The Archery Parent Podcast

Doping Control Demystified: ITA Educator Mikel Thomas on Testing, TUEs, Whereabouts, and Clean Sport Have You Ever Wondered What Happens When a Doping Control Officer Shows Up at an Archer’s Door? This episode is going to demystify the Doping Control process and hopefully answer some of those burning questions. Manisha interviews ITA Athlete Educator and three-time Olympian Mikel Thomas about Dopi...

Archery Equipment 101: Pro Shops, Set-up Costs, Used Gear, and Arrow Basics with Reece In Part Two of my conversation with my Archer (& Pro Shop Staff) Reece, the discussion shifts from shoes to Archery equipment, emphasizing the value of supporting and learning from local pro shops versus big box stores through personalized fitting, trying gear, set-up, and tuning for comfort and consistency....

Crispin Dueñas on Specialization, Hobbies, and Supporting Young Archers Manisha of the Archery Parent Podcast interviews Canadian Archer Crispin Dueñas, 4x Olympian and high school Math/Physics teacher, about specialization, burnout, and how parents can best support their Archer.  Dueñas describes starting Archery by chance after a discussion with his Grade 8 teacher, the switch from Compound...

In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha interviews Joel Turner, Archery Dad, and developer of the SHOTIQ approach to performance. Joel reveals why Archery is "just shy of impossible" and how parents can actually help their Archer develop the "ultimate skill of the human being". The discussion includes teaching work ethic, how school-based programs can lead to target panic, and...

Archery Ranges Canada: Josh Kennedy’s New National Directory for Finding Ranges, Clubs, and Pro Shops Manisha of the Archery Parent Podcast interviews Josh Kennedy, creator of ArcheryRangesCanada.ca, a new national directory to help Archers find Archery ranges across Canada. Josh experienced the time-consuming method of looking up ranges, but realized how unreliable range searches could be. Josh e...

The LA2028 Olympic Qualifying Framework for Archery, Explained: Quotas, Changes & Compound In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha breaks down the IOC’s newly released Olympic Qualifying Framework for Archery at LA2028, highlighting major program changes and what athletes, coaches, and families should expect over the next two years. Manisha explains the available 128 quota...

For years, the Lancaster Classic was circled on the calendar as just “another big shoot". It was a great weekend, but just one stop among many. Well, I’ve been talking to the Archers on the ground (including a Classic Champion), and I’m here to tell you: The game has changed. Whether you’re a newcomer to the sport, the parent of a rising star, or a seasoned Archer on the line, you need to understa...

The Essential Role of Archery Footwear Discover why your Archer’s next performance boost might start at their feet, not their bow. In this special episode of The Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha sits down with her son, Canadian National Recurve Team member Reece Wilson‑Poyton, to break down the often-overlooked gear that underpins every shot: SHOES. Reece shares how the wrong footwear can quietly s...

Dawn Groszko: Fostering Archery at the Rocky Mountain Classic In this episode of The Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha welcomes Dawn Grozsko, Archer, coach, and organizer of the the Rocky Mountain Classic.  The event, scheduled for January 2nd to 4th, 2026, welcomes Archers under 25. Dawn highlights its unique offerings, including match play and team events, which are rare for youth tournaments...

Supporting Young Athletes: Insights from Dr. Jennifer Harris on Sport Parenting What if the key to your athlete's success isn't more expensive equipment or extra coaching, but changes in YOUR behaviour? Dr. Jennifer Harris, founder of Raising Happy Champs , shares her journey from Gymnastics Mom to Sport Psychology PhD, revealing shocking gaps in parent education and the research-backed "SUPER-P A...

A Parent's Guide to WAYC (Winnipeg 2025) This episode is a comprehensive guide for parents and Archers about the upcoming World Archery Youth Championships (WAYC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 17–24. Manisha, Kelly Taylor (Chair, WAYC2025), and Aaron Bull (President, Archery Canada) discuss the event's background, logistics, tips for families, and the significance of youth championships in an...

Joe Leszner: Acknowledgement, Acceptance & Authenticity What does it take to transform from a nervous Archer into a confident competitor who can perform under the world's most intense pressure? The answer might surprise you. It has nothing to do with "feeling good" or "faking it". Join us for a revealing conversation with Joe Leszner, the Mental Performance Consultant who became an internet se...

Sporty Eleanor: Panic, Perseverance & Podiums In this episode of The Archery Parent Podcast, host Manisha talks to Eleanor Rodriguez, also known as Sporty Eleanor. Eleanor shares her journey in Archery, including her struggles with target panic, her approach to overcoming it, and how a new coaching perspective can change everything. She discusses the impact of parental pressure on young archer...

In this episode, we’re kicking off our new weekly series with the latest updates from the world of Archery. Whether you’re a seasoned Archery parent or new, an Archer, or fan, this is your go-to source for the news you need to know. (It’s also so you can understand what your Archer is talking about and make it seem like you do, too. 😉) Let's dive in: 🏹 Local clubs release their outdoor schedules...

Organizing International Archery Events: Insights from Adam Taylor Hello Archery Family! This is Episode 7 of the Archery Parent Podcast. Manisha interviews Adam Taylor, former National Team member for Archery Ireland and the Director of Aimwell Events. For 2025, Adam is the head organizer for the Central Florida World Cup, being held from April 8-13, 2025, in Auburndale, Florida. This is the...

Hello, Archery Family! Welcome back to another episode of the Archery Parent Podcast ! We’re thrilled to have you join us for Episode 6, where we dive into the world of String Making with Julie Bergen , the mastermind behind OCD Strings . Get ready to elevate your Archery game with precision, passion, and perfect strings. Julie shares how she transformed her passion for Archery into a thriving bus...

Supporting Your Archer: Insights from Coach Jody Wacowich In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha welcomes Jody Wacowich, a coach for Jim-Bow’s Juniors and Ignite Archery in Alberta. Jody shares her journey into coaching through her daughter's interest, discusses her experiences at the Canada Winter Games and World Archery events, and offers valuable insights on supporting Archers,...

Navigating Archery Life as a University Student: Insights from Lauren Dueñas How do Archers juggle academics and arrows? In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, Manisha chats with Lauren Dueñas about how parents can best support an Archer who is away at school, shooting at the collegiate level. Lauren shares her journey from starting Archery at the University of Florida and competing intern...

In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, host Manisha welcomes Crystal Gauvin, a distinguished compound Archer and coach. Crystal shares her journey into Archery at age 28, going from a beginner to a two-time World Champion and World Cup Champion. Crystal touches on the realities of sponsorship and how to balance Archery with other life aspects. Crystal's website and social media provide add...

Supporting Your Archer with Mental Performance Consultant Kiri Cyrelle Meulendyk In this episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, host Manisha delves into the importance of mental performance consulting with guest Kiri Cyrelle Meulendyk from PerformYou . The discussion focuses on how mental performance can greatly impact an archer's success, featuring tips on building confidence, handling stress, an...

In this episode, we interview Vanessa Lee, former Canadian national team Archer and current member of the World Archery Communications Team. The conversation moves from Vanessa's initial inspiration and training experiences in Korea, to her transition to a correspondent for World Archery, highlighting her unique contributions to the Archery community. Vanessa offers insights into the mental and em...

Welcome to the Archery Parent Podcast - A Sneak Peek! Get ready to dive into the world of Archery like never before. Whether your Archer is picking up a bow for the first time, or competing at the highest level, this podcast is your guide to navigating the highs, lows, and everything in between. In this trailer, you'll catch a glimpse of what's to come: expert advice, candid conversations, and rea...