John and Danny discuss Corey Keyes’ concept of languishing, which involves low mental health, marked by a lack of interest, motivation, and feelings of emptiness. We examine how languishing differs from flourishing and depression, consider its long-term effects, and outline the 5 behavioural vitamins essential for overcoming it. Languishing: How to…

John and Danny delve into Byung-Chul Han’s insightful book, The Disappearance of Rituals. We examine the rise of narcissism and its impact on diminishing the importance of rituals, exploring the consequences of this decline on contemporary life. Join our unique philosophy community, Rebel Intellects Get our book BEING WELL; all royalties go to the …

John and Danny explore Byung-Chul Han’s excellent book, “The Burnout Society.” We outline Han’s critique of our modern world—a landscape characterised by an overwhelming emphasis on positivity and relentless pursuit of achievement, often resulting in exhaustion and existential emptiness. We also discuss how Han’s philosophy resonates with our own e…

John and Danny discuss Spiral Dynamics, a psychological framework that describes how human values and worldviews change over time in response to life conditions and experiences. We outline the main stages of the spiral, from basic survival instincts to complex systems thinking, and consider how they shape our behavior, culture, and society. We also…

Ed Archer and I discuss the history of fitness education, the birth and landscape of S&C and a future direction for education.By Strength Coach Curriculums

John and Danny delve into the fascinating world of personality. We unravel the layers that make us who we are, exploring the influence of genetics, environment, and experience. We also discuss some of the common models you can use to reflect on your personal traits and figure out what makes you tick. Get our book, ‘BEING WELL’. All royalties go to …

John and Danny delve into the notion of 'the self' and the eternal question of what makes a person the same person over time. We explore the great Scottish philosopher David Hume's perspective, his skepticism about the the concept of a continuous identity, and draw parallels with the concept of personality. Get our book, ‘BEING WELL’. All royalties…

John and Danny embark on a journey into the intricate realm of nostalgia, a complex emotion described as "a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past." We deplore the various facets of nostalgia, examining its different types, exploring how it can wield both positive and negative influences, and pondering whether it has become a more pr…

John and Danny explore the philosophy behind our podcast's new name, "Talk Doesn't Cook Rice." We dive into its pragmatic significance, its connection to embodied perception inspired by French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and why taking that first step is vital in life. Get our book, ‘⁠BEING WELL⁠’. All royalties go to the Motor Neurone Disea…

John and Danny delve into the brilliant TV show that is Mr Inbetween. We explore how it relates to themes like morality, phenomenology, authenticity, and absurdism, and ask why it is we love the characters in shows like this and The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad so much. Trailer for Mr Inbetween: https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1622522393/ Get …

I chat with Ben Cartwright from the Football Fitness Federation about his path from S&C coach in professional football to owning multiple business and running the FFF.

John and Danny discuss the captivating work of Alfred Adler, the brilliant Austrian psychotherapist and visionary behind individual psychology. We explore Adler's unique journey, from his collaboration with Freud to forging his own path of discovery. We dive deep into the causes and effects of inferiority complex, and contemplate its relevance in t…

Owen and I chat about his career progession from his 10 years leading one of the UK's biggest sports academies to working with corporate health clients.

I sit and chat with Dr Chris Bishop and Mark Bennett about their perspectives on RSI and how useful it is. Does the fact that its a ratio make it much less useful for us? Are we better with different test variables and areas of focus?By Strength Coach Curriculums

Dave and I talk about his transition from being an S&C in professional Rugby to becoming a Private Gym owner Find Dave on Twitter @CrippsDaveBy Strength Coach Curriculums

John and Danny unpack the profound ideas of Ernest Becker in his groundbreaking book, "The Denial of Death". We explore the existential anxiety that lurks within us all and how it can affect our everyday lives and relationships. Despite the weighty topic, this episode is surprisingly uplifting and affirming and will help you live more fully in the …

Gary and I chat about his progression from an Undergraduate and Postgraduate student to his new role working with the Canadian Sports Institute Atlantic. Gary reflects on decisions, learning moments, the perceived gulf between university and employment and future career plans. Reach out to Gary on Twitter: @Gary_Peps…

John and Danny delve into the philosophy of pragmatism and its relevance to modern life. We explore the ideas of three classic American pragmatists—Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey—discussing topics such as the nature of truth and the importance of a pragmatic education. Additionally, we examine some of the criticisms that have…

