Coach Wester is joined by renowned trauma and addiction recovery expert Tennie McCarty to examine how unresolved issues in parents and coaches often surface in their relationships with athletes, sometimes sabotaging the very growth they hope to support. From toxic overinvolvement to the silent consequences of unspoken trauma, this conversation explores how boundaries, self-awareness, and healthy advocacy can shift the athletic experience from pressure-driven to empowering. Tennie shares insights from decades of clinical experience and previews the tools she’ll be teaching at this summer’s Wrestling Prep Coach's Clinic, including how to confront dysfunctional patterns, build trust-based communication, and stop passing pain from one generation to the next. This is essential listening for coaches and parents committed to the long-term development of the athlete and the person.

In this episode:

Shades of Hope

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In this episode, Head Coach Carolyn Wester unpacks one of the most important but overlooked dynamics in athlete development: avoidance and acceptance. Avoidance shows up as wishful thinking, rushed plans, unclear goals, and emotional deflection after losses. Acceptance, on the other hand, means facing reality: where the athlete truly is, what was actually done in preparation, and what needs to change moving forward. Carolyn challenges parents, coaches, and wrestlers to stop chasing outcomes and start owning the process. What do you really want from the sport? What’s been avoided in pursuit of that goal? And are you willing to accept responsibility for the results you’ve earned? From summer camp planning to post-season reflection, this episode offers a practical and honest roadmap for growing with purpose.

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In this episode of the Podcast, Coach Carolyn Wester sits down with Rob Setree and Mac Profumo to discuss the profound influence of Wrestling Prep on their Jiu-Jitsu training. Rob is a second-degree black belt and the co-founder of Criterion Jiu-Jitsu in Louisville, KY. In this conversation, Rob details his significant athletic improvements, noting that practicing the Body Leveraging techniques taught by Carolyn has allowed him to surpass two decades of prior training limitations. Rob shares a vision of the sport's future, where the ability to control and move one's body effectively will distinguish top competitors. Mac reflects on his rapid progress, emphasizing how training with Carolyn has revolutionized his approach and performance. The episode captures a transformative dialogue on how mastering one's physicality, as trained through Body Leveraging, is becoming indispensable in the evolving landscape of Jiu-Jitsu.

In this episode:

https://criterionbjj.com/

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In this episode of the Wrestling Prep Podcast, Coach Carolyn Wester shares actionable advice for coaches on integrating Body Leveraging into their practices. She offers guidance on teaching sequential muscle movements alongside wrestling techniques. Carolyn highlights how these methods can enhance performance and benefit wrestlers of all athletic levels. Using examples from the recent success of wrestlers who have practiced these techniques under her guidance, she demonstrates how Body Leveraging helps athletes optimize their movement and develop skills for long-term success.

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In this episode, Coach Carolyn Wester and Drew Morgan discuss the evolving dynamics of youth wrestling, emphasizing the value of improvement over competition. Carolyn highlights the importance of parents acting as "project managers" to facilitate collaboration among multiple coaches, ensuring athletes receive diverse perspectives, avoiding ego and conflicts. Drew shares insights on how body leveraging and efficient training build long-term success, while Carolyn reflects on how the sport's evolution demands a shift away from one-coach dependency. Together, they advocate a growth-focused approach, which prioritizes skill development and adaptability, over a competition-focused mindset.

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Coach Carolyn Wester is joined by a leading subject matter expert on pediatric and young adult emotional development Melissa Richey. Melissa is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a strong background in holistic psychology and emotional well-being, she is the mother of three wrestlers, two of which are currently wrestling at college (Duke & Gettysburg) and one who will graduate and go on to wrestle in college this year. In this conversation, she shares insights on how athletes develop mentally and emotionally through the challenges they face in our sport. Melissa has worked closely with many athletes and parents, giving her deep insight into how wrestling shapes emotional growth. Melissa provides valuable guidance on how sports like wrestling help athletes process emotions, manage performance anxiety, and grow through adversity. She also offers practical strategies for parents and coaches to support young athletes through both the triumphs and setbacks of competition. Carolyn adds her own perspective on the crucial dynamics between parents, coaches, and athletes, emphasizing the importance of these interactions in shaping an athlete’s emotional development.

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In this episode, Coach Carolyn Wester sits down with 2024 ADCC World Championships breakout star Michael Pixley and recent NOGI World Champ Alejandro Wajner. Both former collegiate wrestlers have successfully transitioned into professional Jiu-Jitsu athletes while also coaching youth and high school wrestlers. Carolyn recently visited PSF Wrestling in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to lead a series of clinics where both youth athletes and professionals trained together, learning her signature Body Leveraging techniques alongside advanced grappling skills. During the conversation, Dro and Pixley share how Carolyn’s unique approach to teaching position and movement opened new avenues for their own growth as athletes, with Michael incorporating techniques immediately into his competition training. The clinic also had a profound impact on their young wrestlers, who, despite initial hesitation, quickly embraced the concepts. Carolyn’s ability to coach all levels in the same session, while keeping everyone engaged and improving, is highlighted as a key factor in their athletes’ rapid progress.

In this Episode: Michael Pixley: @pixley7 Alejandro Wajner: @airwajner Pedigo Submission Fighting: @pedigosubmissionfighting PSF Wrestling: @psfwrestling Photo credit: @yesseniaandronic

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In this episode of the Wrestling Prep Podcast, head coach Carolyn Wester sits down with Finnish coaches Niko Kettunen, Ville Heino, and Jere Heino to discuss her recent coaching clinic in Finland. The trip, initially sparked by casual conversations, quickly turned into an impactful week of training and learning. Carolyn’s unique Body Leveraging and wrestling technique and coaching philosophy left a strong impression on the group, as coaches and athletes alike experienced new ways to approach movement and technique. The episode highlights the long-term impact Carolyn’s work might have on Finland’s wrestling coaching and culture, and how this collaboration could shape the future of the sport in this country.

Niko Kettunen is the national freestyle and women's team coach of the Finnish Wrestling Federation.

Ville Heino is the manager of coaches education of the Finnish Wrestling Federation. As an athlete, Ville was 7th at the world championships in 2018 (86 kg) and was a two-time NCAA qualifier at Campbell University (2013-2017).

Jere Heino is a coach in the Finnish Wrestling Federation. As an athlete, Jere placed 5th at the U20 World Championships (125 kg), was a multiple-time age group placer at the European Championships, and a three-time NCAA qualifier at Campbell University (2015-2020).

Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?

Instagram: @wrestlingprep

Website: wrestlingprep.com

Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com