The Athlete's Advantage

Three injury buckets keep showing me the same overlooked deficit: athletic groin pain, ACL and hamstring strains. Most rehab plans never go near it.Back recording solo episodes after a few months off. Quick update on what's changed at Petey Performance, then straight into what I've been seeing in my recent in-person sessions.Three different injury presentations. One pattern keeps showing up across all of them. Until now, the issue has been unidentified and unaddressed.Also walking through a recent case that went from chronic pain and orthotics 24/7 to back on the pitch at close to nine metres per second. And a few things on the transition from solo operator to leading a team — the parts nobody really talks about.Chapter Timestamps00:00 - Welcome back / why we've been on hiatus01:57 - Why podcasts dropped off but the business grew03:00 - Building the team: Mitch and Oisin day to day04:13 - Why SOPs and the why matter, not just the what05:15 - The injury buckets we keep seeing07:53 - Bringing in Kieran Lillis (sports psych) and Dearbhla O’Moore (nutrition)15:25 - Force frame vs force plates: where I'm leaning on testing kit16:30 - Athletic groin pain: lumbopelvic control + foot/ankle stiffness22:39 - ACL clients: deep knee flexion, fast eccentrics, ankle access25:47 - Hamstring strains: hip extension + ankle dorsiflexion deficit27:45 - The thread connecting all three: foot and ankle as the rate-limiter35:52 - Case study: orthotics out, chronic groin pain to ~9 m/s pain-free40:12 - Influences: Gary Ward, David Gray, Romain Tourillon, Cal Dietz41:12 - Wrapping up44:02 - Industry standards are improving46:26 - 20 to 30 minutes a day. Compound it.TAKE THE NEXT STEP:Stop guessing and start fixing the root cause. Book your free, no-obligation athlete's assessment today.https://peteyperformance.com/book-a-consultation/CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/► Instagram: @peteyperformance — https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/► Podcast Instagram: @theathletesadvantagepod — https://www.instagram.com/theathletesadvantagepod/Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

She’s now the equal-fastest player in AFLW history to 50 career goals, but when Aine McDonagh (AFLW Hawthorn) first arrived, she was a 6-foot, 53kg athlete who openly "feared the contest".Aine reveals the private fear that "kept her out of games" and the brutal, "insider" off-season playbook she used to gain 17kg and transform from a target into a leader who can finally "win the contest". She also discusses the "massive clash" she experienced when her "super-competitive" Irish mindset met a professional environment with diverse personalities.In this episode, discover:The brutal off-season playbook used to gain 17kg and build a body that "wins the contest."How Aine overcame a private fear of contact that was keeping her out of games.The "massive clash" between a "super-competitive" Irish mindset and a diverse pro environment.The evolution from a dual-sport star in Galway to a key leader at Hawthorn.GUEST: AINE MCDONAGHOriginally a dual-sport star from Galway, Ireland, Aine was an inaugural member of the Hawks' AFLW team and is now a key member of their leadership group.► Follow Aine on Instagram: @ainemcdonaghTAKE THE NEXT STEP:If you want to take your performance to the next level, there’s a pathway for you. Book your free athlete’s assessment and let’s build your advantage together.CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/► Instagram: @peteyperformance► Podcast Instagram: @theathletesadvantagepodPodcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

What if being a rookie with no bad habits is actually a secret weapon? In this episode, North Melbourne star Bláithín Bogue reveals how coming into the AFLW as a "blank canvas" allowed her to learn the game faster and build a pro-level technique from the ground up—a lesson that challenges everything you think you know about gaining an edge.In this episode, discover:Why a top coach sees a new player not as inexperienced, but as a perfect "blank canvas."The critical mindset shift required to go from practicing in private to proactively seeking feedback to accelerate your growth.How North Melbourne uses "fatigued state" drills to prepare forwards for high-pressure moments.The Gaelic football instincts you might need to "unlearn" to succeed in the AFLW system.GUEST: BLÁITHÍN BOGUEBláithín is a resilient and determined athlete from Fermanagh who has transitioned from a successful Gaelic football career to become a key forward for the North Melbourne AFLW team.► Follow Bláithín on Instagram: @blaithinbogueTAKE THE NEXT STEP:If you want to take your performance to the next level, there’s a pathway for you. Book your free athlete’s assessment and let’s build your advantage together.CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/► Instagram: @peteyperformancePodcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

Peter Wright gets brutally honest about his grueling ACL reconstruction that didn't go to plan. This is the unfiltered story of turning a major professional setback and burnout into the fuel for a new mission.In this episode, discover:The counterintuitive reason a successful personal brand can limit your impact.The psychological toll of missing a public goal and the framework to reframe it.The critical turning point where a "minor niggle" threatened an entire rehab process.The dangerous line between dedication and burnout (and the warning signs to look for).The surprising personality trait that can make you a "bad client" and sabotage your own progress.TAKE THE NEXT STEP:Ready to find your edge? Whether you're in rehab or want to elevate your performance, there's a pathway for you. Book your free, no-obligation athlete's assessment today.CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:Follow Peter on Instagram @peteyperformance and the podcast @theathletesadvantagepod. For more resources, visit the official website: https://peteyperformance.com/Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

After major ACL surgery, I'm sprinting back towards elite performance levels by blending expert coaching, relentless rehab, and a few surprising mindset shifts along the way. Fourteen weeks post-op, I just hit 6.48 meters per second on the field, something I wasn’t even sure would be possible when I first started.This update isn’t some polished blueprint or "one-size-fits-all" plan. It’s the real story: the stubborn mentality, the tough setbacks, the moments that nearly broke me and the coaching support that kept me pushing forward.If you're somewhere in the middle of your own rehab, feeling stuck or wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again, maybe this helps. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s the journey I’m still on.Unlike generic rehab advice, this episode gives you an inside look at what it really takes to come back faster, stronger, and smarter than the timeline says you should.⏱️ Key Moments:00:56 - Challenges in the Sports Podcasting Space03:17 - Decision to Focus on Petey Performance Podcast03:51 - ACL Rehab Journey05:21 - Post-Surgery Experience and Initial Recovery06:32 - Rehab Mentality and Key Principles11:23 - Recovery Protocol31:24 - Exercise Selection and Progression34:58 - Challenges and Adjustments in Training36:15 - Recovery and Adaptation Strategies39:16 - Dealing with Setbacks and Adjusting the Plan41:50 - Improving Speed and Dealing with Rehab Challenges43:06 - The Importance of a Coach and Deloading43:51 - Reflections on the Rehab Process📢 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE:- Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@PeteyPerformance)- Leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it🎙️ CONNECT WITH PETEY PERFORMANCE:- Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/)- Twitter: (https://twitter.com/peteyperform9)- Website: (https://peteyperformance.com/)- LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petey-performance)📝 ABOUT OUR HOST:Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. Through the Petey Performance Podcast, he shares valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science, making complex topics accessible and actionable for athletes at all levels.🎬 PRODUCED BY: Dreamers Media Pty Ltd (https://www.dreamersagency.co/)

The moment I heard the pop, I knew what happened... but this time was different. Taking you through my complete ACL recovery journey and the mental shift that changed everything. 🔑 Key Moments: - The exact injury mechanism (rugby players, you'll get this) - Why I refused pain meds this time - The 3 things I did differently in the first 48 hours - How I turned a career setback into an opportunity - My complete pre-surgery protocol 💪 PERFECT FOR: - Athletes dealing with injuries - Coaches working with ACL recovery - Anyone interested in sports psychology & recovery 🎯 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Moment It Happened 02:21 Coming Back to Ireland for Surgery 05:54 The Injury Breakdown (Rugby Players Will Get This) 08:31 First 48 Hours: What I Did Differently 10:24 Why I Refused Pain Medication 13:35 Mental Game: Reframing the Setback 16:42 Why ACL Injuries Actually Happen 19:41 My Pre-Surgery Protocol 21:34 Speed-Based vs Traditional Recovery 23:56 Getting Help vs Going Solo 24:36 Advice for First-Time ACL Injuries 26:17 Next Steps & Final Thoughts 📢 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: - Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@PeteyPerformance) - Leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences - Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it 🎙️ CONNECT WITH PETEY PERFORMANCE: - Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/) - Twitter: (https://twitter.com/peteyperform9) - Website: (https://peteyperformance.com/) - LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petey-performance) 👤 ABOUT OUR HOST: Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. Through the Petey Performance Podcast, he shares valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science, making complex topics accessible and actionable for athletes at all levels. 🎬 PRODUCED BY: Dreamers Media Pty Ltd (https://www.dreamersagency.co/) #ACLRecovery #SportsInjury #ReturnToPlay #InjuryComeback #ACLRehab

