Performance Matters Podcast

What does it actually take to build a fighter capable of competing at the highest level?In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx Ferreira sits down with Niagara Top Team coach Chris Prickett to break down the development of MMA fighters from the amateur ranks all the way to the UFC.Chris shares how his background in wrestling shaped his approach to coaching, how Niagara Top Team develops fighters across striking, wrestling and grappling, and why consistency and coachability matter just as much as talent.We also dive into fight camps, opponent scouting, film study, cornering on fight night, making adjustments between rounds, managing losses, creating a training environment where athletes can make mistakes, and why the best fighters are often the ones who can adapt the fastest.Chris also gives his perspective on hard sparring, fighter development timelines, knowing when someone is ready to turn professional, and why the fundamentals still matter more than whatever flashy training trend is making the rounds online.If you coach combat athletes, compete in MMA, or simply want a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes in fighter development, this one is for you.Follow Chris Prickett and Niagara Top Team on Instagram:@prickett73@niagaratopteam—POWERED BY TEAMBUILDRPerformance Matters is proudly powered by TeamBuildr.TeamBuildr helps strength and conditioning coaches organize programming, communicate with athletes and manage their training in one place.We’ve also partnered with TeamBuildr to provide coaches with a FREE 8-week in-season high school volleyball training template.Grab the free template through the link below:👉 https://app.teambuildr.com/shared-workout/court-ready-highschool-volleyball—SPONSORED BY SPOKEN NUTRITIONSpoken Nutrition understands the standard required by serious athletes and coaches.From protein and creatine to greens and everyday performance supplements, Spoken has you covered.Save 15% on your order with code:IRONPERFORMANCECENTERat SpokenNutrition.com.—ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE MATTERS PODCASTPerformance Matters is presented by Iron Performance Center and hosted by Matrixx Ferreira.We sit down with coaches, athletes and leaders in sport to have honest conversations about performance, coaching, development and what actually matters when the goal is getting better.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next episode.Performance Matters.

What actually gets a hockey player noticed by scouts?In Episode 91 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Flint Firebirds scout Freddie Coccimiglio to talk about what scouts are really evaluating when they watch young players — and why goals, assists and impressive stat lines might not matter nearly as much as parents and athletes think.Freddie shares his journey from playing and coaching to scouting in the OHL, and breaks down the qualities that separate players as they move toward the next level: competitiveness, hockey IQ, character, decision-making and the ability to actually translate skill into the game.We also dive into the pressure surrounding youth hockey, playing year-round, the fear of falling behind, chasing teams and logos, development timelines, getting drafted at a young age, and what Freddie would tell a 14-year-old who wants to eventually hear their name called.If you're a hockey player, parent or coach trying to understand what actually matters in long-term development, this conversation is for you.A huge thank you to Spoken Nutrition for supporting the Performance Matters Podcast. From protein and creatine to greens, recovery and performance supplements, Spoken Nutrition puts a major emphasis on quality. Use code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout to save 15% on your order.Powered by TeamBuildrTeamBuildr is built for performance professionals who want to spend less time buried in programming logistics and more time coaching. We’re proud to have TeamBuildr supporting the Performance Matters Podcast.We’ve also put together an 8-week in-season high school volleyball training template you can try through TeamBuildr:👉 https://app.teambuildr.com/shared-workout/court-ready-highschool-volleyballIf you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, follow, subscribe and share the show with someone who needs to hear it.

What actually makes a good strength coach?In this episode, Matrixx sits down with Justin Mayo, Strength Coach at the University of Guelph, to talk about the realities of coaching athletes when the perfect plan meets the real world.They get into individualization, athlete feedback, testing, force plates, managing fatigue, working alongside sport coaches, and why great programming has to account for the athlete, the environment, and the chaos that comes with competitive sport.Justin also breaks down why coaches can get too attached to systems and frameworks, why testing numbers need context, and what separates a program that looks great on paper from one that actually works with a room full of athletes.In this episode:Does every athlete really need an individualized program?Why the plan should be written in pencil, not penUsing testing and sports science without getting lost in the numbersAthlete feedback and buy-inManaging fatigue in the collegiate environmentWhy relationships matter more than the “perfect” programWhat makes a program actually work in the roomAdvice for young strength coaches learning to adaptPowered by TeamBuildrTeamBuildr is built for performance professionals who want to spend less time buried in programming logistics and more time coaching. We’re proud to have TeamBuildr supporting the Performance Matters Podcast.We’ve also put together an 8-week in-season high school volleyball training template you can try through TeamBuildr:👉 https://app.teambuildr.com/shared-workout/court-ready-highschool-volleyballFuel your performance with Spoken Nutrition.Performance Matters listeners can save 15% on Spoken Nutrition products using code:IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like, follow, subscribe, and share it with another coach.

Everyone wants to be called elite. But has the word completely lost its meaning?In Episode 89, Matrixx and Myles dig into the growing obsession with labeling young athletes, teams, programs, and training environments as “elite” — and why that label may be doing more harm than good.They discuss what being elite should actually mean, the difference between being talented and having elite habits, why early success can create dangerous expectations, and whether coaches are sometimes afraid to tell athletes and parents where they truly stand.The conversation also dives into the difference between being busy and being committed, why high-level athletes don’t necessarily need “advanced” training programs, the role of testing and objective data, and why copying what professional athletes do rarely makes sense for a developing athlete.If you have aspirations of playing at the next level, the question isn’t whether someone calls you elite.The question is: Do your habits, preparation, consistency, and performance actually support it?In this episode:Has the word “elite” become a marketing buzzword?Can a 12- or 13-year-old really be considered elite?The danger of early success and premature labelsElite talent vs. elite habitsBeing busy vs. actually being committedWhy young athletes still need development — regardless of how good they areAre coaches honest enough with athletes and parents?Using testing and data to provide real contextWhy copying professional athletes’ training programs can backfireWhat athletes can actually control if they want to reach the next levelFollow the Performance Matters Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more conversations on performance, coaching, sport science, and athlete development.Fuel your performance with Spoken Nutrition. Performance Matters listeners can save 15% on supplements from Spoken Nutrition using code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout, or by visiting spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenter.

Nutrition doesn’t need to be perfect to improve performance — but athletes do need to eat enough.In Episode 88 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with registered dietitian Emily Palmerton of Brick by Brick Sports Nutrition for a deep dive into what athletes actually need from their nutrition.Emily works at the intersection of sports nutrition, eating disorders and athlete health, and this conversation covers everything from building better fueling habits in young athletes to recognizing when underfueling may be holding performance back.We get into RED-S and low energy availability, body composition, weight-class sports, calorie counting, meal plans, supplements, carbohydrates, the role of parents and coaches, and why athletes often need a simpler approach rather than another complicated nutrition strategy.We also talk about the danger of chasing numbers, why body composition should often be viewed as an outcome of quality training and fueling rather than the starting point, and how athletes can build nutrition habits that actually survive busy schedules, travel, school and real life.If you’re an athlete, coach or parent trying to better understand the relationship between food, recovery, health and performance, this is a conversation worth listening to.A huge thank you to our sponsor, Spoken Nutrition. High-quality training deserves high-quality supplementation. Performance Matters listeners and members of the Iron Performance community can save 15% on their order with code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.Like, follow and subscribe to the Performance Matters Podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, and join us every Friday for more rants, raves and revelations on performance.

Former Team Canada beach volleyball player and volleyball strength & conditioning coach Reid Hall joins the Performance Matters Podcast to talk about what it actually takes to develop better volleyball athletes.Reid shares how strength and conditioning transformed his own career, taking him from an undersized athlete struggling to jump higher to competing at the national-team level.We dig into strength, power, jump technique, reactive strength, plyometrics, athlete profiling, testing and long-term physical development — including why simply doing more jumps isn't necessarily the answer.We also discuss how to use data without overreacting to a single test, the difference between physical limitations and technical problems, why most young volleyball players aren't actually “strong enough,” and why developing the complete athlete matters more than chasing quick improvements.In this episode:What actually makes an athlete jump higherStrength vs. power vs. reactive abilityWhy volleyball players don't necessarily need more jumpingUsing testing and data without overcomplicating trainingWhy trends matter more than single testing sessionsStrength training during the competitive seasonWhat volleyball coaches misunderstand about performance trainingBuilding athletes for long-term successWhy small improvements add upBuild the athlete. Not just the jump.This episode of the Performance Matters Podcast is brought to you by Spoken Nutrition. From protein and creatine to greens and recovery products, Spoken Nutrition puts a major emphasis on quality — something we value at Iron Performance Center.IPC athletes, members and listeners can save 15% on their order using code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.If you enjoyed the episode, like the video, subscribe or follow the Performance Matters Podcast on your platform of choice, and share the episode with someone who would get value from it.

