Shows
The Athlete Development ShowNate Baker on Culture, Being a Lighthouse, and Playing the Infinite Game of DevelopmentNate Baker is a former pro football player, current coach, and the founder of The Developer’s Way coach education. Nate believes the best coaches, teachers, and leaders aren’t defined by weekend results. Instead, they are guided by something greater—the growth and development of their people.In this conversation, Nate shares stories that show how early experiences in sport can shape whether kids stay in the game or walk away from it altogether. We also explore the bigger shifts in football in the U.S. where the focus has moved from joy and development toward signal...
2025-08-221h 17The Athlete Development ShowWho are you, really?Every week, I sit with young athletes and help them paint a clear picture of who they want to become. We close our eyes and imagine an exciting future. What does their best self look like? How does it feel? What are the words that define it? And what actions prove it true? It’s a powerful experience...---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/...
2025-08-1503 minThe Athlete Development ShowEllie Hulsebosch on Embracing Fear, Chasing Flow, and Learning to Love the ProcessEllie Hulsebosch (@elliehulsebosch) is one of the most exciting young athletes on the international downhill mountain biking circuit riding for the legendary Santa Cruz Syndicate. But behind the results sheet is a story of rapid growth, powerful self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to both performance and personal wellbeing.In this conversation, Ellie opens up about her journey — from walking her very first DH race track in 2020 to standing on World Cup podiums in Europe just a few years later. She shares openly about a tough start to the circuit this year, and a cultural reset that is he...
2025-08-0759 minThe Athlete Development ShowFrom the Inside OutWhen a young child sits down to do a puzzle, they often begin by matching patterns. They notice colours and shapes that seem to go together and start forming.... ---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show
2025-07-2902 minThe Athlete Development ShowREBROADCAST: The Crafted Conversation | What coaches are not acknowledging in developing young athletes!?This episode is a rebroadcast of episode #25 of The Crafted Conversation with Marcus Sharrad. Enjoy. ---In this expansive conversation, Dr Craig Harrison invites us to rethink the purpose and practice of youth development. It’s not about designing perfect athletes, but about crafting safe, playful, expressive environments where young people can explore who they are, not just what they can do.Marcus and Craig explore the ecological complexity of performance, the importance of letting go of control, and the centrality of coaching the person before the plan....
2025-07-1756 minThe Athlete Development ShowProfessor Holly Thorpe on Stoke, Action Sports Culture, and Supporting Joyful, Creative Experiences for Our KidsProfessor Holly Thorpe, a leading voice in the sociology of sport from the University of Waikato, is an action sports advocate and someone who’s spent years studying the social dynamics of movement and play.In this episode, Holly shares her journey growing up in Gisborne’s tight-knit windsurfing and skateboarding community, where the learning came from peers, not coaches, and where the natural environment played as big a role as the people did. We discuss the idea of “stoke” — that deep sense of joy and freedom that lives at the heart of action sports — and explore how we might...
2025-06-121h 17The Athlete Development ShowJosh Wall on Movement Mastery, Educational Gyms, and Supporting the Dual Lives of Student-AthletesJosh Wall is the Director of Performance and Athletic Wellbeing at Wycombe Abbey in the UK, and lead S&C coach for England Women’s Lacrosse. Josh brings a wealth of experience from across the school landscape — from boarding to day schools — and is currently completing a Doctorate in Professional Practice at Leeds Beckett University, where his research focuses on supporting student-athletes in independent girls’ schools.In this episode, we explore Josh’s journey from football-mad Manchester United fan to a dynamic coach shaping youth athletic development. We dive into the principles behind his coaching philosophy, including the use of...
2025-05-161h 14The Athlete Development ShowREBROADCAST: The Game Changer | Ep. 2 - Developing Athletes with Dr Craig HarrisonThis is a rebroadcast of episode #2 of The Game Changer podcast, featuring Dr Craig Harrison.---"What does it really take for young athletes to succeed? In this episode of The Game Changer podcast, we sit down with Dr. Craig Harrison, expert in youth athlete development, founder of the Athlete Development Project, and host of The Athlete Development Show to challenge common beliefs about training, success, and the role of parents in sports. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Youth Athlete Development – The biggest misconceptions parents & coaches have.What Separates Elite Athle...
2025-04-0257 minThe Athlete Development ShowBarnaby Sargent Megicks on Talent, Quality Relationships, and Developing the Skills of LifeWhat if talent development wasn’t just about creating better athletes but better people?In this conversation, I sit down with Barnaby Sargent Megicks, a researcher who spent weeks inside a cricket academy, not just watching but truly understanding what makes a talent system work. His focus isn’t just on performance but on how young athletes grow as people, how they balance their sport with school and life, and how the environments they’re in shape their future, both in and out of the game.We dig into the tension between chasing peak p...
2025-03-261h 23The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #11 - Developing Great Young LeadersOn the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on the skills you need to develop great young leaders.---For more on creating game changing environments that unlock meaningful progress, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond the Game here.Connect with Craig on Social:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitterSupport the show
2025-03-141h 00The Athlete Development ShowSuzie Muirhead on Athlete Ownership, Mentorship, and Rewriting the Development ConversationSuzie Muirhead is the creator of Raise My Game, a tool designed to help athletes and their coaches navigate performance planning, personal growth, and decision-making. Suzie’s journey—from New Zealand hockey player to mentor and innovator—has shaped her belief that true development starts with ownership, trust, and the right conversations.Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up. Enjoy!---For more on creating EPIC learning environments that bring out the best in your athletes, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond...
2025-02-201h 05The Athlete Development ShowNick Susko on Systems Thinking, Psychological Safety, a Rewriting the Youth Sport NarrativeThere are two ways to affect learning and development. Direct contact with the individuals and teams in front of you, or by influencing the system of which they are part of. My guest on today’s show has spent time doing both, first as a youth team coach at Sydney Football Club and then as Academy Manager. His name is Nick Susko and he played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most successful talent development programs in Australian sport, with over 60 graduates signing professional contracts and dozens representing Australia at every level of the game. In...
2025-02-131h 15The Athlete Development ShowThe Best of 2024 - Dr David Johnson, Dr Ffion Thompson, and Dr John RadnorIn the ‘Best of’ collection for 2024, I’ve pulled together some of the most insightful moments from your favourite guests this year to help you revisit some powerful lessons.In part two of this 3-part series, we hear from Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Academy, Dr David Johnson, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Queen Ethelburga’s School, Dr Ffion Thompson, and Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dr John Radnor. All 3 guests can be heard in full in their respective episodes linked below:ADS 163 Dr David JohnsonAD...
