Professor Holly Thorpe, a leading voice in the sociology of sport from the University of Waikato, is an action sports advocate and someone who’s spent years studying the social dynamics of movement and play. In this episode, Holly shares her journey growing up in Gisborne’s tight-knit windsurfing and skateboarding community, where the learning came from peers, not coaches, and where the natural environment played as big a role as the people did. We discuss the idea of “stoke” — that deep sense o...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 189
Josh Wall is the Director of Performance and Athletic Wellbeing at Wycombe Abbey in the UK, and lead S&C coach for England Women’s Lacrosse. Josh brings a wealth of experience from across the school landscape — from boarding to day schools — and is currently completing a Doctorate in Professional Practice at Leeds Beckett University, where his research focuses on supporting student-athletes in independent girls’ schools. In this episode, we explore Josh’s journey from football-mad Manchester...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 188
This is a rebroadcast of episode #2 of The Game Changer podcast , featuring Dr Craig Harrison. --- "What does it really take for young athletes to succeed? In this episode of The Game Changer podcast, we sit down with Dr. Craig Harrison, expert in youth athlete development, founder of the Athlete Development Project, and host of The Athlete Development Show to challenge common beliefs about training, success, and the role of parents in sports. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Youth Athlete Dev...
Apr 01, 2025•57 min•Ep. 187
What if talent development wasn’t just about creating better athletes but better people? In this conversation, I sit down with Barnaby Sargent Megicks , a researcher who spent weeks inside a cricket academy, not just watching but truly understanding what makes a talent system work. His focus isn’t just on performance but on how young athletes grow as people, how they balance their sport with school and life, and how the environments they’re in shape their future, both in and out of the game. We ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 186
On the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on the skills you need to develop great young leaders. --- For more on creating game changing environments that unlock meaningful progress, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond the Game here . Connect with Craig on Social: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Support the show...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 185
Suzie Muirhead is the creator of Raise My Game , a tool designed to help athletes and their coaches navigate performance planning, personal growth, and decision-making. Suzie’s journey—from New Zealand hockey player to mentor and innovator—has shaped her belief that true development starts with ownership, trust, and the right conversations. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up. Enjoy! --- For more on creating EPIC learning environm...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 184
There are two ways to affect learning and development. Direct contact with the individuals and teams in front of you, or by influencing the system of which they are part of. My guest on today’s show has spent time doing both, first as a youth team coach at Sydney Football Club and then as Academy Manager. His name is Nick Susko and he played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most successful talent development programs in Australian sport, with over 60 graduates signing professional contracts ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 183
In the ‘Best of’ collection for 2024, I’ve pulled together some of the most insightful moments from your favourite guests this year to help you revisit some powerful lessons. In part two of this 3-part series, we hear from Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Academy, Dr David Johnson, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Queen Ethelburga’s School, Dr Ffion Thompson, and Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dr John Radnor. All 3 guests ...
Dec 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 182
In the Best Of 2024 collection, I’ve pulled together some of the most insightful moments from your favourite guests to help you revisit some powerful lessons. In part one of this 3-part series, we hear from Founder of the Atua Matua, Dr Ihirangi Heke, People Developer, Rusty Earnshaw, and Performance Breakthrough Specialist, Dr Richard Young. All 3 guests can be heard in full in their respective episodes linked below: ADS 163 Dr Ihirangi Heke ADS 170 Rusty Earnshaw ADS 174 Dr Richard Young We ki...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 181
At the age of 17, my guest on today’s show received advice from her ski coach that led to her drop out. Although well intended, is was advice lacking in awareness of female physiology. Dr Julia Casadio is a sport physiologist and applied researcher with over 15 years of experience in elite sport. She has spent most of her career in the Performance Physiology team at High Performance Sport New Zealand. Julia and I connected around her latest project, Her Strength , a science-based digital platfor...
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 180
I met Tara at the age of 14 when she first entered the sports hall at AUT Millennium to join our Athlete Development Program. Four years later she got a call from esteemed Canoe Racing New Zealand lead coach, Gordon Walker, inviting her to join the high performance world. Then, just two years after that, she teamed up with Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin and Olivia Brett to win gold in the woman’s K4 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This is Tara’s story. For more on creating EPIC learning en...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 179
The evidence is clear. Stronger athletes move better, get injured less and stay engaged with sport for longer. But what should strength training look like for children? My guest today is Dr Ben Pullen, PhD in paediatric strength and conditioning and the founder of Young Athlete Training . Ben’s work integrates the physical and psychological considerations of development to provide novel, engaging and individualised strength training to both child and teenage athletes. In this conversation, we le...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 178
My guest today is Associate Professor Ian Renshaw , teacher, coach, researcher, and voracious learner. Over 35 years working in higher education, Ian has advised sporting organisations at the community and high performance level, published over 190 research articles, written several books, and collaborated on projects all over the world. In this conversation, we trace Ian’s fascinating journey from schoolboy in the UK to working and raising children in New Zealand and Australia. Ian shares stori...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 177
My guest today is Dr Martin Buchheit , an esteemed author of over 250 scientific papers, 2 best-selling books, co-founder of the HIIT Science podcast, and over 20 years working in professional sports. Focusing on bridging the gap between sports science knowledge and its practical application, Martin has held roles at Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Olympique de Lyon, Lille OSC, Aspetar, Aspire Academy, and various other consultancies around the world. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore Mart...
Oct 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 176
This conversation is with Dr David Johnson, a physical development specialist with a deep understanding of growth and development. His research in injury prevention has shown what’s possible in football when the natural changes every young athlete experiences are accounted for. As the Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Academy and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bath, David continues to be a leader in this field. Today, we explore David’s research, including t...
Oct 13, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 175
Are you looking for deeper, more impactful development? The answer is strategic simplicity. My guest today is Dr Richard Young , keynote speaker, author, and adviser to sports leaders, teams, and professionals around the world. He has won international gold medals in cycling, coached world champions, created medal-winning programmes for three countries, and has been described as a ‘world-class performance creator’. Born in the UK, raised in Canada, and now living with his four children in Dunedi...
Oct 06, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 174
On the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on another successful season for Dave coaching the Westlake Boys 1st XI and how he managed huge playing loads, the need for individualising support, how to build trust, markers of fatigue, the rise of specialisation in the NZ sporting system and what this means for player development, how to coach for confidence over competence, and more. If you enjoy today’s chat, please do me a massi...
Sep 26, 2024•53 min•Ep. 173
This conversation is with Assistant Professor in Sport Psychology at the University of Bern in Switzerland, Dr Noora Ronkainen . Noora’s work centres on meaningful experiences in sport, exercise and physical cultures. In this episode, we dive into the concept of existential learning. Noora defines the idea for us and shares some research highlighting how reflecting on setbacks in sport can lead to personal growth. We also discuss: The current pressures on young athletes The role of identity in s...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 172
Today’s conversation is with Professor of Sport Coaching at the University of South Wales and Head of the Centre for Football Research in Wales, Brendan Cropley . Brendan is an esteemed scholar and has made a significant contribution to the Sport and Exercise Science, particularly in the area of psychology and coach education. He is also recognised worldwide as an expert in Reflective Practice and consults with a range of organisations across several industry sectors. In this episode, we explore...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 171
Today’s conversation is with seasoned coach developer at the Magic Academy, Russell ‘Rusty’ Earnshaw . We explore all sorts on the show, from the subtle art of balancing authenticity with professionalism to the evolving role of psychology in sports. You’ll hear about the importance of showing up, the magic of playfulness in coaching, and even a few secret experiments designed to push the boundaries of what it means to be a great coach. If you’re curious about the intersection of personal growth,...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 170
