Two Coaches & a Coffee

Darren Burgess & Jason Weber
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Sports
  • Updated Semiweekly

With nearly 60 years of professional experience between them across the world in Premier League, International Rugby, AFL and consulting in a plethora of other sports and industries; two old bulls of the performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation world: Darren Burgess and Jason Weber catch up over a brew and discuss all things Sports Performance.

  1. 4d ago

    Season 4 Episode 9

    Check Out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE as mentioned  Summary In this episode, Darren Burgess and Jason Weber discuss the impact of fatigue, injury prevention, and training strategies in sports, with insights into neuromuscular fatigue, game preparation, and the importance of tailored training approaches. Key Topics  Impact of fatigue on injury risk Neuromuscular fatigue and assessment methods Training load management in team sports Game preparation and match day strategies The role of mental and physical readiness in sports performance Takeaways Fatigue, especially neuromuscular fatigue, can increase injury risk. Sleep and recovery are critical in preventing contact injuries. Small-sided games and controlled exposure can mitigate injury risk. Assessment tools like reaction time tests could improve injury prediction. Tailored training and recovery strategies are essential for team success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:00 Injury debates: preventable or unavoidable?04:00 The role of fatigue and sleep in injury risk05:57 Assessing neuromuscular fatigue in athletes07:58 Impact of scheduling and game timing on performance10:04 Training load management and game preparation11:55 Strategies for reducing injury during high-stakes games14:06 Reinvigorating sports performance systems16:02 AFL finals insights and team performance analysis17:54 The importance of motivation and team resilience19:57 Match Day strategies: training and recovery21:52 The future of injury prediction and athlete monitoring

  2. Jul 23

    Season 4 Episode 8

    SUMMARY This episode features a candid conversation between two sports coaches discussing pre-season training, the importance of tailored testing, athlete management, and effective communication in the sports world. They explore insights from football, rugby, AFL, and international soccer, offering practical advice and reflections on performance measurement, player assessment, and building team resilience. KEY TOPICS Differences in pre-season strategies across sports and countries, including Italian, AFL, and football clubs The significance of VO2 max, lactate testing, and other performance metrics How athletes' individual responses to training vary and the importance of personalized programs The impact of athlete habits, weight, and mechanics on performance and injury prevention Critical evaluation of the effectiveness of conditioning, tapering, and mental preparation before competitions The value of honest communication and respectful feedback during athlete selection and replacement The importance of relationship-building and human touch in coaching and recruitment The challenges of selling sports technology and services through cold outreach Recognizing the chaos inherent in sports environments and managing risks holistically

  3. Jul 12

    Season 4 Episode 7

    Summary In this episode, Jason Weber and Darren discuss the latest insights from sports analytics, focusing on football and AFL, and explore how data-driven decisions impact team performance and injury prevention. Key Topics Sports analytics and data-driven decision making The role of running and possession in winning strategies Impact of hydration breaks on player performance Data pipelines and their importance in sports science Speed, injury rates, and recruitment in AFL and football Player preparation and injury management using data Takeaways  Teams that run harder in defense tend to win more games. Hydration breaks can extend player explosiveness and recovery. Data pipelines can streamline performance analysis and injury prevention. Speed and recruitment are key factors in AFL success. A year's worth of data can inform injury and performance management.

  4. Mar 21

    Season 4 Episode 6 - GPS 3.0

    Join Darren and Jason as they explore the nuances and limitations of GPS technology in sports performance, discussing how current measures may be insufficient and what the future of sports science might look like. They also delve into practical aspects of injury management, warm-up routines, and the importance of inquisitiveness in advancing sports science. Key Topics: The evolution and limitations of GPS 3.0 in team sports analysis The difference between linear displacement and actual field movements including curves, stops, and postural changes The importance of understanding muscle damage and eccentric load during high-intensity activity Inferring performance metrics versus direct measurements (biopsy, sensors) Practical insights on warm-up routines across different sports environments The role of technology in return-to-play decision making Encouragement for young professionals to question and push advances in sports science The significance of context in interpreting GPS data and training load How past experiences and environment influence current training and testing standards The human resilience factor and how human bodies adapt to varied conditions Maintaining authenticity in communication and the cultural nuances in sports science

  5. Mar 15

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Conditioning for Speed

    Summary In this episode of "Two Coaches and a Coffee," Jason Weber and Darren Burgess delve into the intricacies of sports conditioning, focusing on the evolving dynamics of AFL and soccer. They discuss the impact of rule changes on game speed, the importance of conditioning athletes for high-speed performance, and the role of strategic drill design in enhancing player capabilities. The conversation also touches on the significance of practicing speed under fatigue and the necessity of adapting training to meet the demands of modern sports. Takeaways AFL rule changes aim to speed up the game, impacting player conditioning and strategy. Effective drill design is crucial for developing speed and agility in athletes. Practicing speed under fatigue is essential for real-game scenarios. Modern sports demand conditioning for high-speed performance to keep up with evolving game dynamics. Strategic training must adapt to the specific needs of different sports and positions.

