VALDCAST

When it comes to exercise physiology, objective testing isn't just about collecting data. It's about building trust, creating accountability and helping patients understand what's really happening. In this episode of VALDCAST, Mitch Vautin, Founder of Exercise Healthcare Australia (EHA), shares how objective assessments have transformed the way his team works with people living with chronic disease, disability and pain. In this conversation: ✅ Why objective testing improves patient confiden...

How do you take elite performance systems from professional sport and make them work in the private sector? In this episode of VALDCAST, Lachlan Wilmot, Co-Founder of Athletes Authority, shares the journey from AFL and NRL strength & conditioning roles to building one of Australia's leading athlete performance businesses. Lachlan discusses the evolution of Athletes Authority, the role technology has played in scaling high-performance services, how VALD helped bridge the gap between pro sp...

In this episode of VALDCAST, Roula Kotsifaki shares insights from her extensive work in sports medicine, rehabilitation and force plate research, exploring how clinicians can use jump testing to make better decisions throughout the rehabilitation process. Drawing on years of experience working with ACL populations, Roula explains why getting the fundamentals right, including test execution, cueing and standardisation, is critical before any meaningful interpretation of data can take place.&nb...

What does it take to become a better performance practitioner in today's high-performance environment? In this episode of VALDCAST, Fearghal Kerin shares lessons from his career spanning elite sport, applied research and practitioner development, exploring how curiosity, critical thinking and communication underpin great decision-making. Rather than chasing metrics for the sake of measurement, Fearghal discusses how practitioners can use data to ask better questions, challenge assumptions and...

What does sports science look like when you're supporting everyone from soccer players and skateboarders to surfers, snowboarders and wingsuit athletes? In this episode of VALDCAST, Jordan Troester, Director of Performance at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center, shares how one of the world's most unique high-performance environments approaches athlete support across an incredibly diverse range of sports. From profiling and monitoring to multidisciplinary collaboration and leadership, Jord...

How do you build a performance system that actually improves decision-making? In this episode of VALDCAST, Trevor Short shares his approach to high-performance leadership, discussing how sport science, sports medicine, strength & conditioning, nutrition and mental health can work together to improve athlete outcomes. Drawing on his experience overseeing multidisciplinary performance teams, Trevor explains why the goal isn't simply collecting more data — it's creating systems that increase...

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dawn Scott reflects on her journey from introducing sport science to England's Women's National Football (Soccer) Team in the early 2000s to helping drive performance innovation with the U.S. Women's National Soccer (Football) Team during an era that included multiple World Cup and Olympic successes. The conversation explores: • How women's football has evolved over the last 25 years • Building sport science programs when resources and technology were limited • Th...

What does effective sport science actually look like in practice? In this episode of VALDCAST, host Dylan chats to Anna Cruse, Assistant Athletic Director for Applied Health and Performance Science at the University of Utah. They delve into the systems, relationships and decision-making processes that underpin successful sport science programs — explaining why collaboration, data quality and athlete-centered thinking are essential for turning information into meaningful action. The conversati...

What does it actually take to work in elite sport environments? In this episode of VALDCAST, Braylon Tatum discusses athlete profiling, objective data and the realities of operating in high performance sport. From managing elite athletes to building systems that support performance decision-making, this conversation dives into how modern practitioners approach performance, monitoring and development at the highest level. The conversation explores: Athlete profiling in elite sportUsing o...

What does elite ACL rehab actually look like in 2026? In this episode of the VALDCAST, Ziad from Ignite Phyzio breaks down how objective data, athletic development and clinician education are reshaping modern rehab. From using ForceDecks and ForceFrame testing to guide decision-making, to integrating sport-specific drills early in the rehab process, this conversation explores what it really takes to return athletes to performance — not just participation. The discussion also dives...

In this episode of VALDCAST, high‑performance leader Dave Hamilton shares insights from over 25 years across Olympic sport, collegiate athletics and the NFL. From his early days at the UK Institute of Sport to leading performance units in elite team environments, Dave breaks down how he cut's through complexity and builds performance models that genuinely move the needle. Dave explains why simplicity beats dashboards full of noise, how objective testing like jump metrics can reveal readiness ...

In this episode, clinician and researcher Jarrod Antflick breaks down the real drivers of tendinopathy across the Achilles tendon and patellar tendon. From systemic influences like metabolic and hormonal factors to the impact of high load sport, Jarrod explains why diagnosis is everything and why not all tendinopathies are created equal. He dives into the key differences between Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, how tendon structure and length influence performance and what the key f...

What’s really changed in high performance over the last 20 years? In this episode of VALDCAST, Mark Fitzgerald shares lessons from decades in elite sport — from early days with minimal data to today’s tech-driven environments. He dives into: Why coaching intuition still matters (and how tech should support it)Managing athlete relationships and “owning the room”Making better decisions with both objective and subjective dataBuilding trust so athletes actually buy inWhy your real value as a coac...

In this episode of #VALDCAST, host Dylan sits down with Jess Ellis — founder of Rehab Code and former NBA health and performance director — to challenge some of the most common assumptions in modern rehab. From structure and function in elite athletes, jump testing and pathomechanics, Jess discusses the topics in rehab and performance that many often shy away from. In this conversation, Jess reflects on mentorship, the dangers of rigid systems and how clinicians can avoid getting trappe...