2024-12-2741 minThe Athlete Development ShowThe Best of 2024 - Dr Ihirangi Heke, Rusty Earnshaw, and Dr Richard YoungIn the Best Of 2024 collection, I’ve pulled together some of the most insightful moments from your favourite guests to help you revisit some powerful lessons.In part one of this 3-part series, we hear from Founder of the Atua Matua, Dr Ihirangi Heke, People Developer, Rusty Earnshaw, and Performance Breakthrough Specialist, Dr Richard Young. All 3 guests can be heard in full in their respective episodes linked below:ADS 163 Dr Ihirangi HekeADS 170 Rusty EarnshawADS 174 Dr Richard YoungWe kick off this anthology episode hearing from Richard about the powerful idea he calls the ‘busy...
2024-12-181h 00The Athlete Development ShowDr Julia Casadio | Her StrengthAt the age of 17, my guest on today’s show received advice from her ski coach that led to her drop out. Although well intended, is was advice lacking in awareness of female physiology. Dr Julia Casadio is a sport physiologist and applied researcher with over 15 years of experience in elite sport. She has spent most of her career in the Performance Physiology team at High Performance Sport New Zealand. Julia and I connected around her latest project, Her Strength, a science-based digital platform designed to educate on the unique needs of the young female ath...
2024-12-091h 02The Athlete Development ShowTara Vaughan | From Shy North Harbour Teen to Olympic Gold MedalistI met Tara at the age of 14 when she first entered the sports hall at AUT Millennium to join our Athlete Development Program. Four years later she got a call from esteemed Canoe Racing New Zealand lead coach, Gordon Walker, inviting her to join the high performance world. Then, just two years after that, she teamed up with Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin and Olivia Brett to win gold in the woman’s K4 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.This is Tara’s story.For more on creating EPIC learning environments that bring out the best...
2024-11-291h 01The Athlete Development ShowDr Ben Pullen on Creativity, How the Environment Shape Us, and Challenge-Based Strength Training for ChildrenThe evidence is clear. Stronger athletes move better, get injured less and stay engaged with sport for longer. But what should strength training look like for children? My guest today is Dr Ben Pullen, PhD in paediatric strength and conditioning and the founder of Young Athlete Training. Ben’s work integrates the physical and psychological considerations of development to provide novel, engaging and individualised strength training to both child and teenage athletes. In this conversation, we learn all about Ben’s approach, including the four pillars that underpin his work, his specifi...
2024-11-201h 22The Athlete Development ShowIan Renshaw on Making Learning FunMy guest today is Associate Professor Ian Renshaw, teacher, coach, researcher, and voracious learner. Over 35 years working in higher education, Ian has advised sporting organisations at the community and high performance level, published over 190 research articles, written several books, and collaborated on projects all over the world. In this conversation, we trace Ian’s fascinating journey from schoolboy in the UK to working and raising children in New Zealand and Australia. Ian shares stories of engagement, motivation, optimism and development to help us create better learning environments for the young people we serve. Enjoy! ...
2024-10-281h 14The Athlete Development ShowKnow your Worth | Dr Martin BuchheitMy guest today is Dr Martin Buchheit, an esteemed author of over 250 scientific papers, 2 best-selling books, co-founder of the HIIT Science podcast, and over 20 years working in professional sports. Focusing on bridging the gap between sports science knowledge and its practical application, Martin has held roles at Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Olympique de Lyon, Lille OSC, Aspetar, Aspire Academy, and various other consultancies around the world.In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore Martin’s educated perspective on development, including how he applies what he believes with his own kids. This is a conversation less about the science of...
2024-10-201h 08The Athlete Development ShowDavid Johnson on Growth, Maturation, Training Load, and Defending Against InjuryThis conversation is with Dr David Johnson, a physical development specialist with a deep understanding of growth and development. His research in injury prevention has shown what’s possible in football when the natural changes every young athlete experiences are accounted for. As the Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Academy and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bath, David continues to be a leader in this field. Today, we explore David’s research, including the questions he asked, what he found and how he integrated his findings into practice. We discuss how you...
2024-10-131h 14The Athlete Development ShowDr Richard Young on Turning Potential into PerformanceAre you looking for deeper, more impactful development? The answer is strategic simplicity. My guest today is Dr Richard Young, keynote speaker, author, and adviser to sports leaders, teams, and professionals around the world. He has won international gold medals in cycling, coached world champions, created medal-winning programmes for three countries, and has been described as a ‘world-class performance creator’.Born in the UK, raised in Canada, and now living with his four children in Dunedin, New Zealand, Richard earned his PhD in engineering and medical science and has studied the key differences between what athle...
2024-10-061h 01The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #10 - Managing Huge Playing Loads, Building Trust, Coaching for Confidence, the Rise of Specialisation in NZ Sport, & moreOn the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on another successful season for Dave coaching the Westlake Boys 1st XI and how he managed huge playing loads, the need for individualising support, how to build trust, markers of fatigue, the rise of specialisation in the NZ sporting system and what this means for player development, how to coach for confidence over competence, and more. If you enjoy today’s chat, please do me a massive favour and support the show by sharing it with your mates.
2024-09-2652 minThe Athlete Development ShowHelp your athletes find more meaning | Dr Noora RonkainenThis conversation is with Assistant Professor in Sport Psychology at the University of Bern in Switzerland, Dr Noora Ronkainen. Noora’s work centres on meaningful experiences in sport, exercise and physical cultures. In this episode, we dive into the concept of existential learning. Noora defines the idea for us and shares some research highlighting how reflecting on setbacks in sport can lead to personal growth. We also discuss: The current pressures on young athletes The role of identity in sport;How technology can shape future aspirations;Gender differences in role models;Why young athletes leave sports; andTh...
2024-09-181h 01The Athlete Development ShowProfessor Brendan Cropley on Effective Coaching, Reflective Practices, and the Integration of Psychological DevelopmentToday’s conversation is with Professor of Sport Coaching at the University of South Wales and Head of the Centre for Football Research in Wales, Brendan Cropley. Brendan is an esteemed scholar and has made a significant contribution to the Sport and Exercise Science, particularly in the area of psychology and coach education. He is also recognised worldwide as an expert in Reflective Practice and consults with a range of organisations across several industry sectors.In this episode, we explore the power of aligning coaching values with the needs of developing children, focusing on more than just per...
2024-09-061h 23The Athlete Development ShowRussell Earnshaw is a Wizard | Lessons from a Master Developer of PeopleToday’s conversation is with seasoned coach developer at the Magic Academy, Russell ‘Rusty’ Earnshaw. We explore all sorts on the show, from the subtle art of balancing authenticity with professionalism to the evolving role of psychology in sports. You’ll hear about the importance of showing up, the magic of playfulness in coaching, and even a few secret experiments designed to push the boundaries of what it means to be a great coach. If you’re curious about the intersection of personal growth, team dynamics, and the ever-changing landscape of sports, you’re going to love this one. If...
