In this episode, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the podcast and share highlights from our favorite episodes from Season 1.  Amy Moreng – Producer of The Vanguard Roundtable & Marketing Specialist, Smartabase Linkedin Jen Casson – Director of Demand Gen, Smartabase Linkedin

In this episode, we discuss strategies for engaging stakeholders outside of your performance programs, such as athletes, coaches, administration, and the front office. We explore why this is critical to the success of the program and provide practical tips and real-life examples.   Alex Calder – Head of Sport Science, Houston Dynamo. Twitter Instagram, Book: Peak Performance for Soccer: The Elite Coaching and Training Manual – Routledge & CRC Press Scott Kuehn – Manager of Applied Sport Science, Louisiana State. Football  Website, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube Haley Muller – Supervising Human Performance Consultant US Human Performance, Smartabase. LinkedIn,Twitter

In this episode, we debate the use of body composition testing in sports. We explore why the use of this standard practice is now being rethought, how it’s been used effectively, what some alternatives are, and provide practical advice for your performance program to consider.  Participants: Katie McInnis – Major League Performance Dietician, Texas Rangers. Email: [email protected] Linda Steinhardt – Sports and Eating Disorder Dietician, KP Nutrition Therapy. Email: [email protected] Instagram: Linda.Steinhardt_rd Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann

In this episode, we talk with Fusion Sport CEO and Co-Founder, Markus Deutsch to get his perspective on athletes’ right to own and access their human performance data. We explore the current trends making this an important topic today, such as the transfer portal and NIL legislation, what’s in the best interests of both athletes and organizations, and the implications on human performance technology platforms.  Participants: Markus Deutsch – CEO & Co-Founder of Fusion Sport. Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/markus-deutsch-fusionceo Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann

In this episode, we discuss the latest trends and challenges with Youth Talent Development and ID. We explore what makes working with youth talent unique and how data and analytics are being used to help young athletes progress. Participants: James Veale – Data Analyst, AFL Academies. Email: [email protected]  Mark Dyer – Athletic Development Coordinator, Alpine D-Team, US Ski and Snowboard. Email: [email protected] Jack Halley – Principal Consultant, Fusion Sport. Email: [email protected] Linkedin.com/in/jack-halley Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann

How can Human Performance leaders effectively communicate the Return on Investment of their performance programs? In this episode, experts from professional and collegiate sports provide practical tips for securing the funds to grow your human performance program and deliver high-quality service to your athletes. Participants: Jordan Troester – Director of Performance and Sports Science at the University of Oregon. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordan-troester Dennis Mannion– Chief Executive Officer and President, House of 7, Former President and COO, LA Dodgers. Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dennis-mannion Dan Duffield – Global Solutions Consultant, Fusion sport. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-duffield Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20

What role does body image play in a student athletes’ mental and physical health? What can performance professionals do to support a healthy body image that is aligned with performance goals? We explore why this is such an important topic, how performance professionals are working with athletes on this issue, and the role data & analytics is playing. We’ll also leave you with some practical tips to incorporate in your organization or practice. Participants: Lenecia Nickell – Director of Sports Psychology and Wellness at the University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ldnickell Rachel Manor – Sports Performance and Eating Disorder Dietitian with Lutz, Alexander and Associates Nutrition Therapy. Email: [email protected] Taylor Lipinsky – Associate Athletic Trainer for Women’s Basketball at the University of Cincinnati. Email: [email protected] Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20

Can human performance practitioners, armed with the best-of-breed technology and heaps of data, reliably “predict injury”? In this episode, we explore why this has become such a controversial topic, how to vet technology solutions claiming to enable injury prediction, and what needs to happen in the future to evolve these methods. Our panel of performance experts weigh in on this debate and discuss the new approaches to (and often controversial claims of) injury prediction.  Participants: Garret Bullock – Assistant Professor, Wake Forest School of Medicine. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @DrGSBullock Darin Peterson – Human Performance Director, The U.S Marine Corps’ Schoo of Infantry – East, Camp Geiger. Email: [email protected] John Cortes – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-a-cortes/ Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20

Ask any military recruiter or college/youth coach and they'll tell you about the growing divide between people who are physically and mentally fit enough for military service or elite sports and those who aren't. This conversation will touch on the “war for talent” in the military and the shrinking pool of people who can pass the required fitness tests. Participants: Joe Cruz – H2F Program Director, Ready First Combat Team | US Army Missy Mitchell-McBeth – Head S&C Coach, Byron Nelson H.S. | NHSSCA Southwest Regional Director Joe Staub – Executive Director | The Zenta Group Moderator: Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport

If the promise of human performance optimization is to be realized, the humans in the equation must believe the people and systems in place are working in their best interests. Learn how building a culture of trust, between athletes/service members and coaches/leadership, is critical for performance programs to have an impact. Participants: Jo Clubb – Performance Consultant | Global Performance Insights Mark White – Chief Executive Manager/CEO | S.A.R. Human Performance Patrick DiMarco – Football Analyst & Director of Player Relations | University of South Carolina Moderator: Emma Ostermann– Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport