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.

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I sit down with Stephanie Grubbs, Major League Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Houston Astros, to explore the early mistakes and leadership lessons that shaped her career.

Steph reflects on getting overly focused on outcome goals, the challenges of transitioning into leadership roles, and the importance of emotional awareness, communication, and mentorship in high-performance environments. We discuss why listening matters, how to navigate difficult conversations, and why building a strong support network is critical for long-term development.

A big thanks to our sponsor, The IUSCA, for this episode; they are also hosting the International Conference on Strength and Conditioning 2026, taking place at Leeds Beckett University on Friday, 5th June 2026. Get your tickets HERE

If this episode has prompted you to think more intentionally about your development, our Collaborate Sports performance mentorship programmes are open.

For the next week, you can receive 15% off any programme using the code: POD15 - check out our programs HERE

Enjoy the episode!

In this strategy episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined by Stephanie Grubbs, Major League Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Houston Astros, to explore how microdosing strength training can be used effectively in elite team sport environments.

Steph shares practical frameworks for dividing volume into shorter, more frequent exposures, adapting training around travel and competition demands, and applying what she calls fluid microdosing to remain agile while maintaining structure. We discuss dose-response relationships, communication with athletes, and how to align strength training with the realities of modern sport.

You can also download a presentation resource she has shared with us (see the bottom of the show notes)!

This episode is sponsored by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA). The IUSCA is hosting the International Conference on Strength and Conditioning 2026 at Leeds Beckett University on Friday 5th June 2026, featuring keynote presentations, practical sessions, and networking opportunities within the Carnegie School of Sport. You can join by buying tickets HERE.

Our group mentorships are currently open for enrolment too - use the code 'pod15" for 15% off in the next 14days - see what we do HERE

Lastly, here's that presentation from Stephanie - download HERE

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, do share it in your community.

Dan and the Collaborate Sports Team

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined again by Michael Gerhardy to explore the mistakes that have shaped his practice as a sports scientist working in applied performance environments.

Michael reflects on early errors made in coaching, research, and sports science, including relying too heavily on statistical significance, misinterpreting data, and trying to analyse too many metrics at once. We discuss why concepts like P-values can be misleading without proper context, and why a “non-significant” finding can still provide valuable insight.

We also talk about the importance of quality over quantity in both training and monitoring, how data overload can undermine good decision-making, and why coaches and sports scientists must work closely to ensure analysis actually supports performance.

This episode is an honest conversation about learning through mistakes, developing better judgement, and focusing on meaningful metrics that inform real-world decisions.

Check out https://runupperformance.com.au/ and also join our webinar next week by registering here if you liked what you heard!

In this episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined by Michael Gerhardy, a sports scientist specialising in neuromuscular fatigue and applied workload monitoring.

Michael holds a PhD in Applied Sport Science, where his research focused on neuromuscular fatigue and concurrent training. It was during this PhD work that a key idea emerged — the value of running-specific testing to better understand fatigue and workload, rather than relying on generic or non-specific measures.

Michael is also the creator of RunUp Performance, a fatigue monitoring tool that uses raw IMU and GPS data to assess changes in running strategy associated with neuromuscular fatigue. His work helps teams move beyond simple workload totals and towards monitoring approaches that are task-specific, individualised, and practically meaningful.

In our conversation, we discuss the challenges of workload monitoring in sport, why population norms can be misleading, and how metrics such as ground contact time can help inform smarter training decisions. We also explore how excessive neuromuscular demand or poorly managed high-speed running can interfere with training adaptations.

This episode is about moving from data collection to better decision-making, and designing monitoring strategies that actually reflect the demands of running-based sports.

Dont forget we have the webinar with Michael that you can join by registering HERE to join us on the 10th February.

I am also holding 2x free mentoring sessions for anyone who hasn't experienced that type of work before, you can join us using links below:

Thursday 29th January - register HERE

Tuesday 3rd February - register HERE

Hope to see you there

Dan Howells

In this Stumbles episode of Performance Strategies and Stumbles, I’m joined by Warren Bradley, founder of Hytro, to explore the mistakes and lessons that shaped his journey from working in professional sport to becoming an entrepreneur.

Warren reflects on his early career as a performance nutritionist, where not fully understanding hierarchy and environment led to avoidable challenges. He shares how saying yes too often, consulting across multiple teams, and constant travel resulted in overextension and burnout.

We then move into Warren’s transition into entrepreneurship — discussing early failures, the importance of market research, and how solving real problems in sport led to the creation of Hytro. Warren also speaks candidly about the role of self-care, delegation, and building a supportive team to create a sustainable working environment.

This is an honest conversation about ambition, resilience, and learning from mistakes — offering valuable insight for practitioners in sport and anyone considering a move into entrepreneurship.

Don't forget this is your last chance to apply for 6months of free mentorship. Submit your name HERE

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