Dr John Radnor works in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning, the Programme Lead for their Masters in Youth Athletic Development, and the Research and Innovation Lead for their Youth Physical Development Centre. In 2023, John was awarded the Youth Strength and Conditioning Coach of the year award from the UKSCA. Over his 15 years as a coach, he has worked with many sports, including football, rugby, and rowing. John is currently using his r...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Dr Suzanne Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Emotional Fitness Consultant . With over 15 years of experience, including time as Lead Psychologist for Sunderland Football Club in the UK, she has pioneered a new way of working that bridges clinical psychology with elite performance. Suzanne studied at the University of Birmingham, earning her undergrad and Master's degrees with top honours, and she completed her Doctorate at Coventry & Warwick University. This episode is full of gold, inclu...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 168
Dr John Alder ( @JohnAlderWRU ) is a development practitioner whose life mission is to help individuals, teams, and organisations flourish while promoting culture-driven leadership. He has worked with Professional, Olympic, and Paralympic sports on and across six continents, throughout the pathway, from regional development through to a World Cup and Olympic Games. John is currently the Head of Player Development at the Welsh Rugby Union, responsible for cultivating a development rich environmen...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 167
Dr Ffion Thompson is a post-doctoral researcher in youth athletic development at Leeds Beckett University in the UK, where she is module lead on the science of sport performance course, as well as a leader within the Centre of Child and Adolescent Physical Literacy. Ffion also serves as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Queen Ethelburga’s School, Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coach at Leeds Rhinos Netball, and Women’s Head of Athletic and Physical Development at Wales Lacrosse. Ffion's...
Jul 05, 2024•57 min•Ep. 166
On the show today, I’m speaking with Regional Coach Development Manager at New Zealand Cricket, Christian Thurston . In this conversation, Christian shares his story of successfully transitioning from a professional opera singer into coach development. Enjoy! Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletter Get Craig to speak at your club or school here . Connect with Craig: Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharris...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 165
On the show today, I’m speaking with Health and Physical Education Lecturer at Federation University in Victoria, Australia, Dr Riki Lindsay . Riki has a PhD in Human Movement Science from Victoria University, a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Auckland University of Technology and he is currently working towards a second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. In this conversation, Riki and I dig into his new paper all about skill learning, titled “ The adaptable coach – a cri...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 164
On the show today, I’m speaking with researcher and founder of the Atua Matua framework, Dr Ihirangi Heke . Ihi builds health, wellness and performance practices based on traditional environmental knowledge. In this conversation, Ihi and I discuss the good ol’ days of PE school in Dunedin and the changes that have taken place since. Ihi shares some of his early experiences growing up in the great outdoors and what led to his work studying environmental science. We talk about genetic ways of know...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 163
On the Show today I'm speaking with Head of Performance Pathways Science at the National Youth Sports Institute in Singapore, Dr Matthew Wylde . Matthew has been within the Singapore high performance system for over 15 years, having held roles with the Singapore Sport Institute, Singapore Sports School and now with the National Youth Sports Institute. He holds a PhD from Bournemouth University, which explored the use of wearable technologies to reduce injury rates within a youth athlete populati...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min
On the Show today I'm speaking with the man behind the Crusaders Rugby Academy, Aaron Webb. The programme operates in line with the New Zealand Rugby Union's six pillars of development - technical, tactical, physical, nutrition, mental skills and holistic life skills. Aaron shares how he goes about his work with a clear focus on developing young men with the skills to reach their goals in professional rugby and grow into excellent community citizens. This is a conversation about the artistry of ...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 161
Brian Shelley is Head of Football at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland where he coaches at the premier level and oversees the development pathways. He earned his UEFA A License with the English FA. Prior to his coaching career, Brain played professional football in the UK where he competed for clubs in both the UEFA Cup and Champions League. In this conversation we discuss school versus club football, Brian's coaching approach and the experiences that have led to it, how he thinks about buildi...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 160
