The Perform Prevent Recover Podcast

Episode 16: Athlete Feature - John Van Wisse, ultra-endurance triathlete and swimmer

In episode 16 we get to chat to John Van Wisse - utra distance marathon swimmer and triathlete from our own bayside area of Melbourne. Over a 25 year career, John has won numerous international events, and set world records in gruelling ultra distance events, including the English Channel swim and the gruelling Arch to Arc triathlon from London to France. John takes us through the complexities of the Channel swims, talks about the time he almost died, and details the incredible difficulty of each leg of the Arch to Arc.
John has amazing experience in many of the world's most famous triathlon and swimming events, and still has unfinished business with the Arch to Arc! He combines his current triathlon training with his swim coaching in Melbourne, overseeing hundreds of swimmers with their own fitness challenges, yet still manages to find the time to train to the level needed not only to complete these events, but to break world records.
Listen in to one of the great ultra endurance athletes of our time!

Episode 15: Athlete Feature - Luke Bell, Australian Long Course Triathlete

SSPC Director & Physio Rob O'Donnell takes over the podcast reigns with this brilliant interview with leading Australian long course triathlete Luke Bell.
In this episode Rob delves right into the triathlon world with Luke, covering topics such as:
His incredible triathlon history including competing at multiple Kona Ironman World Championships.
The long list of injuries that may well have derailed many other careers.
When a camera man got in the way and cost Luke what looked like a potential Kona win.
Why one of Luke's best finishes at Kona is not his highest finish.
His training program and training advice, including modifications made during this COVID period.
The simple but effective mental strategy to help him through these torturous events.
And at the end of it all, a take home message from his swim coach that Luke has used as his training strategy ever since.
This is a great opportunity to hear from one of our greatest triathletes with advice and messages that can be transferred across all sports.

Episode 14: Designing The Best Running Program To Optimise Your Fitness & Performance

The COVID pandemic has seen many people turn to running as their exercise saviour - including many who have never run before.
There's a whole new subgroup of runners out there trying to run that seemingly magical 5km distance. But do you know how to design the best program to make sure you optimise your fitness and time? Is running the same distance three or four times a week the best way to get fit? Will you get fitter and faster just by staying compliant to the same program over a long period of time?
In this episode we go to "The Running Man" David Eadie and find out everything you need to know about designing the best running program for you. David is a veteran on the running circuit, starting out with four marathons by 12 years of age, progressing to Cross Country running for Glenhuntly Athletics Club, making Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games selection trials, completing a sub 10 hour Hawaii Ironman, then onto the brutal scene of ultradistance running. David has literally "been there, done that" with all aspects of running, and over recent years has combined his running with coaching and training people by designing individualised running programs through his online business therunningman.com.au
Whether you're one of the new "5km Phenomenon COVID runners", a recreational runner, or a super keen runner, there's information in here that will help everyone improve their programs and their performances.
And David has kindly passed on a basic outline of what he covers in depth in the podcast - click this link to see his suggestion for a training program for all you 5km runners out there, and there's options for 3 and 4 and 5 day a week runners. 
Enjoy the episode!
 

Episode 13: Athlete Feature: Matthew Lloyd - Essendon Superstar

In Episode 13 we get another rare opportunity to go behind the AFL scenes and chat to a real superstar of the game: Essendon's Matthew Lloyd, who is one of the greatest full forwards our game has ever seen. From kicking 100 goals in a season, to the Essendon captaincy, his coaches, the fallout from the Essendon drugs saga, Hawthorn rivalry, , the brutal bump on Brad Sewell in his final game, and a whole lot more.
It’s a fascinating episode where we get to hear what drove one of the greatest full forwards the game has ever seen, but also look at the side that many don’t see in great athlete's - the mental health aspect of elite sport.
This episode sees Matthew talk with incredible honesty in a "nothing is off the table" discussion about his career, the people he played with, and the highs and lows of a 270 game, 926 goal AFL career.

Episode 12: Running Shoe Selection Part 2: "Fit For Purpose" - choosing a shoe to fit your activity. Plus injury risks, variation, kids, and the single most important injury reduction factor!

In this follow up to Episode 11, SSPC Podiatrist Scott Murray looks at the topic "Fit For Purpose" and outlines how important it is to find a shoe that fits your activity.
 
Many topics are covered relevant to shoe selection including:
the type of activity you are performing
younger vs master athletes
the relationship of shoes to injury prevention
the importance of variety - and not just in your shoe
footwear in kids
the ideal lifespan of footwear
running and osteo-arthritis
 
... and the single most important factor running athletes should be looking at to reduce injury risk - and it's not footwear!
 
By the time you have listened to Episode 11 and 12, you should be able to confidently walk into any retail store and come out with the shoe that is best suited for you.

Episode 11: Running Shoe Selection: How Do You Select The Running Shoe that Is Right For You?

