Jon Ackland
Applied Sports Scientist & Coach | Periodization, Monitoring, Sports Psych, Wellbeing & Performance Pathways | Pioneered Wearable-Driven Systems
Auckland, Auckland Region NZLAbout
Applied sports scientist with 30+ years’ experience coaching and profiling 1000+ athletes, from juniors to Olympians. Proven success inside professional high-performance teams. Expert in periodization, athlete monitoring, sports psych, and wearable data. Known for building individualized, sustainable performance systems.
Experience
Chief Scientific Officer
Apr 2020 - Present
Applied physiological and behavioural models to digital health platforms for clients including Google and United Healthcare
Developed strength & conditioning frameworks deployed across mobile coaching apps
Led R&D on activity classification, fitness scoring, and contextual signal processing using wearable sensors
Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer
Jun 2007 - Apr 2020
Developed physiology-based training models for commercial products like Podium App, Intel/Oakley Radar Pace, and Adidas MiCoach
Built tools for heart rate and power-based periodization, fitness/fatigue modelling, intensity calibration, and long-range endurance planning
High-Performance Consultant
Apr 2004 - Mar 2021
Performance advisor to Emirates Team NZ, Artemis Racing, and American Magic
Oversaw performance planning, team facilitation, sports psychology, and performance monitoring.
Founder & Lead Coach
Mar 1992 - Present
Coached elite endurance athletes to Olympic Games, World Records & major titles
Delivered advanced physiological testing & data-driven training plans
Developed remote coaching systems still used globally
Early pioneer in athlete monitoring & applied sports science integration
Applied Sports Scientist
Mar 1988 - Jun 1991
Delivered VO₂max, ECG, and health screening for national teams including the All Blacks, Olympic sailing, America’s Cup, Whitbread Around the World Yacht Race, and elite-level athletes across cricket, hockey, and skiing
Education
Science, Sports Science and Pyschology
- BSc, Diploma of Exercise Science
Mar 1980 - Nov 1984
I combine formal education in exercise science with 30+ years of applied work across elite sport. A lifelong learner, I stay current with research in physiology, performance, and behaviour change. My thought leadership includes 8 foundational books and products used in global coaching and education.
