Inner Athlete Podcast

Inner Athlete Performance Pty Ltd

The Inner Athlete Podcast is were we discuss all things youth athlete development and youth mentoring for parents, coaches, and youth athletes. Each week Trent and the team present new topics. We discuss areas on how we can best support youth athletes in terms of their physical preparation for competition, developing habits to create long-term success, return to training from injury, overcoming physical, delving deeper into the preparation of some of our athletes, and much more... Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date with the release of weekly episodes.

  1. MAR 13

    Ep. 137 The Hidden Health Warning Signs: Teenage Athletes at Risk, What Every Parent Should Know

    Teenage athletes are training harder than ever, but many are missing key signs that their body isn’t keeping up. In this episode, host Trent is joined by Laura Sedgwick, founder of LS Nutrition, to break down the common red flags parents and athletes shouldn’t ignore — from persistent fatigue and poor recovery to digestive issues, mood changes, and brain fog. They explore how many of these symptoms are linked to stress, gut health, and mismatched fuelling for training demands. Trent and Laura also discuss when blood testing is valuable, why it’s important to investigate symptoms before turning to random supplements, and what blood work can reveal about iron levels, energy availability, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and overall stress on the body. Finally, they dive into how puberty changes nutritional needs for young athletes. Boys require more protein, zinc, and total energy as testosterone rises, while girls need adequate carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fibre to support hormone balance, menstrual health, and recovery. This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and young athletes wanting to better understand the signals the body sends and how to support long-term health, development, and performance. Boost your young athlete's performance – Schedule your FREE Discovery Call now: info@inner-athlete.com.au Instantly access “From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently”

    20 min
  2. MAR 4

    Ep. 136 Rising Women’s Sport: College Pathways, Athlete Branding & Protecting Female Athletes

    Women’s sport is growing rapidly — and the opportunities for young female athletes have never been greater. In this episode, host Trent sits down with Jaime Fernandez, Assistant Director and Performance Enhancement Coach at the University of Arizona, to discuss what’s driving the rise of women’s collegiate sport and what it means for Australian athletes looking to compete overseas. We unpack the growing opportunities around athlete branding and endorsement deals in U.S. college sport, along with the expanding pathways, resources, and support now available to female athletes. Trent and Jaime also explore why long-term athletic development, strength training, and physical preparation are essential for young female athletes who want to perform at the next level — and how families can avoid the burnout and pressure often seen in competitive sport pathways. Jaime also shares rapid-fire advice on returning from injury, sports psychology myths, athlete branding misunderstandings, and the non-negotiables for long-term success. Key Takeaways • Protect the athlete • Communicate clearly • Think long-term A must-listen for female youth athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand the evolving opportunities in women’s sport. Boost your young athlete's performance – Schedule your FREE Discovery Call now: info@inner-athlete.com.au Instantly access “From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently”

    15 min
  3. FEB 25

    Ep. 135 Youth Athletes, Mental Performance & Paid Opportunities in U.S. College Sport

    In this follow-up episode, host Trent sits down with Jaime Fernandez, Assistant Director and Performance Enhancement Coach at the University of Arizona, to continue the conversation around what truly supports young athletes in today’s evolving sporting landscape. Building on our previous discussion around development pathways and preparation, this episode dives deeper into two major forces shaping modern sport: mental performance support and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness). We unpack the changing stigma around sports psychology, clarifying the difference between clinical mental health support and mental performance coaching. Is working with a sports psych now viewed the same way as training strength or speed? Why are more athletes engaging proactively rather than reactively? And what do younger athletes often misunderstand about seeking support? Then we shift to NIL and how it’s transforming collegiate sport — from recruiting dynamics to increased pressure and earlier decision-making. We explore both the opportunities, including athlete empowerment and financial education, and the risks of short-term thinking and tying identity too closely to performance too early. This episode gives youth athletes and parents practical perspective on how to navigate pressure, performance, and opportunity in a rapidly changing environment. Discover more about the Inner Athlete Youth Athlete Development Course – Click here for full details: https://inner-athlete.com.au/courses Boost your young athlete's performance – Schedule your FREE Discovery Call now: info@inner-athlete.com.au Instantly access "A Parent's Guide to Overcoming the Top 3 Challenges Facing Young Athletes Today!

