Emidio (Mids) has been working in the world of high performance sport for over 15 years across Australia, Europe and the USA. He’s worked as Head Physiotherapist for the Western Force (Super Rugby), Medical Service Manager for Carlton FC (AFL) as well as a Medical Coordinator for the AIS at their European Training Centre (ETC) situated just outside Milan in Italy. Currently he works in the Performance and Rehabilitation department of the New England Patriots in the NFL. This was one of my most enjoyable and authentic conversations with someone who has not only worked in some incredible countries but he has also worked across different sports with a diverse range of athlete types which has culminated to working with arguably one of the most famous sporting franchises not just in States but the world.

Highlights from the episode…

• Early in his career, Mids spent close to a year in Italy before spending time in the UK in the NHS system.
• After three years overseas, Mids returned home to Australia where he began his first role in sport with the Perth Football Club as well as buying into his own private practice.
• Mid talks about the importance of cutting his teeth in semi professional sport which has armed him with the skills he still uses to this day.
• We discuss the volatility and transitional nature of sport and how to deal with the comings and goings of players, staff and coaches.
• Mids shares how he acquired a rare role with the AIS in their ETC in Italy.
• We talk about how at the pointy end of sport it’s not your experience or knowledge that gets you the job…it’s something else.
• What its like to work at the ETC in an Olympic cycle.
• After the AIS, Mids moved back to Perth where he spent 4 season with the Western Force and got to work everyday with his brother.
• How Mids was able to transition into a Head Physio role in a sport he was unaccustomed too.
• After initially being rejected twice how Mids moved from Rugby to acquire a role in the AFL with the Carlton FC.
• How Mids balances humility with confidence in an industry that craves certainty
• “If you are a person who always want to be right this may come at the cost of playing it safe.”
• The benefits of tracking your own decision making.
• How an Aussie secured a role in the NFL with one of the world’s biggest sporting organisations.
• What it’s like to work in the NFL, staffing tree, resources, 100+ player squad and the nuances that exist only in the game of NFL.
• We discuss the difference in injury management philosophies between the US and Australia.
• The importance of building rapport with athletes and the challenges that can incur in the NFL.
• How getting my daughters to eat broccoli helped me get athletes to do things that they don’t want to do.

Emidio Pacecca contact details:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emidio-pacecca-79bab335/

People mentioned:

• Johann Bilsborough: https://x.com/jbils1972?lang=en
• Ben Raysmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-raysmith-22239a2b5/
• Craig Purdum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-purdam-6964293a/
• Aaron Coutts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-coutts-448a0024/

Host: Luis Resa

Contact me on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/
• Email: luis.resa@outlook.com

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