2024-08-231h 24The Athlete Development ShowDr John Radnor on the Art and Science of Youth Athletic DevelopmentDr John Radnor works in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning, the Programme Lead for their Masters in Youth Athletic Development, and the Research and Innovation Lead for their Youth Physical Development Centre. In 2023, John was awarded the Youth Strength and Conditioning Coach of the year award from the UKSCA. Over his 15 years as a coach, he has worked with many sports, including football, rugby, and rowing. John is currently using his research in talent identification and development to assist in the structures of academy pathways.In...
2024-08-011h 18The Athlete Development ShowDr Suzanne Brown on Developmental Transitions, Love, Coach Resilience, Telling Stories, & moreDr Suzanne Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Emotional Fitness Consultant. With over 15 years of experience, including time as Lead Psychologist for Sunderland Football Club in the UK, she has pioneered a new way of working that bridges clinical psychology with elite performance.Suzanne studied at the University of Birmingham, earning her undergrad and Master's degrees with top honours, and she completed her Doctorate at Coventry & Warwick University.This episode is full of gold, including an inside look at Suzanne’s practice and how it has evolved over time, the complexities of developmental transitions, the ne...
2024-07-181h 26The Athlete Development ShowDr John Alder on Inspiring Change, Developing Great Teams, the Human Side of Development, & moreDr John Alder (@JohnAlderWRU) is a development practitioner whose life mission is to help individuals, teams, and organisations flourish while promoting culture-driven leadership. He has worked with Professional, Olympic, and Paralympic sports on and across six continents, throughout the pathway, from regional development through to a World Cup and Olympic Games. John is currently the Head of Player Development at the Welsh Rugby Union, responsible for cultivating a development rich environment for Wales’s most promising female and male rugby players on their journey from talented juniors to world class international performers. In this conversation, we...
2024-07-111h 05The Athlete Development ShowDr Ffion Thompson on the Impacts and Implications of Busy Student-Athlete SchedulesDr Ffion Thompson is a post-doctoral researcher in youth athletic development at Leeds Beckett University in the UK, where she is module lead on the science of sport performance course, as well as a leader within the Centre of Child and Adolescent Physical Literacy. Ffion also serves as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Queen Ethelburga’s School, Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coach at Leeds Rhinos Netball, and Women’s Head of Athletic and Physical Development at Wales Lacrosse. Ffion's focus lies in holistic and dual career development, aiming to enhance experiences and opportunities for children and adol...
2024-07-0557 minThe Athlete Development ShowLessons from Opera: Insights from New Zealand Cricket Coach Developer, Christian ThurstonOn the show today, I’m speaking with Regional Coach Development Manager at New Zealand Cricket, Christian Thurston. In this conversation, Christian shares his story of successfully transitioning from a professional opera singer into coach development. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show
2024-06-131h 24The Athlete Development ShowDr Riki Lindsay on Skill Learning, Fatherhood,The Adaptable Coach, and Much MoreOn the show today, I’m speaking with Health and Physical Education Lecturer at Federation University in Victoria, Australia, Dr Riki Lindsay. Riki has a PhD in Human Movement Science from Victoria University, a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Auckland University of Technology and he is currently working towards a second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. In this conversation, Riki and I dig into his new paper all about skill learning, titled “The adaptable coach – a critical review of the practical implications for traditional and constraints-led approaches in sport coaching.”Enjoy!
2024-05-291h 20The Athlete Development ShowDr Ihirangi Heke on Māori Knowing and the Power of an Environmentally Centred Approach to Athlete PerformanceOn the show today, I’m speaking with researcher and founder of the Atua Matua framework, Dr Ihirangi Heke. Ihi builds health, wellness and performance practices based on traditional environmental knowledge. In this conversation, Ihi and I discuss the good ol’ days of PE school in Dunedin and the changes that have taken place since. Ihi shares some of his early experiences growing up in the great outdoors and what led to his work studying environmental science. We talk about genetic ways of knowing developed over multiple generations and how learning takes place from a Māori perspe...
2024-05-131h 26The Athlete Development ShowDr Matthew Wylde on Aligning Science to Practice and an Exciting New Initiative at the Singapore Sports SchoolOn the Show today I'm speaking with Head of Performance Pathways Science at the National Youth Sports Institute in Singapore, Dr Matthew Wylde. Matthew has been within the Singapore high performance system for over 15 years, having held roles with the Singapore Sport Institute, Singapore Sports School and now with the National Youth Sports Institute. He holds a PhD from Bournemouth University, which explored the use of wearable technologies to reduce injury rates within a youth athlete population, and a MSc in Performance Analysis from Cardiff Metropolitan University.In this episode, Matthew shares a fantastic new initiative at t...
2024-05-021h 05The Athlete Development ShowAaron Webb on the Artistry of People DevelopmentOn the Show today I'm speaking with the man behind the Crusaders Rugby Academy, Aaron Webb. The programme operates in line with the New Zealand Rugby Union's six pillars of development - technical, tactical, physical, nutrition, mental skills and holistic life skills. Aaron shares how he goes about his work with a clear focus on developing young men with the skills to reach their goals in professional rugby and grow into excellent community citizens. This is a conversation about the artistry of people development. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game...
2024-04-031h 10The Athlete Development ShowBrian Shelley on School versus Club Football, Building Resilience, Player Empowerment, & much moreBrian Shelley is Head of Football at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland where he coaches at the premier level and oversees the development pathways. He earned his UEFA A License with the English FA. Prior to his coaching career, Brain played professional football in the UK where he competed for clubs in both the UEFA Cup and Champions League. In this conversation we discuss school versus club football, Brian's coaching approach and the experiences that have led to it, how he thinks about building resilience, growing the game in New Zealand, and much more.
2024-03-271h 12The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #09 - Street Football, Skill Variability, Session Planning, Developing a Culture of Learning, & moreHead of coaching at Birkenhead United FC in Auckland, New Zealand and Co-founder of Player Development Project, Dave Wright (@davewright07), rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind.We discuss our experiences in youth sport over the past couple of months, including using street football as a development tool and why Dave loves it as a format, accounting for skill variability in our athletes, planning for all-round development, designing cultures of learning, and much more. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig t...
2024-03-1945 minThe Athlete Development ShowTim Brazier on Developing Supportive Relationships, Dealing with Expectation, the Problem with Fun, Micro-Dosing Reflection, and Much MoreTim Brazier (@coach_brazier) has been coaching in high performance sport for over 15 years. After earning a Master's degree from the University of Otago, Tim took up a lecturing role at Otago Polytechnic for two years. He went on to coach at Triathlon New Zealand for 7 years and attended two Olympic Games. Tim now coaches at Fitter, a New Zealand based triathlon coaching business offering highly personalised, professional coaching to a wide range of athletes. He also works for Snow Sports New Zealand as a physiologist. In this conversation we discuss the power of the supportive relationships, de...
