The Sam Portland Podcast

In this explosive episode, Sam Portland sits down with Chris Mattice — performance coach, neuroscientist, mentor and business strategist — to unpack the real reasons coaches stay stuck, broke, burnt out, or doubting themselves.This is not another “programming chat.”This is the truth behind your identity as a coach, how your brain actually works, and the invisible patterns that run your career, confidence, income, relationships and life.Whether you’re a speed coach, strength and conditioning coach, athlete development specialist, or coach educator, this conversation will completely change the way you see yourself and your work.Inside This Episode:✔ The psychology behind why coaches undervalue themselves✔ How neurology shapes confidence, career decisions & performance✔ The 4 A’s framework that rewires your mindset✔ Why “working harder” keeps coaches broke✔ How to build real resilience (not Instagram resilience)✔ Why the S&C industry traps talented coaches✔ The identity crisis that stops coaches progressing✔ How to authentically build a business as you✔ Why storytelling beats programming in 2025 & beyond✔ How to pivot, evolve and actually grow✔ Sam & Chris’ real stories from sport, life and businessThis is one of the most important conversations you’ll hear this year as a coach.No fluff. No surface-level advice.Just the raw truth, tools, and strategies to change your future.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the episode00:08 – Can you sub in rugby? Rules, resets & neurology01:06 – Breathing strategies for athletes & nervous system recovery01:48 – Sam’s questionable “snatch” definitions 😂02:05 – Introducing Chris Mati03:00 – Sam’s new mission as the speed disruptor04:10 – Mindset → Skillset → Thriving in life05:03 – How Sam & Chris first met06:00 – Chris’ background: neuroscience, therapy, performance07:20 – Why entrepreneurs sabotage themselves08:55 – How the brain forms negative patterns10:02 – Why coaches ignore their successes11:03 – Why traditional coaching fails12:01 – Field sport speed: the most basic + most advanced skill13:21 – Why heavy weights don’t make sense in-season14:05 – Journaling, dyslexia & mindset rewiring15:29 – The “four A’s” for changing your brain17:10 – Why coaches can’t skip steps20:29 – The 4 A’s explained23:55 – How the brain actually learns26:56 – Neural tags: why change is hard28:14 – Why coaches are trapped in “service mode”29:51 – Identity, ego and why coaches undervalue themselves31:23 – How to start a coaching business (authentically)33:02 – Growing by skill-stacking35:00 – Why marketing is a skill coaches must learn37:52 – What dyslexics do better than most coaches39:18 – The real reason athletes hire coaches40:57 – How to create content that actually converts42:27 – Hero’s Journey + storytelling43:34 – Why athletes don’t care who you’ve coached46:00 – The 93% rule of marketing48:05 – Rebuilding your identity at every level49:10 – Where to find Chris Mattice50:00 – Closing thoughts

In this Sports Speed Insider, we go inside the drill stack and show you how to coach transfer, not just exercises. You’ll learn how to identify key movements (à la Verkhoshansky), link them to body links and movement patterns, and apply Learn–Load–Execute so skill actually survives complexity.What you’ll learnHow to pick the segment closest to the centre of mass (hip extension first).Turning a key movement into body links and full patterns.Learn–Load–Execute: when to add force vs when to add speed of execution.Using med-ball throws, wall squats, yielding/overcoming ISOs to build control.Fixing early foot contact after better hip extension (leg speed & timing).In-season vs off-season emphasis & fractional utilisation of transfer.What’s next: the Magnitude of Effect model for programming phases.📘 From The Sports Speed System.📨 Coaching docs & progressions mentioned are in the Progressions Manual.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters🔑 Key takeaways 00:00 Intro & why drill stacks matter01:10 The engine: key movements (Verkhoshansky)02:20 Why start at the centre of mass (hip extension)03:15 Coaching awareness: move hips → speed feet04:05 Learn: isolate hip extension (kneeling → faster reps)04:50 Survivability inside base motor control (wall squat / ISOs)05:40 Load: when to add bands/balls vs more speed06:30 Standing 2-point start → 1-step push out diagnostics07:20 Med-ball acceleration to raise RFD & positive acceleration08:05 Foot contact timing after better extension (leg speed problem)08:55 Scaling steps: 1–3, 4–7, up to 10 for positive acceleration09:30 Mapping segment → body link → pattern (strength → skill)10:05 Teaser: Magnitude of Effect & phase switching nextCoach the segment nearest COM first. Hip extension quality dictates everything downstream.Speed before load (sometimes). If extension is slow, don’t band it—create speed of execution first (e.g., med-ball accel).Survive complexity. A cue “worked” only if it holds up as you add GRF, speed, and decision-making.Leg-speed problem ≠ hip problem. Better extension often exposes early contacts—coach faster limb exchange.Context rules. Chase fractional transfer in-season; push load & volume of segments off-season.

