In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with biomechanist and Griffith University researcher, Tyler Collings, to break down one of the most common and most misunderstood topics in sports technology: validity and reliability.

Tyler explains what these terms actually mean in practice, why they’re often confused and how human variability, testing protocols and “gold standards” influence the data practitioners rely on every day. The conversation unpacks common misconceptions in validation research, how to interpret reliability and validity papers and what practitioners should really be looking for when assessing performance and rehab technology.

They also dive into Tyler’s work validating field-based tools like force plates and strength testing devices, the importance of transparency in research and how laboratory findings translate into real-world performance and rehab settings.

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist and Impact Sports Physical Therapy founder Bobby Esbrandt to unpack what it really means to assess, treat and develop athletes beyond a single metric.

Bobby shares why relying solely on the countermovement jump can leave critical gaps in decision-making, and how building a complete athlete profile — spanning strength, power, rate of force development and reactive qualities — leads to better outcomes, particularly in post-op and ACL rehabilitation. The conversation also explores integrating technology into clinical practice, maintaining continuity of care across multiple clinics and balancing business growth with hands-on clinical excellence.

If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinician looking to move past surface-level testing, improve athlete buy-in and deliver higher-quality, data-informed rehab, this episode is for you.

In this episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with Taylor Evernden, coach and Co-Founder of ORKA Performance, to explore what truly effective return-to-performance looks like when rehab, performance and people are fully aligned.

Taylor shares how ORKA has built a collaborative model that moves athletes seamlessly from acute rehab into performance — balancing objective data, subjective feedback and the human side of coaching. The conversation spans RTP evolution, criteria-based transitions, communication breakdowns and how technology like force plates and strength testing fits across the entire athlete journey.

They also dive into scaling a performance business, building culture across multiple locations, onboarding staff and why relationships, trust and critical thinking still matter more than any tool.

If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinic owner interested in RTP pathways, integrated care models, performance testing, or scaling without losing culture, this episode is for you.