Dr. Nic Gill: All Blacks S & C Coach Episode 53 ‘My job is to help express the athlete’s ability...

Summary

In this interview, Dr. Nicholas Gill, head of strength and conditioning for the All Blacks rugby team since 2008, shares insights into his role, the team's training regimen, and his approach to athlete performance. He discusses the balance between physical training, recovery, and the importance of enjoyment in athletic success. Gill also touches on his book focusing on nutrition and lifestyle, aiming to empower readers to take charge of their health.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Dr. Nicholas Gill is the head of strength and conditioning for the All Blacks rugby team since 2008 and has contributed to their multiple Rugby World Cup victories.
• 📚 Dr. Gill is also an associate professor in human performance at the University of Michigan and has published a book on nutrition and lifestyle.
• 🥑 Nick Gill is known for growing high-quality avocados in the southern hemisphere.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Gill transitioned from being a competitive athlete to a strength and conditioning coach after completing his PhD, seeking to help others achieve their potential.
• 🌐 He has supported various New Zealand sports teams including track cycling, rowing, and rugby, showcasing his expertise in high-performance sports.
• 🏥 Gill's darkest moments are when athletes get injured during his sessions, highlighting his commitment to their safety and well-being.
• 🎉 His best moments are when the team unites and performs well, not just about winning but also about collective pride in their performance.
• 📚 He advises young strength and conditioning coaches to gain experience, network, and understand athletes as individuals to build trust.
• 💡 Gill's coaching philosophy emphasizes balance between work, play, and recovery, allowing athletes to express themselves on game day.
• 🤝 He values honesty, trust, communication, and organization, and believes in learning from fellow coaches and athletes.
• 📈 Gill designs training programs by considering positional group needs, travel schedules, and individual athlete requirements, with a focus on daily adjustments based on feedback.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Nicholas Gills and what is his role with the All Blacks?

Dr. Nicholas Gills is the head of strength and conditioning for the All Blacks, a position he has held since 2008. He is also an associate professor in human performance at the University of Michigan.

What significant achievements has Dr. Gills been a part of with the All Blacks?

Dr. Gills has been part of multiple Rugby World Cup victories with the All Blacks, including their journey towards a potential third win. He has also supported the New Zealand track cycling team and rowing teams during their Olympic cycles.

What prompted Dr. Gills to transition from being a competitive athlete to a coach?

Dr. Gills realized he was not going to reach the Olympic or World Championship level as an athlete, so he decided to become a coach to help others achieve their potential.

How did Dr. Gills approach his education before moving into strength and conditioning?

Dr. Gills completed his bachelor's degree and then pursued a PhD, believing he needed more knowledge before he could effectively work as a strength and conditioning coach or physiologist.

What is Dr. Gills' philosophy as a strength and conditioning coach?

Dr. Gills' philosophy is centered around balance, including physical work, recovery, and enjoyment. He aims to help athletes express themselves on game day through structured programs that allow for fun and performance.

What does Dr. Gills consider his darkest moments in his career?

Dr. Gills considers the darkest moments in his career to be when an athlete gets injured during one of his sessions, as it feels like he has failed to support the athlete's potential.

How does Dr. Gills handle disagreements within the coaching and support staff?

Dr. Gills emphasizes the importance of robust and honest conversations. He believes in leveraging the experience and knowledge within the group and dropping egos for open discussions to reach a collective decision.

What is Dr. Gills' approach to designing a training program for the All Blacks?

Dr. Gills designs training programs based on positional groups, considering key movements, travel schedules, and individual needs. He also incorporates daily adjustments based on athlete feedback and how they are feeling.

Why does Dr. Gills believe hypertrophy training can lead to injuries in rugby players?

Dr. Gills explains that hypertrophy training can create significant fatigue, which, when combined with the collision-based nature of rugby, can increase the risk of injury. He prefers a strength-oriented program over a high-volume hypertrophy program.

What motivated Dr. Gills to write a book on health and fitness?

Dr. Gills was motivated to write his book because he found that many people lack basic knowledge about health, exercise, and nutrition. He wanted to share his expertise to help people live healthier lives.

How can people get in touch with Dr. Nicholas Gills?

People can find Dr. Gills on his website at killgill.com, send him an email via the contact information on his site, or reach out to him on Instagram at @kill_health_and_performance.