movement from a limited 5%—primarily focused on vertical pushes and pulls like squats and deadlifts—to an astonishing 98%, encompassing nearly every conceivable angle and type of movement. If you have watched the Netflix series Quarterback, you can see Superbowl Champion Patrick Mahomes using the technology as part of his preparation in becoming the most dominant quarterback in the NFL. Proteus is now used by sporting franchises in the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, the National Hockey League, Golfing institutions such as the PGA, University sporting Programs and also in medical institutions for recovery purposes. Whist the technology itself is revolutionary, Sam’s story is also a remarkable blend of innovation, grit and self-belief that stemmed from injuries as a youth athlete, to completing a project started by his father back in the 90’s.  If you would like to know more about Proteus Motion they have an extremely informative website with a lot of videos and demonstrations using the technology. The web address is proteusmotion.com . Alternative you can check Proteus Motion out on Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter / X using the handle @proteusmotion for all platforms. For LinkedIn you can follow Sam via @Sam Miller. Thank you for listening to another episode of The Coach Doctor Podcast. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

    59 min

About

Dr James Barkell discusses all aspects of sports science and coaching with top researchers, high performance practitioners, sports coaches, exercise physiologists and many more people on the front line of the sports industry. Interviews discuss coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, sport psychology, leadership, gender issues in sport, how to deal with a losing season and many other topics. If you are involved in sports performance and looking for that extra edge for your team or athletes, the Coach Doctor may be able to help. In this podcast we aim to cover all things coaching from grassroots to grandstands for all levels of coaches. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.