John and Danny muse on the evolution of status in human life and the ways it distorts and defines our behavior, as individuals and societies. We discuss Will Storr’s excellent book, The Status Game, and delve into why the feeling of being valued is so important to us. We also consider why it's important to diversify your status game and how you mig…

John was a senior lecturer in sports coaching at the University of Central Lancashire from 2010–2021. Before that, he was a coach development manager at the Professional Golfers’ Association. He received his PhD in 2015, which focuses on social learning and critical reflection. John has published 30+ research papers, is a senior fellow of the Highe…

In this episode I am joined by Stu McMillan who is the CEO of ALTIS and has trained over 70 Olympic athletes throughout his career. Stu recently spoke about a model he is using with an acronym: PCATS Potential Capacity Ability Technique Skill He and I discuss this model and how it relates to both speed development and to coaching more broadly. Conn…

Dan Howells joins me on the podcast to talk about his passion for non-technical skills and what practitioners need to know regarless if you are starting out or running a departement.

John and Danny muse on bullshit and explore what it is, why we do it, and who is susceptible to it. We also discuss the notions of persuasive and evasive bullshitting, and ask if bullshitting is avoidable or simply an inherent part of what it is to be human. Harry Frankfurt, On Bullshit (Amazon) Research study mentioned: Cutting the Crap: The Perce…

John and Danny muse on well-being and ask whether "being well" might actually be a better focus if we are to truly flourish. Is well-being just another corporate buzzword and are well-being programmes and practitioners simply disguising companies’ base motivations with the language of care? Might existential philosophers like Martin Heidegger have …

In this episode I chat with Tim Kettenring about the role of aerobic conditioning in team sports. Tim is a S&C coach from New Orleans, USA and has worked with a broad range of athletes over his career. He and I discuss the role of the aerobic base, training parameters and managing intensity.By Strength Coach Curriculums

John and Danny muse on the “bioenergetic” view of health and how it might impact the way we think, learn, and live. The central point revolves around maximising metabolic function so that we approach life with curiosity, positivity, and vigour while being resistant to the everyday stresses we might face. The paper that John wrote (PDF): https://t.c…

Ryan has a wealth of experience managing performance departments across team sports and institutes. He currently works with Kitman Labs helping them support clubs with their performance problems all over the world. In this episode we discuss Ryan’s take on problem solving and developing knowledge to navigate the challenges in team sports.…

John and Danny muse on "the will to power," one of the most fundamental concepts in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. The central point revolves around gaining power over oneself and becoming who you truly are. We discuss its relationship with the "the will to live (Schopenhauer)," "the will to pleasure (Freud)," and "the will to meaning (Fran…

John and Danny muse on the notion of a psychologically rich life. Unlike happy or meaningful lives, psychologically rich lives are characterised by complexity, in which people experience a variety of interesting things and feel and appreciate a variety of deep emotions via firsthand or vicarious experiences. We discuss the work of Shigehiro Oishi a…

John and Danny muse on Adam Curtis’ documentary series “The Century of the Self” (2002), which focuses on the work of psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and Anna Freud, and PR consultant Edward Bernays. We explore Curtis’ analysis of how those in power have used Freud's theories to encourage mass consumerism and control people in an age of mass democracy…

John and Danny muse on Simone de Beauvoir's classic book "The Ethics of Ambiguity" (1948), which explores the existentialist tension between absolute freedom of choice and the constraints of life’s givens. We explore de Beauvoir's powerful analysis of the five types of people who are not free, discuss their relevance and application in everyday lif…

John and Danny muse on Friedrich Nietzsche's three metamorphoses story, which appeared in his now iconic work of philosophical fiction, Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883). Nietzsche believed that the purpose of human existence is to achieve one's full potential. To achieve that, a spirit had to go through three transformations: a camel, a lion, and a ch…

John and Danny muse on Martin Heidegger's concept of Dasein. In his fundamental text Being and Time (1927), Heidegger introduced Dasein as a term for the type of being that humans possess. We discuss what it is to be a Dasein and look through the lenses of thrownness, fallenness, and existentiality to explore its relevance and application in everyd…

John and Danny muse on Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of Bad Faith. A critical claim in existentialist philosophy is that humans are free to make choices and guide their lives towards their own chosen goal. For Sartre, Bad faith is whereby individuals act inauthentically by yielding to the external pressures of society to adopt false values and disown t…