From the Pro12 to personal training to becoming one of the biggest rugby creators online — this is the story of how Ben John turned retirement into a movement.In this episode of The Sound Important Podcast, Sam Portland sits down with Ben John (The Rugby Trainer) to break down how he went from professional rugby player to building one of the most influential skill coaching brands in sport.Ben shares the mindset, habits, and creativity behind building an online following of over 700,000, coaching players worldwide, and creating content that inspires the next generation of athletes.💡 You’ll learn:The realities of pro rugby life and player burnoutWhy “weights don’t influence the scoreboard”How game IQ and skill play matter more than raw dataThe injuries that forced early retirement — and what came nextHow The Rugby Trainer started in lockdown and became a global brandThe three golden rules for making content as a coachHow to build structure, habits, and a brand that lasts🔥 This episode blends elite performance, coaching philosophy, and content strategy — a must-listen for every S&C coach, skills coach, and creator in sport.🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple | YouTube📲 Follow Sam: @coach_samportland🏉 Follow Ben: @therugbytrainer⏱️ 3. Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to The Sound Important Podcast00:45 – Introducing Ben John: pro rugby to content creator02:00 – The reality of strength & conditioning in pro rugby04:00 – Speed IQ vs Game IQ05:00 – Growing into your body and confidence06:30 – Overtraining, obsession, and injury cycles09:30 – Lessons from senior pros and recovery habits10:30 – Volume tolerance and athlete archetypes12:00 – Animal archetypes: Wolves, Collies, and Giraffes16:00 – Skill development through play and 1v1s17:00 – The concussion that ended a career — and started a business18:00 – The birth of The Rugby Trainer during lockdown19:00 – From one kid in the park to global influence24:00 – The hard truth of S&C career ceilings26:00 – Hiring structure, working with mentors29:00 – Building a 700K following across multiple platforms33:00 – The three content rules: Entertain, Educate, Inspire35:00 – Simple content that helps one person40:00 – The Rugby Trainer Academy and 10-minute skill sessions42:00 – How consistency compounds44:00 – Collaboration over competition in sport47:00 – The simplest details often make the biggest difference49:00 – Final thoughts: drop the ego and just start

Most coaches charge too little.And it’s killing you — your business, your energy, your confidence.In this episode, Sam Portland lays out the brutal truth about money, pricing, and self-worth in the strength & conditioning industry.If you’ve ever been told “you’re not in it for the money,” or if you feel guilty raising your rates — this is the episode that will free you.Sam shares how he went from charging £30 per hour and driving across London for late clients……to building a six-figure business by understanding pricing psychology, value perception, and trust.🎯 You’ll Learn:Why coaches are conditioned to undervalue themselvesThe link between self-worth and pricingHow to stop selling hourly sessions and start selling bundlesHow to filter out “headache clients”The formula for calculating your ideal hourly rateHow to build lifetime client value (not one-off sessions)🔥 This isn’t about greed — it’s about freedom.Start valuing your time, your expertise, and your legacy.🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube💬 DM Sam: @coach_samportland💡 Join the £9/month Legacy Mastermind: JOIN HERE⏱️ 3. Timestamps00:00 – Why charging too little will kill your career00:30 – The “do it for the love” lie that shapes the S&C world01:15 – Why S&C is treated as low-skilled labour (and what to do about it)02:00 – When passion stops paying the bills03:00 – The money psychology every coach needs to confront04:30 – The real reason you feel guilty about charging more06:00 – When Sam decided enough was enough07:00 – The shift from £50/hour to £90/hour clients07:40 – The “headache money” clients you must avoid08:40 – Why pricing is about trust, not greed09:40 – Stop charging by the hour — build bundles10:30 – How to structure packages and set time limits11:00 – The real formula for figuring out your ideal rate11:50 – Diversifying your client base for financial security12:30 – The £9/month Legacy Mastermind and business templates