Registered Dietitian and strength coach Kelly Murphy joins the Performance Matters Podcast to break down what athletes are getting wrong about nutrition—and why eating “healthy” isn’t necessarily the same as eating enough to perform.Kelly and Matrixx dive into under-fuelling, carbohydrates, protein, recovery, hydration, body composition, and the different nutrition challenges facing male and female athletes. They also go down the gut-health rabbit hole, discussing digestion, bloating, fibre, meal timing, and some of the warning signs athletes shouldn’t ignore.Plus, Kelly explains why she changed her mind about supplements, which ones may actually be worth considering, and why food still needs to be the foundation.From what to put on your plate to what might be happening in the bathroom, this one gets practical.Follow Kelly: @CoachKellyMurphThis episode is brought to you by Spoken Nutrition.Quality supplementation built for performance. Use code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout.

A kinesiology degree can teach you the science—but does it prepare you to coach, communicate and work with real people?In Episode 85 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx Ferreira sits down with Andra Parker, Program Coordinator for Brock University’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program, to examine the gap between academic knowledge and professional readiness.Andra explains why many kinesiology graduates enter the workforce with plenty of information but limited experience applying it. They discuss the growing importance of communication, curiosity, professionalism and learning through mistakes—along with the responsibilities shared by students, universities, employers and practicum supervisors.In this episode:• Why undergraduate kinesiology programs struggle to provide hands-on experience• The professional skills students are increasingly missing• Why a practicum should be treated like a real job opportunity• Credentials versus demonstrated competence• The identity problem within the kinesiology profession• Why communication may be more valuable than technical knowledge• The disconnect between academic research and real-world practice• How fear of failure prevents students from developing• What separates exceptional practicum students from everyone else• The role mentors and organizations play in preparing future professionals• What young practitioners can do to become people others trust, hire and recommendTo learn more about Brock University’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program, email [email protected] or connect with Andra Parker on LinkedIn.This episode is sponsored by Spoken Nutrition. Performance Matters listeners can save 15% on their order at https://spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenter or by using the code IRON PERFORMANCE CENTER.If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to the Performance Matters Podcast and share this episode with a student, coach, practitioner or mentor who needs to hear it.

Getting out of pain is one thing. Getting back to performing at your best is another.In Episode 84 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with physiotherapist Tyler DiSimoni to break down the gap between rehab, training and actually being ready to return to sport.They discuss what “cleared to play” really means, why pain disappearing doesn’t necessarily mean the problem is solved, how athletes should manage training load, and why the transition from physiotherapy back into strength training and sport is so important.They also get into how cautious we should be with injured athletes, the role of objective testing and baseline data, why physios and strength coaches need to communicate better, and how proactive care can help athletes stay on the field instead of constantly reacting to injuries.Plus, Tyler joins the Rapid Fire Round to give his takes on ice, foam rolling, static stretching, massage guns and more.In this episode:Pain-free vs. actually ready to performWhat “cleared to play” really meansManaging load, recovery and injury riskWhy rehab shouldn't end when the pain disappearsBridging the gap between physio and strength trainingObjective testing and return-to-sport decisionsBeing proactive instead of waiting until something hurtsWhat athletes and parents should ask their rehab professionalsPerformance Matters Podcast is proudly supported by Spoken Nutrition.Save 15% on high-quality supplements with code IRONPERFORMANCECENTER at checkout:spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenterLike, follow and subscribe to the Performance Matters Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube — and share the episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Youth sports have never been more competitive — or more expensive.Club fees. Travel. Tryouts. Private coaching. Strength training. Recruiting. Showcases. Camps. Parents are willing to invest thousands of dollars into giving their kids the best possible opportunity.But are they actually paying for development… or are they sometimes paying for the illusion of development?In Episode 83 of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Myles take a hard look at the business of youth sports and some of the systems surrounding athlete development.They discuss whether playing for the “best” team is actually best for an athlete, why playing time and quality coaching may matter more than the logo on the jersey, and whether early signings are completely undermining the purpose of tryouts.They also get into private skills coaches, the pressure parents feel to keep up with everyone else, early sport specialization, and the uncomfortable reality that not every service promising to take an athlete to the “next level” is actually delivering on that promise.The question isn't whether parents should invest in their kids.It's whether the investment is actually helping them get better.In this episode:• Are parents paying for development or the illusion of it?• Is making the best team always the best move?• Are early signings ruining youth sport tryouts?• Should athletes actually have time to improve before being cut?• Are private skills coaches worth the money?• How can parents tell good coaching from good marketing?• Are young athletes specializing too early?• What should parents actually be investing in?Some parts of youth sports are doing an incredible job developing athletes.Others might need a serious rethink.🎙️ Performance Matters Podcast — Episode 83Presented by Spoke NutritionPerformance Matters listeners and Iron Performance Center members can save 15% on Spoke Nutrition products using code IRON PERFORMANCE CENTER at checkout.👉 spokennutrition.com/ironperformancecenter