Inner Athlete Podcast

Inner Athlete Performance Pty Ltd
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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. 2d ago

    Ep. 151 The Support System Behind Successful Youth Athletes: Parents, Coaches and Mentors

    Behind every successful youth athlete is a group of people helping them build confidence, resilience and belief. The right support system can shape how a young athlete responds to pressure, setbacks and long-term sporting challenges. In Episode 150 of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Felix Dressel de Bruyn reflects on the coaches, parents, mentors and training partners who influenced his journey from junior swimmer to NCAA athlete. He shares the lessons that helped shape his mindset, improve his performance and stay committed through the challenges of youth sport. This episode explores why long-term athlete development depends on more than talent and training alone. Parents will learn how to support their child’s sporting journey without creating unnecessary pressure, what effective youth coaches do differently and why mentors and training partners matter. Felix also explains how positive conversations, strong relationships and the right environment can help young athletes develop confidence, resilience and a healthier long-term approach to performance. Ready to help your young athlete become stronger, more confident and better prepared for the demands of their sport? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, "From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently": https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  2. Jul 22

    Ep. 150 Why Competitive Young Swimmers Don’t Need a PB Every Race to Keep Improving

    Every parent wants to see their young swimmer’s hard work rewarded with a new personal best. But when race times stop dropping, it can be difficult to know what to say, how to help or whether your child is still progressing. In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, we help parents understand what is really happening when a young swimmer reaches a performance plateau. Progress in junior swimming is not always visible on the stopwatch. Your child may be improving their technique, strength, confidence, race strategy, consistency and ability to handle pressure, even when their race time stays the same. We explore how parents can support their child through these challenging periods without adding pressure, comparing them with other swimmers or making every race feel like a test. In this episode, parents will learn: • Why your child does not need a PB in every race to keep improving • Why small time drops are often more realistic than major breakthroughs • How to recognise progress beyond race results • What young swimmers should focus on during a performance plateau • How to keep your child motivated when improvement feels slow • What to say after a disappointing race • How comparison and pressure can affect confidence and enjoyment • Why patience, consistency and strong training habits support long-term swimming development This episode is for parents of competitive young swimmers who want to support their child’s performance, confidence and wellbeing while keeping swimming positive and enjoyable. Ready to help your young swimmer become stronger, more confident and better prepared for the demands of their sport? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  3. Jul 15

    Ep. 149 How to Develop an Elite Youth Swimmer From State-Level to the NCAA

    What does it take for a young swimmer to progress from state-level competition to racing against Australia’s best and earning an NCAA swimming opportunity? In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent Pirihi speaks with elite swimmer and junior coach Felix Dressel de Bruyn about junior swimming development, elite swimming pathways and long-term youth athlete development. Felix shares the training habits, mindset and fundamentals that supported his progress, including strength and conditioning for swimmers, recovery, patience and consistent personal bests. Listen to learn how parents can better support their swimmer’s performance, confidence, development and long-term enjoyment of the sport. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  4. Jun 17

    Ep. 148 Concussion Technology in Youth Sport: What Parents, Coaches & Athletes Need to Know

    Concussion technology is becoming more common in youth sport — from smart mouthguards and wearable sensors to protective headgear and emerging brain health tools. But what can these technologies actually tell us, and do they always make athletes safer? In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent speaks with leading concussion researcher and neurophysiologist Prof. Alan Pearce about the role of smart mouthguards, head impact sensors, wearable technology, protective headgear, GameGear-style devices, and other emerging concussion tools in sport. They discuss what these technologies can measure, what they may miss, and why they should not replace clinical judgement, good coaching, athlete education, and careful return-to-play decision-making. Trent and Prof. Pearce also look at the influence of marketing and social media claims, including supplements such as creatine and fish oil, and why parents, coaches, athletes, and health professionals need to interpret concussion research carefully. Topics include: • Smart mouthguards and head impact sensors • Wearable technology in concussion management • Protective headgear and concussion risk • Technology versus clinical judgement • Social media and supplement claims • Youth athlete safety and brain health • The future of concussion management in sport For youth athletes, the goal is not just more technology. It is better decisions, better education, and a more informed approach to athlete safety. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  5. Jun 10

    Ep. 147 Could Your Child Be Missing the Signs of Concussion?