How do you fit world-class speed training into a chaotic team sport schedule?In this Sport Speed Insider episode, Sam Portland breaks down the daily dosing strategy for applying The Sports Speed System inside real-world team environments — whether you’re part-time with two field sessions a week or working full-time in pro sport.Learn how to use motor control, power output, and tactical integration to develop speed in-season without overloading your athletes.💡 Inside this episode:How to apply The Sports Speed System during competition weeksThe difference between general, specific, special, and tactical speedWhy “performance programs” outperform traditional weight room programsHow to balance motor control, power, and skill across the weekDaily dosing examples for pro and part-time setupsWhen and how to integrate Learn–Load–Execute sequencingWhy recovery, yin yoga, and tissue quality are key to sustainable speed gains🎯 Whether you’re an academy coach or elite performance manager, this episode will reshape how you plan and prioritise speed in-season.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – How to apply The Sports Speed System daily00:45 – Real-world time constraints in team sport environments01:15 – Why time scarcity makes the system powerful02:00 – From general speed to tactical speed — four layers of transfer03:00 – The hierarchy: motor control, power, skill, sport03:40 – Structuring an in-season training week04:40 – The “low–high” model explained05:00 – Day-by-day breakdown of daily dosing05:30 – Motor control priority days06:15 – Learn–Load–Execute: the cornerstone of speed development07:00 – Combining power output and skill transfer08:00 – Integrating acceleration and maximum speed days09:00 – Using sport itself as a tactical speed environment09:40 – The role of recovery, yin yoga, and tissue quality10:10 – Exploratory learning and speed games for skill retention

Most people fear change.Former rugby player and fitness entrepreneur Dave Birtwistle has made it his life’s habit.From the pitch to Too Hot To Handle on Netflix to studying an MBA at Imperial College London, Dave shares the unfiltered truth about reinvention, ego death, and sustainable growth — in sport, business, and life.We talk about:🔥 The ego death that comes with leaving pro sport🔥 The burnout cycle of strength & conditioning and how to escape it🔥 Lessons from building a million-follower online fitness business🔥 What happens when fame hits before systems are ready🔥 Longevity, identity, and finding meaning beyond sport🔥 Going back to school at 30 and redefining successThis is one of those rare, mature conversations — two ex-rugby players talking openly about life, purpose, and the long game.🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.📲 Follow Dave: @davebirtwistle🧠 Subscribe for weekly conversations on sport, business, and transformation.Timestamps:00:00 – The ego death of reinvention02:00 – How shared rugby trauma shaped perspective04:30 – Injury, pain, and emotional numbness from years in sport06:45 – Longevity vs short-termism in team environments09:00 – Rugby as corporate entity: replaceable bodies11:00 – The shift from athlete to coach to PT13:00 – Why most people don’t care about S&C theory16:00 – From science to service — how to coach for humans, not papers19:00 – The ego trap of S&C vs “PT”23:00 – Starting online coaching before it was cool29:00 – Pre-2020 online fitness world — the wild west33:00 – Too Hot To Handle: what fame really did to business36:00 – The 1,400-lead problem and scaling chaos43:00 – Building systems that can actually handle success49:00 – Retention > acquisition: building a business that lasts53:00 – The modern trust crisis in online coaching57:00 – How storytelling and authenticity now beat information1:00:00 – Going back to school and learning humility again1:03:00 – The freedom in letting your identity evolve

