Wrestling Prep Podcast Episode 13: Acceptance Begins with Ownership - Why Avoidance Fails in Athlete Development
Apr 26, 2025
Head Coach Carolyn Wester tackles the essential contrast between avoidance and acceptance in athlete development. She explores how wishful thinking and emotional deflection hinder progress, urging athletes and parents to embrace reality. The discussion highlights the importance of open communication, realistic goal-setting, and collaboration among coaches, parents, and athletes. By prioritizing emotional maturity and intentional planning, the conversation provides practical insights on fostering resilience and meaningful growth in sports.
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Clarify Athlete's True Goals
- Goals in athlete development often come from parents projecting their own desires.
- It's uncommon to have explicit, realistic conversations about what the athlete truly wants from the sport.
Own Your Training Process
- Accept and plan based on what was avoided rather than chasing outcomes or post-loss emotional reactions.
- Review preparation and set clear plans for improvement instead of emotional deflection.
Plan Tournaments With Purpose
- After poor performance, analyze nutrition, training, and tournament logistics critically.
- Instead of spending impulsively on tournaments, have a comprehensive, realistic plan to improve.