In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Charles Kissi, Head Coach of Serious Basketball, for a real conversation about what true player development actually looks like — and why so many athletes are missing the mark.
They dive into Charles’ coaching journey, the current state of basketball development in Niagara, and the growing gap between skill training and actual player growth. From accountability and physical preparation to film study, spacing, and team-first habits, this episode pulls back the curtain on what separates players who improve from those who just stay busy.
You’ll hear why:
Skill work alone isn’t development
“Fun” in sport needs a serious redefinition
Bad habits kill talent faster than lack of ability
Film study and spacing matter more than most players realize
Collaboration between coaches is the key to creating real opportunity
If you’re a coach, athlete, or parent who actually cares about long-term success — this one’s required listening.
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In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx Ferreira sits down with Nipissing Lakers athletes Cassie Robinson and Kiara Vansteekelenburg for an honest conversation about life after recruitment.
They break down what the jump from club to university volleyball really looks like — from managing academic pressure and new performance expectations to navigating team culture, role changes, and personal accountability.
This episode dives into:
- What athletes misunderstand about the recruiting process
- How preparation (or lack of it) shows up fast at the university level
- Why mental toughness and self-awareness matter just as much as talent
- The reality of balancing school, training, travel, and recovery
If you’re an athlete aiming for the next level — or a parent or coach supporting one — this is a no-BS look at what it actually takes to survive and thrive once the jersey changes.
🎧 Preparation isn’t optional. Awareness isn’t negotiable. Performance still matters.
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As 2025 comes to a close, the crew takes a step back to reflect on what this year really demanded — and what it delivered.
In this jam-packed year-end episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, the hosts open up about the growth that came from teaching, learning, and coaching in real time. They talk about the challenges that tested expectations, the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Iron Performance Center running, and the unexpected moments that strengthened the community more than any planned initiative ever could. Plenty of laughs, heartfelt memories and gritty optimism.
This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a candid look at what it takes to uphold standards, manage people, and build something that lasts — in sport, in business, and in culture.
If you care about doing things the right way (even when no one’s watching), this one hits home.
Happy New Year everyone!!
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What actually makes training work — for athletes and everyday people?
In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Scott Maskell for a wide-ranging conversation on why structured training, consistency, and fundamentals still win — even in a world obsessed with shortcuts and quick results.
The conversation kicks off with Scott’s unforgettable Texas A&M Bonfire experience, setting the tone for a deeper discussion on discipline, community, and shared purpose. From there, they dig into the mental and physical benefits of training, why gym intimidation holds so many people back, and how small wins build confidence long before the big results show up.
They also unpack the shift from outcome-based goals to a process-driven approach, why athletic training isn’t just for athletes, and how reverse-engineering performance helps people train smarter — not just harder.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a former athlete, or someone just trying to stay consistent in the gym, this episode is a reminder that training isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, staying curious, and playing the long game.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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This week on the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Myles get real about coaching quality — because let’s be honest, the performance world is full of Hyundais pretending to be Ferraris.
They break down what separates high-level coaching from flashy nonsense, why understanding the why behind your training matters, and how athlete autonomy becomes the real engine of long-term success.
You’ll hear the biggest coaching red flags, the questions every athlete should be asking, and why “just follow the workout” is the fastest road to nowhere.
At the end of the day? Your goals deserve Ferrari standards — not Hyundai shortcuts.
Expect more from your training. Expect more from your coach. Expect more from yourself.
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Athletes might call it “Christmas break,” but around here? It’s the Christmas Reload — a short window to reset, rebuild, and walk back to campus feeling like a damn upgraded version of yourself.
In this episode, Matrixx and Myles break down what the holidays should look like for serious athletes:
- How to unwind without turning into pudding
- Why recovery is the real gift you should be unwrapping
- How to get quality work done when you’re home for only a couple of weeks
- What to prioritize — strength, power, movement quality, or just getting your joints to stop sounding like wrapping paper
The guys dive into the art of using this tiny window to recharge the batteries while still sharpening the sword. From sleep to lifting to shaking off the mid-season junk, they lay out exactly how athletes can make Christmas break the perfect blend of rest and performance.
If you want to survive the back half of your season — and maybe even dominate it — this episode hands you the blueprint with a bow on top.
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This week, Matrixx and Myles roll into the studio sounding like two dudes who’ve been hit by a bus made of cold medicine. But hey — the show must go on.
Sick days happen. Colds happen. And athletes still have to train, compete, and make smart decisions when their body is throwing them the “absolutely not” signal. So the guys break down:
When you can train sick… and when you should shut it down
How to actually recover instead of just hoping DayQuil does all the work
Competing while sick — the good, the bad, and the ugly
Why the best athletes know how to listen to their body without babying themselves
The difference between being sore, being tired, and being legitimately cooked
There are jokes, sniffles, coughs, and a surprising amount of good coaching insight in between.
If you’ve ever trained through a cold or wondered whether to push or pull back — this one hits home.
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Matrixx and Aidan let loose — equal parts jokes, personal stories, and the kind of honesty every athlete needs to hear.
They kick things off with Rowvember, diving into men’s health, cancer awareness, and why rippin' meters somehow brings people together. From there, the guys break down the magic of theme months like Squatober and Deadcember — how these challenges keep training fun, keep people consistent, and keep the whole IPC community fired up.
As the holidays roll in, the conversation shifts to athlete reload season: recharging, refocusing, and why starting your New Year’s resolutions before January is the cheat code to actually building sustainable habits.
The boys also get real about the mental side of training — the tough days, the fears nobody admits, and why self-reliance and accountability are non-negotiable if you want long-term success.
It’s a mix of laughs, lessons, and the kind of community-driven energy that makes IPC… IPC.
Tune in and share a laugh with the fellas.
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Some athletes are… well, built different.
In this episode, Matrixx and Myles crack open their vault of the weirdest program requests they’ve ever received — the kind of stuff that makes every coach question humanity for a moment. From “Can I lose 60lbs this month?” to “Let’s avoid sweating today,” it’s a parade of pure gym chaos.
But then the guys flip the script and dive into the other end of the spectrum: the perfect training session. The one where the team runs itself, athletes move in sync, and the coach barely needs to say a word because the culture is that dialed in.
They also talk about the athletes who never have a bad day — the steady machines who walk in smiling, work their tails off, and elevate everyone around them. Their mindset, their consistency, their physicality… it all just hits different.
This one’s equal parts comedy and coaching gold.
If you’ve ever worked with athletes, taught athletes, or BEEN the weird request yourself… you’ll enjoy this one.
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Five-time CIS national champion Ryan Weicker joins the Performance Matters Podcast to share how wrestling shaped him far beyond the mat. From a late start in the sport to reaching the top, Ryan opens up about the mental battles, devastating losses, and resilience required to keep going when no one’s watching. Now leading the next generation through the Junior Badger Wrestling Program, he reflects on what it means to coach with purpose, build community, and teach young athletes that the process is the prize.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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Everyone says they want it — the scholarship, the championship, the next level. But few are actually willing to put in the effort.
In this episode, Coach Matrixx and Coach Myles dig into the uncomfortable truth about effort: most athletes overestimate how hard they work and underestimate what real commitment looks like. They unpack the difference between wanting it and wishing for it, the honesty required to align your actions with your ambitions, and why elite aspirations can’t coexist with recreational effort.
This isn’t a motivational pep talk — it’s a gut check. The coaches discuss what genuine effort feels like, how to build it day after day, and why self-awareness and honesty might be the most underrated performance tools you have.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I want to play at the next level,” this one’s for you. It’s time to stop wishing — and start trying.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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Forty episodes deep — and we finally got the mics working (mostly). In this special milestone episode, Coach Trixx, Coach Myles, and Coach Aidan sit down to reflect on what 40 episodes of Performance Matters has taught us — from the best moments and biggest lessons to the behind-the-scenes chaos you never hear about.
We talk technical disasters, favorite guests, least favorite edits, and how this whole podcast thing has shaped the way we coach, think, and grow. It’s honest, unfiltered, and full of the usual laughs you’d expect when the boys get behind the mics.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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In this episode, Coach Matrixx and Coach Myles crack open the vault — sharing the untold stories that shaped them as coaches. From the chaotic training days and athlete meltdowns to breakthrough moments and brutal lessons, nothing’s off limits. This is what coaching actually looks like when the cameras aren’t rolling.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates good coaches from lifers — this is it.
