The Vanguard Roundtable: Recent Episodes
Fusion Sport
We can realize bold advances in Human Performance when more people with diverse perspectives come together to share, discuss, and debate ideas. Join human performance specialist Emma Ostermann each month as she moderates a panel discussion on topics that demand more attention or are primed for disruption.
In this episode, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the podcast and share highlights from our favorite episodes from Season 1.
- Amy Moreng – Producer of The Vanguard Roundtable & Marketing Specialist, Smartabase Linkedin
- Jen Casson – Director of Demand Gen, Smartabase Linkedin
In this episode, we discuss strategies for engaging stakeholders outside of your performance programs, such as athletes, coaches, administration, and the front office. We explore why this is critical to the success of the program and provide practical tips and real-life examples.
- Alex Calder – Head of Sports Science, Houston Dynamo. Twitter Instagram, Book: Peak Performance for Soccer: The Elite Coaching and Training Manual – Routledge & CRC Press
- Scott Kuehn – Manager of Applied Sports Science, Louisiana State. Football Website, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
- Haley Muller – Supervising Human Performance Consultant US Human Performance, Smartabase. LinkedIn,Twitter
In this episode, we debate the use of body composition testing in sports. We explore why the use of this standard practice is now being rethought, how it’s been used effectively, what some alternatives are, and provide practical advice for your performance program to consider.
Participants:
- Katie McInnis – Major League Performance Dietician, Texas Rangers. Email: KatieMcInnisphd@gmail.com
- Linda Steinhardt – Sports and Eating Disorder Dietician, KP Nutrition Therapy. Email: linda_steinhardt@hotmail.com Instagram: Linda.Steinhardt_rd
- Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann
In this episode, we talk with Fusion Sport CEO and Co-Founder, Markus Deutsch to get his perspective on athletes’ right to own and access their human performance data. We explore the current trends making this an important topic today, such as the transfer portal and NIL legislation, what’s in the best interests of both athletes and organizations, and the implications on human performance technology platforms.
Participants:
- Markus Deutsch – CEO & Co-Founder of Fusion Sport. Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/markus-deutsch-fusionceo
- Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann
In this episode, we discuss the latest trends and challenges with Youth Talent Development and ID. We explore what makes working with youth talent unique and how data and analytics are being used to help young athletes progress.
Participants:
- James Veale – Data Analyst, AFL Academies. Email: JamesPVeale@gmail.com
- Mark Dyer – Athletic Development Coordinator, Alpine D-Team, US Ski and Snowboard. Email: mark.dyer@usskiandsnowboard.org
- Jack Halley – Principal Consultant, Fusion Sport. Email: Jack.Halley@fusionsport.com Linkedin.com/in/jack-halley
- Emma Ostermann – Supervising Consultant US Human Performance, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20 Linkedin.com/in/emma-ostermann
How can Human Performance leaders effectively communicate the Return on Investment of their performance programs? In this episode, experts from professional and collegiate sports provide practical tips for securing the funds to grow your human performance program and deliver high-quality service to your athletes.
Participants:
- Jordan Troester – Director of Performance and Sports Science at the University of Oregon. Email: Jtro@UOregon.edu LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordan-troester
- Dennis Mannion– Chief Executive Officer and President, House of 7, Former President and COO, LA Dodgers. Email: DMannion@legends7.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dennis-mannion
- Dan Duffield – Global Solutions Consultant, Fusion sport. Email: Dan.Duffield@fusionsport.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-duffield
- Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20
What role does body image play in a student athletes’ mental and physical health? What can performance professionals do to support a healthy body image that is aligned with performance goals? We explore why this is such an important topic, how performance professionals are working with athletes on this issue, and the role data & analytics is playing. We’ll also leave you with some practical tips to incorporate in your organization or practice.
Participants:
- Lenecia Nickell – Director of Sports Psychology and Wellness at the University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ldnickell
- Rachel Manor – Sports Performance and Eating Disorder Dietitian with Lutz, Alexander and Associates Nutrition Therapy. Email: Rachel@lutzandalexander.com
- Taylor Lipinsky – Associate Athletic Trainer for Women’s Basketball at the University of Cincinnati. Email: Lipinstm@ucmail.uc.edu
- Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20
Can human performance practitioners, armed with the best-of-breed technology and heaps of data, reliably “predict injury”? In this episode, we explore why this has become such a controversial topic, how to vet technology solutions claiming to enable injury prediction, and what needs to happen in the future to evolve these methods. Our panel of performance experts weigh in on this debate and discuss the new approaches to (and often controversial claims of) injury prediction.
Participants:
- Garret Bullock – Assistant Professor, Wake Forest School of Medicine. Email: GBullock@wakehealth.edu Twitter: @DrGSBullock
- Darin Peterson – Human Performance Director, The U.S Marine Corps’ Schoo of Infantry – East, Camp Geiger. Email: Darin.Peterson@usmc.mil
- John Cortes – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Email: John.Cortes@fusionsport.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-a-cortes/
- Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant, Fusion Sport. Twitter: @elostermann20
Ask any military recruiter or college/youth coach and they'll tell you about the growing divide between people who are physically and mentally fit enough for military service or elite sports and those who aren't. This conversation will touch on the “war for talent” in the military and the shrinking pool of people who can pass the required fitness tests.
Participants:
- Joe Cruz – H2F Program Director, Ready First Combat Team | US Army
- Missy Mitchell-McBeth – Head S&C Coach, Byron Nelson H.S. | NHSSCA Southwest Regional Director
- Joe Staub – Executive Director | The Zenta Group
- Moderator: Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport
If the promise of human performance optimization is to be realized, the humans in the equation must believe the people and systems in place are working in their best interests. Learn how building a culture of trust, between athletes/service members and coaches/leadership, is critical for performance programs to have an impact.
Participants:
- Jo Clubb – Performance Consultant | Global Performance Insights
- Mark White – Chief Executive Manager/CEO | S.A.R. Human Performance
- Patrick DiMarco – Football Analyst & Director of Player Relations | University of South Carolina
- Moderator: Emma Ostermann– Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport
In sport and military arenas, gender identity is a hot topic. This roundtable will NOT address ideas of fairness or debate policy. Instead, we will focus on where we can have a more immediate and positive impact: helping human performance professionals who want to support all their athletes do so in a meaningful way.
Participants:
- Ash Beckham – Accidental Activist, Speaker, Author
- Julia Eyre, M.Sc, CSCS – Sports Neuroscientist | White Lion Performance
- Brina Derksen-Bergen – Physical Health & Outdoor Education Dep. | Stratford Hall IB World School
- Moderator: Emma Ostermann– Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport
The mental health of athletes, service members, and first responders, has rightfully received more attention in the last few years. It has also sparked a debate about the difference between mental health versus mental toughness. In this roundtable discussion, human performance experts discuss mental health vs. mental toughness to help performance practitioners provide the support individuals need to optimize performance, health, and mental wellness.
Participants:
- Uma Dorn, PhD – Licensed Counseling and Sport Psychologist | Salt Lake Psychology
- Sebastian Little, PCC – Leadership and Performance Coach | Sebastian Little Performance
- Brian Alexander, MA CMPC – Mental Skills Coach | Athletic Performance Unit | UC San Diego
- Moderator Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport
True equality in human performance demands an understanding of what women need to be at their best. Applying the same rules and regiments for men won’t get them there. Watch our first session of The Vanguard Roundtable where a group of diverse human performance experts discusses the factors of female physiology that matter and how to create a tailored training program.
Participants:
- Molly Binetti – Director of Women’s Basketball Performance | University of South Carolina
- Julian Haigh – Sport Scientist | NWSL & Women’s National Team
- Sam Moore – Applied Physiology Lab Research Asst. / PhD Student | UNC-Chapel Hill
- Dan Turner, PhD – Owner & Human Performance Specialist | Silicea Labs
- Sue Robson – COO | Fusion Sport
- Moderator: Emma Ostermann – Human Performance Consultant | Fusion Sport