Welcome to another episode of Finding Small Wins Podcast, a space for conversations that pull back the curtain on sports, where to learn how to upgrade health & performance, and shed some light on how some of the best at what they do are finding the small wins that help them along the way.
Adam Loiacono, your host, is a physical therapist in the NBA & a former performance coach in Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League.
In this episode, Adam is joined by Lee Nguyen, a professional soccer player, who shares his international journey and offers insights on how he approached the development of training and rehab over his career.
Key Takeaways:
[2:23] What career path led Lee into professional soccer?
[3:29] Lee was in Vietnam when COVID began, and the season had to be canceled.
[5:33] Lee talks about participating in the TST: The Soccer Tournament.
[10:37] Lee speaks of the cultural differences in training in different countries.
[11:54] How do different cultures train off the field?
[15:41] What is the best professional athlete Lee can be?
[16:37] Lee emphasizes the value of efficiency and preparedness for a professional athlete and explains how he prepared to be a professional athlete.
[20:32] Has Lee ever tried a change in lifestyle or nutrition plan?
[21:45] What advice would Lee tell himself 10-15 years ago?
[23:27] What things worked for Lee in train and rehab?
[25:51] How did Lee approach the rehab process when he was going through an injury?
[29:06] How has the business aspect influenced some of the decisions regarding rehab times?
[31:44] Lee shares the importance of considering your value as a player and your contribution to the Team.
[33:25] Lee describes what trust looks like in professional sports, specifically in the rehab space.
[35:56] Adam talks about the three different kinds of players.
[36:32] Lee talks about the value of building healthy habits early on in a professional athlete's career.
[39:39] How would Lee approach the case when an athlete refuses to try a new training plan?
[42:58] As a player, how does someone build trust when they come into the locker room?
[45:12] Has Lee ever found himself in a situation with a misconception about being a pro athlete?
[49:00] How does Lee’s life as a pro athlete affect his personal life?
[51:38] Lee advises about the importance of communication and keeping realistic expectations when balancing personal and professional goals.
[53:19] How does Lee define small wins?
[56:39] How do you find your small wins when the morale is down, the culture's down, and the team is losing?
[58:56] Lee shares his advice with everyday people regarding how to find small wins.
[1:01:43] Lee talks about his new career as a coach that is just beginning.
[1:03:15] Lee advises anyone trying to improve their performance: Seek a professional (and also trial and error).
[1:06:01] What was Lee’s favorite city to live in as a player?
[1:06:38] What was Lee’s favorite stadium?
[1:07:31 Lee shares memorable highlights from his career.
[1:08:01] Lee shares one of the most memorable moments behind the scenes.
[1:08:49] What was Lee’s favorite goal-scoring celebration?
[1:09:23] What is next in Lee’s career?
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn more about Finding Small Wins
Follow Adam Loiacono on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