    18 min
  4. FEB 18

    Ep. 134 Building Resilient Youth Athletes: Return-to-Play, Confidence & Long-Term Development

    What really builds resilience in young athletes? In this episode, host Trent sits down with Jaime Fernandez, Assistant Director and Performance Enhancement Coach at the University of Arizona, to explore what truly protects athletes over the long term — especially when injuries, pressure, and performance expectations collide. Following up on our previous conversation about pathways and preparation, this episode dives into what happens after setbacks and how performance teams in US colleges approach return-to-play and mental performance. It’s designed for coaches, parents, and practitioners who want to better support youth athletes’ development. Inside the conversation: Return-to-Play Is a Process, Not a Date Why medical clearance doesn’t always mean performance readiness.The risks of rushing back for finals, selections, or scholarship opportunities.What strong RTP systems look like in high-performance environments, including objective markers like strength, speed, and controlled exposure to chaos.How performance staff act as a buffer to protect athletes.Communication Between Medical, Performance & Coaches Who really has the final say?How information should be shared so head coaches trust the process.What young athletes need to understand about timelines and expectations.Mental Performance & Removing the Stigma The difference between mental health support and mental performance coaching.Why more athletes are now engaging proactively, not just reactively.How confidence, composure, and performing under pressure are trainable skills — just like strength and speed.This episode is essential listening for youth athletes chasing the next level, parents navigating the pressure, and coaches responsible for long-term development. Because resilience isn’t just about toughness — it’s about systems, communication, and protecting the athlete for the long game. Discover more about the Inner Athlete Youth Athlete Development Course – Click here for full details: https://inner-athlete.com.au/courses Boost your young athlete's performance – Schedule your FREE Discovery Call now: info@inner-athlete.com.au Instantly access "A Parent's Guide to Overcoming the Top 3 Challenges Facing Young Athletes Today!

    28 min
  5. FEB 11

    Ep. 133 Why Young Athletes Keep Getting Injured: Specialisation & Smarter Return to Play

    In this episode, host Trent and coach Alex unpack one of the biggest hidden risks in modern youth sport: too much repetition and not enough variability. As young athletes progress from club to representative levels, training volumes increase, competition intensifies, and the same movement patterns are repeated again and again. Over time, this leads to underdeveloped physical qualities, movement compensations, overload, and a rising rate of overuse and repetitive strain injuries. We explore: Why early sport specialisation increases injury riskThe long-term value of multi-sport and variable movement backgroundsWhat actually happens in the body during acute and chronic injuriesHow time away from training affects strength, coordination, confidence, and resilienceYou’ll also learn why returning to the gym early (within safe limits) matters, how deconditioning really works, and how to rebuild training volume, intensity, and movement variability without rushing the process. We finish with practical return-to-play strategies including cross-training, education during injury, and how visualisation can help maintain skills, rebuild confidence, and speed up the return to sport. This episode is essential listening for parents, coaches, and youth athletes who want to reduce injury risk, support long-term development, and build resilient, adaptable performers — not just short-term results. Discover more about the Inner Athlete Youth Athlete Development Course – Click here for full details: https://inner-athlete.com.au/courses Boost your young athlete's performance – Schedule your FREE Discovery Call now: info@inner-athlete.com.au Instantly access "A Parent's Guide to Overcoming the Top 3 Challenges Facing Young Athletes Today!

    24 min

About

The Inner Athlete Podcast is were we discuss all things youth athlete development and youth mentoring for parents, coaches, and youth athletes. Each week Trent and the team present new topics. We discuss areas on how we can best support youth athletes in terms of their physical preparation for competition, developing habits to create long-term success, return to training from injury, overcoming physical, delving deeper into the preparation of some of our athletes, and much more... Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date with the release of weekly episodes.

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