How did you get into sport?
This is the “How did you get into sport?” podcast where we explore the ins and outs of working in high performance sport.
These are conversations with leaders in the industry about their journey and most importantly how they got to where they are. Working in professional sport is one of the most sought after yet highly competitive industries with limited professional organisations offering opportunities to work at the highest level of their respective sports.
This podcast was created on the back of countless conversations with a diverse range of experienced professionals overly frustrated yet still highly motivated to work in their dream role and asking the question “How did you get to work in professional sport and what did you have to do to get there?” Host Luis Resa is a Sports Physiotherapist who has worked in various elite professional organisation both in Australia and internationally.
In each episode, Luis has deep conversations with Sports Physiotherapist, S&C coaches, Head coaches, High Performance Managers and other leaders in the field of elite sport to discuss what it takes to excel in the world of sport as well as diving deeply into the intricacies of what got their foot in the door of some of the world’s most desirable roles.
Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. In the meantime, enjoy a deep conversation and learn the specific do’s and don’ts of both securing and surpassing expectations in the field of high performance sport.
How did you get into sport?
Cody Williamson – Head of Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, MLS.
Cody is a Sports Physiotherapist and Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Coach who started his career with the Melbourne City FC and went on to become Head Physio for the Macarthur Bulls FC in the A-League. Cody is also one of few Australian’s who have gone onto work in the Indian Super League where he was trusted with the health and wellbeing of Socceroos greatest ever goal scorer Tim Cahill during his time playing for Jamshedpur FC. This is a conversation filled with adventure, courage and multiple sliding door moments which has taken Cody across Australia and the globe to now currently being one of few Australian’s working in the top tier of soccer in the US, for 2-time MLS champions the Seattle Sounders FC.
Highlights from the episode…
- As an accomplished middle distance runner himself, Cody was inspired to pursue a career in sport.
- Even after close to 4 years in private practice and 2 university degrees Cody shares the difficulties he had with getting his foot in the door of sport.
- The massive risk Cody took to finally get his first opportunity in sport with Melb. City FC.
- We discuss some of the costs of constantly pursuing his passion in sport.
- We discuss “why” we choose to continue working in sport despite all the shortcomings that can come with working in sport.
- After Melb. City FC, Cody took time off traveling and eventually found himself working in the Indian Super League after a phone call from Tim Cahill.
- What it’s like to work in India as Tim Cahill’s personal physio.
- How to best build collaborative relationships with clubs when you’re personally looking after individual players.
- How Cody secured a role as the Head Physio role with Macarthur FC and what it was like to work with a start up club.
- The importance of subjective monitoring and how technology may not be providing anymore benefit than one thinks.
- How Cody manages the freshness of the players during heavy match congestion periods.
- After primarily working as a physio for most of his career, how Cody was able to transition and secure a role as Head of Fitness for the Seattle Sounders FC.
- What it’s like to work in the MLS and what his role entails on a day to day basis.
- There has been a lot of discussion on the topic of progressions in rehabilitation but little on how to progress match minutes with injured athletes. Cody shares what he considers when progressing match minutes fr returning players.
- What Cody is excited to be working on over the next few years.
Cody Williamson contact details:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-williamson-2a9261122/
- Website: https://www.cwperformancerehab.com/my-story
People mentioned:
- Anthony Crea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonycrea004/?originalSubdomain=au
- Tim Cahill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cahill
- Adam Centofanti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-centofanti-04224790/
- Justin Dougherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dougherty-185a0739/
- Daniel Arzani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Arzani
Host: Luis Resa
Contact me on:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/
- Email: luis.resa@outlook.com
Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.