This isn’t a career.It’s a conveyor belt.And unless you get off it — you’ll spend your best years waiting for a promotion that will never come.In this solo episode, Sam Portland pulls no punches on the broken system of strength & conditioning. From unpaid internships to dead-end “high performance” titles, this is the brutal truth every young coach needs to hear before burnout becomes your reality.Sam shares real stories from his time in professional rugby — cleaning Wattbikes, putting players’ weights away, and learning the hard way that degrees don’t equal respect.🎯 You’ll learn:Why strength & conditioning isn’t a “career path” — it’s a conveyor belt.The illusion of prestige behind postgraduate degrees.The disconnect between passion and recognition in elite sport.Why senior jobs rarely open up (and what to do instead).How to build your own legacy through business, freedom, and leadership.📈 This episode will hit hard — but it might just save your coaching career.🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.🔥 Join the Mastermind: https://www.speedbysportland.com/legacy-mastermind-home💬 DM Sam on Instagram: @coach_samportland⏱️ 3. Timestamps00:00 – The conveyor belt of coaching00:55 – The illusion of prestige in postgraduate education02:00 – When your degree means nothing at your first club02:50 – Cleaning Wattbikes and gym floors: the real start of the job04:30 – The culture of over-serious S&C05:40 – Why coaches create false importance06:45 – Humor, humility, and being told off for a joke07:50 – The broken hierarchy of pro sport coaching08:40 – Developmental vs senior windows — know where you belong09:50 – The bottleneck of promotions in elite sport10:30 – The real path: build your own business, not someone else’s dream11:00 – How to build your legacy today

In today’s episode, we continue building on the Learn, Load, and Execute (LLE) framework — this time applying it to non-linear sprinting and change of direction speed.You’ll learn how to break down and coach non-linear sprinting as an action, not just an agility drill, by understanding limb mechanics, acceleration angles, and how to link movement patterns to tactical speed.I also walk through practical “recipes” for coaches who want to make the most of limited training time with their athletes — from wall drills to resisted band arcs to race-based execution drills.This one’s all about turning theory into fast, applied learning.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Non-linear sprinting as an action, not an agility label00:45 – The Learn Load Execute (LLE) principle in speed development01:30 – Dominant vs non-dominant side and why you train one first02:10 – The biomechanical crossover between linear and non-linear sprinting03:00 – Learn: Isolated limb exposure and joint-angle drills04:30 – Load: Adding resistance to build specific work capacity05:30 – Execute: Combo construction — open step to crossover acceleration06:30 – Understanding the short, moderate, and long curve sprint zones08:00 – Designing drills for 10–20m curve accelerations09:00 – Partner band drills for angular resistance10:00 – Execution through chase games and competitive scenarios11:00 – Summary: how to reverse-engineer non-linear speed from game actions12:00 – Next week: Bringing Learn Load Execute into the gymThanks for Listening. Download your Speed Coach Toolkit Here: https://www.speedbysportland.com/tool-kit

Most S&C podcasts are all the same — Olympic lifts vs. trap bar jumps, fancy terminology, no real talk.In this brutally honest and hilarious episode, I sit down with Matt Vickery, a 30-year veteran of coaching, to cut through the noise and talk about what actually matters in strength and conditioning.From the early days of Paul Chek and Charles Poliquin to today’s guru culture, we unpack why coaches burn out, how ego kills learning, and why communication skills matter more than degrees.If you’re a young coach, this is a reality check. If you’re an older one, you’ll be nodding (and laughing) along.Timestamps:00:00 – Both will do neither just fine – setting the tone01:00 – Why we hate most S&C podcasts02:00 – Trap bars, Olympic lifts, and why none of it really matters03:00 – The early days of coaching – plyos, benches, and cracked ribs05:00 – From Wales to London – how plyometrics sold personal training08:00 – Paul Chek, Poliquin, and the birth of the fitness guru12:00 – Acupuncture, shamans, and the placebo effect15:00 – Fixing yourself vs. outsourcing your recovery17:00 – Foam rolling, massage guns, sleep – the myth of the 1 percenters20:00 – Why young coaches need to stop choosing camps25:00 – The problem with S&C education and university courses29:00 – Working with athletes vs. “Karens” – who really needs coaching33:00 – The Chelsea job offer – £9 k a year and a reality check36:00 – Team-sport chaos – one-hour-a-week programs40:00 – Louis Simmons, Westside Barbell, and learning the real science47:00 – Genetic freaks, speed myths, and why most coaches chase noise50:00 – Closing thoughts – no dashboards, just doing the work👉 Follow Matt on Instagram → @jumpthrowlift👉 Subscribe for real conversations on coaching, speed, and sport performance