John and Danny muse on Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search For Meaning (1946). The book itself is an arresting account of his survival in the Nazi concentration camps of World War Two and his exploration of our ability to find meaning in spite of the worst adversity. We also explore the practical implications of Frankl's logotherapy, which states th…

John and Danny muse on schadenfreude. We discuss this perplexing emotion and wonder why it is we derive such distinctive pleasure from others' misfortune, especially when it comes to our friends. If you don't enjoy the episode, at least you might get some pleasure from our misfortune of having made it! Get our book, ‘⁠⁠BEING WELL⁠⁠’. All royalties …

John and Danny muse on Nihilism and Absurdism. We discuss their similarities and differences as life philosophies, why they might appeal, and the practicalities of how they can help us make more sense of our existence. Don't worry, it's more fun than it sounds! Get our book, ‘⁠⁠BEING WELL⁠⁠’. All royalties go to the Motor Neurone Disease Associatio…

John and Danny muse on whether it's a good idea to focus too hard on living in the "now". We ask whether it's possible (and desirable) for humans to be more animalistic in our thoughts, and discuss the implications of distinguishing between the past, present, and future, including why it might even be dangerous to too readily dismiss memory and ima…

John and Danny muse on Mimetic Desire and the role it plays in determining why we want what we want. We discuss what we each took from the work of René Girard, the French polymath, historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social science whose work belongs to the tradition of anthropological philosophy, as well as the book 'Wanting', by Luke B…

John and Danny muse on authenticity and The Alpinist, a brilliant documentary about the Canadian rock climber and Alpinist, Marc-André Leclerc. We discuss what we each took from the film, how it might apply to our own experiences, and what value can be found in artistic craft documentaries when pondering your own emergent situations and ongoing pre…

In this episode I am joined by Mike Ashford. Mike is a PhD student at Leed Beckett University investigating Decision Making in Team Sports, is a Rugby Coach for Harrowgate RFC and Leeds University. Mike talks us through some key theories in decision making and helps us simplify the varied terminoogy and differences of opinion found throughout the a…

In this episode I am joined by James Wild. James is the Technical Lead for Performance at Surrey Sports Park and a Teaching Fellow in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Surry. In addition he works as a Speed and Agility Coach with Harlequins Rugby and is Head of Perforance with England Lacrosse. Throughout this episode James outlines k…

In this episode, Ed and I explore how principles of Neuro-Rehab can be applied to non-rehab performance settings. Ed is currently a lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Gloucestershire after having previously worked with Wheelchair Rugby for the EIS and a Neuro-Rehab clinic.

In this episode Louis and I discuss his resarch around the impact of dorsiflexion range of motion and movement solutions in different tasks. We cover its importance, the screening process and intervention types. Louis is a Lecturer in Sports Therapy at Edge Hill University and is currently completing his PhD.…

In this episode Tom Dos'Santos and I discuss a range of change of direction concepts including the performance and injury conflict. Tom is a Technical Demonstrator at The University of Salford and has just completed his PhD titled 'Biomechanical Determinants of Performance and Injury Risk in Change of Direction'. Tom has a range of useful publicati…

In this episode Harjiv Singh and I discuss the role of language in optimising the motor learning process. Harjiv is currently a PhD student at the University of Las Vegas under the supervision of Dr Gabriele Wulf and is interested in motor learning for a range of populations. He shares lots of his thoughts via twitter and on rebelmovement.org.…

In this episode Shyam Chavda and I discuss key performance indicators and the technical model associated with weightlifting performance. Shyam is the technical tutor for sport science at Middlesex University, London. He teaches across multiple degree programmes and acts at the universities head weightlifting coach, plus he is currently a performanc…

In this episode Erik Meira and I discuss the role of the quad in ACL rehabilitation and injury. Erik is a Physical Therapist from Portland, USA who runs his own clinic while supporting/consulting with a range of teams. Erik also hosts the PT Inquest podcast and runs educational CPD on knee and hip injuries around the world https://thesciencept.com/…

In this episode Ibrahim Akubat and I discuss internal training load from a historical perspective and how to optimise the use of TRIMP. Iby is currently the course leader for the BSc sport and exercise science course at Newham University and also plays an active role in BASES as the CPD representative for the Sport & Performance Division. Iby runs …

In this episode Dr Chris Szedlak and I discuss psychosocial skills for strength and conditioning coaches. Chris is currently lead strength and conditioning coach at the University of Southampton and recently completed his PhD titled: Exploring and Developing Effective Behaviours and Characteristics of Strength and Conditioning Coaches.…