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The Inform Perform Podcast is an industry show focussed on Sports Performance and Sports Medicine. The show interviews thought leaders and professionals that support elite athletes and teams. The aim of the show is to deconstruct the strategies and philosophies the guests utilise in their working environment or area of expertise. Featured guests have worked across the NBA, NFL, MLB, F1, World title Boxing, EPL and more.
Episodes

Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Episode 50: Andy McDonald chats to Nick Winkelman the head of athletic performance & science for the Irish Rugby Football Union. His primary role is to oversee the delivery and development of strength & conditioning and sports science across all national (Men's and Women's XV’s and 7’s) and provincial teams (Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster). Nick was previously the director of education and training systems for EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance), located in Phoenix, AZ. At EXOS Nick oversaw the speed and assessment component of the EXOS NFL Combine Development Program and supported many athletes across the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Sports Organizations, and Military. Nick has also completed his Ph.D. through Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a dissertation focus on motor skill learning and sprinting. In this episode Andy and Nick will be primarily discussing topics from his recent book - The Language of Coaching.
In this episode Andy and Nick discuss:
- Nicks background
- The language of coaching
- Discussing how rather than what
- The coach & athlete relationship
- Cueing
- Understanding athletes information needs
- Monitoring language
- Moving to Ireland
Where you can find Nick:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Episode 49: Andy McDonald chats to Andrew Gray the High Performance Manager at Wests Tigers Rugby. Andrew's performance roots were in Physiotherapy and over his career he has worked extensively in the NRL. He has enjoyed previous roles at Cronulla Sharks and St.George Illawarra Dragons. Andrew is also a thought leader on GPS in sport as the creator of Athletic Data Innovations (ADI), a software product which processes tracking data to provide insight into sports performance to clubs and teams, to assist with coaching, scouting and player performance. This episode focuses on staff development, structure and pivots to the changing requirement of tech during Covid and finally Andrew's journey using GPS.
In this episode Andy and Andrew discuss:
- Andrew's background and origins as a Physio
- Working in the NRL
- Carrying skills forward to management
- Developing your staff
- Multi-skilled staff
- Strategising broader development
- Potential Covid effects on staff structure
- Athletic Data Innovations GPS
Where you can find Andrew:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Adam Loiacono (Director of Rehabilitation at Phoenix Suns)
Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Episode 48: Andy McDonald chats to Adam Loiacono the Director of Rehabilitation at the Phoenix Suns NBA team. Adam has a wealth of experience and has enjoyed previous roles at Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Pride and New England Revolution. In this episode we will be discussing some of the principles behind a recent presentation that he delivered via the Altis platform.
In this episode Andy and Adam discuss:
- Adam’s background in sport
- Approach to performance therapy
- Role at the Phoenix Suns organisation
- Developing return to sport principles
- Injury causation and analysis
- 'The bank' heuristic of MDT involvement
- Technical and tactical drills
Where you can find Adam:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Mike Tucker (Head Athletic Performance Coach Villanova University Football)
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Episode 47: Andy McDonald chats to Mike Tucker the Head Athletic Performance Coach at Villanova University Football. Mike has previously enjoyed S&C roles at San Jose State University, Clemson University, Kuztown University and North Dakota State University. This episode focusses on Mike's program and problem solving through Covid, Speed Development and 'Sprintember' a program both him and Ken Clarke have released to support coach development through September 2020.
In this episode Andy and Mike discuss:
- Mikes background in collegiate sport
- College Football situation during Covid-19
- Being better generalists
- The physical preparation at Villanova Football
- Wishlist’s
- Coaching level entering collegiate sport
- Speed training kinogram
- Sprintember
Where you can find Mike:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Tuesday Aug 25, 2020
Episode 46: Andy McDonald chats to Navin Hettiarachchi the Director of Health, Wellness and Performance for the Washington Wizards at the time of recording. Navin began his career interning at the Washington Redskins NFL team, followed by spells at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation INC and the Washington Mystics. This episode and the conversation is largely centred around Navin's holistic and broad consideration of care.
