Performance Matters Podcast

Former Team Canada beach volleyball player and volleyball strength & conditioning coach Reid Hall joins the Performance Matters Podcast to talk about what it actually takes to develop better volleyball athletes.Reid shares how strength and conditioning transformed his own career, taking him from an undersized athlete struggling to jump higher to competing at the national-team level.We dig into strength, power, jump technique, reactive strength, plyometrics, athlete profiling, testing and long-term physical development — including why simply doing more jumps isn't necessarily the answer.We also discuss how to use data without overreacting to a single test, the difference between physical limitations and technical problems, why most young volleyball players aren't actually “strong enough,” and why developing the complete athlete matters more than chasing quick improvements.In this episode:What actually makes an athlete jump higherStrength vs. power vs. reactive abilityWhy volleyball players don't necessarily need more jumpingUsing testing and data without overcomplicating trainingWhy trends matter more than single testing sessionsStrength training during the competitive seasonWhat volleyball coaches misunderstand about performance trainingBuilding athletes for long-term successWhy small improvements add upBuild the athlete. Not just the jump.This episode of the Performance Matters Podcast is brought to you by Spoken Nutrition. From protein and creatine to greens and recovery products, Spoken Nutrition puts a major emphasis on quality — something we value at Iron Performance Center.IPC athletes, members and listeners can save 15% on their order using code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.If you enjoyed the episode, like the video, subscribe or follow the Performance Matters Podcast on your platform of choice, and share the episode with someone who would get value from it.

Registered Dietitian and strength coach Kelly Murphy joins the Performance Matters Podcast to break down what athletes are getting wrong about nutrition—and why eating “healthy” isn’t necessarily the same as eating enough to perform.Kelly and Matrixx dive into under-fuelling, carbohydrates, protein, recovery, hydration, body composition, and the different nutrition challenges facing male and female athletes. They also go down the gut-health rabbit hole, discussing digestion, bloating, fibre, meal timing, and some of the warning signs athletes shouldn’t ignore.Plus, Kelly explains why she changed her mind about supplements, which ones may actually be worth considering, and why food still needs to be the foundation.From what to put on your plate to what might be happening in the bathroom, this one gets practical.Follow Kelly: @CoachKellyMurphThis episode is brought to you by Spoken Nutrition.Quality supplementation built for performance. Use code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.

A kinesiology degree can teach you the science—but does it prepare you to coach, communicate and work with real people?In Episode 85 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx Ferreira sits down with Andra Parker, Program Coordinator for Brock University’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program, to examine the gap between academic knowledge and professional readiness.Andra explains why many kinesiology graduates enter the workforce with plenty of information but limited experience applying it. They discuss the growing importance of communication, curiosity, professionalism and learning through mistakes—along with the responsibilities shared by students, universities, employers and practicum supervisors.In this episode:• Why undergraduate kinesiology programs struggle to provide hands-on experience• The professional skills students are increasingly missing• Why a practicum should be treated like a real job opportunity• Credentials versus demonstrated competence• The identity problem within the kinesiology profession• Why communication may be more valuable than technical knowledge• The disconnect between academic research and real-world practice• How fear of failure prevents students from developing• What separates exceptional practicum students from everyone else• The role mentors and organizations play in preparing future professionals• What young practitioners can do to become people others trust, hire and recommendTo learn more about Brock University’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program, email [email protected] or connect with Andra Parker on LinkedIn.This episode is sponsored by Spoken Nutrition. Performance Matters listeners can save 15% on their order at https://spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenter or by using the code IRON PERFORMANCE CENTER.If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to the Performance Matters Podcast and share this episode with a student, coach, practitioner or mentor who needs to hear it.

Getting out of pain is one thing. Getting back to performing at your best is another.In Episode 84 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with physiotherapist Tyler DiSimoni to break down the gap between rehab, training and actually being ready to return to sport.They discuss what “cleared to play” really means, why pain disappearing doesn’t necessarily mean the problem is solved, how athletes should manage training load, and why the transition from physiotherapy back into strength training and sport is so important.They also get into how cautious we should be with injured athletes, the role of objective testing and baseline data, why physios and strength coaches need to communicate better, and how proactive care can help athletes stay on the field instead of constantly reacting to injuries.Plus, Tyler joins the Rapid Fire Round to give his takes on ice, foam rolling, static stretching, massage guns and more.In this episode:Pain-free vs. actually ready to performWhat “cleared to play” really meansManaging load, recovery and injury riskWhy rehab shouldn't end when the pain disappearsBridging the gap between physio and strength trainingObjective testing and return-to-sport decisionsBeing proactive instead of waiting until something hurtsWhat athletes and parents should ask their rehab professionalsPerformance Matters Podcast is proudly supported by Spoken Nutrition.Save 15% on high-quality supplements with code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout:spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenterLike, follow and subscribe to the Performance Matters Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube — and share the episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Youth sports have never been more competitive — or more expensive.Club fees. Travel. Tryouts. Private coaching. Strength training. Recruiting. Showcases. Camps. Parents are willing to invest thousands of dollars into giving their kids the best possible opportunity.But are they actually paying for development… or are they sometimes paying for the illusion of development?In Episode 83 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Myles take a hard look at the business of youth sports and some of the systems surrounding athlete development.They discuss whether playing for the “best” team is actually best for an athlete, why playing time and quality coaching may matter more than the logo on the jersey, and whether early signings are completely undermining the purpose of tryouts.They also get into private skills coaches, the pressure parents feel to keep up with everyone else, early sport specialization, and the uncomfortable reality that not every service promising to take an athlete to the “next level” is actually delivering on that promise.The question isn't whether parents should invest in their kids.It's whether the investment is actually helping them get better.In this episode:• Are parents paying for development or the illusion of it?• Is making the best team always the best move?• Are early signings ruining youth sport tryouts?• Should athletes actually have time to improve before being cut?• Are private skills coaches worth the money?• How can parents tell good coaching from good marketing?• Are young athletes specializing too early?• What should parents actually be investing in?Some parts of youth sports are doing an incredible job developing athletes.Others might need a serious rethink.🎙️ Performance Matters Podcast — Episode 83Presented by Spoke NutritionPerformance Matters listeners and Iron Performance Center members can save 15% on Spoke Nutrition products using code IRON PERFORMANCE CENTER at checkout.👉 spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenter