Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast
Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast
Hosted by renowned performance experts Alex Calder and Adam Centofanti, authors of the book Peak Performance for Soccer, this podcast takes you beyond the pages and into the minds of the game’s top thinkers. Each episode features in-depth interviews with the original contributors from the book—elite coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists, psychologists, and more.
Together, they explore the cutting-edge methods and insights that are shaping the future of soccer performance. Whether you're a coach, player, or performance enthusiast, you'll gain actionable takeaways to elevate your game, optimize training, and push the limits of what’s possible on and off the pitch.
Stay ahead of the game. Tune in to the Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast.
Episodes
28 episodes
Season 8: Brett Singer – The Realities of Performance Nutrition
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with Brett Singer, one of the most respected sports dietitians in the United States and a long-time leader in applied performance nutrition. Brett has spent 15 years...
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Season 8
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Episode 2
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56:34
Season 8: António Pedro Mendes - The Human Side of Nutrition
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by António Pedro Mendes, Head of Nutrition at Sporting Clube de Portugal. António shares his unique journey through European and Middle Eastern football, from...
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Season 8
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Episode 1
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45:06
Guest Episode: DaMarcus Beasley - Speed, Survival & Four World Cups
In this special guest episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with U.S. soccer legend DaMarcus Beasley. The only American to play in four consecutive World Cups, Beasley reflects on a career that spanned MLS, the Eredivi...
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55:43
Season 7: Recap - Wearable Technology
In this recap of Chapter 7: Wearable Technology, Alex and Adam reflect on the key insights from Josh Rice (Tottenham Hotspur) and Joel Carter (Crystal Palace FC) — two practitioners redefining how data is applied inside e...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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41:30
Season 7: Joel Carter - The Process Behind Progress
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Joel Carter, Head of PDP Development at Crystal Palace FC. Joel shares his journey from Australia to the Premier League, with stops across India’s national team setup an...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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48:28
Season 7: Josh Rice - Data That Drives Development
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with Josh Rice, Head of Academy Sports Science and Nutrition at Tottenham Hotspur. Josh shares his journey across Everton, Liverpool, and Spurs, reflecting on his evolution...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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42:33
Season 6: Recap - Player Monitoring and Practical Application
In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam reflect on Chapter 6: Player Monitoring & Practical Application, featuring insights from Lewis MacMillan (Fulham FC) and Lorcán Mason (PhD researcher). Together, t...
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39:25
Season 6: Lorcán Mason - Communication Over Complexity
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Lorcán Mason, a PhD researcher and performance practitioner from Ireland. Lorcán shares his journey across Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, and Finn Harps, reflecting on the ch...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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48:27
Season 6: Lewis MacMillan - Breaking Silos
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Lewis MacMillan, Head of Player Insights at Fulham FC. Lewis shares his journey from internships at West Ham to leading performance data and monitoring at a Premier Leag...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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47:05
Season 5: Recap - Conditioning
In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam wrap up the Conditioning chapter with insights from Mark Piros-Read (Wolves) and Dr. Darren Burgess (Adelaide Crows, ex-Liverpool & Arsenal). They break down three...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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36:08
Season 5: Darren Burgess - Conditioning in Context
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Dr. Darren Burgess, one of the most experienced performance leaders in world sport. With over 27 years across football and AFL, Darren reflects on his journey from Parra...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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37:11
Season 5: Mark Piros-Read - Gray Zone to Game Day
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex is joined by Mark Piros-Read, Head of Physical Performance at Wolverhampton Wolves and multiple-time Swedish champion with Malmö FF. Mark shares his journey from England to Sweden an...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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54:43
Season 4: Recap - Strength, Power and Injury Prevention
Alex and Adam reflect on the Strength, Power and Injury Prevention chapter of Peak Performance for Soccer, highlighting key lessons from Dr. Mike Beere (Cardiff City), Cody Williamson (Seattle Sounders), and Christian Cla...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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41:57
Season 4: Christian Clarup - Velocity, Power & Performance
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex sits down with Christian Clarup, Head of Performance at VfL Wolfsburg. Christian reflects on nearly a decade at FC Midtjylland, his success with Sparta Prague, and now leading in one...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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48:31
Season 4: Cody Williamson - Physio to Performance
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex chats with Cody Williamson, Head of Fitness at Seattle Sounders. Cody shares his unique path from physio to performance, blending hands-on coaching, injury prevention, and data-led d...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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41:25
Season 4: Mike Beere - Built to Last
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex Calder sits down with Dr. Mike Beere, Senior S&C Coach at Cardiff City, to unpack over a decade of insights in one of football’s most volatile environments. Mike shares how he bu...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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42:44
Season 3: Recap - Needs Analysis and Testing
In this recap, Alex Calder and Adam Centofanti explore the evolution of performance testing through the lenses of Jordan Stewart-Mackie and Martin Buchheit. The conversation unpacks the challenge of balancing test sensitivity and specificity, a...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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35:24
Season 3: Martin Buchheit - Test Less, Learn More
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex speaks with world-renowned performance expert Martin Buchheit. From PSG to Aspetar, Martin shares insights into elite rehab environments, readiness testing, and how AI is reshaping t...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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40:47
Season 3: Jordan Stewart-Mackie - Quadrants, Context, and Culture
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast, Alex sits down with Jordan Stewart-Mackie to explore a truly global career in sport performance—from UK football to Asia’s academy systems and the NBA’s African talent pipeline. J...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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47:02
Season 2: Recap - From Academy to Professional
In this recap of Chapter 2 of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex and Adam break down key themes from Episodes 4–6. They explore the complex transition from academy to first team, the foundations of physical development, and how communic...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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34:17
Season 2: Nathan Plaskett - Football, Frontlines & Flexibility
In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer, Alex chats with Nathan Plaskett about his unconventional journey through elite sport—from canoeing and rugby league to English football and tactical performance roles. Nathan unpacks less...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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45:02
Season 2: Thomas Carpels - Balancing the Load
Alex sits down with Thomas Carpels, Head of Performance at Royal Antwerp. Thomas shares his journey from Rangers FC to leading physical development at one of Belgium’s top clubs. He unpacks the complexities of managing young players' workloads,...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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25:48
Season 2: Alex Berger - Strength before Stardom
Alex Berger discusses his career trajectory, starting with six years in the UK working for various football academies, including Millwall, Leicester City, West Brom, and Charlton. He then returned to Australia, working with the Olyroos and Manl...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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34:42
Season 1: Recap - Role of the practitioner
Alex and Adam discussed the structure and content of Chapter one - the role of the practitioner. Alex and Adam highlighted the structures within soccer environments, focusing on organizational values, multidisciplinary team leadership models, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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34:25
Season 1: Anthony Narcisi - Solo Operation
Alex and Anthony discussed Anthony's journey from personal training to his current role. Anthony shared his experiences, including studying Kinesiology, working as a personal trainer, and coaching soccer. He emphasized the importance of communi...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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27:22