In this episode Andy and Navin discuss:
- Navins background and role
- His holistic approach to athlete care
- Empathy and human factors
- PRI
Where you can find Navin:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Elliott Clarke (Harlequins Rugby Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist)
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Episode 45: Andy McDonald catches up with Elliott Clarke at Harlequins Rugby. Elliott is a Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist who has been with Harlequins rugby for over 5 years beginning as the Academy Physiotherapist. Prior to Quins Elliott worked within the NHS and also for Worthing RFC. In this episode Andy and Elliott discuss rehab frameworks and philosophies without shying away from technical details. In the past we've had Ed Lea (S&C) and Tom Batchelor (Sport Science) from the club and consistent with their episodes you can expect this conversation to be honest and transparent for both Elliott and Harlequins methodology.
In this episode Andy and Elliott discuss:
- Elliotts background and role
- His Rehab Philosophy
- Setting prognostic expectations
- Selecting frameworks amongst complexity
- Reconditioning
- Return to running
- Soleus
- Hamstring
Where you can find Elliott:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Friday Aug 07, 2020
Matt Tuttle - Catch Up (Denver Nuggets Lead Sport Scientist & PT)
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Episode 44: Andy McDonald catches up with Inform Performance regular Dr Matt Tuttle the Denver Nuggets Lead Sport Scientist & Physical Therapist. Matt at the time of recording is currently based inside the NBA Bubble for the closing of the 2019/20 season. We caught up with Matt to discuss his journey from clinician to his current hybrid role as a PT and combined Sport Scientist.
In this episode Andy & Matt discuss:
- The Bubble
- Early familiarisation with sport science
- New trends and questions in performance
- Buy-In to organisation or cultural change
- PT & sport science combined
- Cultural strategy
- Monitoring culture
- Vulnerability
Where you can find Matt:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Monday Aug 03, 2020
Garrison Draper (Director of Performance for Philadelphia Union MLS)
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Episode 43: Andy McDonald chats to Garrison Draper the Director of Performance at Philadelphia Union MLS Team. Garrison is a Sport Scientist and Strength & Conditioning Coach with a wealth of knowledge ad experience working within the MLS enjoying previous spells at Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders. On todays show we’ll be discussing environmental stresses including altitude, weather, the effects of travel and player wellness. Alongside his role at Philadelphia Union Garrison is completing a PHD in Sports Science at Teeside University in the UK.
In this episode Andy and Garrison discuss:
- Garrison’s background
- Staffing structure at the Union
- Points on the road in the MLS
- Game Difficulty Scale
- MLS blind spots data/ performance insights
- Garrisons PHD: Utilising different data types to guide training
- Environmental impacts on athletes
- Wellness Data
Where you can find Garrison:
Sponsor
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Monday Jul 27, 2020
Amy Arundale (Brooklyn Nets NBA Physical Therapist and Biomechanist)
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Episode 42: Andy McDonald chats to Amy Arundale a Biomechanist and Physical Therapist for the Brooklyn Nets NBA team. Amy has enjoyed previous roles at Proaxis Therapy and was a post doc fellow at Linkoping University. In addition to this Amy has completed a Phd in Biomechanics at The University of Delaware and has coaching roots in soccer before becoming a Physical Therapist.
In this episode Andy & Amy discuss:
- Amy’s background
- Benefits of a coaching background
- Current role at the Brooklyn Nets
- Return to play
- Creating drills
- Injury Prevention Programs
- Developmental considerations in rehab
Where you can find Amy:
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team

Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Episode 41: Andy McDonald chats to Performance Coach and Physiotherapist Bradley Scanes. Bradley is currently the Physio and Performance Coach for Max Verstappen at Redbull Racing through Hintsa Performance. Alongside F1 Brad is a consultant to British Gymnastics and works privately. He has enjoyed previous roles at British Basketball, Southend Football Club, the NHS and lectured at the University of Essex. In this episode with Brad he provides an interesting account of the Physio role in F1, the physical demands placed upon the neck and discusses the risk v reward of interventions before competiton. The end of episode educational content from Vald Performance this week focusses on the Eccentric Utilization Ratio.
In this episode Andy & Brad discuss:
- Brad’s background
- Physical Demands of F1
- Role of an F1 Physiotherapist
- Drivers Neck
- Risk v reward of treatment before performance
- Driver data and physiological understanding
Vald Performance Education Feature:
- Eccentric Utilization Ratio
Where you can find Brad:
Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Our Team