Pin It Forward

Brandon's former teammate at Oklahoma State, NDSU head coach Obe Blanc emphasizes a 360 approach to coaching, focusing on both athletic and personal development. He cites the importance of character and effort over past accolades in recruiting athletes. This fun episode also showcases a few anecdotes from Obe's and Brandon's college days.

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The great Terry Steiner joins Brandon and Fred to discuss holiday traditions, weight management, the importance of family time, and the life lessons learned through the sport. They delve into the transition from athlete to coach, the growth of women's wrestling, and the philosophy behind effective coaching and communication.

Chapters

00:00 Holiday Traditions and Food Culture

04:00 Wrestling and Weight Management

06:59 Balancing Wrestling and Family Life

09:55 The Role of Wrestling in Personal Development

12:51 Transitioning from Athlete to Coach

15:54 The Evolution of Women's Wrestling

A look back on Pin It Forward's first year!

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Cowboys RTC coach Lee Roper join Fred and Brandon to discuss the pursuit and power of winning, outlining what it takes to become an elite wrestler for both the parents and athletes. Roper, a former University of Northern Iowa coach, details the desired gains at youth, middle school and high school levels. And Coach Roper also gives us all something to ponder when we cite "crazy parents" at tournaments.

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In an electrifying episode that begins with a hypo ethical food journey toMexico, Coleman Scott returns to the show to discuss accountability for your kids vs. being a crazy parent. Is it a fine line?

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Popularity in Mexico

03:38 The Culinary Delights of Mexico

06:43 Wrestling Clinics and Youth Development

09:38 Insights from the Tulsa Kickoff Tournament

12:26 Parenting Styles in Youth Sports

15:33 Accountability vs. Crazy Par...

Fred and Brandon discuss cool ways to teach kids technique at home. Just don't do these in restaurants. That will get you in trouble. Just ask Fred.

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In this short episode, Dr. Brandon Mason and Fred Minnick share a few wrestling memories from past Thanksgivings. Mason, a former All American at Oklahoma State, has some advice for wrestlers chowing down this Thanksgiving.

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2025 US Open Champion, PanAm champion and 3X NCAA All American Joey McKenna joins Fred and Brandon to share the story of how he became known as "Joey Bag of Donuts," his famous pull up bar and how his youth lessons still help him today.

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All athletes face failure and adversity. This week, Brandon and Fred visit with their first returning guest--NCAA Champ and Olympic Bronze Medalist Coleman Scott--to discuss coping with fear, failure and how his preparation prepares athletes for the biggest stages.

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With Fred and Brandon, Bellarmine Head Coach Ned Shuck explores the significance of encouragement, the role of parents, and the emotional impact of competition on young athletes. Shuck shares insights on coaching styles, youth development, and the recruiting process, highlighting the need for a supportive environment that nurtures a love for the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wrestling Community and Coaches

02:39 Building a Positive Youth Wrestling Culture

05:42 The Importance of Encouragement in Youth Sports

08:15 Coaching Styles and Youth Development

11:00 The Role of Parents in Youth...

This week's special guest is Howard Forrest, a dedicated father of seven and a passionate supporter of his children's athletic pursuits, particularly in wrestling. The father of world team member and No. 1 pound-for-pound recruit Jax Forrest, Howard shares insights into the challenges and joys of parenting young athletes, emphasizing the importance of encouragement, confidence-building, and maintaining family values. The conversation explores the dynamics of coaching one's own child, the significance of community support, and the need to celebrate individual successes while fostering a healthy competitive spirit among siblings.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Forrest Family and...

Hosts Fred Minnick and Brandon Mason discuss the world of youth wrestling with John Strittmatter, a prominent coach and founder of the Young Guns Wrestling Club. They explore the origins of Young Guns, the importance of fostering a love for the sport, and the balance between effort and results in youth athletics.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pin It Forward Podcast

02:41 The Impact of Young Guns Wrestling Program

05:19 John Strittmatter's Journey and Coaching Philosophy

Todd Hendrickson has stories about his son, Wyatt, who won the 2025 NCAA heavyweight title, is the current RAF heavyweight belt holder and 2025 World Team member. And he shares them all on Pin It Forward.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:21 The Early Days of Wrestling: Wyatt's Journey Begins

04:41 Mental Game: Support and Encouragement in Wrestling

06:34 Celebrating Success: The Emotional Moments

09:07 Overcoming Challenges: Staying Motivated Through Adversity

11:01 Positive Reinforcement: The Role of Rewards in Training

12:01 Transitioning to High School: Navigating New Challenges<...

