Athletic Shoulder - Richie Gray: Bridging Rehab & Performance in Collision Sport

About this episode

Richie Gray discusses the intersection of rehabilitation and performance in collision sports, emphasizing athlete preparation and player welfare.

Episode 215: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, Ben Ashworth is joined by Richie Gray — founder of GSI Performance and one of the leading voices in contact and collision coaching globally. With over two decades of experience across elite sport, Richie has helped shape how athletes prepare for contact at the highest level. His work spans international rugby, the NFL, and world-class environments including the Springboks, Flying Fijians, and RC Toulon — alongside ongoing contributions to global governing bodies such as World Rugby and USA Football. Across the conversation, Richie breaks down what it truly takes to prepare athletes for the demands of collision sport — from technical precision and physical readiness to building systems that hold up under pressure. The discussion explores the intersection of coaching, equipment, and methodology, highlighting how his frameworks have redefined both performance and player welfare. The episode also dives into the critical distinction between return to play and return to performance, offering a clearer pathway for practitioners looking to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and real-world sport. Richie shares practical…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Ashworth

Guest: Richie Gray

Topics covered

• rehabilitation
• performance
• collision sport
• coaching
• athlete preparation
• technical skill
• player welfare

Keywords

• collision sport
• rehabilitation
• performance
• athlete preparation
• coaching
• technical skill
• player welfare
• GSI Performance
• World Rugby
• USA Football

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GSI Performance, World Rugby, USA Football, Springboks, Flying Fijians, RC Toulon

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