2023-12-051h 29The Athlete Development ShowREBROADCAST: Athletes Authority ON AIR | Ep. 162 - Dr Craig Harrison - Genetics Isn't Enough & Understanding Psychosocial Factors In The Youth SpaceThis is a rebroadcast of episode 162 of Athletes Authority ON AIR podcast, featuring Dr Craig Harrison. "Craig gives us a breakdown of his coaching background, why he chose to work in the youth space over other areas of physical development, how his diverse background set him up for success, how he implements mental skills or the "unseen" side of training into his programming, how environment and parenting plays a massive role in the success of an athlete plus a whole lot more." Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject...
2023-11-1046 minThe Athlete Development ShowJordi Taylor on Athlete Assessment, Individualising Programming, The Foundations of Athleticism, Managing Injuries, and MoreJordi Taylor (@coach_jorditaylor) is a Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach at Athletes Authority, a strength and conditioning gym for athletes in Sydney and Melbourne, in Australia. Jordi also heads up Media & Partnerships at Athlete Authority and hosts their ON AIR Podcast. In this conversation, Jordi takes us inside Athletes Authority's Emerging Athlete Programme, a service specifically designed for young athletes. I really enjoyed hearing from Jordi and his no filter approach to sharing what they do and how they do it. There's plenty of gold in this one so stay tuned to hear from one of...
2023-10-091h 04The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #08 - Creating Team Culture, Navigating Tournament Play, Helping Coaches Be Their Best Selves, & moreHead of coaching at Birkenhead United FC in Auckland, New Zealand and Co-founder of Player Development Project, Dave Wright (@davewright07), rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind.We discuss our experiences in youth sport over the past couple of months, including how Dave goes about creating team culture, the pros and cons of tournament play, the essential ingredients in coach development, and much more. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at your club or school here. Co...
2023-09-291h 04The Athlete Development ShowDr Sarah Chantler on Teaching Food Skills to Young AthletesDr Sarah Chantler is a registered dietician and performance nutritionist. Originally from South Africa, Sarah is now based at Leeds Beckett University in the UK where she is a senior lecturer and applied practitioner. Sarah's fascinating work highlights why we should prioritise teaching food skills over food knowledge to the adolescent athlete. We dig into this idea during the episode and Sarah gives some great examples to use with your athletes. We also discuss the role of the coach in nutrition, how age should impact what we focus on and the value of snacking as a starting...
2023-09-081h 12The Athlete Development ShowRoyston Dsouza on the Muck of Mumbai, Movement Skill, and Keeping the Joy in Sport"Grass was a luxury, if you saw grass, you'd go and roll in it."My conversation today is with Royston Dsouza. Hailing from India, where he spend much of his childhood playing football on the streets of Mumbai, Royston is now based in Auckland, Aotearoa, where he works as a movement skill coach and as a football coach. Royston played top level club football in India for five years before quitting and making the move to New Zealand to study. In this conversation, I chat with Royston about his joyful childhood, including his wide range o...
2023-08-221h 30The Athlete Development ShowAustin Einhorn and Dr Jeff Moreno on the Macronutrients of MovementThis conversation is with Austin Einhorn and Dr Jeff Moreno, recorded live in Santa Cruz, California.Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the showSupport the show
2023-07-2849 minThe Athlete Development ShowGareth Turnbull on the Power of Football for Developing Skills for LifeOn the show this week, I'm speaking with Pathways Manager and A-League Women's Assistant Coach at Melbourne Victory Football Club, Gareth Turnbull.Gareth has been full time in football since 2008, beginning his career as a Football Development Manager for Coastal Spirit Football Club in Christchurch, and moving on to New Zealand Football where he served as the High Performance Athlete Development Manager, Head Coach of the National U17 and U20 Woman's programmes, and the Football Ferns Assistant Coach. I love Gareth's perspective not only on football development, but on life. And in this conversation, we d...
2023-07-091h 12The Athlete Development ShowJay Carter on Talent, Skilled Golfers, and Helping Young Athletes Lead ThemselvesIt's an absolute pleasure to bring Golf New Zealand's National Coach, Jay Carter, on the show. Jay and I met not long ago when he reached out to ask me on his fantastic podcast, Talking Performance. We had a great conversation and barely scratched the surface on some topics I wanted to talk more about. So, here we are. While Jay and I spend our days in different sports and with athletes at different stages of development, we share a lot in common. Most significantly, the common goal to help young athletes lead themselves. Jay...
2023-06-261h 30The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #07 - Moments of Gratitude, Trips Abroad, Finding Joy, Negative Parent Behaviour, & moreHead of coaching at Birkenhead United FC in Auckland, New Zealand and Co-founder of Player Development Project, Dave Wright (@davewright07), rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind.We discuss our experiences in youth sport over the past couple of months, including a recent trip Dave took to Tonga and what he learnt from it, the importance of joy and how to find it, and the continued rise in negative parent behaviour. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at y...
2023-06-181h 10The Athlete Development ShowMike Hester on the Evolution of Rugby in New Zealand"Fun is a fleeting moment. Joy is something that's enduring, something that brings you back."Mike Hester works for New Zealand Rugby and is responsible for leading their approach to the evolution of the game at participation level. Prior to this role, Mike spent 28 years at the New Zealand Defence Force where he worked as a Career and Talent Manager.Mike is also a former FIFA referee and has officiated at the highest level at pinnacles events across the world, including the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
2023-05-231h 14The Athlete Development ShowDane Baker on Fuelling for Performance, Fad Diets, and Low Energy Availability in SportDane Baker is a Performance Dietitian who has worked extensively with New Zealand's elite athletes and organisations over the past 15 years, including the Chiefs, Blues, Black Ferns 7s, NZ Hockey and NZ Swimming. He was also the NZ team dietitian for the Rio Olympics and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.Dane is an active researcher in the field of RED-s, a lecturer at the University of Otago and has a leadership role as part of WHISPA, a specialist group dedicated to optimising female health and performance at High performance Sport New Zealand. He also leads the nutrition provision fo...
2023-05-161h 39The Athlete Development ShowKylie Cox on the Importance of a Healthy and Regular Menstrual CycleWe all have times in our lives that change us. Watershed moments that force us into thinking differently. Kylie Cox had one of these very moments a few years ago while training for an Ironman World 70.3 Age Group Championship. Despite continuing to perform in training, a number a life stressors coincided with a heavy training load. She became concerned about how her health might impact her menstrual cycle and sought help. Now, after exercising her own curiosity and earning a Master's degree focusing on energetic injuries, Kylie is passionate about helping young athletes and their families understand...
2023-05-091h 34The Athlete Development ShowMark Upton and Ken Willner on Promoting Freedom, Creativity, Collaboration and CompetitionMy conversation this week is with Mark Upton and Ken Willner.Mark is passionate about supporting people's WayFinding endeavours by facilitating the emergence of new connections, new capacities, and meaningful stories and refections as we journey together. He has a particular interest in helping people find their way in sport. You can find Mark's work @ myfastestmile.comKen Willner is a sports photographer passionate about keeping children in sport. Through collaboration with international and local professionals, Ken provides a fresh approach to helping young people flourish in sports. You can find Ken's work @ yellowforyelling.com
2023-05-0153 minThe Athlete Development ShowSamuel McKenzie - The 1st XV Rugby Experience in New Zealand (Repost)Today on the show , I'm winding the clock back to May 2020 when I sat down with my good friend Samuel McKenzie. In 2019, Sam completed his Master's degree at AUT University focusing on 1st XV rugby players' perceptions of their coaching environment. Sam's research findings have had a huge impact on the way I think about environments for developing skilled, creative and resilient athletes and so, heading into the winter season, I thought I'd share our conversation again. Sam now works as a coach developer in the talent pathway for the AFL. We pick the conversation u...
2023-04-1749 minThe Athlete Development ShowZane Winslade on Playfulness, Courage, and Developing Mental ToughnessThis week's conversation is with Zane Winslade. Zane is the owner of Flow Sport Mental Performance Coaching, and works with athletes from youth to the elite level across multiple codes. Zane has a a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Leisure Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology from John F Kennedy University. On the show today , Zane shares how he works with young people to help them manage their mind and perform as their best self. We also discuss the 3 key principles Zane founded his Mental Toughness Journ...
2023-04-111h 14The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #06 - How Much is Too Much?Head of coaching at Birkenhead United FC in Auckland, New Zealand and Co-founder of Player Development Project, Dave Wright (@davewright07), rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. How much is too much? In this conversation, we dig into training load. We discuss what load is, where it comes from, how it changes across developmental stages, the danger of doing too much, and how to start thinking about managing it. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to...
2023-04-0243 minThe Athlete Development ShowReed Maltbie on Emotional Fitness, Living a Life in Balance, and the Spartan MindsetLiving a life in balance is about finding flow. It's about capitalising on all of the things that make you a better person without one of them taking over the flow.My guest on today's show is Reed Maltbie, and he's a master at helping athletes find flow. With a Master’s degree in sports psychology and early childhood development and 30 years of professional coaching experience, Reed has dedicated his life to creating the very best environments for athletes of all ages to achieve peak performance, on and off the sports field. Reed ha...
2023-03-271h 21The Athlete Development ShowInvitations to Move | Changing Young People's Lives with Celia Fleck and Dr Dan CookeWhen we value how movement helps us grow, we see invitations to move everywhere we look. In this conversation, I'm bringing two very special people together to share their efforts to change the movement culture inside primary schools in New Zealand. The first is Celia Fleck. For the past 3 and a half years, Celia has been working on a joint government initiative between Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education, and Sport NZ called Healthy Active Learning. The goal of the initiative is to improve wellbeing outcomes for tamariki with a strong focus on using...
2023-03-191h 10The Athlete Development ShowDr James Vaughan on Culture, Praise Addiction, and Developing Skilled PerformersThere are two types of people in the world - managers, and leaders. Managers work hard to maintain the status quo that their jobs and reputations were built on. They seek comfort in the certainty of the way things have always been done. Leaders, on the other hand, seek change. They imagine a better world, and are driven to create it.My guest on today's show is, without doubt, a leader. His name is Dr James Vaughan and he is an UEFA A licensed football coach and coach developer. James' work, which challenges old ways of skill...
2023-03-131h 28The Athlete Development ShowJames Leath on Improv Comedy, Mr Rogers, & Being More ChildlikeJames Leath (@jamesleath) has been coaching student-athletes for over 20 years. He has a master's degree in performance psychology and has worked with companies like IMG Academy, MINDBODY INC, and Under Armour. He currently works with EXOS Human Performance in the US. James has a new book out, entitled "Team Building Activities for Athletes: How to master the art of building a successful team culture through intentional activities." I love the book and wanted to bring James on the pod to tell us all about it. Click HERE to grab some of James' awesome activities for...
2023-03-051h 07The Athlete Development ShowProfessor Arne Güllich on Developing Talent, Learning & the Paradox of Competitive Sport (Repost)On the show today, I'm winding the clock back to December 2021 to when I sat down with Professor Arne Güllich. Arne is a sports scientist and researcher at Technical University of Kaiserslautern, in Germany. He's published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including his latest paper "What Makes a Champion? Early Multidisciplinary Practice, Not Early Specialization, Predicts World-Class Performance", and has coached across multiple levels in sport for number of years.In this conversation, Arne and I discuss his research findings on talent development, coaching, how to develop motivated, self-determined young people, and much more.E...
2023-02-271h 09The Athlete Development ShowDeveloping Rugby League Talent in Schools | Balin Cupples, Ph.D.Today I'm stoked to welcome Dr Balin Cupples, head of performance at the One NZ Warriors. What I love about Balin's story, and why I brought him on the show, is the insight he brings at the intersection between science and practice. Balin has a strong academic background, having earned a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education, and not long ago a PhD from the University of Sydney. But he also grew up playing the game and made a handful of NRL appearances for the Wests Tigers Rugby League Club in his early twenties.
2023-02-201h 33The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #05 - Reflections on the Kiwi Summer BreakIn this episode of the Curious Mind, Dave Wright, founder of Player Development Project, and I reflect on our summer break in Aotearoa, including how our emotions affect the experiences of our children and athletes. We also dig into:Social status, the ego and the risk of adult intervention devoid of awareness;Praise versus affirmation;The monkey mind;The importance of role modelling;Getting comfortable with risk, and;Getting clear on the outcome we are looking for.Enjoy!Please submit your questions for our next Curious Mind by flicking Craig a message here.
2023-02-1243 minThe Athlete Development ShowThe Future of Athletics in New Zealand | Fiona MaiseyThis week, I'm excited to be talking with Young People's Lead at Athletics New Zealand , Fiona Maisey. It's a relatively new role for the organisation, yet super important considering 82% of registered participants in the sport are under the age of 18. Fiona brings a diverse background to the position, including many years practising as a nurse, parenting 4 boys, and a passion for music. We dig into all of this on the show.We also talk about Fiona's efforts to create young people friendly environments, including the importance of finding your tribe, why time is such a valuable resource...
2023-02-071h 38The Athlete Development ShowThe Future of Athletics in New Zealand | Fiona MaiseyThis week, I'm excited to be talking with Young People's Lead at Athletics New Zealand , Fiona Maisey. It's a relatively new role for the organisation, yet super important considering 82% of registered participants in the sport are under the age of 18. Fiona brings a diverse background to the position, including many years practising as a nurse, parenting 4 boys, and a passion for music. We dig into all of this on the show.We also talk about Fiona's efforts to create young people friendly environments, including the importance of finding your tribe, why time is such a valuable resource...
2023-02-071h 38The Athlete Development ShowBen Old on Handling Pressure, Navigating Injury and Living True to Your ValuesHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterBen Old (@_oldie8) played his football in Auckland as a kid before moving to Wellington as a 16 year old to join the Wellington Phoenix. After 3 years playing for the Academy he signed a deal to play professionally for the first team and made his debut as a substitute in the team's 3–0 win over Western United. Ben went on to make 25 first team appearances in his maiden season, starting 12 of them. Ben also represented New Zealand at the 2019 U-17 Wor...
2023-01-291h 02The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #04 - Fostering Inner Drive, Healthy Development, Kids Lifting Weights and Running Long Distances, & moreHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterWelcome to episode #04 of The Curious Mind, our new format of The Athlete Development Show released monthly where Craig sits down with co-founder of Player Development Project and coach Dave Wright to discuss your questions. Please submit your questions for future episodes by flicking Craig a message here.On the show today, Dave and Craig cover a bunch of questions including how to foster your child's inner drive, or whether in fact your should even worry a...
2022-12-141h 08The Athlete Development ShowProfessor Joe Baker on The Tyranny of TalentHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterWhat really is talent? And how do we measure it?My guest on today's show suggests we are a long way off answering either of these questions with any certainty and so we should stop trying. Instead, we should focus on designing sporting environments that support every young learner.Dr. Joe Baker (@bakerjyorku) is Professor and Director of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada.His research considers the varying influences on optimal...
2022-12-081h 13The Athlete Development ShowA Masterclass on Feedback | Rob Mason, Ph.D.Host one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterThe traditional definition of a coach is someone who gives instruction to help an athlete or direct team strategy. The problem with this definition, however, is that it can result in a one-way flow of information - from coach to athlete - which doesn't necessarily line up with how young people learn. On the show today, I chat with coach developer and researcher, Rob Mason (@rob_mason12). Rob holds a PhD in Education and a Masters of Teaching...
2022-12-011h 19The Athlete Development ShowPaul Temple on Being Selfless, Authenticity, and Investing In PotentialHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterThe Wellington Phoenix is the only professional football club in New Zealand. Today on the show we explore the academy system in charge of developing their elite players of tomorrow.To better understand the club's processes - and how they get the balance right between striving for success and looking after the young people at the heart of it - I sat down with Phoenix Academy Director, Paul Temple (@paultemplecoach). Paul Temple is an UEFA A l...
2022-11-241h 27The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #03 - Reimagining the Job of a CoachHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterThis week on the show, I sat down with my good friend, Dave Wright. Dave is head of coaching at Birkenhead United FC in Auckland, New Zealand and Co-founder of Player Development Project, a platform offering a massive collection of coach education resources and online courses. Dave and I often catch up to talk coaching, kids and athlete development, so we thought why not record our conversation and share it with you. Today, we di...
2022-11-161h 26The Athlete Development ShowStephen Cobley on Culture, Forward Looking Development, and Where Swimming Performance Really Comes FromHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterStephen Cobley is an Associate Professor in motor control, skill acquisition, and sport and exercise psychology at The University of Sydney. He earned his Bachelor's degree at Loughborough University, his Master's degree at Queen's University in Canada, and his PhD at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK.Steve's research examines developmental factors that constrain learning, development, and performance across sport, educational, and workplace settings.In this episode, Steve and I discuss some fascinating work his...
2022-11-091h 12The Athlete Development ShowNick Webb on the Habits of High Performance and Developing All-Round CricketersHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterNick Webb (@nick_webby) is a strength and conditioning and performance specialist. Over the last 15 years, Nick has worked for the NZ Warriors, NZ Cricket, the Indian Cricket Team, and more recently, Pakistan Cricket. In 2011, Nick earned a Master of Health Science with First Class Honours from AUT University and he is currently studying towards a Master of Business Administration at Massey University. In this conversation, Nick starts by sharing one of his early exp...
2022-11-0246 minThe Athlete Development ShowChristian Swann on Psychological States of Peak PerformanceHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterAfter experiencing a magic moment playing golf when everything seemed to click and his performance excelled, my guest in this episode began a research journey into psychological states of peak performance.You may have heard athletes talk about being 'in the zone'. It's a time when you're so engrossed in the task at hand that you lose track of time, become supremely confident, and nothing can stop you from putting out your best performance. You just need to...
2022-10-181h 10The Athlete Development ShowOwen Eastwood on BelongingHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterWe all need to feel like we belong to something. And in a world that is, right now, full of more uncertainty and struggle than ever, nothing is more important. This conversation is with performance coach, speaker and international number #1 bestselling author, Owen Eastwood. Owen works with high performing groups in sport and business, including the English Football team, the South African cricket team and the New Zealand All Blacks, to build environments where everyone can...
2022-10-0954 minThe Athlete Development ShowAndy Milne on Creativity, Community and the Skills of Health and WellnessHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterAndy Milne (@carmelhealth) is a teacher, creator, TEDx Speaker and father of two young boys. Originally from England, Andy taught physical education in London for 12 years before moving to America in 2008, where he now teaches Kinetic Wellness and Health at New Trier High School, just north of Chicago. Andy received his BA (hons) in Sports & Recreation at Staffordshire University and his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Exeter University. In 2017 he earned the award for the National Health T...
2022-10-031h 19The Athlete Development ShowErin Bowerman on Learning from Failure, Challenging Entrenched Beliefs, and Developing Strong Young DancersHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletter Erin Bowerman (@dancestrength_nz) is a movement specialist working in dance. She holds a Masters Degree from AUT University, where she carried out her research at the Australian Ballet School in conjunction with High Performance Sport New Zealand looking at the risk factors for overuse injuries in elite adolescent ballet dancers. Erin works as a strength coach for the New Zealand Dance Company and the New Zealand Youth Ballet Company. From 2016-2018, she was based in London where...
2022-09-231h 12The Athlete Development ShowJames Mortimer: Speed KillsHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletter James Mortimer (@jamesmortimernz) is a former national hurdles and sprint athlete, having represented New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. James now coaches a group of some of our fastest athletes, including Zoe Hobbs, who recently ran 11.08 seconds at the Athletics World Championships in the US to set a new New Zealand record. He also works at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland where he manages day to day operations of a portfolio of sports from Ye...
2022-09-121h 19The Athlete Development ShowThe Curious Mind #02 - Awareness, Building Rapport, Important Questions, Austin's New Course, and MoreHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterCoach, writer, educator, pioneer in skill acquisition and deliciously inquisitive guy Austin Einhorn (@apiros.team) rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. In this one we discuss being a reflective coach, building rapport with your athletes, important questions to develop your awareness, parenting, Austin's new course and much, much more.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps...
2022-08-221h 20The Athlete Development ShowThe School of Shred with Tom WillmottHost one of Craig's talks at your club or schoolSign-up to receive Craig's free newsletterTom Willmott (@tomwillmott) is the head coach of the park and pipe program at Snow Sports New Zealand. Tom leads a team of coaches that looks after ~20 athletes from the very elite, including winter olympic gold medalists Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteous, to 11 and 12 year olds in the national development programme.Tom is a former snowboard competitor and national champion, has a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance, a Master’s degree in Physical Education and a Bachelor’s degr...
2022-07-081h 10The Athlete Development ShowJamie Salter on Managing Growth-Related InjuriesJamie Salter (@jay_salter) is a researcher and senior lecturer in sport science and Injury at York St John University where he delivers theory and practical based sessions to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the areas of injury prevention, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. Jamie is also an accredited Strength and Conditioning coach and Sport Scientist and has worked in physical preparation roles with youth and adult athletes at Barnsley FC, Middlesbrough FC, York City Knights RLFC and GB Goalball. Jamie's PhD, which dig into in our conversation, investigated how biological maturation impacts responses to t...
2022-06-281h 16The Athlete Development ShowShaun Matthews on Having a Coaching Philosophy, Performance vs Character and Developing Self-Reliant LearnersOn the show today I chat with Shaun Matthews, Community Coaching Advisor at Harbour Sport.We dig into:The importance of a coaching philosophy;What Shaun has learnt about talent;Coaching mindset;Developing self-reliant learners;Balance; And much more.Please enjoy the show.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps me keep producing the show. I also love hearing your feedback!Sign up for Craig's free weekly newsletter by scrolling down. It's full of research-backed, practical i...
2022-05-271h 06The Athlete Development ShowVince Minjares on Developing Better Youth CoachesYouth sport coaches are undervalued. In this conversation, Dr Vince Minjares (@PlayerLearning) tells us why and how we can go about changing it. Vince leads game and coach development at Harbour Basketball, on the North Shore of Auckland, and holds a PhD in Coaching and Pedagogy.Please enjoy the show.Kia ora!If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps me keep producing the show. I also love hearing your feedback!Sign up...
2022-05-191h 42The Athlete Development ShowJamie Taylor on Giving and Receiving FeedbackFeedback is not just about what is said but what is heard. In this conversation, Jamie Taylor (@JTGreyMatterUK) tells us more. Jamie is a senior coach developer at Grey Matters, an evidence-based organisation that consults across a wide range of sports to raise their game. Prior to this, Jamie coached at Leicester Tigers for 7 years, developed coaches at the English Institute of Sport and taught school children. Jamie holds a PhD in Coaching Science and professional qualifications in teaching, coaching and mentoring. His research interests are coaching, talent development and coach development and he...
2022-03-2553 minThe Athlete Development ShowProfessor Arne Güllich on Developing Talent, Learning & the Paradox of Competitive SportProfessor Arne Güllich is a sports scientist and researcher at Technical University of Kaiserslautern, in Germany. He's published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including his latest paper "What Makes a Champion? Early Multidisciplinary Practice, Not Early Specialization, Predicts World-Class Performance", and has coached across multiple levels in sport for number of years. In this conversation, Arne and I discuss his latest research findings on talent development, coaching, how to develop motivated, self-determined young people, and much more. Please enjoy the show.Kia ora!If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a s...
2021-12-151h 08The Athlete Development ShowKimberley Carducci on Athlete Identity, Depression & Navigating Sport RetirementWe all know the benefits of sporting success. But what happens when it all goes wrong? Kimberly Carducci grew up engrossed in sport and started breaking records in the pool as a 6-year-old. Winning felt good and Kim quickly wanted more of it. As a D1 swimmer in the US, Kim was a 4-time State Champion, 4-time Scholastic All-American, 4-time All-State Selection and an 8-time All-American honoree. But after retiring from the sport that she'd dedicated her life to, Kim had a moment of outrage on a tennis court that forced h...
2021-11-1546 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 111: Kathryn Berkett - Raising ResilienceKathryn Berkett - Raising ResilienceOn the show today is neuroscience educator, Kathryn Berkett.Kathryn delivers information about the brain to a variety of groups including teachers, parents, mental health professionals, corporates and, more recently, sports organisations.Kathryn has her Masters in Educational Psychology, is a certified Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics practitioner and a TEDx presenter.She also co-hosts the podcast "I've got questions" with Pio Terei about all things neuroscience. This was a super cool discussion with lots of insight that I think you're gonna love.
2021-10-311h 10The Athlete Development ShowEP 110: Des Ryan - Strong Young GunnersDes Ryan - Strong Young Gunners Des is the Director of Coaching and Performance at Setanta College - a provider of online Strength & Conditioning and Athletic Development education. Prior to this, Des spent 8 years at Arsenal Football where he led the Sports Medicine and Athletic Development department for the club's Academy. Des cut his strength and conditioning teeth working with Irish rugby. In this conversation, Des shares all that he has come to understand about getting the best out of himself and the young people he works with.
2021-10-271h 21The Athlete Development ShowEP 109: Courtney McGregor - What Adversity Can Teach UsCourtney McGregor - What Adversity Can Teach Us At 12:41 pm on Tuesday 22nd of February 2011, a major earthquake hit Christchurch killing 185 people. Located 6.7 kilometres south-east of the city centre, the shake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, changing life as people knew it.Artistic gymnast Courtney McGregor (@_courtneymcgregor_), was 12 at the time. Courtney remembers the earthquake being a pivotal moment in her sporting journey. It shaped the way she approached her gymnastics. How she took on a challenge. And dealt with fear. At just 17 years old, C...
2021-09-0943 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 108: Jay Thooft - Mindset MattersJay Thooft - Mindset MattersToday we hear from a coach of the mind, Jay Thooft (@trainwithperc). Jay is dedicated to providing developing athletes with the tools necessary to elevate their mental game and perform in the face of stress, pressure, and adversity. Currently, he oversees the mental performance training for 16 organisations in the Greater Denver area in the US and impacts approximately 5000 athletes, performers, executives, business owners, parents, and coaches every year. Prior to this, Jay spent several years at the United States Olympic Training Center in...