In this episode of Pin It Forward, hosts Fred Minnick and Dr. Brandon Mason delve into the topic of transferring clubs, exploring when and why athletes might consider making a change. The conversation highlights the impact of coaching styles, the signs that indicate a need for change, and the role of competition in athlete development. They also touch on the cultural and religious aspects of wrestling, emphasizing the importance of character and consistency in coaching. The episode concludes with final thoughts on personal growth and the decision-making process involved in changing clubs.

Chapters

"The Farm," a fantastic wrestling training facility, founder Coleman Scott joins Fred and Brand, who was Coleman's teammate at Oklahoma State. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the spirit of wrestling, and it set the perfect backdrop for our conversation.

00:00:00 - Welcome to The Farm
Introduction to the podcast setting and guest Coleman Scott.

00:01:00 - Wrestling Dads and Lessons Learned
Coleman shares insights on coaching kids and what he learned from observing wrestling dads.

00:02:00 - Juicy Dad Stories
Discussion about wrestling dads getting kicked out of tournaments and...

In this episode of the Pin It Forward podcast, we dive into the specialization of children in wrestling and the timing for entering national tournaments.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Specialization in Wrestling
00:01:00 - The Chaos of Youth Sports
00:02:30 - Comparing Wrestling to Other Sports
00:03:30 - When to Start National Tournaments
00:05:00 - The Importance of Tough Competition
00:06:00 - Life Experiences in Sports
00:07:30 - Memorable Family Moments
00:09:00 - Assessing Competition Levels
00:10:30 - Listening to Coaches
00:12:00 - The Role of Coaches in Tournament Decisions
00:13:30 - Finding Success in Wrestling Duration: 00:42:45

In this episode of the Pin It Forward podcast, we dive deep into the world of youth sports, particularly wrestling, and the critical role parents play in shaping their children's experiences and identities as athletes. Our guest, Kevin Andrews, a licensed professional counselor and sports psychologist at Oklahoma State University, shares invaluable insights from his extensive work with athletes across various sports.

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Pin It Forward Podcast
00:00:49 - Introducing Kevin Andrews
00:01:40 - Kevin's Background and Role at Oklahoma State
00:02:27 - The Importance of Identity in Young Athletes
00:03:44 - Fe...

In this episode of the Pennant Forward podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Zoheir El Ouarrage, Oklahoma State Developmental Coach and a well-respected figure in the wrestling community. Our conversation revolved around the critical role of parents in youth wrestling and how their involvement can significantly impact a child's experience and development in the sport.

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:00:21 - Zo's Journey to America and Coaching
00:01:56 - Positive Aspects of Wrestling Parents
00:02:41 - Examples of Good Wrestling Parents
00:05:15 - John Smith's Parenting Style
00:06:12 - Everyday Parents and Their Impact<...

In this episode of the Pin It Forward, we dive into a topic that resonates deeply with parents who are passionate about wrestling and want to see their children excel at the collegiate level. Fred Minnick and Dr. Brandon Mason explore the critical question: When do college coaches start looking at young wrestlers as potential recruits?

00:00:00 - Introduction and Stain Story
00:01:00 - Wrestling Podcast Introduction
00:01:30 - When Coaches Start Looking at Wrestlers
00:02:30 - State Tournaments and College Coaches
00:03:30 - Spotlight on the Raney Twins
00:04:30 - The Importance of National Competitions
00:05:30 - Parents...

In this episode of the Pin It Forward podcast, Dr. Brandon Mason and Fred Minnick, dive into a topic that resonates deeply with wrestling parents: the complexities of weight cutting and nutrition in youth wrestling.

We kick off the episode by reminiscing about a memorable moment in wrestling history involving Wyatt Hendrickson and his father, highlighting the emotional connections that come with the sport. However, we quickly pivot to a more serious discussion about the pressures young athletes face regarding weight management.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Iconic Wrestling Moment
00:01:00 - The Importance of Nutrition and We...

Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of resilience in the face of competition. We discuss how to handle losses gracefully and the need for parents to provide unconditional support, regardless of the outcome. Dr. Mason shares insights on how to foster a winning mindset while also preparing children for the inevitable challenges they will face in sports and life.

As we wrap up, we reflect on the life lessons that wrestling imparts, from work ethic to accountability. We encourage parents to maintain a steady presence, helping their children navigate the ups and downs of competition without...

In the debut episode of Pin It Forward, hosts Fred Minnick, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former wrestler, and Dr. Brandon Mason, an All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State and Radiologist, kick off their podcast with a passionate mission to guide parents in nurturing young wrestlers without the pressure that often plagues youth sports.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Pin It Forward Podcast
00:00:14 - Purpose of the Podcast
00:00:44 - Personal Experiences with Wrestling
00:01:55 - The Impact of Parental Pressure
00:03:33 - Wrestling vs. Team Sports
00:04:20 - Encouragement Over Criticism
00:05:42 - Brandon's Wrestling Background
00:08:01 - The Ro...