Steph Hibberd is a student on the MSc in Applied Sports Biomechanics and Movement Science and currently working as a Performance Coach with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Below, Steph shares her journey from working as a firefighter to the world of performance along with providing an insight to working as part of a mutl-disciplinary team in a Formula 1 environment.

Early Experiences in Sport
“I’ve been involved in sport from a young age and it played a big role in my routine growing up”, Steph shared. “Being part of team environments helped me develop a strong interest in performance and physical preparation. As I got older and started training more seriously, I became more curious about how and why certain training methods improved performance and reduced injury risk.”

It was her experience working as a firefighter that sparked further curiosity and exploration in to the world of S&C and performance.

Steph in her role as a firefighter.

“That role highlighted how important it is for the body to be strong, adaptable, and resilient in physically and mentally demanding environments. It reinforced the value of structured physical preparation, not just for performance but also for injury prevention and longevity. I’ve always had a keen interest in how the body moves and what it is capable of, and this led me to explore strength and conditioning and performance science further, with the aim of applying evidence-based approaches to improve performance.”

Working as a Performance Coach with Mercedes
Now working as a Performance Coach with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Steph shares an insight into her role.

“My role involves supporting a wide range of individuals across the organisation, from those who work directly on the car to those involved in design and behind-the-scenes operations. The physical and cognitive demands across these roles can be significant, so preparation and resilience are key. I’ve developed a skill set that allows me to deliver both individual and group training sessions, alongside providing nutrition guidance to support performance and recovery.

A part of my role I’m particularly passionate about is assessing individuals, helping them rehabilitate from injury, and guiding them through progressive training to build strength, capacity, and robustness. Collaboration with other departments is also an important part of the role, ensuring preparation, recovery, and performance are aligned so individuals can perform consistently in demanding environments.”

The Motorsport Environment
“Motorsport is unlike many other sports in that while most people only see the driver, there is a huge team working behind the scenes to bring everything together. Each individual plays a critical role in performance, and supporting people across these varied roles can be demanding from a physical, psychological, and physiological perspective. Many roles require sustained focus, precision, and the ability to perform consistently under pressure.

Cognitive demands are high, particularly in fast-paced and competitive environments where decision-making and attention to detail are essential. Our motto, “all in performance,” reflects the collective responsibility across the organisation, and preparation needs to support this shared goal. Travel, heat, and unpredictable schedules can also impact fatigue and recovery, so preparation needs to be well planned and individualised. Supporting the team means helping individuals build the physical and mental capacity to tolerate these demands and maintain performance consistently throughout the season.”

Challenges Faced by Team Members and Support Staff
“One of the main challenges is managing fatigue, particularly with frequent travel and long race weekends. The physical demands of working in high-pressure environments can accumulate over time, alongside significant cognitive demands such as sustained focus and decision-making under pressure. It’s important to have awareness of where potential gaps or weaknesses may exist and to act on emerging trends before they develop into larger issues.

Maintaining performance across a long season requires a balance between preparation, recovery, and ongoing support. There is also a strong psychological component. When performance pressures increase, working days can become longer and more demanding, so maintaining motivation, morale, and readiness across the team is essential to ensure everyone can continue to perform at a high level.”

Studying with Setanta
Steph describes her motivations and experience of studying the MSc in Applied Sports Biomechanics and Movement Science with Setanta.

“I wanted to pursue the MSc to build a deeper understanding of biomechanics and how it applies to performance, injury prevention, and long-term physical resilience. I also wanted to amalgamate much of my previous learning and develop further qualities, particularly in screening, triaging, and supporting individuals more effectively. The course has helped me better understand movement, force production, and how to apply this knowledge in practice. It has strengthened my ability to think more critically and use evidence to support coaching decisions, as well as improving how I communicate and present information to those I work with. It has also opened up conversations with key stakeholders around advancing our current offering, particularly through the integration of technology and data. This will allow us to gain deeper insights and ultimately support the team more effectively.

For me, revisiting and relearning key aspects of biomechanics has been extremely beneficial. Although I had previous exposure to these areas, relearning them has reinforced my understanding and given me a deeper appreciation of how they apply in practice. I’ve also developed a greater awareness of reflective practice. While this is something I’ve always done, the course has helped me identify additional areas I can evaluate and improve, which has supported my ongoing development. Another important aspect has been revisiting the use of technology and data. This has strengthened my ability to use objective information to enhance our service and make more informed decisions when supporting the team.”

Applying Those Learnings
“I’ve found that I show up differently in meetings, particularly MDT settings, and feel more confident contributing to discussions and offering advice. I feel more empowered to justify certain implementations, such as integrating VALD technology, and to support decisions using objective data. One key area has been the development and use of more structured screening batteries. This has allowed me to assess movement, identify potential risk factors, and monitor trends over time, helping to guide more individualised and effective interventions.

The course has also improved how I assess movement and structure training programmes. My overall approach with individuals has evolved, I place greater emphasis on listening, documenting, and acting on what they communicate, which has strengthened the support I can provide. I’ve also developed a greater willingness to revisit and research areas that need refreshing or fhe need for deeper understanding, particularly around injury. This has made me a more well-rounded practitioner and has increased my confidence in applying scientific principles and using data to guide decisions.”

Advice for Practitioners
“Focus on gaining as much practical experience as possible and be open to learning from others. Build a strong understanding of the fundamentals and take time to understand the “why” behind what you do, not just the “how.” Stay current and be willing to move with the times, as the field is constantly evolving. Speak with people around you who can offer valuable insight and different perspectives, there is often real value in being challenged by those who may disagree with you, as it encourages deeper thinking and growth. Be patient with your development, stay curious, and be prepared to look at things differently. Ask yourself “so what?” and consider how your knowledge translates into meaningful impact for those you support. Continuous learning and reflection are key to becoming an effective practitioner.”

Learn more about the MSc in Applied Sports Biomechanics here.