  6. Mar 4

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Stay on the Tools

    Summary In this episode, Jase and Burjo set the scene: this is their opinion, shared to help the performance community without exposing employers or individuals. From there it turns into a real-world leadership chat—what it actually takes to move from “good operator” to department head, why open recruitment floods you with noise (and how tough it is to pick the right five), and why the best performance leaders stay connected to the craft. The central theme is simple: leadership credibility comes from practice—keep your hands on the tools, keep learning fast, think clearly, and build trust by making athletes better. Takeaways Be explicit about boundaries: speak from your own POV, protect confidentiality, and use “hypotheticals” to teach real lessons. Career progression requires rehearsing leadership conversations: don’t wait until the interview to form opinions—build them early by “walking in someone else’s shoes.” Open recruitment creates volume, not quality: hundreds of applicants can still yield only a small number who truly fit the brief. Great leaders don’t abandon their trade: stepping into management shouldn’t mean stepping away from practice—credibility is built on doing. Design the role around your strengths where possible: even as a director, stay on the floor/on the grass in a way that aligns with what you’re best at. Relationship-building is performance-critical: trust with players is harder when you’re “the suit,” especially in foreign environments—don’t lose the human connection. You must understand all disciplines to lead them: you don’t have to be the specialist in everything, but you do need enough practical exposure to lead well. Hiring lens: “show me you can think”: degrees are baseline; progression comes from connecting dots, contributing intelligently, and learning fast. Authenticity beats people-pleasing: the deathbed reflection theme—live and work in a way that’s aligned, not performative. Volatility is part of the industry: control what you can, keep the staff climate positive, and take the “best life now” mindset seriously. Keep humility + urgency together: be the best you can be today, don’t gloss over gaps, and improve quickly. Next thread teased: the real cost of “work-life balance” advice (and whether you can reach the top without paying the price).

  7. Feb 2

    Season 4 Episode 3 - What is a HPM?

    Summary In this conversation, Jason Weber and Darren Burgess discuss the challenges faced by early career professionals in the sports industry, emphasizing the importance of athletic experience and effective resume strategies. They explore cultural differences in training regimens across sports and the role of high-performance management. The discussion also touches on the significance of job titles and industry standards, highlighting the need for clarity and relevance in professional designations. Takeaways The way resumes are written can impact hiring decisions. Athletic experience is a key asset in strength and conditioning roles. Using AI in resume screening is becoming common in the industry. Cover letters should highlight specific skills and experiences. Demonstrating technical skills is crucial in a competitive job market. Cultural differences affect training regimens in various sports. High performance management practices vary across sports organizations. Job titles in the sports industry can be misleading. Experience and practical skills often outweigh formal qualifications. The sports industry needs to address imbalances in hiring practices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Early Career Insights05:49 The Importance of Athletic Experience11:23 High Performance Management in Sports

  8. Jan 23

    Season 4 Episode 2 - Do we need Speed Exposure?

    Summary In this engaging conversation, Jason and Darren explore various themes related to coaching, performance, and the complexities of injury prevention in sports. They discuss the impact of cognitive fatigue, the philosophy behind training methods, and the ongoing challenges in understanding and preventing hamstring injuries. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the field of sports science, while also touching on the importance of exposure to varied training stimuli. Takeaways Cognitive fatigue can significantly impact performance. Multilingual communication adds complexity to coaching. Speed exposure is debated in relation to injury prevention. Historical training methods often relied on intuition rather than technology. Understanding the causes of hamstring injuries is still evolving. Injury prevention strategies must consider individual variability. Training should expose athletes to diverse stimuli. Continuous learning is essential in sports science. Technology can enhance our understanding of athlete performance. Future discussions should include chaos theory in training. Chapters 00:00 Coffee Conversations and Cultural Differences 05:20 Training Philosophy: Speed Exposure vs. Injury Prevention 10:42 Understanding Hamstring Injuries and Training Variability 16:00 The Future of Sports Science and Technology

See All (98)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

With nearly 60 years of professional experience between them across the world in Premier League, International Rugby, AFL and consulting in a plethora of other sports and industries; two old bulls of the performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation world: Darren Burgess and Jason Weber catch up over a brew and discuss all things Sports Performance.

Information

  • Creator
    Darren Burgess & Jason Weber
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Two Coaches & a Coffee
  • Show Website
    Two Coaches & a Coffee

You Might Also Like