This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Brian Roy, a strength and conditioning coach who has spent the past decade working at the sharp end of action and lifestyle sports, including Olympic BMX Freestyle.
BMX Freestyle is still a relative newcomer to the Olympic programme, but its physical demands, injury risks and performance challenges are unlike almost any traditional sport. In this episode, Brian shares his unconventional journey into elite sport, from personal training and postgraduate study to travelling the world with BMX athletes on the global stage.
Together, Richard and Brian explore what it really takes to prepare athletes for a sport defined by explosive power, aerial skill, high-impact landings and constant travel. Brian offers a refreshingly honest perspective on athlete buy-in, bespoke programming, and why traditional strength testing and rigid systems don’t always transfer to non-traditional sports.
This is a fascinating conversation for sports scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and anyone interested in how performance support adapts when the sport doesn’t fit neatly into a textbook.
In this episode you will learn
About Brian Roy
Brian Roy is a strength and conditioning coach with over 10 years’ experience working in action and lifestyle sports. He holds a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and is currently undertaking further postgraduate study in Applied Sports Science Analytics.
Brian has worked closely with elite BMX Freestyle athletes on the international stage, including those competing at the Olympic Games, and has developed a reputation for adaptable, athlete-centred training approaches. His work focuses on performance, resilience, and real-world transfer rather than rigid adherence to traditional testing models.
Brian regularly shares insights from his work on LinkedIn and Instagram, where he discusses training philosophy, emerging technology, and lessons learned from working in non-traditional sports environments.