Shows
True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 25 - Brayden Miller - Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator - Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football (CFL)Welcome to Episode 25 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Brayden Miller who is the Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.
We dig into Brayden's journey into the Strength & Conditioning field and his role with the Blue Bombers. We discuss the training schedule and challenges that come in the CFL, how he separates the roster into different training groups and how important it is to communicate with your athletes, especially when you are new to...
2024-02-1643 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 24 - Jennifer Love: Head Athletic Therapist - Sarnia Sting Hockey Club (OHL)Welcome to Episode 24 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Jennifer, Love who is the Head Athletic Therapist of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club in the Ontario Hockey League.
We dig into Jennifer's journey into the Athletic Therapy field and her role with the Sting. We discuss some of the performance gaps that she has seen in her 3 years with the Sting as young players enter the Ontario Hockey League and how performance coaches can help them prepare for the physical and emotional side...
2023-11-3031 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 23 - Tanner Care: Director of Performance, Head of Strength & Conditioning - Vancouver Bandits Basketball (CEBL)Welcome to Episode 23 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Tanner Care, who is the Director of Performance: Head of Strength & Conditioning of the Vancouver Bandits as well as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.
We dig into Tanner's journey in the sports performance field from athlete, to the private sector, to his current role out west with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. We chat about how professional sport and the athletes in...
2023-09-2527 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 22 - Sheldon Persad: Strength & Conditioning Coach, Co-Owner - Personal Best Health & Performance, Senior Advisor, Business Performance - Canadian Sports Centre OntarioWelcome to Episode 22 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Sheldon Persad, who is a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Co-Owner of Personal Best Health & Performance which provides comprehensive health, wellness and high performance services to corporations and individual clients. Sheldon is also the Senior Advisor, Business Performance at the Canadian Sports Centre - Ontario where he leads the strategic planning of the organization and oversees strategic partnerships with external clientele. Sheldon is based out of Toronto, Ontario.
We dig into Sheldon's journey into the...
2023-05-0635 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 21 - Danielle Rancourt: Registered Dietitian & Certified Sports Dietitian, CEO/Lead Dietitian - Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Welcome to Episode 21 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Danielle Rancourt, who is the CEO/Lead Dietitian at Pivot Nutrition Coaching. Danielle is originally from Sudbury, Ontario but now calls Grand Forks, North Dakota (USA) home.
We dig into Danielle's journey into the nutrition coaching field, how her personal experiences as a former NCAA Division I hockey player showed her the impact proper fueling can have on sport performance. We also chat about her "pivot" into starting her own nutrition coaching business, the...
2023-03-1842 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 20 - Carmen Bott: Founder/Sports Performance Coach - Coach Bott Consulting Services, Full-Time Lecturer of Kinesiology - Simon Fraser UniversityWelcome to Episode 20 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Carmen Bott, who is the Founder/Sports Performance Coach at Coach Bott Consulting Services, as well as a Full-Time Lecturer of Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. Coach Bott is based out of beautiful Coquitlam, British Columbia.
We dig into Carmen's journey in the the performance coaching field, her extensive background working with a variety of athletes and sports, how to get clear on the demands of the sport when it comes to developing Repeat Sprint Ability, as w...
2023-01-021h 04True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 19 - Scott Willgress: Physiology/Strength & Conditioning Lead - Canadian Sports Institute (CSI) AtlanticEpisode 19 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Scott Willgress who is the Physiology/Strength and Conditioning Lead at the Canadian Sports Institute (CSI) Atlantic based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
We dig into Scott's journey in the performance coaching field, what lead him to his position at CSI-Atlantic, what athletes and programs he works with, some of the things that went into the planning and preparation for the Women's Olympic Softball team in the four (five with the Covid-19 Global Pandemic) years leading into the Tokyo Olympics a...
2022-11-1544 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 18 - Callen McGibbon: Performance Director/Founder - Health Living Elite Fitness Center, Founder - REPerformance Physical Education Platform/AppEpisode 18 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Callen McGibbon who is an Entrepreneur, CEO and Strength and Conditioning Coach. He is the Founder and Performance Director of Healthy Living Dynamic Fitness Centre as well as the Founder of REPerformance which is a Physical Education Platform/App for Physical & Health Education Teachers. Coach Callen is based in Sudbury, Ontario.
We dig into Callen's journey in the performance coaching field, what lead him to creating REPerformance, his passion around helping students and PHE Teachers build successful pathways in...
2022-10-0140 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 17 - Katie Mitchell: Founder, Clinician & Educator - Thrive NeuroSport Rehabilitation and Performance, Registered Physiotherapist, Certified Athletic Therapist, PhD CandidateEpisode 17 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Katie Mitchell who is a Physiotherapist, Athletic Therapist, Educator and PhD Candidate. Katie is the Founder of Thrive Neurosport Rehabilitation and Performance in Elmira, Ontario.
