Nick Poulos – Leading with vulnerability in the toughest sports in Australia. Coaching in the AFL, Rugby Australia, Aspire Academy and more…

Alicia Edge - Lead Performance Dietician Australian Women's National Football Team (Matildas) & CEO Compeat Performance.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110776/fan_mail/new] Alicia is one of Australia's leading sports dietitians, with nearly two decades of experience working at the highest levels of elite sport. Her career has spanned the Australian sporting landscape, supporting athletes across a wide range of Olympic and Paralympic programs through the Australian Institute of Sport, while also consulting for organisations including the NSW Waratahs, FIFA, and Football Australia. For more than seven years, Alicia has played a key role within Football Australia, most notably as Lead Performance Dietitian for the Matildas during their historic 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign and the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. In this conversation, we explore the realities of nutrition in elite sport, from fuelling performance and recovery to navigating the challenges of implementing evidence-based nutrition in complex high-performance environments. Alicia shares why behavioural science can often be just as important as nutritional science when it comes to creating meaningful and lasting change in athletes. This is also a conversation about balance, resilience, and leadership. Alicia reflects on building a career at the highest level of international sport while navigating the demands of motherhood, family life, and running her own business. Highlights from the episode… * Alicia shares her desire to go into sports nutrition during an era where the space was very new and there were not an abundance of roles in the industry. * We discuss the turnover of dieticians in the industry and the challenge for some dieticians to even get full time work after graduating. * After two previous attempts to secure a role at the AIS, she was successful on her third attempt and talks about the gaps she had to fill that eventually led to her securing a role. * Her time at the AIS and how services were structured, funded and allocated to specific athletes in sports. * The chase for lean muscle mass in athletes. Does body composition actually correlate with performance? and what Alicia does with the women’s national team. * An athletes “relationship with food” and how this has more of an impact on decisions around nutritional choices than most other factors. * The decision of stepping away from sport to start a family and the accompanying doubt of whether she will ever get back into the world high performance sport. * When it comes to nutrition and high performance sport. What matters most “nutrition science” or “behavioural science”? * Alicia provides an unprecedented insight into what's involved when providing nutritional support for the Matildas before and during major tournaments. * “Covert Monitoring”…What monitoring tools Alicia uses to evaluate adequate dietary intake for performance and minimising negative connotations associated with nutritional monitoring. * Managing the tension of being away from family all while doing the best job you can do in the role…how do you do that? * Compeat performance what it’s all about and how it is changing the way dietician support is delivered affordably and at scale.  People mentioned: * Louise Burke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-burke-61923411/ * Matt Whalan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-whalan-5b59a939/ * Carmen Colomer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Mn5jKSrO7mgzfrW9rEURC   Alicia Edge contact details:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-edge/ * Compeat Performance: https://www.compeatperformance.com/about-us/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_j_edge/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ * Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Hamish Macauley - Lead Physiotherapist, Ireland Men's National Rugby Team.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110776/fan_mail/new] Hamish is an Australian Sports Physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of rugby across the globe. Over the course of his career, he has held Head Physiotherapist roles with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby), the Australian National Rugby Team (Wallabies) and currently serves as Lead Physiotherapist for the world number three-ranked Ireland Men’s Rugby Team. Beyond rugby, Hamish also spent three years in the AFL as Head Physiotherapist for the Geelong Football Club. In this conversation, we explore the differences and similarities between club and international rugby, including how injuries are managed, the systems used to collaborate with coaches, medical staff, and performance teams, and the logistical demands that come with operating in both environments. From humble beginnings working in a private clinic in country Australia, his first opportunity in professional sport came through a referral from a local farmer in his community, a moment that would ultimately launch a career spanning countries, sports, and working with the elite of world sport.  Highlights from the episode… * On the back of the 6 Nations, Hamish provides an insight into the prestige of the competition and Ireland winning the “Tripple Crown”.  * Why Hamish chose to go down the pathway of sports physio after initially commencing a Bachelor of Education. * How Hamish got his introduction in pro sport with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby) through the help of a local farmer. * We discuss Hamish’s opportunities in sport and the unspoken factors that lead to securing roles beyond just focusing on building your technical competency. * The unique structure of Rugby Australia had in place for club physiotherapist  and national team physiotherapist to improve collaboration and continuity of systems, clinical practice and athlete care.  * The differences in working as a club physiotherapist and a national team physiotherapist regarding schedules, roles, responsibilities, challenges, etc. * The challenges of managing players who may have conflicting demands between club and national team. * Hamish shares the incredible systems that exist in Irish Rugby that have improved collaboration and collective decision making between club and country. * Why he was let go from the Wallabies and how it felt the following 2.5 year not working directly in sport. * How Hamish secured a role in a new sport with one of the most successful clubs in AFL history, Geelong Cats. * The scale, resources and staff set up in the AFL in comparison to international Rugby. * With the long hours, travel, pressure and relentless push to be better day in day out, over many years…Did you ever experience burnout? * How Hamish was able to secure a one of the most prestigious roles in international Rugby and his move from Australia to Europe to join Ireland Rugby.  People mentioned: * Byron Field: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z8bihACHtSMwpC844wCkQ * Tim McGrath: https://open.spotify.com/episode/73xkOCQlyT1RJ0u9s3ybdE * Mark Young: https://open.spotify.com/episode/17aAXmr5EdiTtxfqs1D1Zn Hamish McCauley contact details:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-macauley-13944365/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ * Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

David Clancy - How to get a job in pro sport...Literally! Co-founder & CEO of The Nxt Level Group.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110776/fan_mail/new] David is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Nxt Level Group, a company specialising in identifying and placing top talent across some of the world’s biggest sporting organisations, including the English Premier League, NFL, NBA, NWSL, and La Liga, to name a few. What makes David’s journey particularly unique is that he hasn’t just operated in recruitment he’s lived the world of high performance. With over 15 years’ experience as a sports physiotherapist working with elite teams and athletes, he brings a rare perspective to the industry. His experience extends even further, from working as a rehabilitation specialist with Isokinetic Medical Group, to co-founding multiple businesses, authoring a book, and hosting a podcast where he interviews high performers across sport, business, the arts, and the military. In this conversation, David shares practical insights on securing a role in high-performance sport, while also opening up about his own journey filled with extreme highs, setbacks, and the ongoing challenge of balancing family, purpose, and fulfilment. It’s this combination of lived experience and honest reflection that positions David to offer valuable insight into not just getting a role in sport, but also thriving within it. Highlights from the episode… * After an eclectic childhood and an initial interest in journalism, how David eventually fell into physiotherapy and built a career across some of the biggest organisations and teams in the world. * Where did David get this courage to feel confident in the various roles and  fields he's succeeded in?  * How David avoided being “institutionalised” and his ability to pivot away from a 15 year + career in sports physiotherapy and still thrive beyond his skill set as a physio. * His initial transition out of “conventional employment” to “entrepreneurship” was met with never-ending challenges and what David did to help him persevere through those tough times. * The common tension of building a career filled with personal fulfilment and purpose; and also doing what’s best for your family. * What do you want out of your career? A questions that often most don't ask and why it's important. * David is directly involved in the recruitment of top talent for some the most well respected sports organisation. He shares what separates the people who go on to secure roles to those who don’t. * The specific questions practitioners should ask when applying for roles in sport. * Once in the role, what David advises candidates and organisations to focus on in the first 30-90 days to maximise a successful transition. * What David advises sporting organisations to do to attract top talent to their teams. * Having achieved a lot across various domains what has been the cost of your ambition?  People mentioned: * Cameron Steel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-steele-1a719926/ * James Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-4627503b/ * Martin Seligman: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/   David Clancy contact details:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdclancy/ * Nxt Level website: https://thenxtlevelgroup.com * David Clancy website: https://davidclancy.com Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ * Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Michael Davie - How to win an NBA Championship and optimise "Long Term Athletic Development".

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110776/fan_mail/new] Michael Davie is a Strength & Conditioning coach who has operated at the highest level of professional basketball, across both the college system and the NBA. He’s one of the few to have reached the pinnacle of the sport, winning an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. His experience extends well beyond basketball and has worked across multiple Olympic sports at the Queensland Academy of Sport, including rowing, sailing, diving, triathlon, and soccer, and was part of the Australian Swim Team staff at the 2012 London Olympic Games. This diverse background has shaped his deep understanding of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), which he applied in his work with 2x NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In this conversation, Michael shares insights into athlete development, his unconventional journey into professional sport, and how belief, persistence, and consistency helped him achieve his dream role. Highlights from the episode… * Having entered the industry later than most, bouncing around various jobs why Michael eventually chose to do S&C? * After several years juggle part time S&C roles, family of 5 kids and working as a youth worker Michael was hit with a decision…take a $20,000/year role with the QAS or lean into a fulltime manager role youth working. * The QAS. Michael provides a day to day outline of what his job entailed, the calibre of practitioners he worked alongside, the array of sports and diversity in elite level athletes. * The relationship between “LTAD” and “vocabulary” and how the methodology of vocabulary can assist in coaching effective LTAD.  * We discuss the challenge of balancing “Long Term Athletic Development” and winning and how athlete development can often come at the cost of wining and Vice Versa…So how do we achieve both? * How universities attract top talent to their programs and the business of collegiate sport. * After close to 8 years at the QAS and no pro basketball experience how Michael received a chance phone call asking him if he wanted to join the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. * Michael talks about what many don’t consider when transitioning into a new role outside of your own country including family considerations, VISAs, contracts, housing, schools, etc. * Working in the NBA. Michael shares what his role entailed and the gruelling schedule that many aren’t aware of when working in the NBA. * With 82 game season Michael discusses how the team managed load, periodised strength training and maximised recovery between games. * When monitoring players Michael has moved away from the traditional wellness questionnaires and what he currently uses at BYU to monitor overall player wellbeing.  People mentioned: * Kelvin Giles: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2g1eUNqD0zQXRsKWno93Ce * Suki Hobson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suki-hobson-588ba276/ * Troy Flanagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-troy-flanagan-137a1b3/   Michael Davie contact details:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldavie/ * BYU Website: https://byucougars.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/season/2025-2026/staff/michael-davie * X: https://x.com/MichaelDDavie Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ * Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Wayne Diesel - From the Springboks, to the EPL, NFL and NBA...Sports Physiotherapist across various sports, eras and continents!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110776/fan_mail/new] Wayne is a highly regarded sports physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of multiple sports and organisations across the globe for 40 years. He has worked in Olympic sports, with the South African National Rugby Team the Springboks, in the EPL with Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspurs, in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs to only name a few. Few practitioners can match the breadth and depth of his experience, having led medical departments across multiple sports, countries, and high-performance environments. This is a must-listen conversation for anyone established or is building a career in sport, as Wayne blends practical clinical insights with hard-earned wisdom on what it takes to thrive in elite performance settings. Highlights from the episode… * Wayne started physiotherapy during a period where there weren't an abundance of pro sport or high paying roles. So why did Wayne choose this career path? * Working with the South African national soccer team (Bafana Bafana) and the national rugby team (Springboks). * After a successful career in South Africa, why Wayne decided to sell everything and move the entire family to the UK to take a role with Gloucester Rugby. * What he learnt from a “Witch Doctor” while working in South Africa. How player “Belief” can have the biggest impact on the success of an athlete’s rehab. * The growing trend of athletes curating their own personal high performance support teams and how Wayne effectively collaborates with them from a clubs perspective. *  With endless wide spread scrutiny on performance, athlete health, injury rates etc. How do you deal with the added stress of media and opinion. * When evaluating risk in RTP decision making who is “Responsible” for the decisions and who is “Accountable” to the decision? * How do you work in a high performance sport where you are pushing the envelope but by doing so could be at risk of negative consequence and worse being sued? * How Wayne found himself leaving the EPL moving to the USA and working in an unfamiliar sport of NFL with the Miami Dolphins. * The unbelievable level of athletic potential he experienced and observed while working in the NFL. * NFL is commonly referred to “Not For Long” due to the length of time players stay in the game. When navigating a transient player roster how do you develop trust? * Having worked across different sports, organisations and countries. What do you do in the first 90 days to ensure the transition is a success? * Working in the NBA with one of the most decorated coaches in NBA history Gregg Popovich. * Wayne’s current mission to establish an open source platform for performance data that anyone working in high performance sport can access.  People mentioned: * Timothy Noakes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-noakes-294b048/ * Alan Curbishley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Curbishley * Michael Davidson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-davison-0568a720/ Wayne Diesel contact details:  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-diesel-3012122a/ * Opensport Website: https://www.opensport.io Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ * Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.