Performance Matters Podcast

Iron Performance Center
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Hosted by coaches Matrixx Ferreira and Myles Methner, this show cuts through the noise and focuses on what works, what doesn’t, and what actually moves the needle in training, coaching and sport. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real conversations for athletes, coaches, and anyone serious about improving performance.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 73: Bob Raybould — Using Emotion to Accelerate Success

    What if success wasn't just about working harder? This week on the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Bob Raybould, entrepreneur, author, investor, former Army officer, and lifelong student of human performance. At nearly 90 years old, Bob shares lessons gathered from decades of business success, personal growth, working with elite athletes, and helping people unlock their potential. The conversation dives into Bob's unique philosophy of "Success by Emotion"—a framework built around the idea that emotions don't just influence performance, they can actually accelerate it. From the story of sitting in a Porsche dealership and transforming his mindset, to working with athletes, business leaders, and high performers, Bob explains why he believes mindset should come before the hard work, not after it. Along the way, the discussion explores: ✅ The Porsche moment that changed Bob's life forever✅ Why emotions may be more powerful than logic✅ The relationship between mindset, accountability, and success✅ How athletes can perform better under pressure✅ Why hard work alone may be overrated✅ The role of failure, resilience, and personal responsibility✅ Practical exercises to improve focus and goal achievement✅ Lessons from nearly nine decades of life experience Whether you're an athlete, coach, entrepreneur, parent, or someone simply looking to grow, this episode offers a different perspective on what drives success and how we can create momentum toward our goals. 🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Performance Matters Podcast is proudly sponsored by: 📍 Iron Performance Center – Helping athletes and adults train with purpose and perform at their best.Iron Performance Center 📸 Pete Methner Photography – Capturing the moments that matter most in sport.Pete Methner Photography

    55 min

  2. Jun 19

    Ep. 72: Charlotte Ross & Gaby Buffong — Not Too Chabby

    What does it really take to thrive as a university athlete? This week on the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Charlotte Ross (Brock Badgers) and Gaby Buffong (Keyano College Huskies) for an honest conversation about the realities of collegiate volleyball that most people never see. From balancing academics and athletics, navigating injuries, and dealing with comparison, to separating identity from sport and building trust within a team, this episode dives deep into the mental and emotional side of competing at a high level. The group explores:🏐 The biggest differences between club and university volleyball🧠 How injuries can reshape your identity as an athlete📈 Why preparation and accountability matter more than talent alone🤝 Building trust, vulnerability, and communication within a team environment🔥 The hidden costs of chasing excellence in sport🏆 Would you rather win a championship or play professionally?😂 Plus, some unforgettable (and embarrassing) volleyball moments along the way. Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or simply someone striving to perform at your best, this episode offers valuable insight into the pursuit of growth, resilience, and finding purpose beyond the scoreboard. A huge thank you to our sponsors: 💪 Iron Performance Center — Niagara's premier strength & conditioning facility, helping athletes and adults perform at their highest level. Located at 423 Lakeshore Road, St. Catharines, Ontario. 📸 Pete Methner Photography — The premier sports photographer in the Niagara region. Be sure to support local and check out Pete's incredible work. There are two types of people in this world: subscribers and non-subscribers. You know what to do. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

