The Sound of the Barbell

In this episode I speak to Jon Redding, Director of Sport and Extra Curricular Activities and Physical Education teacher at South Island School in Hong Kong which is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF).
We chat about the disruption of the education system in Hong Kong by COVID19, with reference to Physical Education lessons in particular. We discuss how PE deptartments have adapted and been innovative, especially when it comes to the practical aspect of PE that might not be as important in other subjects.
We talk about the long term athletic development approach in schools and if schools are doing best for students when it comes to participation in team sports. Learn about the exposure to resistance training in schools and how this varies between schools and even within schools themselves based on the teacher experience, the facilities and even the culture in the local community.
Another great guest and some awesome insights into the education system in Hong Kong when it comes to Physical Education.

In Episode 3 I talk to Jeremy Hartman from Hartman Performance in Indianapolis, Indiana.
We talk about his start in S&C training to help improve his wrestling performance and how he fell in love with the sport of powerlifting, going on to win 6 US National championships and become a 3 time member of the US World Team. We talk about his 355.5kg raw deadlift in 2008 and how much more he feels humans will lift after Thor's impressive 501kg deadlift recently.
As well as his own career we also talk about his team of athletes which include US female #1 and world #2 Shelby Miles as well as the 9 IPF world records his gym has along with his work with a high school, the Indiana national guard and an ice hockey program in Indianapolis.
We talk about how he built a strong culture of S&C during a time when it was still a relatively new concept in children and how hockey players can improve their performance on the rink by utilising some simple exercises in the gym.

In Episode 2 I talk to Brandon Wong about his experience of Strength & Conditioning throughout his hockey career.
Brandon discovered his love of Hockey at age 5 while skating and playing road hockey with his parents. Over the years, Brandon paved his path to the Pros when playing Juniors, College NCAA, and 9 Years Professionally. Brandon has playing experience at NHL Training Camps, the AHL, the ECHL, and KHL/VHL.
Teams to note:
Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)
Hartford Wolfpack (New York Rangers)
Kunlun Red Star (KHL)
Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
Victoria Cougars (VIJHL).
We discuss how he got started, how he trained at college compared to when he turned pro, his thoughts on the importance of S&C hockey and how he integrates fitness training into his successful online coaching program.

Recorded live on Instagram live, in my inaugural episode I speak to Andrew Kacsor, the current S&C coach for the Kunlun Red Star Vankye Rays ice hockey team who recently won their first WHL championship.
Starting his S&C career under the tutelage of one of the biggest names in S&C Matt Nichol, founder of BioSteel Nutrition, learn about Andrew's journey and about some common issues seen with ice hockey players, how he trains professional athletes and what players can do at home to maintain their skating speed while rinks are closed.

In Episode 11 my guest is fellow South Walian Josh Dragone. Josh has had experience at tier 1 football academies in the UK along with teams in the Welsh Premier League, national skiiing programs and now is helping to develop the next generation of tennis players in South Wales.
We talk about his experiences across a range of sports and the similarities and differences when it comes to coaching athletes in these sports.
Some topics we discuss include the importance of injury prevention, coaching youth athletes, early specialisation and then we focus a little more on tennis and the techniques he uses to get the most out of his athletes.

Josh is developing a game speed model for tennis too so we discuss his ideas for that and how he feels it will help improve the standard of coaching for tennis and how it can also cross over into other sports too.