    Concussion is one of the biggest athlete safety issues in sport today. But what actually happens to the brain after a head injury, and how can parents know when their child may need more support? In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent speaks with leading concussion researcher and neurophysiologist Prof. Alan Pearce about what parents, coaches, athletes, and health professionals need to understand about concussion, recovery, and safer return-to-play decisions. This conversation breaks down why concussion recovery is not always as simple as symptoms disappearing, and why a head knock can affect more than just how an athlete feels in the moment. In this episode, Trent and Prof. Pearce discuss: • What can happen inside the brain after a concussion • Why symptoms do not always tell the full recovery story • How concussion may affect movement, coordination, learning, mood, and performance • Whether current return-to-play protocols are doing enough to protect athletes • What parents, coaches, and athletes should watch for after a head injury • The benefits and limitations of emerging concussion technology • What recent cases, including Eli Katoa, may mean for the future of athlete welfare • Where concussion research and brain health in sport could be heading next This episode is especially valuable for parents of young athletes, as well as coaches, trainers, athletes, and health professionals who want a clearer understanding of concussion management, athlete safety, and long-term brain health. Protecting young athletes takes more than simply passing a protocol. It takes better education, better support, and a long-term approach to athlete development. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  6. Jun 3

    Ep. 146 Concussion in Sport: What Every Sports Parent Needs to Know

    Concussion in sport is one of the most important conversations in athlete health today — but what really happens to the brain after a head injury? In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent is joined by leading concussion researcher and neurophysiologist Prof. Alan Pearce for a clear, evidence-informed discussion on sports concussion, brain health, concussion recovery, head trauma, athlete safety, and return-to-play protocols. Together, they explore why concussion recovery is not always as simple as symptoms going away, and why parents, coaches, athletes, and health professionals need to understand what can happen after a head knock. In this episode, Trent and Prof. Pearce discuss: • What happens inside the brain after a concussion • Why concussion symptoms do not always reflect full recovery • How concussion can affect movement, coordination, learning, mood, and performance • Whether current concussion protocols are doing enough to protect athletes • What parents, coaches, and athletes should look for after a head injury • The benefits and limitations of emerging concussion technology • What recent cases, including Eli Katoa, mean for the future of athlete welfare • Where concussion research and brain health in sport may be heading next This episode is valuable listening for sports parents, coaches, athletes, trainers, and health professionals who want to better understand concussion management, safer return-to-play decisions, and long-term brain health. Tune in to learn why protecting athletes from concussion requires more than simply passing a protocol — and why better education matters at every level of sport. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  7. May 27

    Ep. 145 Why Young Athletes Burn Out Before Their Best Years

    In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent sits down with Dr. Paul Gamble to discuss why so many young athletes are burning out before they reach their potential. They explore the risks of early specialisation, overtraining, injury, and the pressure on kids to train and compete like professionals too soon. Dr. Gamble also shares what actually supports long-term athlete development, including movement variety, confidence, enjoyment, strength and conditioning, and understanding biological vs chronological age. Inside this episode: Why early specialisation can be a problem The hidden risks of overtraining in youth sport Why kids shouldn’t train like professionals How free play supports athletic development The role of parents and coaches in long-term growth What sustainable athlete development really looks like A must-listen for parents, coaches, and athletes who want to build high-performing young athletes without sacrificing health, enjoyment, or longevity in sport. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

  8. May 20

    Ep. 144 Long-Term Youth Athlete Development vs Early Specialisation

    In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, Trent sits down with Dr. Paul Gamble to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing parents, coaches, and youth athletes today: Are young athletes training, specialising, and competing too much, too early? With experience across elite sport systems in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada, Dr. Gamble shares a practical and evidence-based perspective on long-term athlete development, early specialisation, and the growing pressure on kids to perform like professional athletes before they are physically, mentally, or emotionally ready. Trent and Paul unpack the risks of burnout, overtraining, repetitive injuries, and early drop-out, while exploring why movement variety, free play, strength and conditioning, biological age, and enjoyment all play a critical role in helping young athletes develop safely and sustainably. This episode is essential listening for parents of youth athletes, coaches, and young athletes who want to understand what true athletic development looks like — not just for early success, but for long-term performance, confidence, resilience, and success in sport. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why early specialisation is often misunderstood What the research says about elite athlete development How overtraining and repetitive injuries can affect young athletes Why professionalising kids’ sport too early can backfire The importance of free play and movement variety How biological age differs from chronological age The role parents and coaches play in long-term success What sustainable youth athletic development should really look like If you’re a parent wondering how to help your child become stronger, faster, more confident, and less injury-prone without burning out, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of how to support their development the right way. Ready to support your young athlete’s long-term development? Book a FREE Discovery Call with Inner Athlete here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/contact-us Download our free parent guide, From Frustration to Confidence – A Parent’s Guide to Helping Young Athletes Get Stronger, Faster, and More Confident, Safely and Efficiently, here: https://inner-athlete.com.au/from-frustration-to-confidence-790716

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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Inner Athlete Performance Pty Ltd
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inner Athlete Podcast
  • Show Website
    Inner Athlete Podcast