We dig into Katies's journey in the rehabilitation and performance coaching field, what Neurosport training is and who it is for (spoiler alert...it is not just for concussion rehab), how sport performance coaches, trainers, therapists and sport coaches can integrate Neurosport training into their sessions with and without the use of technology. We w...
2022-08-1759 min
True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 16 - Richard Sylvester: Owner - Essential Performance & Fitness, LTD Advisor - Sport for Life, Newcomer Youth Leadership Coach, PhD CandidateEpisode 16 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Richard Sylvester who is the Owner of Essential Performance & Fitness, LTD Advisor with Sport For Life as well as a Newcomer Youth Leadership Coach in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
We dig into Richard's journey in the performance coaching field, his PhD research titled "Sprint Characteristics in Youth Female Athletes Across Maturation", setting up an optimal overall training environment - Mental aspect, Emotional aspect, Social aspect, Learning aspect, as well as his work with the Newcomers Youth Leadership Program. We also touch on his thoughts...
2022-07-0640 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 15 - Adrian Wellman: Founder, CEO & Lead Lifestyle Coach - Priority MeEpisode 15 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Adrian Wellman who is the Founder, CEO and Head Lifestyle Coach at Priority Me who's purpose "is to support you in creating and sustaining healthy habits, create structure in your life for a sense of ease, and excel in reaching your goals."
We dig into Adrian's journey in the performance and lifestyle coaching field, from co-owning a performance training facility as a Strength Coach/Athletic Therapist to his struggle to thrive vs merely survive which ultimately lead...
2022-05-0555 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 14 - Roman (RJ) Kaszczij: Head Athletic Therapist - Abbotsford Canucks Hockey Club (AHL)Episode 14 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Roman (RJ) Kaszczij who is the Head Athletic Therapist with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL Affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks), located in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
We dig into RJ's journey in the athletic therapy field and path to the AHL, what a "day in the life" is like on the road and at home, how he collaborates with the other members of the performance and coaching staff to return players from injury, as...
2022-03-291h 12True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 13 - Natasha McLaughlin-Chaisson: Sport & Performance Dietitian - NMC NutritionEpisode 13 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Natasha McLaughlin-Chaisson who is a Sports and Performance Dietitian and the Owner of NMC Nutrition, located in Moncton, New Brunswick. Natasha provides education, training and hands-on support to recreational, competitive, Olympic and professional athletes and teams as well as RCMP, First Responders (Fire/Paramedics) and members of the military.
We dig into Natasha's journey in the performance nutrition field, how nutrition and hydration play a major role in recovery, especially within a compressed schedule, ideas around fueling f...
2022-02-2452 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 12 - Sean Holmes: Owner/Head Strength Coach - The Dynamic Athlete & Head Strength Coach - The Toronto Rock (NLL)Episode 12 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Sean Holmes who is the Owner and Head Strength Coach at The Dynamic Athlete, located in the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario. Sean is also the Head Strength Coach for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
We dig into Sean's journey in the sports performance field, what the physical demands are in the sport of lacrosse and what has changed over the years in both professional and youth lacrosse strength and conditioning...
2022-02-1150 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 11 - Naomi James: Mental Performance ConsultantEpisode 11 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Naomi James who is a Mental Performance Consultant who runs her own Mental Performance Consulting company based in Toronto, Ontario. Her mission is to "help performers overcome the mental barriers that hold them back from achieving their personal level of success."
We dig into what led Naomi into mental performance consulting, her path from varsity basketball player at Bishop's University to her current role helping the clients and teams with the mental side of sport and competition. We chat about how the l...
2021-11-1850 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 10 – Becky Swan: Physical Health & Performance Team Supervisor – Vancouver Police Department: Employee Wellness Unit. Owner of Blueline VitalityWelcome to Episode 10 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Becky Swan who is the Physical Health & Performance Team Supervisor within the Employee Wellness Unit at the Vancouver Police Department in Vancouver, British Columbia. Becky is also the Founder of Blueline Vitality, which provides various wellness information and resources specifically for law enforcement or those helping officers.
We dig into what led Becky into strength & conditioning and athletic therapy, her path to the Vancouver Police Department and the progression of her role, and the creation of Blueline...
2021-10-1949 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 9 - Josh Crouse: Head of Sports Performance - St. Francis Xavier UniversityWelcome to Episode 9 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Josh Crouse who is the Head of Sports Performance at St. Francis Xavier in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
We dig into what led Josh into strength and conditioning, his path to St. FX, his area of study as he begins his Master’s Degree research as well as his time with Canada’s Women’s Softball Team as they prepared for their bronze medal run at the Tokyo Olympics this past summer.
You can connect with Josh a...