Most coaches burn out before they ever break through.And that’s the cold, hard truth about working in professional sport.In this episode, I go deep into the realities of life as a strength & conditioning coach — the burnout, the underpayment, the toxic cultures — and how I broke free to build multiple businesses, earn six figures, and take back control of my life.This is not motivation fluff. It’s a wake-up call to every coach chasing prestige over purpose.If you’ve ever felt undervalued, overworked, or trapped by the badge on your tracksuit — this one’s for you.Timestamps:00:00 – The truth: most coaches burn out before they break through01:00 – My early dream: pro sport, prestige, and the illusion of status03:00 – Breaking my leg, losing rugby, and finding coaching05:00 – Getting into Wasps and Ealing — and getting fired06:30 – Why I left pro sport (and why I’m glad I did)07:00 – Coaches: great at structure for others, terrible for themselves08:30 – The money reality of sport — and how it limits your life09:30 – Boundaries, values, and saying “no” to the 24/7 mindset10:50 – Building systems, focus, and your one thing11:45 – Stop copying the broke gurus — define your success13:00 – Build your side hustle right (without burning out)13:40 – My final message to every coach stuck in the system👊 If this hits home, share it with a friend who needs to hear it.🎧 Subscribe for more no-BS truth about sport, business, and freedom.

The Learn Load Execute Framework inside the sports speed system creates a powerful model for the development of physical qualities! Master its application and your athletes will thank you.

What’s the difference between “just posting on social media” and building a personal brand that creates trust, clients, and opportunities?In this episode of the Sam Portland Podcast, I’m joined by branding expert Alex Preece. We break down why personal branding is really about reputation and trust — and how coaches can move beyond the “assembly line” and stand out.From LinkedIn strategy to email lists, from mindset to monetisation, this conversation is packed with real stories (including Adidas, Usain Bolt, and Kevin Hart!) and practical steps coaches can start using today.Timestamps:00:00 – Why we skip intros and get straight to value01:30 – What personal branding really is (reputation, not ego)03:30 – Trust, proof, and why stories sell better than CVs06:30 – Breaking away from the “assembly line” of coaches09:30 – The three pillars of content: teach, tell, show12:30 – Borrowed vs owned media (and why email lists matter)15:50 – My own social media hack horror story20:00 – The perfect week framework for self-employed coaches27:00 – Branding is about what people say when you leave the room37:00 – Overcoming fear of being judged as a “self-promoter”46:00 – Alex’s wildest corporate branding story (Kevin Hart + Usain Bolt)50:00 – Where to find Alex Preece👉 Subscribe for more coaching + business strategy episodes

Every smart coach in pro sport is building something of their own. Truth is I never trusted pro environments and neither should you. This is how you can work with athletes outside of pro sports.

When you train acceleration using this framework, there is no turning back!!! Grab a copy of the Sports Speed System Framework Playbooks here: https://www.speedbysportland.com/product-details/product/sportsspeedsystemplaybook

What happens when a veteran strength coach loses his role after 12 years? For Nate, it meant rediscovering his passion, redefining his path, and finding purpose beyond the weight room.In this episode of the Sam Portland Podcast, Nate shares his candid journey through sport, coaching, and unexpected career changes. From being a thrower in college, to coaching athletes at Buffalo, to becoming a “strength coach without a strength job,” this is a raw conversation about resilience, family, and what it really means to coach.If you’re a young coach, this one’s essential listening.Timestamps:00:00 – Why we skip the standard intros01:30 – Nate’s early story: football, track & field, and the weight room06:45 – Competing in throws and lessons from powerlifting14:00 – The importance of competing as a coach20:00 – First lessons in coaching contact sport athletes27:30 – COVID, cuts, and becoming a coach without a strength job36:00 – Balancing family, career, and quality of life44:00 – Certifications, teaching, and the next chapter52:00 – Why imperfections—not perfection—connect us