Making Sense of Wearables: From Data Overload to Real-Life Recovery with Gary McCoy

In this episode of The Vitality Collective Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Bettle is joined by longtime friend and pioneer in sport performance tech, Gary McCoy. Together, they explore the evolution of wearable technology from elite sports to everyday consumers. They dissect the promises—and pitfalls—of devices that claim to optimize sleep, measure readiness, and monitor performance. This candid conversation is a masterclass on how to interpret health data meaningfully, avoid being misled by numbers, and focus on what truly improves vitality and performance.

Gary McCoy is a leading figure in performance technology and applied sports science. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Gary has worked across the globe with elite organizations including the MLB, NBA, and national teams, playing pivotal roles in injury prevention and athlete performance. He was instrumental in launching Catapult Sports into the U.S. market and has since been involved in AI-based athlete monitoring and advisory roles in wearable tech innovation. Gary blends deep biomechanical expertise with practical, athlete-centered strategies that enhance performance and wellbeing.

• gary@mccoyperformance.com

• Catapult Sports

• Eight Sleep

• CoachMe Plus
  
  

1. Define Your Goal First: Before purchasing any wearable, ask yourself what health or performance goal you’re targeting. This ensures your tech supports your needs, not the other way around.
   
   

2. Trust How You Feel: No data point should override how your body feels. Use wearables as a guide—not a dictator—for your daily wellness decisions.
   
   

3. Track Over Time, Not In Isolation: The most valuable insights come from patterns. Use your data to spot trends, not to judge a single day’s results.
   
   

• 🧠 Data ≠ Truth: More data doesn’t automatically lead to better decisions; interpretation is everything.
  
  

• 🛏️ Actigraphy is Limited: Sleep wearables mostly track movement and may misclassify sleep stages. Don’t obsess over deep sleep metrics.
  
  

• 💡 Data Informs, It Doesn’t Decide: Use wearables to inform decisions, not to make them.
  
  

• 💓 Heart Rate Monitoring Accuracy Varies: Wrist-worn devices often produce unreliable heart rate data during exercise; chest straps or rings are more accurate.
  
  

• 🧘 Mind Over Metric: Emotional and cognitive states play a larger role in performance than many wearable metrics account for.
  
  

• 🎯 Goal Alignment is Key: Choose the wearable that fits your objective—not the flashiest brand.
  
  

• 📉 Placebo Effect is Real: Poorly interpreted data can negatively influence performance through belief alone.
  
  

• 🕵️ AI Isn’t Ready Yet: Inaccurate or inconsistent data limits AI’s usefulness in predicting athlete health or readiness.
  
  

• 🔄 Monitor Trends, Not Snapshots: A single poor night of sleep shouldn’t define your recovery; look for long-term patterns.
  
  

• 🤝 Talk to Your Body: The most advanced readiness score still can’t replace asking, “How do I feel today?”