2021-09-1647 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 8 - Alanna Coulson: Lead Coach Fitness & Performance - University of TorontoWelcome to Episode 8 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I catch up with Alanna Coulson who is the Lead Coach - Fitness & Performance at the University of Toronto. We dig into what led Alanna into strength and conditioning and her path to U of T, how they create learning opportunities for their Under-Graduate and Master's students and some of the things they are digging into to continue to grow the S&C Department and support the student-athletes at U of T. You can connect with Alanna at @a.n.coulson and the U...
2021-08-2537 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 7 - Vince Lucente: Owner/CEO - Atlantic Sports PerformanceWelcome to Episode 7 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Vince Lucente who is the Owner/CEO and Sports Science Coordinator at Atlantic Sports Performance which has two facilities in Nova Scotia. Both the Dartmouth and Bridgewater facility's mission is "to motivate, educate, and inspire our members to be the best version of themselves every day through our transformational client-centered coaching programs."
We dig into what led Vince to create ASP, how they utilize sports technology to gain actionable insights into their clients, as well as what to consider when b...
2021-08-061h 02True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 6 - Lens-Harly Louis: Founder - Recover VibeWelcome to Episode 6 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Lens-Harly Louis, who is the Founder of a Montreal based recover technology company called Recover Vibe. Their mission is to "help the world recover faster and live a pain free lifestyle through the percussion therapy, compression therapy and more"
We will dig into his path from a basketball student-athlete who struggled with multiple injuries, his search for ways to recover faster and stay healthy which lead to creating the Recover Vibe Pro percussion therapy tool...
2021-07-1639 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 5 - Tommy Gingras: Sports Performance Coach & Track & Field Sprints CoachWelcome to Episode 5 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Tommy Gingras, who is a Sports Performance Coach as well as a Track and Field Sprints Coach. I have known Tommy for many years, first working with him when he was a high school student-athlete and now as close colleagues, so it was great to have some fun with him during the rapid fire portion.
We will dig into his path into coaching, his experiences working with athletes in and outside the sport of track...
2021-06-2541 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 4 - Alena Luciani: Founder & Head Coach - Training 2XLWelcome to Episode 4 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Alena Luciani, who is Founder & Head Coach of Training 2XL which is a performance coaching service based in Toronto, Ontario. "Training 2XL believes that education, integrity, and impact are paramount in the pursuit of a meaningful life, and it's our vision to become a trusted resource in the performance coaching community. Whether you are an athlete of sport, or an athlete of life, we will help you excel."
We will dig into her path which l...
2021-06-1145 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 3 - Cole Hergott: Head Strength & Conditioning Coach - Trinity Western UniversityWelcome to Episode 3 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with Cole Hergott, who is currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. Cole also serves as a member of the Advisory Team within the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association.
We will dig into his path from former TWU Varsity Men's Hockey Student-Athlete to leading the Strength and Conditioning Program, as well as get to know him through the "rapid fire" questions. We also chat about the unique challenges...
2021-05-2848 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 2 - Larry Hunter: Strength & Conditioning Coach & Personal TrainerWelcome to Episode 2 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast.
Join me this episode as I catch up with one of my closest friends in and out of the performance world, Larry Hunter. Larry is currently the Strength Coach for the Men's Basketball team at McGill University, a Strength and Skill Coach at Heritage Regional High School and Personal Trainer at Club Sportif MAA in Montreal, Quebec.
We will dig into his very unique path into sport performance and personal training and get to know him through the "rapid fire" questions. We also chat a...
2021-05-1455 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 1 - Jay Melhado: True North Strong Host & Performance CoachWelcome to Episode 1 of True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join me this episode as I lay out the format of the show, chat about my path in the Sports Performance industry, why I started this show and answer some of the fun "Rapid Fire" questions I will be taking my guests through.
Please share, rate and subscribe to the show to ensure you don't miss when new episodes are released.
2021-05-0335 minTrue North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastEp 0 - Trailer - Welcome to True North Strong: A Sports Performance PodcastWelcome to the Launch Trailer for True North Strong: A Sports Performance Podcast. Join your host, Performance Coach Jay Melhado as he chats with some of the top Canadian Sports Performance Practitioners. This shows aim is to not only highlight the great work being done by our guests but also get to know them outside of their professional environment. We hope to uncover the "through-lines" that connect us all, further the growth of the sports performance community in Canada and share some lessons and laughs along the way. Looking forward to having you join us!
2021-04-0300 min
Speed Strength ShowEpisode 25 - Basketball Training with Jay MelhadoIn this episode, we welcome Jay Melhado, long time friend, mentor and coach to Tommy, to talk Basketball training. We discuss what basketball players really need to be able to do from a needs analysis standpoint, and how Jay targets these attributes in his training, with some of his favourite drills and exercises. As always this is sandwiched between random banter and this weeks music selection.
2021-03-201h 31