Luke Passman: Don’t Just Wear the Badge – Build the Culture
Apr 14, 2025
Episode 182: In this episode of the Sport Performance Leadership Podcast host Pete McKnight speaks to Luke Passman, a seasoned performance leader with experience across rugby, tennis, baseball, and football at the elite level. Luke is currently the Head of Performance Sciences – Academy at Chelsea FC, where he oversees S&C, sport science, and nutrition.
Luke’s career spans top roles including Strength & Conditioning Coordinator for the New York Mets, where he oversaw player development systems in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, and Head of Sport Science Support at SotoTennis Academy, leading multidisciplinary teams. He’s also a private performance consultant on the WTA Tour, working with players at Grand Slam and WTA 250/500 events.
Topics Discussed:
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Career journey – From coaching in Spain to leadership at the Mets and Chelsea FC
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Transition to leadership – Moving from S&C delivery to managing multidisciplinary teams
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Leadership at the Mets – Navigating decentralised systems and empowering staff
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Strategic performance impact – Leading initiatives like performance scouting for the MLB Draft
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Learning to lead – Mentorship, reflection, and executive leadership training at Oxford
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Navigating change – Managing staff and culture through leadership turnover
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Core leadership principles – Authenticity, clarity, autonomy, and honest feedback
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Cultural adaptability – Leading across Spain, the U.S., and the UK
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Future of performance leadership – Data-driven systems, generational shifts, and staff development
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Advice for aspiring leaders – Be self-aware, seek support, work hard, and own your growth
Where you can find Luke:
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Sponsors
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