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This week's podcast episode is historical as, for the first time, Coach Aidan and Coach Myles are on the podcast together!
This episode dives into the advanced principles that separate good programs from great ones. We explore how to go beyond sets and reps — mastering periodization, load management, and true individualization for every athlete.
You’ll learn how to connect strength, power, and speed in ways that actually transfer to performance, and why elite coaches blend science with intuition. Plus, we tackle some of the biggest programming myths holding coaches back — from “more variety equals better results” to “advanced training means complex exercises.”
Tune in for practical insights that’ll make your programming smarter, sharper, and more impactful!
Internships can make or break the next wave of strength coaches—but not all internships are created equal. In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Myles break down what really makes a good intern, where academia often misses the mark, and the responsibilities both interns and mentors carry.
From red flags to success stories, we dig into the realities of the internship experience and share what separates a “check-the-box” placement from a career-shaping opportunity.
If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out as an intern—or how to build a program that actually develops coaches—this is the episode you’ll want to hear.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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n this episode, I sit down with longtime friend and pro hockey player Johnny Curran to talk about his journey through the game. From growing up in Niagara and developing his game through junior hockey, to earning his spot in Division 1 and making the jump to the professional level, Johnny shares the lessons and experiences that have shaped him along the way.
We get into the role of strength and conditioning in his development, what life as a pro hockey player is really like, and how he’s handling his biggest challenge so far — rehabbing from a torn ACL.
This is a conversation about training, growth, and what it takes to keep chasing the game at the highest level. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or hockey fan, Johnny’s story will give you a new perspective on the dedication it takes to succeed.
Evan MacDonald’s wrestling career took him to the highest stage — the 2004 Olympic Games — but his story is about much more than medals and matches. It’s about the sacrifices nobody sees, the politics behind the sport, and the brutal reality of chasing a dream that doesn’t always love you back.
In this raw conversation, Evan opens up about walking into the Olympic arena, the crushing neck injury that changed everything, and his fight against a system that nearly shut the door on his career. We dig into the identity crisis that follows when the singlet comes off, the pressure of being both a coach and a partner, and what it really takes to transition from combat on the mat to competition in the business world.
This episode isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about resilience, reinvention, and the fight to define yourself beyond the spotlight. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the Olympic flame burns out, Evan’s story pulls no punches.
Shoutout to our sponsor:
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In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Aidan pull back the curtain on one of the most talked-about tools in sport science: the force plate. We dive into what the data actually means, which numbers we care about (and which ones are just noise), and how we connect those metrics to real-world sport performance. From different jumps to sport transfers, we break down how force plates reveal strengths, weaknesses, and progress that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Whether you’re a coach trying to program smarter, an athlete looking to squeeze out every ounce of performance, or just someone curious about how data shapes training decisions, this deep dive will give you a clearer lens on the numbers under your feet—and why they matter more than you think.
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In-season is chaotic—games, practices, travel, fatigue—and somehow training has to fit in the middle of it all. In this episode, we’re going rapid-fire style, tackling the most common (and most misunderstood) questions about in-season training. What gets prioritized when the schedule is jam-packed? How do you keep performance sharp without adding unnecessary fatigue? We’ll cover recovery strategies, training dosages, and the real-world adjustments coaches need to make when the season’s grind takes over. No fluff, just quick, practical answers at game speed—because when it’s in-season, every rep matters.
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In this episode of Performance Matters, Matrixx and Myles tackle one of the biggest pitfalls in youth sports — when well-meaning parents make the wrong calls about training.
From tossing kids into the weight room with no guidance, to undervaluing the role of professional coaching, the guys break down how these decisions can stall progress, increase risk, and hold athletes back from their true potential.
With the recent River Lions championship win as a backdrop, they highlight why structured training, mindset, and commitment are non-negotiable for success.
This episode is a wake-up call for parents: if you want your kid to excel, stop cutting corners and start asking better questions.
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