In this episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I sit down with James Nolan to explore how we should rethink in-season strength and power development, particularly in rugby.

Too often, in-season training is framed as “maintenance.” In this conversation, James challenges that concept — arguing that if we’re not continuing to develop athletes, we may actually be doing them a disservice.

Drawing on his experience in elite rugby environments, James shares how to approach in-season training with intent, structuring programmes around clear goals, and ensuring athletes continue to adapt despite the demands of competition.

We discuss how to build training blocks across the season, how to balance intensity and volume within sessions, and why individualisation and communication across staff are essential for effective delivery.

James also introduces the idea of using storytelling as a coaching tool, helping athletes better understand and buy into training, and explains how viewing the season as a series of “chapters” can help coaches plan more effectively.

Ultimately, this episode is about shifting from simply maintaining performance to continually developing athletes within the constraints of competition.

If this episode has challenged your thinking around programme design, in-season training, and athlete development, our Collaborate Sports performance mentorship programmes are designed to support that journey.

👉 Explore all mentorship programmes HERE:

This episode is supported by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA).

IUSCA are hosting the International Conference on Strength and Conditioning 2026 at Leeds Beckett University on Friday 5th June 2026, bringing together leading practitioners and researchers from across the world. Details HERE.

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined again by Dr Peter Tierney to explore the mistakes and learning experiences that have shaped his approach as a practitioner in sports science and coaching.

Following on from our previous conversation around wearable technology, this episode shifts the focus to the realities of professional growth — the mistakes that happen in practice, and what we can learn from them.

Peter shares how, early in his career, he found himself overcomplicating processes, trying to do too much rather than focusing on what truly mattered. Through experience, he learned the importance of simplicity, clarity, and effective communication, particularly when working within multidisciplinary teams and athlete environments.

We also discuss the value of athlete feedback, the importance of addressing tension early within teams, and why removing emotion from professional discussions can lead to better collaboration and decision-making.

Ultimately, this episode is about recognising that mistakes are part of the process - and that growth comes from how we reflect, adapt, and improve.

As mentioned in the episode, if you are interested in joining the data skills mentorship with Shaun McLaren - click this link

In this strategy episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I sit down with Dr Peter Tierney to explore how wearable technology should be understood and integrated within modern performance environments.

Peter is a sports scientist whose career spans elite sport, applied research, and performance technology innovation. He has previously worked within high-performance environments, including Leinster Rugby and The Football Association, supporting athlete monitoring and performance programmes. Alongside his applied work in sport, Peter holds a PhD in Sports Science, with additional research focusing on athlete monitoring, GPS analysis, and performance data interpretation. He now works within performance environments helping translate sports science insights into tools used by athletes and practitioners.

This diverse background gives Peter a unique perspective on the rapid growth of wearable technology in sport—from HRV and sleep monitoring to recovery and readiness scores—and on the challenges practitioners face in interpreting these metrics meaningfully.

In our conversation, we discussed why practitioners must understand what is happening under the hood of wearable metrics, rather than relying on simplified readiness scores or reacting to day-to-day fluctuations. Peter explains how wearable technology should sit within a broader monitoring ecosystem alongside tools such as GPS, load monitoring systems, and force plates, and why the key to good decision-making lies in understanding trends, context, and athlete feedback.

A wukc thank you to our sponsor, the IUSCA - check out their conference in June HERE, and dont forget to sign up for our advanced data skills mentorship with Shaun McLaren if you are keen to transform wearable data into meaningful insights. We start in a few weeks. Sign up is HERE.