2021-08-241h 13The Athlete Development ShowEP 107: Brooke Neal - Finding BalanceBrooke Neal - Finding BalanceBrooke was an independent and stubborn kid growing up. She knew what she wanted and was highly driven to go out and get it. Chasing her dream of elite sporting success, Brooke first made the New Zealand Blacks Sticks as a 19-year-old. But it wasn't what she expected. Instead of fame and fortune, it was a massive struggle. She was training harder than ever before and yet her performance was getting worse. Something had to change. Over the next 10 years of he...
2021-08-1049 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 106: Anna Simcic - Train Smarter, Not HarderTrain Smarter, Not HarderToday's conversation is with double Olympian, Anna Simcic. Anna represented NZ at two Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games where she won a gold and two silver medals in the backstroke. She was consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world and in 1992 when she set a short-course world record. Anna now works for High Performance Sport NZ as an Athlete Life Advisor. She believes in a values and strengths-based approach to her work, full of energy, compassion and good humour. Kia ora,Craig
2021-08-0254 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 105: Andrew Ellis - Connection Is KeyConnection is KeyOn the show today I chat with former international cricketer, Andrew Ellis. Andrew played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 2003 until 2020 and represented his country in both the One Day and Twenty20 formats of the game.Andrew is now a dad of two young children and works for High-Performance Sport New Zealand as the manager of the Christchurch region.In this conversation, Andrew and I discuss age and stage appropriate coaching, finding the courage the take risks, connection and why Andrew believes it is the starting point for everything...
2021-05-181h 17The Athlete Development ShowEP 104: Howard Green - Tennis FitTennis FitHoward Green (@HGreenTennisFit) is a strength and conditioning coach working in tennis. He coordinates the sports science and medicine team at Bolton Arena International Tennis Academy and works privately with many up and coming and elite players, including Ana Ivanovic.Prior to his work in sport, Howard was a Commando in the Royal Marines. After completing his basic training just out of school, the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre happened and changed the world. Howard went on to complete tours of Iraq and Afghanistan over a space of six...
2021-04-271h 13The Athlete Development ShowEP 103: Dr Alex Roberts - Talent Is Not ObjectiveTalent Is Not ObjectiveDr Alex Roberts (@AlexHRoberts) teaches at La Trobe University in Australia and conducts research focusing on skill acquisition, talent identification and the science of coaching.In this conversation, Alex and I discuss her childhood growing up as a high-achieving Aussie, her journey as an athlete in the NCAA system and her fascinating PhD research that sheds new light on the role of the coach in talent identification, selection and development.Kia ora!CraigIf you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short...
2021-03-291h 04The Athlete Development ShowEP 102: Aaron Quinn - Movement Is LifeMovement is Life Aaron (@movement_yoda) works at Apiros, a movement culture based in Santa Cruz, California, where he connects with athletes from developmental level to the professional.Aaron graduated from the University of California Davis with a degree in Genetics before going on to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University. He then did a 9-month residency program in Vallejo California, specialising in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). Aaron taught residents and worked with people suffering from neurological insults, including stroke, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury as a fac...
2021-03-1555 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 101: Daniel Greenwood - Using Science to Help PeopleUsing Science to Help PeopleDaniel Greenwood (@DanielGreenw00d) is a scientist.He spends his days with athletes, coaches and other service providers solving interesting problems in sport.Dan started his sport science journey in Sydney as an undergraduate student. After earning his degree he moved to Canberra to complete postgraduate study at the Australian Institute of Sport. Next, Dan broadened his horizon with a job in Singapore at the Sports Council. Studying towards a PhD came next, as well as a role at the Queensland Academy of Sport. He then...
2021-03-091h 09The Athlete Development ShowEP 100: Reflections on the first 99 showsReflections on the first 99 ShowsWow! 100 Epidoses! It's been awesome! Today, with the help of my good friend Dan Cooke (@cooke_dm), I take a look back on what I've learnt from the first 99 shows. A massive THANK YOU to you all for sticking with me and I look forward to sharing many more episodes with you. If you have any burning questions you'd like tackled on future shows or guests you'd really like to hear from, please flick me an email to let me know - craig@athletedevelopmentproject.com
2021-03-0254 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 99: Ben Pullen - Using Strength-Based Activities to Empower ChildrenBen Pullen - Using Strength-Based Activities to Empower ChildrenBen Pullen (bpullen_coach) is a PhD student in Paediatric Strength and Conditioning in the Youth Physical Development Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research investigates the effect of Strength and Conditioning in Physical Education on the athletic motor skill competencies and psychological constructs of school children.Check out his latest peer-reviewed paper here.Ben also owns a private training facility in the UK where he uses strength-based activities to empower children. Kia ora!If you enjoy the...
2021-02-151h 23The Athlete Development ShowEP 97: Chris Donaldson - Excellence Takes Empathy"Locking back now, when I was younger I had an ability that my body couldn’t cope with. I had the ability to express a lot of force and speed and I was physically not able to cope with it. Also, technically I wasn’t that great when I was younger." - Chris DonaldsonThis is a story of the relentless pursuit of excellence.It's also about empathy, and why in sport, you don't get anywhere without it.I met Chris Donaldson on the red rubber of the Caledonian, Dunedin’s athletic track, in 2000...
2021-01-241h 13The Athlete Development ShowEP 95: Professor David Gerrard CNZM OBE - Fairness in Sport and in LifeNothing beats time spent practising to develop a skill. Getting better requires doing the work. But practice doesn't go the distance unless it's self-motivated.Inner drive is crucial to realising potential - I've seen it play out countless times in aspiring athletes.And there's no better example than David Gerrard - a man who swam for NZ at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.Growing up, David would strap his togs to the handlebars, throw his towel around his neck and bike his way the few blocks to the Mt Eden pool. His mum and dad...
2021-01-101h 31The Athlete Development ShowEP 13 PART 2 – Adrian BlincoeADS 014: Adrian Blincoe – Developing Talent, the Role of the Parent, and being an Olympian In July 2008, Adrian Blincoe (@BlincoeA) ran New Zealand’s best ever time for the 5000 meters. His record still stands today. My name is Dr Craig Harrison, and this is the #AthleteDevelopmentShow. This episode is part two of a […]The post EP 13 PART 2 – Adrian Blincoe appeared first on AUT Millennium News.Support the show
2017-02-0958 minThe Athlete Development ShowEP 13 PART 1 – Sam McEnteeOn the 18 August 2016, Sam McEntee stepped up to start in heat 1 of the 5000 meters at the Summer Olympics games. He was 24. Interestingly, he didn’t’ start taking his running seriously until he was 18, and left high school. My name is Dr Craig Harrison, and this is the Athlete Development Show. […]The post EP 13 PART 1 – Sam McEntee appeared first on AUT Millennium News.Support the show
2017-02-0343 min