You know the feeling when you walk into Bunnings for white paint: and you're faced with a whole wall of different shades of white, and don't know where to start!
Sometimes buying shoes for sport and recreation can feel similar - you walk into the retail store, and there in front of you is a mass of different colours, shapes, sizes, brands, categories ... along with a junior retail assistant ready to advise you on how best to part with your $250!
For anyone that is even just half serious about their footwear, you've probably heard of some of the following terms that relate to shoe selection and technological advancements: lasts, pronation and supination, motion control, maximalism and minimalism, barefoot running, rocker bottoms, stacks, pitches and drops, and the list goes on!
For this episode we have invited one of the most qualified people around to be able to be able to wade through the minefield that is shoes and footwear for sport: podiatrist Rick Osler has been a Director of Sportspods at Lifecare Prahran Sports Medicine for 21 years, Podiatrist at St Kilda FC in the AFL for 9 years, Founder & Director of Active Feet Retail Shoe Stores for 13 years, and podiatrist here at SSPC for 4 years. And to boot, he's used a few pairs of runners himself whilst training and competing in 12 ironman triathlon events. Plus, for his podiatry role, the footwear companies supply Rick  with all the latest versions of runners to personally test!
Rick knows shoes inside out, and he goes through all the technology, all the developments in shoe manufacturing over the years, tells us what works and what doesn't, and most importantly gives us a guide on how to walk into a retail shoe store and find a shoes that is right for you and your sport!
Before you purchase your next pair of runners, take a listen to an expert in the footwear field!

Episode 10: AFL Recruiting - behind the scenes with Melbourne Football Club National Recruiting Manager Jason Taylor

Ever wondered how the AFL recruiting system works and how recruiters choose from the tens of thousands of young hopefuls around the land? 
Take a listen to our latest podcast featuring Jason Taylor, National Recruiting Manager for Melbourne Football Club, as he gives us a rarely heard, behind the scenes understanding of the critical work that goes in to trying to get your club their next premiership!
In this episode we look at the incredible pathway that took Jason from Air Conditioning installer all the way to the top recruiting position at an AFL club.
And he explains what recruiters look for in young footballers, the draft system, the camps, the points, the trades, and more.
The depth that recruiters go to in their quest to find the best players in the country is quite amazing, and it's not just football skill that takes their attention and time.
Enjoy the listen.

Episode 9: Athlete Feature - Nikki Wynd: Winner Badwater 135, 2015, the world's toughest foot race!

Welcome to Episode 9 where we have the pleasure of interviewing one of Australia's best ultra distance runners - Nikki Wynd.
Nikki's resume is incredible, with wins around the world in distances ranging from 42km up to 343km, participating in not only the infamous Badwater 135 ultramarathon three times (winning it in 2015), but also completing arguably Australia's toughest ultramarathon three times, Coast to Koscioszko 240km, with second and third placings.
In this episode we chat to Nikki about Badwater 135 - the preparation, the race itself, the heat and terrain, recovery, and why she went back three times.
It's not often you get to delve into the mind of such a world class athlete, and find out what drives them to such great achievements. And Nikki explains how she trains for these incredible events whilst also holding down a full time job, being a wife and mum, and running an online business.
For anyone looking for inspiration with their running, or thinking about trying some ultra distance marathons, there's a lot to learn from listening to Nikki!

COVID, Sport Lockdowns, and Injury Risk.

Welcome to Episode 8 where SSPC Physio's Anthony Lance and Rob O'Donnell sit and talk about the dramatic effect COVID-19 has had on sport, activity levels, rehabilitation programs, and reductions in normal sporting loads.
In particular, Anthony and Rob look at the difficulty that faces all athletes and sports participants as they prepare to return to sport in a relatively short period of time now that COVID restrictions are lifting.
Spikes in training loads, injury risk, deconditioning, optimal time frames for return to sport are all topics that are discussed. 
Sports Scientist Tim Gabbett's great concept of "Basement, Floor, Ceiling" is also explained, along with amazing statistics from clubs that have come out of sporting lockdowns.
So for coaches and anyone returning to competitive sport following a long layoff, this is a "must listen" podcast to discover what you can do to minimise the risk of injury.
The principles here do not only apply to the recent lockdown caused by COVID 19, but also apply to anyone who is returning from injury layoffs, illness, injury, or even just time away from your sport.
There are two excellent sources referred to in this podcast, which we strongly recommend are read in conjunction with listening to this episode:
AIS White paper: "Prescription of training load in relation to loading and unloading phases of training"
SSPC Blog: Measuring Exercise/Training Loads To Avoid Injury
When you have limited time to get yourself right, you need to know how to utilise every minute to your advantage, and this episode will help you get it right!

Stretching for Athletic Performance: What Does 150 Years of Physio Experience Tell Us?

Where does stretching fit into athletic performance and injury prevention? As a follow up to Episode 6, where we outlined all the evidence (or lack of) surrounding static stretching in particular, in this episode we "go to the grass roots" and ask the physio's themselves.
We are lucky at Southern Suburbs Physiotherapy Centre to have an incredible staff list of physio's. This created a unique opportunity to hear the views of own physio's whose experience in the field totals almost 150 years! And if you include their own personal sporting careers, nearly all at elite level, Episode 7 brings you not only the 150 years of practical physio experience, but nearly the same amount of years in personal athletic experience.
Without doubt, when a physio has a long personal career in a particular sport and follows it up with a professional career in the same sport, they are in an excellent position to be able to bring you not only the science, but the practical application! 
Listen in and you will hear our physio's relate stretching to endurance running, dance and ballet, football, strength training, and gymnastics.
As far as we know, there is no other podcast that shares this amount of personal and professional experience on one topic - so enjoy!
And change your stretching ideas!