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The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
The Adaptable Athlete Podcast is a podcast for coaches and practitioners who want to learn more about modern approached to sport movement and skill acquisition; and who ultimately, want to help to their athletes become more adaptable.
Host, Javi Miller-Estrada engages in discussions with some of the absolute best sport coaches, trainers, and practitioners in the world. Coaches who are truly pushing the industry forward.
The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
Why Practice Doesn’t Always Show Up in Matches | Steve Whelen
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In this episode, Coach Jav sits down with Steve Whalen to explore his journey into coaching, his shift toward ecological dynamics, and what it means to truly design learning environments that transfer to competition.
Steve shares how he entered tennis coaching from a non-traditional background, the tensions he experienced within traditional coach education, and the turning points that led him toward a constraints-led approach. The conversation unpacks why players who look sharp in practice often struggle in matches, how coaches can better understand learning and performance, and what it takes to bridge the gap between research and real-world coaching.
They also discuss Steve’s work mentoring coaches globally, his upcoming research in ecological dynamics, and the broader direction of modern coach education.
The upcoming Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 5–6) is also discussed you can learn more and register here
If you’re looking for a practical starting point for designing more effective sessions, download the Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist and check out thecoachjav.com for more resources!
Episode Resources
- Steve's website
- Steve on Instagram
- 2026 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC)
- Modern Coach’s Practice Checklist - Free coaching guide
- The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
- Emergence
Support & Contact
If you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with another coach or athlete who’d appreciate it.
You can reach Coach Jav on social media at @thecoachjav
or by email at javier@emergentmvmt.com
Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io
Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav
