Inner Athlete Podcast

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 rol...

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...

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, athle...

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, inc...

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...

On this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast, host Trent sits down with Dr. Paul Gamble to unpack one of the biggest questions in youth sport development today: Are young athletes specialising and training too early? With experience across elite sport, long-term athletic development, and youth performance systems in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada, Paul shares a grounded look at the realities of m...

Many parents and young athletes assume that getting stronger in the gym automatically leads to better performance on the field—but it’s not that simple.  In this episode, we break down why strength alone eventually stops translating into real sporting improvement, and what actually helps performance carry over to game day. We explore the difference between gym strength and sporting strength, and u...

Most people think strength training for youth athletes is about heavier weights, bigger muscles, and gym PBs. But that doesn’t automatically improve sporting performance. In this episode, we break down the difference between gym strength and game-ready strength, and why max lifts in controlled environments don’t always transfer to the speed, fatigue, pressure, and unpredictability of sport. We als...

Has your young athlete become stronger in the gym but still isn’t seeing the improvement they expected in their sport? In this episode of The Inner Athlete Podcast , Trent and Coach Jack explore what happens after a young athlete hits their strength goals and why simply staying in “maintenance mode” can actually limit long-term performance. They discuss:  • Why a personal best in the gym doesn’t a...

Your teen might be eating well—but are they actually absorbing and using those nutrients? In this episode, host Trent sits down with clinical nutritionist Laura Sedgwick from LS Nutrition (lsnutrition.com.au) to unpack why nutrition is more than just intake. They explore how stress and gut health can impact nutrient absorption, energy levels, and recovery—plus the subtle signs your teen athlete ma...

In this episode, Trent is joined by clinical nutritionist Laura Sedgwick to break down why teenage athletes aren’t just “small adults” — and how puberty changes everything when it comes to nutrition, recovery, and performance. They explore how hormones drive different nutritional needs for boys and girls, from testosterone and muscle development to menstrual health and recovery — and why common ap...

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 symptom...

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 g...

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...

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,...

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 c...

In this follow up episode, host Trent invites coach Alex to tackle the hidden risks of early specialisation in youth sport. Kids are being pushed harder and earlier than ever, through year-round competitions, 1-on-1 coaching, and sport-specific programs.  While early wins feel exciting, they can come at a cost: burnout, injury, and a narrow foundation of athleticism.  We cover: Why kids’ limits ar...

In this episode, host Trent invites coach Alex to tackle the hidden risks of early specialisation in youth sport. Kids are being pushed harder and earlier than ever, through year-round competitions, 1-on-1 coaching, and sport-specific programs.  While early wins feel exciting, they can come at a cost: burnout, injury, and a narrow foundation of athleticism. We cover:Why kids’ limits are lower than...

In the second half of the episode, Trent and Gracie unpack what it really takes to prepare for life as a U.S. college soccer athlete. Gracie reflects on what she thought mattered before leaving Australia versus what actually made the biggest difference — physically, mentally, and in her day-to-day training habits. She shares an honest look at life at Rocky Mountain College, including her degree ch...

Host Trent sits down with Gracie to discuss her journey from NPLW football in Australia to beginning her first semester at Rocky Mountain College in the USA (NAIA). A former Football Victoria Emerging Matildas squad member, Gracie shares the key lessons that shaped her pathway and why her experience is relevant for young female athletes and parents considering US college soccer. They cover early c...

This week, host Trent sits down with Coach Jack to break down how youth athletes can make the most of their off-season — by training with purpose, not just doing more. Together they unpack how to identify individual needs through proper assessment — because not every athlete needs the same focus.  Whether it’s building strength for more speed, improving mobility for better movement, or addressing...

Most young athletes think the off-season is for rest — or for grinding nonstop. The truth?  The off-season is where real progress happens if you train smart. In this episode, host Trent and coach Jack unpack how to use the off-season to recover, rebuild, and gain a real edge before pre-season kicks off. You’ll learn the difference between off-season and pre-season training, how to avoid common mis...

In this episode, Trent and Colby Zaph of Melbourne Lacrosse Academy, dive into the Academy’s exciting expansion plans, from seasonal programs and skill-building camps to specialised clinics designed to support youth athletes and grow the game across Australia.  They discuss how parents of lacrosse athletes can play a role in their child’s development, the importance of coaching development, talent...

Trent sits down with Colby Zaph, co-founder of the Melbourne Lacrosse Academy, to share how the Academy helps young players develop their skills, confidence, and athleticism. Colby explains why he started the Academy, what makes it different from regular clubs, and how he combines skill training, strength & conditioning, and player-focused coaching to give kids a clear path to improve. He refl...

In this episode, host Trent sits down with Colby Zaph, co-founder with his wife Lynda Fletcher, and director of Melbourne Lacrosse Academy (MLA) - to unpack the vision behind one of Australia’s fastest-growing youth lacrosse programs. Seeing a gap in how the sport was delivered to young players, Colby set out to design a pathway that combines high-quality coaching, clear structure and a supportive...