Coach Cornell Robinson is a nationally respected coach with over a decade of experience leading U.S. age-group world teams. He has served as head coach at both Christian Brothers College Prep and Wyoming Seminary, where he was known for his athlete-centered, strategy-driven approach. In this conversation with Coach Carolyn Wester, Cornell shares why intentional training, not constant competition, is what leads to long-term success in wrestling. He reflects on how observing Carolyn’s movement-based approach helped him develop better athletes, not just tougher wrestlers, and how integrating those concepts into his own programs has elevated performance at the highest levels. Together, they discuss the value of being a lifelong learner, the cost of over-competing, and what truly prepares athletes for success beyond youth accolades.

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Instagram: @wrestlingprep

Website: wrestlingprep.com

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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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Instagram: @wrestlingprep

Website: wrestlingprep.com

Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com

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.

Register to train with Wrestling Prep this summer!

Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?

Instagram: @wrestlingprep

Website: wrestlingprep.com

Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com