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How did you get into sport?Author: Luis Resa
This is the How did you get into sport? podcast where we explore the ins and outs of working in high performance sport. These are conversations with leaders in the industry about their journey and most importantly how they got to where they are. Working in professional sport is one of the most sought after yet highly competitive industries with limited professional organisations offering opportunities to work at the highest level of their respective sports. This podcast was created on the back of countless conversations with a diverse range of experienced professionals overly frustrated yet still highly motivated to work in their dream role and asking the question How did you get to work in professional sport and what did you have to do to get there? Host Luis Resa is a Sports Physiotherapist who has worked in various elite professional organisation both in Australia and internationally. In each episode, Luis has deep conversations with Sports Physiotherapist, S&C coaches, Head coaches, High Performance Managers and other leaders in the field of elite sport to discuss what it takes to excel in the world of sport as well as diving deeply into the intricacies of what got their foot in the door of some of the worlds most desirable roles. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. In the meantime, enjoy a deep conversation and learn the specific dos and donts of both securing and surpassing expectations in the field of high performance sport. Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Sports Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Alex Ross – Head of Athletic Performance & Sport Science (Scottish Rugby). Boosting rugby performance across 4 countries & working with multimillion dollar athletes in MLB.
Thursday, 29 January, 2026
Send us a textFrom international rugby to Major League Baseball and back again, Alex’s journey in elite sport is truly unique. He has made significant contributions to the game of rugby across four countries: in New Zealand as Sport Science Manager with the The Blues (Super Rugby); in Argentina as Physical Performance Manager across all levels of their national rugby program; in the United States as Head of Performance for USA Rugby; and currently overseeing multiple levels of the national program with Scottish Rugby. Beyond rugby, Alex has also held senior leadership roles in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins. This conversation explores the story of someone who grew up immersed in a sport that held relative obscurity in his own country, yet went on to make a global impact shaped by the experiences his gained from multiple high performance environments, research, and a deep commitment to the game he loves.Highlights from the episode…Alex describes the early days of being involved in Rugby in the US where the sport was relatively unknown and considered more recreational than professional.Alex spoke about his move to New Zealand and the challenges of eventually breaking into pro Rugby as an American in a Rugby obsessed nation.What Alex learnt about the high performance landscape during his time in NZ and chats about the similarities/differences he experienced in high performance settings in the US and the world.With no experience in running an international Rugby program, living in a non-English speaking country and not being able to speak the local language, how Alex courageously secured a role with Argentina as Physical Performance Manager across all levels.Now stepping into a role with Argentina and admittingly having limited experience, what did Alex pulled from as a guide for implementing systems, setting up structures, decision making etc?What's it like trying to transition into new country and new way of living?After rapid success in Rugby, why Alex chose to move into a new sport in Baseball joining the world renowned New York Mets (MLB).Alex provides an insight of what it’s like to work in a 162 game MLB season. The resources, staffing, training schedule, daily/weekly plan, load management, periodising strength training etc.“Individual development plans”...what are they? And what Alex has gained from Baseball that could assist with rugby athletes. With an increase in data collection and ability to monitor more in sport, how do you choose what to measure?When dealing with multimillion dollar contracted athletes, how do you get players to do things, that they may not want to do, because you feel strongly that it will benefit them?Are you more data informed or intuition informed when it comes to decision making? You'll be surprised by the answer...You have experienced an exceptional career that has also come with its challenges…Has it been worth it? People mentioned:John (Mitch) Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mitchell-48041722a/Peter Bendix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_BendixScott Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-lawrence-rugby/ Alex Ross contact details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsross15/Host: Luis ResaContact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/ Email: luis.resa@outlook.com Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.
