Episode 48 -Darren Burgess

In Episode 48 of the Prepare Like A Pro Podcast, I am speaking with Darren Burgess, the High-Performance Manager at Melbourne FC. Before Melbourne. Darren was the Director of Performance at Arsenal FC, High-Performance Manager at Port Adelaide Football Club, Head of Conditioning at Liverpool FC, and Head of Fitness at the Football Federation of Australia.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Darren’s strength and conditioning journey from start to now.
• His learnings from working in the English Premier League.
• His role at Melbourne and how he manages AFL players to perform each week.
• Why small-sided games are so effective in developing athletic qualities like agility & mobility.
• Darren’s passion for high performance, physical preparation, and how he continues to learn and develop his craft.
• The importance of having an individualized strength & conditioning program for working on an athlete’s strengths whilst managing past injuries.
• What has worked and hasn’t throughout his career.
• How he values technique and posture when it comes to running gym movements for young developing footballers.
• His approach to preparing AFL footballers and how important lifestyle factors are like sleep, nutrition, and mindset.
• In-season recovery tips and tricks.
• Tips for developing footballers and staff wanting to reach the highest level, including the importance of skill development and building resilience.
• Darren’s excitement for the Melbourne Football Club and 2021 and why he loves working for the club.

People mentioned:

• John Marsden
• Anthony Crea
• Greg Matthews
• Simon Casomolo
• Tim Cahill
• Lucas Neill
• Gavin Wanganeen
• Fernando Torres
• Mesut Ozil
• Lachie Williams
• David Watts
• Selwyn Griffith
• David Regan
• Brett Nicholsten
• Daniel James
• Rebeka Alcock
• Peter Brukner

Listen: iTunes | IGTV | Spotify

Jack McLean

Jack McLean is the founder of Prepare Like a Pro. He loves coaching people so that they can reach their personal/professional goals and become the best that they can possibly be. He is currently the Strength & Rehab Coach of Melbourne Football Club and has worked as Strength & Conditioning Coach at Hawthorn Football Club. Jack is a Level 3 Australian Strength & Conditioning Association and Professional Coach and a Level 1 Australian Weightlifting Federation Coach.