In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Dr. Carol Mack, Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics Lab Coordinator at John Carroll University, about why we need to look beyond biomechanics when training and rehabbing female athletes.

Carol shares emerging research showing that biomechanics vary just as much within genders as between them — and how training age may explain many of the differences once attributed to sex. She explains why focusing only on biomechanics as a risk factor for ACL injuries misses the bigger picture, and why strength is the true prerequisite for effective, efficient movement.

Carol also unpacks the physiological differences that shape how female athletes respond to training, including:
⚽ A higher ratio of type I to type II muscle fibers
💪 Greater capillary and mitochondrial density
🔁 Faster recovery and fatigue resistance during strength and sprint work

She explores how these insights can help coaches, clinicians, and sport scientists better load, recover, and develop female athletes — and what questions still need to be answered through research.

Listen in to learn how we can better tailor training and rehab to match the physiology and potential of female athletes.

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In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Gaby Smith, Performance Sports Scientist for Bay FC, about how she builds practical, collaborative sport science systems in elite women's soccer.

Gaby shares how she bridges data and decision-making, the workflows that keep players and staff aligned, and how to make athlete monitoring meaningful rather than overwhelming.

They discuss:
⚽ The core metrics that matter most in women's football
📊 Building simple, effective data workflows within a multidisciplinary team
💪 Translating performance data into daily training decisions
🤝 How communication and collaboration drive better outcomes for players
🔄 Strategies for connecting rehab, return to play, and performance monitoring

This conversation offers actionable insights for practitioners who want to simplify their processes, improve staff alignment, and build trust through transparent, evidence-informed support in the women's game.

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In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Georgia Brown, Sports Scientist for San Diego Wave FC, about her PhD research on menstrual health and performance in elite women's soccer.

Georgia shares what she discovered while tracking menstrual cycles and symptoms in professional footballers, why irregularities are more common than most realize, and how practitioners can start applying these insights within their own teams.

They discuss:
⚽ The menstrual cycle as the "fifth vital sign" for athlete health
🩸 Why up to half of players may experience subtle menstrual disturbances
🧠 How stress and training load influence hormonal profiles
📈 Practical ways to track cycles and symptoms in a team setting
🤝 How staff can individualize support for each athlete

This conversation bridges research and practice, offering practical takeaways for medical, sport science, and performance professionals working in the women's game.

In this episode, Nicole Surdyka is joined by Emma Brockwell, pelvic health physiotherapist for several Women's Super League clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. Emma also serves as a female health consultant for FIFA, leading pelvic health research and education initiatives that are shaping the future of women's football.

Together they dive into what pelvic health looks like in elite sport—how it's assessed, addressed, and integrated across multidisciplinary teams. Emma explains the most common pelvic floor symptoms seen in female footballers, how to identify red flags as a physio or coach, and why urinary incontinence is common but not normal. She also shares practical guidance for practitioners without a pelvic health specialist on staff, along with strategies for pregnant and postpartum athletes navigating return to play.

In this episode:
• How Emma's work bridges pelvic health and performance in elite soccer
• What to look for in athletes who may have pelvic floor dysfunction
• Practical screening tools and conversation strategies for staff
• How to adapt training and rehab progressions to support pelvic health
• Insights from FIFA's upcoming pelvic health research and frameworks

Emma also highlights valuable resources for practitioners, including the Active Pregnancy Foundation, Michelle Lyons, Christina Previtt, and Margie Davenport's Exercise & Pregnancy work.

👉 Connect with Emma on Instagram @physiomumuk and find her book Did No One Tell Me? on Amazon.
Learn more at femmefc.com and follow @femmefc for future episodes.

Welcome to the Femme Football Collective Podcast — the show where we elevate the conversation around athlete health and performance in elite women's soccer. Hosted by Dr. Nicole Surdyka, a physical therapist, sport scientist, and founder of Femme Football Collective, this podcast was created to empower the experts behind the athletes.

Each episode features conversations with leading practitioners, researchers, and innovators working in women's football — exploring real-world strategies, evidence-based practices, and the unique challenges that come with supporting players at the highest level. From return-to-play testing to performance optimization, you'll hear insights designed to help you grow, connect, and make an impact.

In this episode:
• Nicole introduces the mission and vision behind Femme Football Collective
• Who this podcast is for — from physios and S&C coaches to sport scientists and psychologists
• What listeners can expect from upcoming episodes
• How to connect, learn, and join the Femme FC community

👉 Follow @femmefc on Instagram and TikTok, and visit femmefc.com to access the blog, newsletter, and upcoming courses.

In this episode, Dr. Mariah Bullock joins Nicole Surdyka to explore the space where mental health meets mental performance. A former NWSL player turned clinical and sport psychologist for Seattle Reign FC, Dr. Bullock shares how her dual training allows her to support athletes through both the highs of competition and the challenges that come with it.

Together they dive into what it means to protect athlete confidentiality while still collaborating with staff, how to build trust across multidisciplinary teams, and the most common mental performance hurdles seen in professional women's soccer — from confidence and communication to role clarity and perfectionism.

In this episode:
• The intersection of clinical and sport psychology in elite soccer
• Navigating confidentiality and ethical communication with staff
• Practical tools for managing performance anxiety and pre-game nerves
• Helping athletes find purpose when playing time or roles shift
• Post-match recovery, breathwork, and sleep strategies for high performers

Dr. Bullock also reflects on her journey from Stanford to the pros, and why the relationships in women's soccer remain her favorite part of the game.

Connect with Dr. Bullock on Instagram @dr.mariahbullock and drmariahbullock.com.
Learn more about Femme Football Collective at femmefc.com and follow @femmefc on Instagram.