ISESA Podcast

Over the next few weeks, we're revisiting three episodes from the first season of the ISESA Podcast that have become even more relevant today than when they were originally recorded.Together, these episodes explore how sport and exercise science is increasingly moving beyond performance and into healthcare—helping people regain independence after stroke, supporting people living with obesity, and improving quality of life after childhood cancer.Whether you're discovering these conversations for the first time or listening back with fresh ears, I hope they offer a new perspective on the evolving role of exercise professionals within healthcare.

Nora Ní Fhlannagáin and Julia Gruszczynska from the Sport & Exercise Nutrition Group (SENG) join Bruce to discuss what this means for a registered dietician or sport and exercise nutritionist to be a member of the SENG in Ireland. Going forward, SENG members will be guests on the podcast to bring new content to our audience focussing on applied sport and exercise nutrition practice and research. The SENG are also running an event in parallel to this year's ISESA conference - they will host a business breakfast aimed at all self employed practitioners - a place to learn, meet and eat!

Irish Rugby's Will Connors explains how he uses AI, Machine Learning and Biomechanics to decode tackle safety.In this episode of the ISESA Podcast, Bruce Wardrop sits down with Irish international rugby player and sport science researcher, Will Connors.Widely regarded as one of the most effective tacklers on the pitch thanks to his mastery of the "chop tackle," Will operates at the exact intersection of elite athletic performance and cutting-edge science. After nine highly successful years with Leinster, Will discusses his upcoming move to Connacht, reuniting with Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, and the tactical evolutions he hopes to bring out West. Beyond the pitch, Will is a PhD researcher at Trinity College Dublin. We dive into his fascinating work using computer science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to map the biomechanics of the tackle. Will explains the massive challenge of teaching an algorithm to identify safe tackle execution amidst the chaos of a professional match, and how this data can ultimately be used to improve player welfare and reduce concussion risks.

In this super episode podcast, Bruce speaks with Adam Sweeney, a 22-year-old adventurer from Waterford. Adam is preparing to begin a two-month expedition with the objective of becoming the youngest Irish person to summit Mount Everest.The discussion tracks his progression through increasingly demanding high-altitude environments, analyzing his experiences on Aconcagua in Argentina (6,961m) and the technically formidable Ama Dablam in Nepal (6,812m). We detail the physiological realities of acclimatization, the acute effects of hypoxia, and his specific strategies for managing nutrition and hydration when performing at altitude. Plus Bruce and Adam discuss the the psychological resilience required to navigate objective hazards like the Khumbu Icefall and the physiological breakdown that occurs within the "Death Zone" above 8,000m.You can follow Adam's progress via his social media channels:Adam on InstagramAdam on TikTok

In this episode, Bruce sits down with Jonny McKenna, a recent South East Technological University (SETU) graduate who crossed the Atlantic to complete his MSc in Mental Performance at Ithaca College, New York. Jonny & Bruce go for a deep dive into the realities of pursuing graduate studies and building a sport science career in the USA. Serving as a natural follow-up to our previous discussions on US graduate studies (season 02 episode 02), Jonny shares the proactive steps he took to secure his dual roles as a Teaching Assistant and Strength & Conditioning Coach which are funding his Masters. He proves that putting yourself out there, leveraging your network, and simply "asking the question" can unlock incredible career opportunities.So, whether you are an undergraduate mapping out your future, a recent graduate looking for international opportunities, or a practitioner interested in the intersection of S&C and sport psychology, this episode is packed with highly relevant, actionable advice.

Preparations for the 2026 ISESA conference are well underway and today, Ciara Sinnott-O'Connor, e chair of this year's conference team brings us an update what we can expect and look forward to. Ciara outlines the shift in focus for this year's event, teasing us with potential keynotes on AI in sport, performing under pressure, and "bad science," while emphasizing that discipline-specific content will come from the attendees through symposia, workshops, and panel discussions. We also discuss opportunities for early-career researchers and students to present their work, the importance of networking events like the social evening at Sean's Bar, and encourage listeners to submit their proposals before the March 4th deadline.https://isesa.ie/2026-conference