In this specialist tutor profile series we caught up with Specialist Training tutor: John Hartley! Read our Q&A style blog below as she answers some of our questions ahead of the launch of our new course ‘Rehab and S&C’:
Introduction
Can you briefly describe your current role at Strength and Conditioning Education?
I am an experienced sports physiotherapist working with The Strength & Conditioning Education platform to provide a series of education modules linking elite sports physiotherapy and strength & condition.
What led you into the strength and conditioning industry?
As a physiotherapist, it has been important in my role to gain an understanding of strength and conditioning to facilitate the rehabilitation of the athletes under my care and aim to reduce the risk of future injury for them. Having worked in Football and then transitioning to Rugby League, the importance of understanding the world of S&C was magnified and since that change in jobs, I have had a keen interest in how S&C is highly important to physiotherapists.
What qualifications and certifications do you hold?
I hold a BSc (HONS) in Physiotherapy, an MSc in The Science of Sports Injury and Physiotherapy, and I am currently near completion in my Professional Doctorate from the School of Sports Sciences at the University of Birmingham. I am also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.
Can you share a bit about your career journey so far – where did you start, and how did you get to where you are now?
On graduating from the University of Manchester with my undergrad Physiotherapy degree, I went to work with Blackburn Rovers FC for 9 years across the academy and 1st team before departing for the world of Rugby League. I spent three years in Rugby League with Warrington Wolves and England Rugby League as the Head of Medical, before returning to football with Aston Villa FC as an Injury Prevention Specialist 1st Team Physio.
After 9 years with Aston Villa, I moved to be the Head Physiotherapist at Derby County FC for just over 4 years and recently left full time employment in sport after 25 years.
What other roles have you had outside of your work with Strength and Conditioning Education?
^ See above. It was during my time at Aston Villa FC that I gained my NSCA CSCS qualification and have enjoyed making S&C and integral part of my current practice.
Approach to Coaching and Education
How would you describe your coaching philosophy or teaching style?
As a physiotherapist, my main focus is on communicating correct technique and eliminating imbalances in strength/technique caused by injury. The key aspect of this is being able to communicate in a method that the athlete understands and responds to rather than one specific philosophy or deliver process.
What do you enjoy most about delivering practical workshops?
I enjoy teaching and facilitating individuals to learn. We all have a unique way in which we do things and learn, it is in this that I enjoy figuring out the best way for people to understand the content and message that I’m trying to communicate at the given time.
How do you tailor your support to suit students with different learning styles or backgrounds?
I think this is constantly something that I look at when teaching in person. As we learn in different ways, I try to have multiple ways to explain things to enable clear understanding in a language that they understand. As a physiotherapist, we are often faced with challenges when explaining injury and the recovery process, so this is something I hold as being very important.
Industry Insights
What trends or changes have you noticed in the strength and conditioning field in recent years?
Are there any myths or misconceptions in the industry that you’d like to set straight?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in strength and conditioning?
You learn by making mistakes. Don’t be frightened to make mistakes and try new things. It is important to focus on the solid foundations of your profession before you try alternative strategies. Too many people try the complicated answer when starting out, when the simple will work.
Continuing Development and Personal Practice
How do you stay current with developments in strength and conditioning practice or sports science?
– The Strength & Conditioning Education platform
– The NSCA website
What are your go-to resources for professional growth?
My PhD is my current CPD focus
Are there any particular athletes, coaches, or mentors who’ve influenced your approach?
Too many to mention. I like stealing bits from everyone rather than specific theories or philosophies to inform my practice.
Highlights and Impact
Can you share a memorable success story from your work – either with a client, team, or student?
During my career in sport, I have been fortunate to be part of many success stories along the way. These have involved getting players back to play in Wembley cup finals, or staff progressing to gain qualifications and move into new jobs. There have been a lot of difficult injuries to manage from a rehab point of view and it’s the problem solving that gives a good sense of achievement. At the same time, watching someone progress and learn from your guidance as a mentor is such a rewarding feeling.
What’s been your proudest moment as a coach or educator so far?
I think most of my proudest moments have come in my role as a physiotherapist when you come across athletes that have sustained injury and then lost the support system around them. When you can provide a structured guide for them to follow and move forwards with their rehabilitation, presented in a manner that they understand, and you see them realise that they can succeed and get back fit. It’s a great feeling.
How do you measure your impact on students or athletes?
I measure my impact on students and athletes on the relationships formed when supporting them. When you maintain contact and form a relationship beyond an injury where they contact you in the future and trust you to support them. That is a great measure of impact. Especially when they then ask you to look after their family as well.
Personal Side
What do you enjoy doing outside of coaching and teaching?
Most of my spare time is spent with my family. After 25years in elite sport, the one thing I lacked was time. Now I have more of it, I spend it watching and supporting my children play sport and spend time together with my wife and children.
If you weren’t working in strength and conditioning, what do you think you’d be doing?
No idea, this is what I’m good at!
Favourite lift, workout, or recovery method?
I’m fortunate that my role is spread across clinic based treatment, gym based rehabilitation and on field rehabilitation. I don’t have a favourite, I enjoy all of it.
What motivates you to keep doing what you do every day?
I still enjoy being a physio after all these years and still get a sense of enjoyment from treating and rehabilitating athletes. My roles now shift more to leadership and developing others which I enjoy just as much.
Specialist Training Course: Rehab and S&C
The Rehab and S&C course is now available. For more information and enrolment click the button below:
