Episode 151: Fergus Connolly - Game Changer

The Robbie Bourke Podcast

English - January 06, 2018 19:33 - 1 hour - 97.8 MB - ★★★★ - 35 ratings
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Previous Episode: Episode 150: James Smith - Dynamic Correspondence and Training Transfer

Next Episode: Episode 152: Nick Littlehales - All Things Sleep and Performance

This episodes guest is Fergus Connolly

Dr. Fergus Connolly has worked at the highest levels of Premier League soccer; international rugby; the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and elite military units . He is currently the Performance Director for Michigan Football, and his is also the author of a unique book, Game Changer, which was released in 2017.

On this episode Fergus and I discuss:

Fergus' background
Fergus' influences
What are the good and not so good things that Fergus currently see's with the physical preparation profession, and what solutions would he offer for the not so good things he is seeing
Fergus talks about why asking " the why" behind things is critical
Fergus and I discuss about the importance of understaning first principles when it comes to sports performance
Why an over reliance of the development of physical qualities at the expense of other key athletic traits is a flawed model
We discuss big data vs small data
Fergus discusses why all members of the sport performance staff should review the game together as a multi-disciplinary team
Fergus talks about why general "mental thoughness models" will not transfer to the specific mental skills that are needed to enhance sports performance
Why generalist's will inherit the world in sports performance
Fergus and I discuss Periodization schemes with sports performance and the importance of the weekly set up for athletic preparation
Fergus discusses the concept of synchronization within on-field/court performance in team based sports
Fergus discusses why controlling the factors that can be controlled is critical to allow the athlete to have a larger adaptative reserve to adapt to chaos of sport and to enhance the learning process
Fergus gives us his top advice and resources to all the listeners
And if Fergus could invite 5 people to dinner, dead or alive, who would he invite and why?