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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Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
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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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Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
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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.
 
Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?
Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com

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: @pixley7Alejandro Wajner: @airwajnerPedigo Submission Fighting: @pedigosubmissionfightingPSF Wrestling: @psfwrestlingPhoto credit: @yesseniaandronic
 
Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?
Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com

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

In this episode of the Wrestling Prep Podcast, head coach Carolyn Wester is joined by Ivan Zorić (IG: @primalmomentum), an accomplished martial artist and coach, who shares his journey of discovering the power of Body Leveraging through online training with Carolyn. Despite his extensive experience, Ivan has found immense value in learning foundational principles from Carolyn that have transformed his movement and approach to coaching his own athletes. The episode highlights the benefits of working with Coach Carolyn online, as she and Ivan highlight the importance of mastering these principles for both athletic performance and overall movement efficiency, offering insights into how this methodology can benefit anyone, not just wrestlers.
 
Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?
Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com
 

In this episode of the Wrestling Prep Podcast, Coach Carolyn Wester and Drew Morgan fill us in on their coaching efforts this summer. They discuss Wrestling Prep's recently-completed camp in Virginia, highlighting the diverse group of athletes in attendance and the unique challenges of teaching math-based movement techniques. With another camp just around the corner, Carolyn shares her excitement about continuing to foster growth and confidence in wrestlers of all levels. The episode also touches on Olympic gold-medalist Amit Elor's development in the sport, and the importance of community in athletic success. Looking ahead, Carolyn and Drew discuss their upcoming trip to Finland, where they’ll be educating other coaches in Body Leveraging as that country further develops its freestyle program.
 
Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?
Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com

In this episode of the Wrestling Prep Podcast, Coach Carolyn Wester and athlete Drew Morgan discuss the importance of understanding foundational principles of wrestling over accumulating an endless array of techniques. Carolyn shares insights from her observations recent tournaments and highlights how mastering basic concepts like positioning and movement can dramatically enhance an athlete's performance. They explore the potential of future online coursework designed to teach these core principles, emphasizing that a strong conceptual foundation allows wrestlers to adapt and excel in various situations.
 
Want to learn more about Coach Wester and Wrestling Prep?
Instagram: @wrestlingprep
Website: wrestlingprep.com
Online courses: courses.wrestlingprep.com