“Creating comfort was crucial for player focus and performance (in a foreign country).”
Steve Fell
What You will learn
- Life in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup
- What systems and processes are needed to manage players all over the world
- How to prepare athletes for competition who have different starting points
- The importance of no ego and communication between Club & Country
- Most memorable locker room stories from US Soccer.
In this conversation, Steve Fell, a member of the US Men’s National Team performance staff, shares his journey from physical therapy school to working with the national team. He discusses his experience at the World Cup in Qatar and the unique challenges and opportunities it presented.
Steve also provides insights into the national team calendar year and how the team manages the health and performance of players. He highlights the importance of collaboration with clubs and the use of data and technology in player management.
In this conversation, Steve Fell discusses the limitations and small wins in his role as a performance coach. He also talks about his transition from working in professional sports to running a successful performance practice. Steve emphasizes the importance of consistency and small wins in achieving long-term goals.
He shares advice for upgrading health and performance, including the need for reflection and focusing on the process. Steve also reveals his favorite American and international cities, shares a memorable locker room moment, and provides guidance for young coaches and therapists.
Listen here – Finding Small Wins Podcast:
021 | Steve Fell: High Performance in International Soccer
Key Takeaways
- The journey to success often involves hard work, luck, and timing.
- Building relationships and putting yourself in the right situations can lead to great opportunities.
- The World Cup in Qatar was a unique and memorable experience, with well-designed stadiums and a comfortable environment for the team.
- The national team calendar year includes camps, tournaments, and considerations for player availability and fitness.
- Managing player health and performance requires collaboration with clubs, data analysis, and personalized support. Consistency and small wins are key to achieving long-term goals.
- Transitioning from professional sports to a private practice requires adapting the same principles to a different setting.
- Upgrading health and performance requires a focus on the process and forming consistent habits.
- Reflecting on small wins and staying true to your values are important for personal and professional growth.
episode timeline
00:00 Introduction and Origin Story
05:04 Joining the US Men’s National Team
08:19 Experience at the World Cup in Qatar
23:16 Managing Health and Performance of Players
28:46 Role in Managing Day-to-Day Training and Therapy
31:42 Limitations and Small Wins
34:56 Transition to Running a Performance Practice
35:08 Redefining Commercial Healthcare
37:55 Consistency and Small Wins
43:20 Upgrading Health and Performance
45:43 Winning the Day
47:13 Reflecting on Small Wins
52:36 Favorite American City
53:40 Favorite International City
54:18 Most Memorable Locker Room Moment
55:22 Advice for Young Coaches and Therapists
57:51 Connecting with Professionals