Imagine being in the first few minutes of a critical game, feeling on top of the world—only to have your knee buckle beneath you. For AFLW star Erika O’Shea that’s exactly what happened. But instead of letting it defeat her, she finished the game, ran on pure adrenaline, and eventually bounced back even stronger. Growing up in Cork, Erika was a force on the Gaelic football field—fast, agile, and fiercely determined. Swapping the familiar pitches of Ireland for the fast-paced, physical world of Australian Rules Football was a whole new challenge. Moving to North Melbourne meant tougher training, different tactics, and adapting to a new culture that demanded even more commitment. But Erika didn’t back down. She pushed herself physically and mentally, proving she’s not just a skilled athlete but a resilient competitor. Every game showcases her relentless work ethic and adaptability. As she leaves her Gaelic roots behind and makes her mark in one of the toughest leagues in the world, Erika shows that true strength isn’t just about physical ability—it’s about rising after setbacks and growing stronger in the face of adversity. "Don't miss Erika's incredible insights on overcoming adversity, conquering challenges, mental resilience, and managing dual sports. This is a must-listen!" Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and early knee injury 00:02:09 - Mental and physical recovery from injury 00:05:08 - Impact of injury on playing style (attack vs. defense) 00:06:42 - Recovery practices in AFLW vs Gaelic football 00:08:33 - Team culture and leadership at North Melbourne 00:12:54 - Transition from Gaelic football to AFLW 00:17:16 - Importance of mental recovery and sports psychology 00:27:59 - Moving to Australia at 19 and dealing with homesickness 00:36:16 - AFLW’s condensed fixture schedule and its challenges 00:39:47 - Balancing AFLW with Gaelic football ambitions 00:45:15 - Reflections on Gaelic football and potential return ----- About Our Guest ----- Erika O’Shea is a professional Australian Rules Football player for North Melbourne in the AFLW. Originally from Cork, Ireland, she was a standout Gaelic football player before making the leap to professional sports in Australia. Erika is known for her dedication to both the mental and physical aspects of athletic performance and her ability to overcome challenges through resilience and hard work. • North Melbourne Football Club: Official Website • Instagram: @erikaoshea_ ----- Join the Conversation ----- Have thoughts or questions about today’s episode? We’d love to hear from you! • Instagram: @peteyperformance Don’t Miss Out • Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. • Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners like you! • Share with Friends: Know someone who would benefit from this episode? Share it with them! ----- About Our Host ----- Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. As the host of The Petey Performance Podcast, Peter dives deep into the minds and methods of elite athletes and coaches, sharing valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science. His passion for sports and commitment to excellence make his podcast a go-to resource for anyone looking to elevate their game. Stay Connected For more insights, performance tips, and updates: • Website: www.peteyperformance.com • Instagram: @peteyperformance • Twitter/X: @peteyperform9 • LinkedIn: Petey-Performance ----- Produced by: Dreamers Media Pty Ltd ----- Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Petey Performance Podcast, where we delve into the minds and methods of elite athletes and coaches. Stay connected for more podcasts on reaching your peak performance!

In this solo episode I discuss the importance of personal branding and social media utilisation for athletes, highlighting how creating a strong personal brand can open opportunities for both professional and amateur athletes worldwide. I discuss the mechanics of building a personal brand, the impacts on one's career and business, and the broader implications on the sports' popularity, particularly focusing on the sports of the GAA. Special insights are drawn from Gaelic football, hurling and ladies Gaelic football with a comparative look at athlete branding practices in Australia. I also use some examples of Irish athletes that have created strong personal brands for themselves, which have in turn benefitted both themselves and their sport at large! Time-Stamps: 02:11 - Comparative Branding Insights from Australia 03:02 - Personal Branding: Opportunities and Challenges 05:52 - Insights from Gaelic Football and Hurling 06:34 - Impact on Sport Popularity and Marketing 10:16 - The Business of Personal Branding 31:22 - Future Directions for Athletes and Branding

With my impending move to Australia on the horizon, today’s solo episode covers my plans for the immediate future as transition the bulk of my business online. I'll share the ups, downs, and all the in-betweens of this huge life shift, including potential opportunities this move might bring and the importance of prioritising mental health amidst change. You'll also hear about my exciting plans to launch a virtual course/ mentorship program this coming January. I cover athletic development and coaching eye in detail and outline how you can create a comprehensive and time-efficient process for improving speed and change of direction. I'll share my experiences, insights, and some practical tips on topics like understanding biomechanics, effective communication with athletes, goal setting, and the gap that often exists in the middle to late stages of rehab and return to performance. We'll also discuss the different archetypes of athletes and how to tailor their training to individualise their process and thus improve their performance. I also go through the infrasternal angles and how knowing what to look for in relation to athlete characteristics has influenced my thought-process for development of speed and change of direction abilities. We'll talk about how wide ISAs have a natural advantage in change of direction tasks due to their wider stance and ability to generate high forces, but we'll also discuss the potential strain and risks that come along as a result of their poorer reactivity. I'll also reveal some common injuries seen in these athletes and discuss the impact of incorporating reactive and plyometric work into their training. If you're currently perplexed by athlete archetypes and don’t know where to start when it comes to coaching eye for speed development, you definitely don't want to miss this. Join Petey Performance: peteyperformance.com Time-Stamps 0:07 - Moving to Australia and Future Ventures 12:45 - Designing a Comprehensive Athlete Training Program 20:19 - Wide ISAs and Running Mechanics Effects 24:41 - Gaelic Games Sprinting Techniques Analysis 35:37 - Identifying Overrotators and Underrotators 39:24 - Frontside and Backside Mechanics in Athletic 46:16 - Connections and Coaching in Australia