In this episode of #VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with Dr. Marc Lewis — Director of Applied Sports Science for the Houston Texans and co‑founder of the Sport Science Network — to unpack what it really takes to build and run a high-performance system in the NFL. Shaped by his military background, Marc shares how systems based thinking underpins everything from in‑season decision‑making to long‑term performance strategy in the NFL. Together they explore how to manage the chaos of a season, ...

In this BONUS episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with physio, biomechanist and researcher Dr. Chris Bramah to explore how practitioners can better profile and prepare athletes for HYROX. Chris breaks down the unique demands of the sport, highlighting why running remains the central performance driver and how factors like plantar flexor strength, tendon stiffness and reactive qualities underpin performance and recovery between stations. He shares practical insights into profiling the HYROX at...

In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with biomechanist and Griffith University researcher, Tyler Collings, to break down one of the most common and most misunderstood topics in sports technology: validity and reliability. Tyler explains what these terms actually mean in practice, why they’re often confused and how human variability, testing protocols and “gold standards” influence the data practitioners rely on every day. The conversation unpacks common misconceptions in valid...

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist and Impact Sports Physical Therapy founder Bobby Esbrandt to unpack what it really means to assess, treat and develop athletes beyond a single metric. Bobby shares why relying solely on the countermovement jump can leave critical gaps in decision-making, and how building a complete athlete profile — spanning strength, power, rate of force development and reactive qualities — leads to better outcomes, particularly in po...

In this episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with Taylor Evernden, coach and Co-Founder of ORKA Performance, to explore what truly effective return-to-performance looks like when rehab, performance and people are fully aligned. Taylor shares how ORKA has built a collaborative model that moves athletes seamlessly from acute rehab into performance — balancing objective data, subjective feedback and the human side of coaching. The conversation spans RTP evolution, criteria-based transitions, comm...

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist at New York City Football Club, Hannah Marchant, to unpack one of the most challenging cases in knee rehabilitation: medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, recurrent patellar instability and complex cartilage lesions in a Division I-bound football athlete. Hannah walks us through the full journey — from baseline testing and load management to force plate assessments, athlete decision-making, asymmetry debates ...

In this episode of the VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with the co-founder of ForceDecks Dr. Daniel Cohen — sports scientist, researcher and long-time leader in force plate methodology. Together they unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) areas in athlete assessment: what force plate data actually means. Dan breaks down the insights behind VALD's 2024-25 Premier League Report, including which CMJ metrics truly discriminate elite from sub-elite, why “fatigue monitoring” misses ...

In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Dylan sits down with Physiotherapist and ORKA Performance Co-Founder Travis Gaudet to unpack what meaningful technology integration looks like at a company level. Travis breaks down the growth of ORKA’s clinical and educational arms and explains how technology became a central driver in that evolution. We cover: ✅ How to create cohesion in testing processes across multiple clinics ✅ How data can open conversations with patients during re...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Karl Goodman, co-founder of Athletes Authority, for a deep dive into how one of Australia’s leading performance facilities was built (and rebuilt) through smart use of technology, clear business principles and hard-earned lessons. Karl explains how Athletes Authority used testing and objective data to differentiate their brand from day one, elevating athlete outcomes while creating real commercial pathways through outreach testing, front-end offers a...

Our host Dylan sat down with co-inventor of the NordBord, Dr. Tony Shield, to unpack the origins of the world’s leading hamstring testing system. In this episode, Tony discusses the evolution of hamstring research, the rise of eccentric training and how a pair of load cells became a global standard for injury prevention and performance. Tony also shares insights into why dosing, data and simplicity still matter most in hamstring performance and injury prevention.

In this episode of VALDCast, our host Ryan sits down with Jo Clubb — founder of Global Performance Insights and one of the most respected figures in applied sport science — to unpack her journey from elite team environments to life as a private consultant. Jo reflects on formative experiences across the Premier League, NHL and NFL, including her time with Chelsea FC, the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills. She shares how working across different cultures and codes shaped her approach to per...

In this episode of the VALDCast, we sit down with Associate Professor at La Trobe University Dr. Lachlan James — sports scientist, consultant, and founder of ForceLab — to decode one of the most misunderstood areas in performance: strength domains. With modern technology offering hundreds of data points from a single jump or lift, practitioners might find themselves monitoring too many metrics. Lachlan explains how to cut through the noise by identifying five domains of strength — from reacti...

Our guest today is Dr. Phil Graham-Smith, Reader in Biomechanics and Innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-founder of ForceDecks. Ryan and Phil discuss the origins of ForceDecks, how far it's come since Phil and Dan Cohen first joined up to create the product, the concepts of validity and reliability in force plate testing, and the importance of applying scientific principles in real-world settings. Phil also shares insights from decades in elite sport and biomechanics, high...

“It’s not just for research anymore — every surgical patient gets tested throughout their recovery.” – Dr Catherine Logan In this episode, orthopedic surgeons Dr Ivan Wong and Dr Catherine Logan join cohosts Mark Opar and Dylan Carmody to discuss how objective measurement is transforming patient care and surgical decision-making. With backgrounds spanning physical therapy, elite sport and orthopedic surgery, they share how data is integrated into their clinical workflows, what it takes to f...

"We shouldn't treat the MRI, we want to treat our athletes." In this episode, Roula Kotsifaki discusses her recent research on ACL recovery, emphasizing the evolving perspectives in rehabilitation. She highlights the importance of balancing tissue healing with performance metrics, the significance of objective criteria for return to sport, and the need to focus on performance rather than solely on injury prevention. Roula also addresses the complexities of defining re-injury and t...

Our guest today is Stephanie Mock Grubbs, Assistant Major League Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Houston Astros. Ryan and Stephanie discuss the transition from collegiate to professional sports, focusing on the role of a strength & conditioning coach in elite athlete performance. Stephanie shares her experience at The University of Pittsburgh and the Houston Astros, emphasizing the importance of communication within multidisciplinary teams and the challenges of managing tra...

In this episode of VALDCAST, host Dylan Carmody chats with Dr. Stacie Barber who shares her journey as a physical therapist and the unique approach she takes in her practice, The Physio Fix. We discuss the evolution of her social media presence, how she amassed nearly 1 million followers (Check out her instagram HERE), her personal experience with injuries, particularly her achilles and how technology has transformed rehabilitation practices. Stacie emphasizes the importance of pa...

In this conversation with Dylan, Nicol van Dyk shares his extensive journey in sports medicine, highlighting his experiences at Aspetar and the evolution of technology in the field. He discusses the importance of injury prevention, the role of normative data, and how to build comprehensive player profiles. Nicol emphasizes the need for context in data interpretation and the significance of communication and collaboration among sports medicine professionals. We also cover off insig...

In this episode, Shaun Owen shares his journey from South Africa to Boston, discussing his transition from rugby to baseball and the key differences in athlete training and recovery. He emphasizes the importance of individualization in recovery strategies, the role of technology in sports science, and the understanding of fatigue in athletes. Shaun also highlights the significance of building a multidisciplinary team and the future of innovation in sports science. Ryan hits Shaun with s...

The growth journey of ORKA Performance is something special. In today's VALDCAST Ryan covers off the transition from practitioners to business owners and the importance of building a feedback culture. The guys have navigated the complexities of rehab to performance transitions, And focus on the key components of building and maintaining a strong culture at ORKA, a performance-based rehab facility. Taylor and Travis share their experiences, challenges, and insights on leadership, team dy...

Derek Hansen shares his extensive experience in sports science, where he focusses on timing systems, coaching methodologies, and the differences in athletic training between Canada and the USA. We discusses the evolution of timing technology, the importance of understanding athlete performance metrics, and the challenges faced in professional sports, including injury prevention and management. They also explore the differences in training environments between Canada and America, ...

Matt Jordan, a pioneer in the adoption and implementation of force plate technology discusses his journey with force plates, emphasizing their significance in strength and conditioning. He shares insights on how he transitioned from traditional training methods to a more scientific approach, utilizing force metrics to inform training decisions, especially in injury recovery. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding biomechanics, the value of measuring performance,...

In this episode of VALDCAST, we chat with Mick Hughes about his extensive experience in ACL rehabilitation, highlighting the evolution of management practices over the years. He emphasizes the importance of data-informed decision-making in clinical practice, particularly in assessing quadricep strength and its impact on rehabilitation outcomes. Mick and Dylan delve into the intricacies of ACL rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of tailored exercise programs, the role of calf strength a...

Creator of Run-Specific Isometrics and Manager of Sports Science at NSWIS, Alexander Natera discusses the evolution of isometrics and overall strength in athletic testing and training. He shares insights on how his techniques originated, their effectiveness across various sports, and the nuances of implementing them for different athletic needs. Natera also reflects on the influence of technology and AI in sports science, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human body in training ...

What is VALDCAST? Join hosts Dylan and Ryan as they introduce VALDCAST—where leading health and performance experts share real-world insights, transformative stories and how technology is shaping their practices. 🎙️ Connect with our hosts Ryan McLaughlin and Dylan Carmody 🌐 Discover VALD's range of solutions on the VALD Performance website

Dr Ebonie Rio, renowned sports physiotherapist and leading tendon researcher, breaks down the complexities of tendon rehabilitation. She discusses the role of muscle activation, neuroplastic training and the central nervous system in recovery, as well as key considerations for load management, dynamic training readiness and tendon capacity. We dive into Ebonie's approach to technology-enabled rehabilitation, including external pacing, feedback and force-trace assessment. Ebonie also explores ...

Dr Duncan French, Senior VP at the UFC Performance Institute, breaks down the complexities of training the worlds best MMA fighters. He discusses the unique demands of MMA compared to other sports, the critical components of a successful training camp and the need for seamless collaboration between performance staff and coaches. We dive into Duncan's thoughts on data-informed decision-making, athlete diagnostics and the challenges of quantifying training and competition load. Duncan also expl...