Science for Sport Podcast

• 293: Johnny Nelson on the Gym that Created World Champions

  This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by boxing legend Johnny Nelson MBE, the longest-reigning cruiserweight world champion in history. With a story that spans early losses, a transformative mentorship under Brendan Ingle, mental resilience, structural discipline, and elite-level performance, Johnny offers a rare window into the mindset and preparation of a world-class athlete. From his humble Sheffield upbringing through a gritty apprenticeship in Europe to standing atop the world with 13 title defences, Johnny reflects on the physical demands of his sport, the mental architecture that carried him, and how those lessons translate into high-performance sport science environments today. Whether you’re working with elite athletes, exploring pathway development, or investigating the interplay of mindset, culture and performance. This episode delivers actionable insight. You’ll Learn * How deliberate structure and environment in the early years set Johnny’s foundation for world-class performance, and what that means for athlete development pipelines in elite sport. * The interplay between physical conditioning and mental readiness: why Johnny argues that even 99% physical fitness isn’t enough without mental strength to match. * How a coach/mentor adapted learning modality to individual athlete needs (story-based learning vs. written instruction) and how that insight translates to sport science practice. * The “apprenticeship phase” of elite athletes: why Johnny spent six years as a sparring partner across Europe, what he learned about failure, character-building and resilience, and how that maps to athlete development models. * The transition out of elite competition: Johnny’s reflections on his own injury-forced retirement, loss of gym identity and how elite sport practitioners can support athlete exit and long-term wellbeing. * Practical take-aways on environment design, multicultural team culture, and creating performance contexts that simulate hostile or challenging conditions (drawing on Johnny’s anecdotes of gym culture and travelling abroad). About Johnny Nelson Johnny Nelson (born 4 January 1967, Sheffield) turned professional in 1986 after a modest amateur career. He trained under iconic coach Brendan Ingle at the Wincobank gym in Sheffield, where he developed not only boxing skills but a mindset of relentless belief and self-validation. In March 1999 he captured the WBO Cruiserweight World Title and held it until his retirement in 2006—during which he defended it 13 times, the most ever in cruiserweight history. Post-career, Johnny has built a prominent role as a boxing pundit, keynote speaker, and mentor around mindset, resilience and high-performance culture. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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• 292: How the NFL Uses Sports Science to Build Better Fields

  This week, host Richard Graves welcomes Nick Pappas, Field Director for the NFL, for a fascinating deep dive into the science, technology, and precision that go into preparing elite-level playing surfaces for one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. From the Super Bowl to international games in London, Germany, and Madrid, Nick shares how data, innovation, and collaboration are driving the future of field management, and how the NFL ensures world-class conditions that protect player safety and optimise performance. In this episode, you’ll learn: How the NFL’s field operations team prepares and maintains elite playing surfaces across 32 clubs and international venues The science behind player safety and surface performance — and how injury data informs turf design Why the debate between natural and artificial grass isn’t as simple as it seems How advanced testing tools like BEAST and STRIKE are revolutionising surface analysis The challenges of delivering perfect fields in unique stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid How the NFL’s “digital athlete” concept links field data, biomechanics, and player health About Nick Pappas Nick Pappas, CSFM, is the Field Director for the National Football League (NFL), overseeing field operations for all major league events, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, and NFL International Games. With a background in turfgrass science and agronomy, Nick has become one of the foremost experts in professional sports field management. He leads the NFL’s global efforts in surface research, innovation, and player safety, working closely with the NFLPA, engineers, and medical experts to ensure every game is played on a surface that meets the highest standards of safety and performance. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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• 291: Managing Workload and Performance in the NHL