This episode is from a guest appearance on The DGR Podcast with David Grey. We speak about my approach to coaching and my focus on late-stage rehab, running mechanics, and return to performance. I share my personal experiences as both an athlete and a coach and I go into detail on how coaches' words and actions can greatly influence our athletes and clients. We speak a lot about business, exploring the hybrid model of in-person and online coaching. We delve into why movement matters in training and why some may be oblivious to the value of external feedback through the use of video, despite it's importance. On the same note, we talk about how to systemise late-stage rehab for maximal efficiency. I share my insights on how to assess and improve an athlete's technique, emphasising the importance of coach-athlete relationships and how they can be used to enhance performance. Finally, we turn the spotlight on some recent tough decisions that I've made including why I turned down an head inter-county job. We discuss how saying “no” can open doors for personal and professional growth and how building a solid brand can influence your career trajectory. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or just intrigued by the business of sports performance, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey. Join the GAA Gamespeed Blueprint: peteyperformance.com Time Stamps 0:02 - Sports Performance Coaching and Business Insights 8:15 - The Impact of Mindset on Performance 19:43 - Impact of Online Coaching and Movement 34:30 - Improve Coaching and Systemize Rehab Programs 42:39 - Coaching and Influencing in Athletic Training 47:57 - Job Decision 59:21 - Collaboration and Equipment in Performance Training 1:04:04 - Sports Injury, Future Plans in Australia

In this week's episode of the podcast, we chat with Jessie Barr. Jessie is a former olympic athlete and sports psychologist based in Ireland. Join us as we delve into her groundbreaking PhD research on mental health stigma in elite sports. Find out what surprised her most and the challenges she faced, plus a glimpse into the future of research in this crucial area. It gets personal as we discuss coping strategies for athletes, drawing from the host's own athletic journey. We'll also touch on her work at Santry Sports Surgery Clinic, where she helps young people and athletes make triumphant returns to play after injuries and concussions. Time Stamps 03:47 - How to deliver the end of year review 05:55 - When athlete's gets defensive 10:20 - Connecting with athletes through shared experience 13:28 - Using togetherness 18:05 - When is the appropriate time for a debrief after defeat 24:53 - Coping strategies for coaches 27:24 - Athlete's identity 31:20 - How athletes can help themselves 36:49 - Jessie's approach and experiences 41:40 - Developing strong relationships with your values 52:01 - Focusing on communication

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on taking pride in doing good work. Throughout the episode, I touch on several key strategies to elevate your performance as a practitioner. From upskilling to seeking advice from mentors and fellow professionals, to dedicating time every day to broaden your knowledge and skills. While setting boundaries is important in order to avoid burnout, going the extra mile can make a huge difference to your client buy-in. A little goes a long way and putting in extra effort sets you apart from those who don’t, earning the appreciation from your clients and helping you to establish a good reputation in the field. With the end goal being to improve the overall quality of S&C in GAA, we each need to improve our own quality of work to have a positive impact on the industry. Tune in now to learn more about how you can elevate your performance as a practitioner, and the benefits of doing so! Time-stamps: 00:45 - The benefits of doing good work 02:40 - Mentors 04:55 - Putting in the work 09:25 - Establishing a good reputation 19:25 - Referring out to other practitioners 21:10 - Improving the standard of S&C in GAA

Today’s episode of the podcast is a conversation with Performance Nutritionist, Amy McGuire. Amy primarily works with the Tipperary senior football team alongside working in a managerial position in TUS. This in-depth conversation went down many routes and covered a variety of topics including communicating with athletes, staying in your lane, knowing when to refer out, and being vulnerable as a practitioner. We spoke about GAA athletes’ energy availability, eating disorders, and Amy provided some valuable information with regards to pre-game and post-training nutrition. Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or a practitioner within the industry, there’s something for you to take from this informative conversation! Time-stamps: 01:25 - Amy’s current endeavours 07:10 - Energy availability Vs Overtraining 12:00 - Staying in your lane 24:20 - Extreme dieting 33:20 - The psychology of fuelling 46:40 - Creating buy in from athletes 56:00 - Dealing with different athletes 58:45 - Up-skilling as an athlete 1:01:55 - Pre-game and post-training nutrition