Femme FC Podcast

Nicole Surdyka

5.0 (2)
SOCCER
UPDATED WEEKLY

Brought to you by Femme Football Collective, this podcast amplifies the voices of experts in athlete health and performance in elite women's soccer. Through insightful interviews, we empower the professionals behind the game with knowledge, community, and practical strategies—aligned with our mission to elevate the game and empower the experts.

1H AGO

Breast Biomechanics in Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Nichola Renwick, Senior Research Associate at the University of Portsmouth, whose work focuses on breast biomechanics and sports bra design. Nichola breaks down what breast biomechanics actually is, how breasts move during sport, and why breast support should be considered a performance, health, and injury risk issue rather than just a comfort concern. She explains how breast movement changes during running, cutting, and jumping, and how inadequate support can alter stride length, running efficiency, breathing, ground reaction forces, and even joint loading. This conversation also explores how breast pain and discomfort influence athlete behavior, confidence, and movement patterns, as well as how cultural norms in women's soccer can shape sports bra choices in ways that do not always align with performance needs. Topics include: What breast biomechanics means and how breast movement is measured How breasts move in three directions during sport Why larger breast mass increases forces and acceleration How poor breast support reduces stride length and running efficiency The link between breast support, ground reaction forces, and joint loading Psychological and cultural factors influencing sports bra choices Compression vs encapsulation vs combination sports bras Key design features of high support sports bras How clubs can better educate players and staff about breast support This episode is essential listening for medical staff, performance practitioners, coaches, and anyone working to improve athlete health and performance in women's soccer.

48 min
FEB 18

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Preparedness in Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jon Drezner, one of the world's leading experts in sports cardiology, to discuss sudden cardiac arrest in athletes and why preparedness is a responsibility shared by every member of the support staff. Dr. Drezner is the Director of the University of Washington Center for Sports Cardiology, Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and a team physician in professional sport. In this conversation, he breaks down what sudden cardiac arrest actually is, how often it occurs, and why the idea that it is "rare" is both inaccurate and dangerous. The episode walks through cardiac screening, ECG interpretation in athletes, and what support staff should do in the moment when an athlete collapses. Dr. Drezner also explains why emergency action planning, role clarity, and regular rehearsal are critical for survival. Topics include: What sudden cardiac arrest is and how it differs from a heart attack How common sudden cardiac arrest actually is in athletes The most common causes in youth, collegiate, and professional sport Why ECG screening is essential for identifying at risk athletes How to recognize sudden cardiac arrest on the field Why seizure like activity and abnormal breathing can be misleading What an ideal emergency response looks like on the sideline How teams should practice and rehearse emergency action plans Return to play considerations after sudden cardiac arrest This episode is essential listening for physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength coaches, sport scientists, physicians, and anyone working with athletes at any level. Disclaimer: The information presented is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical care. Please consult an appropriate healthcare provider for individual concerns.

47 min
FEB 11

Building Collaborative Medical and Performance Teams in Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Scott Epsley, Director of Player Health and Performance at NJ NY Gotham FC, to explore how medical and performance departments should be structured to support collaboration, staff development, and ultimately player care in women's soccer. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience across professional, collegiate, and international sport, Scott explains why there is no single "right" org chart and why medical and performance teams should be viewed as living, breathing ecosystems that evolve over time. He shares lessons from the NBA, NCAA, and NWSL on how leadership decisions, role clarity, and communication pathways can either strengthen or fracture collaboration. This conversation goes beyond job titles and reporting lines and dives into how leaders can build environments where staff feel empowered, supported, and accountable, even as teams grow and resources change. Topics include: Why organizational structure should evolve with the needs of the team Collaboration versus role clarity and why both matter How leadership maturity shapes medical and performance culture Signs that an org chart is not working and needs to be adjusted Developing staff skills in resource constrained environments Why bigger teams are not always better teams Using women's soccer as a space to innovate rather than copy other sports This episode is essential listening for medical and performance leaders working in women's soccer and for anyone stepping into a leadership role in elite sport. Learn more from Scott at the Soccer Performance Support Summit this summer in New Jersey! More info and registration can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator

52 min
FEB 4

How Return to Play Works in NCAA Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jasmine Green, Division I Sports Fellowship Director at Body Central and team physical therapist for the University of Arizona women's soccer program. Jasmine shares an inside look at what it actually means to work in Division I women's soccer, where physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength coaches, sport scientists, and coaches must collaborate daily to keep athletes healthy and available across a demanding collegiate schedule. This conversation breaks down how Jasmine helped build a structured return to play process at U of A by leveraging preseason testing, in season monitoring, and simple internal load tools, all while working within the realities of the NCAA environment. She also discusses how roles overlap between PTs and ATs, how trust and communication are built inside a sports medicine team, and what it takes to succeed in a high performance collegiate setting. Topics include: What a PT's role actually looks like inside Division I women's soccer How PTs and athletic trainers collaborate without turf wars Building a return to play system using strength testing, jump data, GPS, and RPE Managing soft tissue injuries in season with limited recovery windows Who owns testing, monitoring, and rehab in a collegiate performance model Why communication and adaptability matter more than technical skills alone Lessons learned from creating and leading a Division I sports fellowship This episode is essential listening for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and performance staff working in or aspiring to work in collegiate women's soccer. Register for the Soccer Performance Support Summit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator Join the Collective! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femmefootballcollective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femme-football-collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femmefc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FemmeFootballCollective

52 min
JAN 28

A Return to Contact Framework in Elite Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Andy McKeown, Lead Performance Coach at San Diego Wave, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked phases of return to play in elite women's soccer: return to contact. While return to running and on-field rehab are often highly structured, contact exposure is frequently treated like a "switch flip" at the end of the process, despite the fact that football is a chaotic invasion sport where contact is unavoidable. Andy shares how his Return to Contact framework developed through real-world NWSL rehab scenarios (including postpartum return to performance and acute injuries), and how he approaches contact progression using a control to chaos continuum, influenced by match demands, positional requirements, and team playing style. He also breaks down how performance staff can use objective data like GPS while still respecting the reality that contact is difficult to track. This makes athlete feedback, coach's eye, and trust-based communication essential. Topics include: Why return to contact is a critical bridge between rehab and full training How to progress contact from controlled exposures to game-realistic chaos Different contact demands by position, team style, and phase of play Why "contact" includes more than collisions (blocking shots, aerial duels, 1v1s, etc.) How Andy integrates contact exposure while still building toward GPS targets The role of subjective readiness, autonomy, and athlete trust in return to play decision-making Practical drill examples for defending, duels, and contact-specific progressions For more learning, growth, and connection, be sure to attend the Soccer Performance Support Summit this summer! More info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator

47 min
JAN 21

Understanding Tactics to Understand Match Demands

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole sits down with legendary coach Laura Harvey to break down the tactical side of football in a way that medical and performance staff can actually use. Laura is the most winningest and longest tenured coach in NWSL history, and in this conversation she explains how phases of play, pressing strategies, transition moments, and team structure directly influence match demands and physical preparation. From high press vs mid block vs low block, to why attacking transition can be so deadly, Laura gives a practical "Tactics 101" framework that helps support staff better understand what players are being asked to do on the pitch. This episode is packed with real-world coaching insight and clear explanations that connect tactics to training load, rehab planning, and weekly periodization. Topics include: What "phases of play" actually mean (structured attack/defense + transition moments) High press vs mid block vs low block and how each changes physical demands What different positions are responsible for during a high press Why the 5–8 second transition window can decide games How coaches manipulate opponents to create space in buildup What happens immediately after losing the ball (and why it matters) Set pieces, throw-ins, and the "decoy" roles that create goals How climate, travel, and league trends influence tactical choices How Laura structures a training week to prepare tactically while managing injury risk Don't miss the Soccer Performance Support Summit where professionals across the NWSL, MLS, USL, and NCAA will gather to learn, grow, and connect! June 20-21, 2026 in New Jersey https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator

50 min
JAN 14

Building Strong Female Soccer Players in the College Game

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Malorie Henderlong, Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Auburn University, for a practical deep dive into strength and conditioning in Division I women's college soccer. Malorie shares how she approaches athlete development in a population that often arrives with a low training age, why she believes in doing the basics "simple, savagely well," and how she programs an entire roster with wide variation in experience, injury history, and playing time. She also breaks down the realities of modern college soccer, including the impact of the transfer portal, managing roster turnover, and balancing physical development with the academic and life stressors that come with being a student athlete. This conversation highlights what it really takes to keep players healthy, available, and progressing in a demanding NCAA environment where the calendar never truly slows down. Topics include: Simple movement foundations for low training age athletes (squat, hinge, push, pull, core) How Malorie prepares incoming athletes before they arrive on campus Programming around injury history while still driving performance How the transfer portal changes long term development and load management Wellness surveys, RPE, and GPS data in the college setting In season lifting structure vs spring development blocks Fitness testing (Bronco), maximal aerobic speed, and individualized conditioning How to "fill buckets" based on position specific match demands Register for the Soccer Performance Support Summit! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator

53 min
JAN 7

Managing Tendinopathy in Elite Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, Nicole is joined by Shawn Hanlon and Sarah Neal for a deep dive into Achilles tendinopathy management in elite soccer, blending cutting edge research with the realities of professional sport. Shawn shares insights from his research on tendon pathology, subgroup classification, and why symptom duration and imaging often fail to predict outcomes. Sarah brings a clinician's perspective from professional women's soccer, discussing how tendinopathy typically presents as an acute on chronic issue, how flare ups are managed in season, and how load monitoring, athlete education, and collaboration across departments can keep players available. This conversation reframes tendinopathy not as a simple overuse injury, but as a complex, system wide challenge requiring thoughtful load management rather than rest. Topics include: What tendinopathy really is and why structure does not equal symptoms Tendon health subgroups and their relevance to elite athletes Acute vs chronic tendinopathy and why duration does not change rehab outcomes Safe loading through pain and the pain monitoring model In season management strategies for long, congested soccer schedules GPS, high speed running, and load metrics that matter most for tendons Register for the Soccer Performance Support Summit! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soccer-performance-support-summit-tickets-1625338644639?aff=oddtdtcreator

1 hr

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Brought to you by Femme Football Collective, this podcast amplifies the voices of experts in athlete health and performance in elite women's soccer. Through insightful interviews, we empower the professionals behind the game with knowledge, community, and practical strategies—aligned with our mission to elevate the game and empower the experts.

Creator

Nicole Surdyka
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

22
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

Femme FC Podcast