Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/52/d8/a3/52d8a379-4b1e-90b3-d59f-0436fac85880/mza_8801678383402550166.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Alex Calder

27 episodes

1 week ago

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by António Pedro Mendes, Head of Nutrition at Sporting Clube de Portugal. António shares his unique journey through European and Middle Eastern football, from FC Paços de Ferreira and FC Porto to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, before leading one of the world’s largest and most structured nutrition departments at Sporting CP. The discussion explores how nutrition supports long-term player development, the practical challenges of impleme...

Show more...

All content for Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast is the property of Alex Calder and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by António Pedro Mendes, Head of Nutrition at Sporting Clube de Portugal. António shares his unique journey through European and Middle Eastern football, from FC Paços de Ferreira and FC Porto to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, before leading one of the world’s largest and most structured nutrition departments at Sporting CP. The discussion explores how nutrition supports long-term player development, the practical challenges of impleme...

Show more...

Episodes (20/27)

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 8: António Pedro Mendes - The Human Side of Nutrition

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by António Pedro Mendes, Head of Nutrition at Sporting Clube de Portugal. António shares his unique journey through European and Middle Eastern football, from FC Paços de Ferreira and FC Porto to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, before leading one of the world’s largest and most structured nutrition departments at Sporting CP. The discussion explores how nutrition supports long-term player development, the practical challenges of impleme...

1 week ago

45 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Guest Episode: DaMarcus Beasley - Speed, Survival & Four World Cups

In this special guest episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with U.S. soccer legend DaMarcus Beasley. The only American to play in four consecutive World Cups, Beasley reflects on a career that spanned MLS, the Eredivisie, Premier League, Scottish Premiership, Bundesliga, and Liga MX. He shares candid insights into how performance practices evolved across different cultures, his journey from avoiding the gym to embracing individualized preparation, and the injuries that shape...

2 weeks ago

55 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 7: Recap - Wearable Technology

In this recap of Chapter 7: Wearable Technology, Alex and Adam reflect on the key insights from Josh Rice (Tottenham Hotspur) and Joel Carter (Crystal Palace FC) — two practitioners redefining how data is applied inside elite football environments. They explore how wearable technology has evolved beyond tracking numbers — becoming a vital communication and decision-making tool. From GPS and heart-rate data to acceleration profiling and live session feedback, the discussion highlights how prac...

4 weeks ago

41 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 7: Joel Carter - The Process Behind Progress

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Joel Carter, Head of PDP Development at Crystal Palace FC. Joel shares his journey from Australia to the Premier League, with stops across India’s national team setup and Millwall FC along the way. The conversation explores how wearable technology, monitoring systems, and data-driven insights can elevate player development and training design. Joel discusses how acceleration and deceleration profiling influence session planning...

1 month ago

48 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 7: Josh Rice - Data That Drives Development

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with Josh Rice, Head of Academy Sports Science and Nutrition at Tottenham Hotspur. Josh shares his journey across Everton, Liverpool, and Spurs, reflecting on his evolution from intern to department leader. The discussion dives into wearable technology — from GPS and heart rate integration to the three pillars of periodisation, injury risk, and fitness development. Josh explains how data informs daily training, how to balance inte...

1 month ago

42 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 6: Recap - Player Monitoring and Practical Application

In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam reflect on Chapter 6: Player Monitoring & Practical Application, featuring insights from Lewis MacMillan (Fulham FC) and Lorcán Mason (PhD researcher). Together, they break down how to balance internal and external load, integrate subjective and objective data, and make fast, informed decisions in real-world environments. The discussion explores the “dose and response” model, managing injury risk through Fulham’s ‘Eyes On...

1 month ago

39 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 6: Lorcán Mason - Communication Over Complexity

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Lorcán Mason, a PhD researcher and performance practitioner from Ireland. Lorcán shares his journey across Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, and Finn Harps, reflecting on the challenges of being a “one-man department” in smaller clubs. The conversation explores practical monitoring tools like wellness questionnaires and session RPE, how to apply low-resource strategies effectively, and the importance of contextualizing data through con...

1 month ago

48 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 6: Lewis MacMillan - Breaking Silos

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Lewis MacMillan, Head of Player Insights at Fulham FC. Lewis shares his journey from internships at West Ham to leading performance data and monitoring at a Premier League club. The discussion explores how Fulham integrates internal and external load metrics, manages injury risk with their “Eyes On” period, and balances subjective vs objective data in daily decision-making. Lewis also highlights the evolving role of ACWR, inter...

2 months ago

47 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 5: Recap - Conditioning

In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam wrap up the Conditioning chapter with insights from Mark Piros-Read (Wolves) and Dr. Darren Burgess (Adelaide Crows, ex-Liverpool & Arsenal). They break down three key approaches to conditioning—isolated, hybrid, and integrated—and explore how to adapt training to a coach’s tactical philosophy. The discussion covers managing the “gray zone” for non-starters, balancing intensity with tactical execution, and why consistent,...

2 months ago

36 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 5: Darren Burgess - Conditioning in Context

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Dr. Darren Burgess, one of the most experienced performance leaders in world sport. With over 27 years across football and AFL, Darren reflects on his journey from Parramatta Power to the Socceroos, Liverpool, Arsenal, and now Adelaide Crows. He shares conditioning lessons from before the GPS era, how to design warm-ups with purpose, the role of small- and large-sided games, and why freshness always beats fatigue. Darren also p...

2 months ago

37 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 5: Mark Piros-Read - Gray Zone to Game Day

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Mark Piros-Read, Head of Physical Performance at Wolverhampton Wolves and multiple-time Swedish champion with Malmö FF. Mark shares his journey from England to Sweden and back to the Premier League, offering practical insights from the Conditioning chapter of the book. He breaks down preseason starting points, balancing large- and small-sided games, managing the “gray zone” for non-starters, and tailoring conditioning to differ...

2 months ago

54 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 4: Recap - Strength, Power and Injury Prevention

Alex and Adam reflect on the Strength, Power and Injury Prevention chapter of Peak Performance for Soccer, highlighting key lessons from Dr. Mike Beere (Cardiff City), Cody Williamson (Seattle Sounders), and Christian Clarup (VfL Wolfsburg). The discussion emphasizes building strength culture, balancing strength and power, and embedding injury prevention strategies in elite environments. They also stress that recruitment, communication, and simplicity are often as critical as programming...

3 months ago

41 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 4: Christian Clarup - Velocity, Power & Performance

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with Christian Clarup, Head of Performance at VfL Wolfsburg. Christian reflects on nearly a decade at FC Midtjylland, his success with Sparta Prague, and now leading in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues. He challenges the idea that “stronger is always better,” sharing how he integrates strength, power, and fatigue management into elite football. From building departments from scratch to managing high-pressure Champions League...

3 months ago

48 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 4: Cody Williamson - Physio to Performance

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex chats with Cody Williamson, Head of Fitness at Seattle Sounders. Cody shares his unique path from physio to performance, blending hands-on coaching, injury prevention, and data-led decision-making. He unpacks how chronic issue tracking, integrated MDT systems, and athlete communication are critical to maintaining availability in elite football.

3 months ago

41 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 4: Mike Beere - Built to Last

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex Calder sits down with Dr. Mike Beere, Senior S&C Coach at Cardiff City, to unpack over a decade of insights in one of football’s most volatile environments. Mike shares how he built a lasting strength culture through manager turnover, presents compelling injury data from his PhD, and offers practical programming strategies that have stood the test of time—and 15 head coaches.

4 months ago

42 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 3: Recap - Needs Analysis and Testing

In this recap, Alex Calder and Adam Centofanti explore the evolution of performance testing through the lenses of Jordan Stewart-Mackie and Martin Buchheit. The conversation unpacks the challenge of balancing test sensitivity and specificity, and warns against the pitfalls of “overwatered” sports science—testing everything without understanding anything. The hosts outline clear frameworks for why, what, and how to test, based on athlete cohorts, positional demands, and individual injury histo...

4 months ago

35 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 3: Martin Buchheit - Test Less, Learn More

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex speaks with world-renowned performance expert Martin Buchheit. From PSG to Aspetar, Martin shares insights into elite rehab environments, readiness testing, and how AI is reshaping the role of sports scientists. He also reflects on simplifying performance models, avoiding testing overload, and supporting practitioners through the challenges of high-performance leadership.

4 months ago

40 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 3: Jordan Stewart-Mackie - Quadrants, Context, and Culture

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast, Alex sits down with Jordan Stewart-Mackie to explore a truly global career in sport performance—from UK football to Asia’s academy systems and the NBA’s African talent pipeline. Jordan shares his unique quadrant model for testing, reflects on high- and low-tech approaches to performance, and unpacks insights from his ongoing PhD on wearable technology and data integration.

4 months ago

47 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 2: Recap - From Academy to Professional

In this recap of Chapter 2 of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam break down key themes from Episodes 4–6. They explore the complex transition from academy to first team, the foundations of physical development, and how communication and long-term planning shape player success. With insights from Berger, Carpels, and Plaskett, this episode highlights what it really takes—physically and mentally—for young players to thrive at the highest level.

5 months ago

34 minutes

Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

Season 2: Nathan Plaskett - Football, Frontlines & Flexibility

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex chats with Nathan Plaskett about his unconventional journey through elite sport—from canoeing and rugby league to English football and tactical performance roles. Nathan unpacks lessons from his time at Derby County, the importance of movement competency in youth development, and how diverse experience shaped his performance philosophy. Plus, he offers practical advice for coaches considering international moves.

5 months ago

45 minutes