In this episode Professor and head of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada Dr.Joe Baker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘The Tyranny of Talent’- how it limits and compels athletic achievement…..and why you should largely ignore it.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• Trying to define talent and our misused application as coaches and parents
• The challenges of Talent Identification
• The ‘label of talent’ and how it can potentially hinder motivation
• The importance of the role of parents in the sporting system
• Optimising talent development environments, putting the person at the centre of our thinking and not treating athletes as commodities
• Prioritising the sporting journey over any potential outcomes
• Undermining the power of sport by having unrealistic expectations
• The limitations of the ‘Nature v Nurture’ debate
• The importance of an individualised approach with each athlete alongside a wider coaching framework
• Thoughts on the development of the youth sporting landscape over the next decade

Dr. Joe Baker is Professor and head of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada. His research considers the varying influences on optimal human development, ranging from issues affecting athlete development and skill acquisition to barriers and facilitators of optimal ageing. He has worked with a range of teams and organisations around the world at the amateur and professional levels. He has published 12 books, the latest of which is The Tyranny of Talent: How it compels and limits athlete achievement… and why you should ignore it. In addition, he has published over 300 scientific articles, book chapters and commentaries. More info on his research can be found at https://www.yorku.ca/professor/bakerj/ or on Twitter @bakerjyorku.

In this episode director of coaching and performance at Setanta College Des Ryan joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss  strength and conditioning for young athletes, how we can best support our children and dispels a few myths along the way.

During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:

• The strength and conditioning minefield for parents of young athletes
• The importance of regular activity (structured and unstructured)
• Early specialisation and a wider understanding of the debate
• Being aware and managing training routines alongside growth spurts
• Stories of great practise and outcomes at Arsenal Academy
• Improving speed and movement is possible for everyone
• The importance of individual values and discipline
• Hopes for the future for S & C coaches and how they may be able to benefit whole communities

Here are a number of the links that Des recommended during the podcast.

World Rugby Passport – Conditioning for Rugby

Setanta Academy Courses | Setanta College Academy

Growth & Maturation | Player Development Insights Series #2 – YouTube

Growth and maturity | FA Learning webinar – YouTube

Des Ryan works for Setanta College as Director of Coaching & Performance. Des is one of the leading youth coaches and performance managers in sport and a world-renowned practitioner and speaker in the field of youth athletic development. 

Des joined Setanta from his position as Head of Sport Medicine & Athletic Development at Arsenal Football Club Academy, a position he held for over 8 years where he re-shaped the concept of player development within the world of football.

He has also previously worked as Head of S&C at Connacht Rugby, S&C to Ireland and as Fitness Education Manager within the IRFU, where he spent over 13 years developing the IRFU’s coach and player development system.

Des has a Masters in Strength and Conditioning and is also an Accredited Strength and Conditioning coach with the UKSCA. He also has achieved the High Performance Sports Accreditation from the British Association of Sports and Exercise Science and is a chartered scientist.