  This week, host Richard Graves welcomes Steven Nightingale, Sports Scientist with the New Jersey Devils (NHL), to explore the realities of managing workload, performance, and recovery in one of the world’s most demanding sporting environments. From starting out in Peterborough to working in China, Russia, and now in the NHL, Steve shares his fascinating journey through elite sport, and how data, experience, and practical collaboration with coaches all come together to optimise athlete performance. They dive deep into how workload is managed across an 82-game season, the impact of fixture congestion and travel, and the evolving role of data and AI in shaping the future of sports science. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How Steve’s career took him from teaching in England to sports science roles across China, the KHL, and the NHL. * What workload management really means in professional ice hockey, and why it’s misunderstood. * How the Devils balance recovery, readiness, and tactical demands across a relentless schedule. * The challenges of measuring true intensity and how Steve uses Z-scores and T-scores to make data meaningful for coaches. * Why less distance covered can actually correlate with winning more games. * How travel, sleep, and recovery all factor into athlete performance across an 82-game season. * The future of data analysis, including AI’s growing role in sports science. About Steven Nightingale Steven Nightingale is a Sports Scientist with the New Jersey Devils in the NHL and is currently completing his Doctorate in Applied Sport and Exercise Science. Originally from Peterborough, England, Steve’s career has taken him from teaching and voluntary roles in UK hockey to international positions with Ice Hockey UK, the Chinese Olympic Committee, and teams in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). His research focuses on workload monitoring, return-to-play strategies, and performance optimisation, using technologies such as Catapult to inform evidence-based decision-making. Steven regularly shares insights on LinkedIn and publishes his research on ResearchGate. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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• 290: Rewiring Performance: The Neuroscience Behind Mindset and Recovery

  This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Dan Metcalfe, former youth footballer, West End performer, Olympic development coach, and now international keynote speaker and founder of Born Superhuman. Dan’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. From a career-ending accident that left him paralysed and blind in one eye, to rebuilding his life, defying medical diagnoses, and going on to coach Olympic-level athletes. His journey is a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and human potential. In this inspiring conversation, Dan shares the philosophy that underpins his Born Superhuman method, revealing how mindset, breathwork, hydration, and self-belief can transform performance in sport and life. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How Dan overcame paralysis and rebuilt his life * Why mental training is just as critical as physical training for peak performance * The seven pillars of Dan’s Born Superhuman philosophy and how they apply to everyone * How reframing setbacks as “gifts” can unlock growth and success * Why elite athletes and CEOs alike struggle with the same mental blocks, and how to rewire them * The simple word change that helped Dan drop from 21% to 8% body fat without changing his diet * How hydration, sleep, and breathing directly impact focus and performance * The neuroscience behind belief, recovery, and human potential About Dan Metcalfe Dan Metcalfe is a performance and mindset coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Born Superhuman. His remarkable journey spans football, theatre, and elite sports coaching. After suffering paralysis and vision loss in a stage accident, Dan defied medical expectations and rebuilt his body and mind through sheer determination and psychological mastery. He went on to become Nike Youth Coach of the Year (USA), leading players into professional football and working across the US Olympic Development Program. Today, he helps elite athletes, business leaders, and teams unlock their full potential through his Born Superhuman framework, blending neuroscience, mindset, and performance principles to inspire extraordinary results. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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• 289: What Sport Teaches Us About Leadership, Culture & the Human Mind

  This week, host Richard Graves welcomes David Mead, former professional rugby league star turned business leader, to discuss one of the most challenging transitions in sport, life after professional competition. Over a 14-year professional career, David represented the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos, and Catalan Dragons, as well as Papua New Guinea on the international stage. Today, he channels the lessons learned from elite sport into helping corporate teams and organisations build courage, respect, and accountability. In this episode, David offers a deeply personal and insightful look at the highs and lows of professional sport, the mental and emotional adjustment that comes with retirement, and how athletes can successfully navigate the shift to a new identity beyond the game. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * What it takes to transition successfully from professional sport to life after competition * How to find identity and purpose once the playing days are over * The emotional and psychological challenges of retirement, and how to handle them * The importance of structure, support networks, and mindset for post-career success * Lessons from sport that translate directly into leadership and team performance in business * Why maintaining community, health, and balance is vital for long-term wellbeing ** About David Mead** David Mead is a former NRL and Super League player who represented Papua New Guinea, the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos, and Catalan Dragons over a decorated 16-year career. Since retiring, David has become a business owner and performance coach, working with corporate and sporting organisations to instil the values of courage, respect, and accountability. SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 * ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively * ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery * ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In * ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese * ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More * ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance * ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes * ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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