    1h 36m

  3. Jun 12

    Ep. 71: Rowan Topp — Work Ethic, Accountability & Life Inside the OHL

    What does it actually take to play junior hockey at the highest level? In Episode 71 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Rowan Topp, defenseman for the Guelph Storm (OHL), to dive into the realities of pursuing elite hockey. From growing up skating on backyard ponds in West Lincoln to being selected in the 3rd Round of the OHL Draft, Rowan opens up about the sacrifices that come with chasing big goals: moving away from home at a young age, balancing hockey and academics, navigating life with billet families, and learning how to lead inside a locker room. The conversation goes far beyond hockey. Rowan shares his thoughts on confidence, accountability, teammate leadership, and why the small, often unseen habits separate athletes who simply have talent from those who maximize it. We also tackle important conversations around modern youth hockey development, burnout, and why doing more isn't always doing better. Rowan's journey from backyard ponds to the OHLThe biggest misconceptions about junior hockeyBalancing school, hockey, and life away from homeDeveloping confidence through preparation and consistencyWhat true leadership looks like inside a locker roomHolding teammates accountable without losing trustWhy elite athletes embrace feedbackThe dangers of over-scheduling young athletesHow parents can better support long-term developmentThe importance of mastering the basics and winning the dayWhether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or hockey fan, this episode offers an honest look at what it really takes to pursue excellence in sport. 🎙️ Performance Matters Podcast — conversations on performance, leadership, and human potential. 🏋️‍♂️ This episode is sponsored by Iron Performance Center — Niagara's premier strength & conditioning facility helping athletes and adults perform at their best. Learn more at www.ironperformance.ca 📸 Also sponsored by Pete Methner Photography — capturing athletes and teams throughout the Niagara region. Support local. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, subscribe, and share the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Your support helps us continue bringing these conversations to life.

    57 min

  4. Jun 5

    Ep. 70: Matrixx & Myles — Should Interns Get Paid? The Coaching Industry Debate

    The gloves come off in this episode. After discussing the Niagara River Lions' strong start to the season, Matrixx and Myles dive headfirst into a debate that has become increasingly common in the coaching industry: Should interns be paid? Drawing from their own experiences, the guys discuss the true value of internships, mentorship, continuing education, and what "knowing your worth" actually means when you're just getting started in a profession. They unpack: Why experienced coaches routinely pay thousands of dollars to learn from other coachesThe difference between education, mentorship, and employmentWhy experience is often more valuable than a paycheck early in your careerWhat interns actually bring to an organizationThe uncomfortable realities of earning opportunities in the coaching worldWhether the industry has shifted its expectations around learning and compensationThe conversation then shifts into performance training, where Matrixx and Myles explore the difference between effort and exertion, how they use Velocity-Based Training (VBT) with athletes, and why developing athletes who can accurately feel and interpret performance changes is a game-changer for long-term development. As always, expect plenty of rants, debates, and unapologetic opinions. This episode is brought to you by Iron Performance Center. Located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Iron Performance Center is Niagara's premier strength & conditioning facility, helping athletes and adults train with purpose through expert coaching, proven systems, and a performance-first environment. Learn more at: 🌐 www.ironperformance.ca Special thanks to Pete Methner Photography. Whether you're an athlete, team, business, or organization looking for professional photography that captures the moment, Pete delivers some of the best sports photography in the Niagara Region. 🌐 www.petemethnerphotography.com 🎙️ Performance Matters Podcast Hosted by Matrixx Ferreira & Myles Methner Like. Subscribe. Share. Follow. Because there are only two types of people in this world: subscribers and non-subscribers. 😎

    1 hr

  5. May 29

    Ep. 69: Jessi Nelson — Nervous Systems, Communication & The Mind-Body Connection

    In Ep. 69 of Performance Matters, Matrixx sits down with Jessi Nelson, a somatic communication coach from Welland, Ontario, to unpack a topic that sparks curiosity, skepticism, and a lot of questions: somatics, nervous system regulation, and the mind-body connection. What exactly is somatic coaching? How does it differ from traditional talk therapy? Can nervous system regulation influence confidence, communication, performance… or even how we handle pressure? The conversation dives into: • Somatics and nervous system regulation• Polyvagal theory, fight/flight/freeze responses• Communication, self-doubt & internal dialogue• Trauma, stress, and how the body responds• Breathing drills, grounding exercises & practical tools• How these concepts may relate to athletes, pressure, and performance environments• The challenge of measuring subjective change vs objective outcomes As always, we ask questions, challenge ideas, explore nuance, and head down the occasional rabbit hole. Whether you're an athlete, coach, practitioner, or simply curious about the relationship between stress, mindset, and human performance, this episode gives you plenty to chew on. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Big thanks to our sponsors:🏋️‍♂️ Iron Performance Center — Niagara’s premier strength & conditioning facility.📸 Pete Methner Photography — premier sport photography in the Niagara region.

    58 min

  6. May 22

    Ep. 68: Matrixx & Myles — Velocity-Based Training Explained: Bar Speed, Better Coaching & Smarter Training

    What is velocity-based training (VBT)… and is it actually useful, or just more tech in the weight room? In this episode, Matrixx & Myles break down the real-world application of velocity-based training — what bar speed actually tells us, how coaches use it to guide training decisions, and why every rep has a speed whether you measure it or not. The guys unpack topics like: • What VBT actually is (and what it isn’t)• Mean velocity vs. peak velocity — and when each matters• How bar speed helps with auto-regulation, readiness, load selection, and progression• Why percentages aren’t “dead” — but why context matters• Using data without becoming the coach staring at the iPad while the rep looks awful• Coaching basics, problem-solving, confidence, and why common sense still matters in program design Whether you're a coach, athlete, lifter, or just someone who likes digging into the “why” behind training decisions, this one dives deep into the balance between data, execution, and effective coaching. This episode is brought to you by Iron Performance Center — Niagara’s premier strength & conditioning facility helping athletes (and people who want to train like one) build strength, move better, and perform at a higher level. Learn more at www.ironperformance.ca. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and join the Performance Matters community.

    56 min

  7. May 15

    Ep. 67: Elijah Lufile — How Pressure Built a Champion

    In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, we sit down with Elijah Lufile from the Niagara River Lions for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on the show. Elijah opens up about his journey from being an undersized late bloomer to becoming a Division I athlete, professional basketball player, and multiple-time champion. But this episode goes far beyond basketball. We dive into the reality of chasing high-level sport, what coaches really look for, surviving the grind of overseas basketball, and the pressure that comes with trying to stay at the professional level. Elijah also shares deeply personal stories about losing his mother, battling through health scares, mental health struggles, and the adversity that ultimately shaped who he is today. This conversation is raw, reflective, motivating, and packed with lessons on resilience, identity, purpose, and what it truly means to keep showing up when life punches you in the mouth. If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or just someone navigating adversity in your own life — this episode is for you. A huge shoutout to our sponsor, Iron Performance Center — Niagara’s premier strength & conditioning facility helping athletes (and folks who wish to train like one) dominate in their chosen arena through elite coaching and personalized programming.

    51 min

  8. May 8

    Ep. 66: Matrixx & Myles — Development vs Exposure in Volleyball

    Most volleyball players think they need to jump higher, move faster, and get more reps. But that mindset might be exactly what’s holding you back. In this episode, we break down why so many volleyball athletes plateau—and how training is often done in the wrong order. From youth club to post-secondary, we’re seeing the same issue: athletes chasing speed and exposure without ever building the foundation that actually drives performance. We get into: Why playing more volleyball isn’t always the answerThe truth about vertical jump trainingStrength vs speed (and what should come first)The “engine vs throttle” concept for real performance gainsWhat separates average players from elite at ProvincialsWhat your offseason should actually look likeIf you want to improve this summer, this episode will give you a clear direction. Train smarter. Build the engine. Then let it rip. This episode is brought to you by Iron Performance Center, Niagara's best personal and performance training facility. www.IronPerformance.ca

    1h 5m
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About

Hosted by coaches Matrixx Ferreira and Myles Methner, this show cuts through the noise and focuses on what works, what doesn’t, and what actually moves the needle in training, coaching and sport. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real conversations for athletes, coaches, and anyone serious about improving performance.

Information

  • Creator
    Iron Performance Center
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Iron Performance Center
  • Show Website
    Performance Matters Podcast

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