Pin It Forward

By Fred MinnickSports Parenting Kids & Family Wrestling

Pin It Forward episodes

October 28 How To Manage Emotions Leading Up To The Tournament
Hosts Fred Minnick and Dr. Brandon Mason, a former All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State, share practical guidance for parents navigating the upcoming youth wrestling season. They cover tournament nerves, sideline behavior, food and hydration, post-match support, and keeping a child’s long-term enjoyment and growth ahead of wins and losses.

00:00 New wrestling season and the value of loving practice
03:05 Why parents should understand the demands of a match
08:35 Support, accountability, and talking through performance
12:17 Keeping tournament nerves under control
14:21 Finding a calming routine and a time to focus
16:46 Tournament food, easy-to-digest fuel, and hydration
20:31 Keeping kids occupied and building lifelong bonds
22:48 What to say after a match - and when to wait
25:05 Managing parent emotions and avoiding tournament blowups
29:07 Long-term growth matters more than youth results
34:15 Why Brandon wants the podcast to help parents
36:17 Wrestling, family, and the season ahead

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45 min
October 18 How to Prepare Kids for The Pressure in Wrestling

Fred Minnick and Dr. Brandon Mason return to share some mental health pointers going into the season. Don't let the pressure overtake your athlete.

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26 min
February 03The Power of High School Coaches With Keith Massey, Hall of Fame Member
Brandon's high school team Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was inducted into the Dan Gable Wrestling Hall of Fame. And his coach Keith Massey joins the show to talk about what it takes to be a successful coach at all levels. In addition to Brandon, Massey coached Trent and Travis Paulson, who were state champions, All-Americans at Iowa State, members of U.S. freestyle World teams and inductees of the Glen Brand Hall of Fame in 2017.
Key Takeaways
High school coaches play a crucial role in shaping athletes' character.

Building a strong community through youth wrestling is essential for success.

Memorable moments from the 2001 team highlight their journey to greatness.

The importance of managing individual goals during college recruitment.

Youth wrestling programs are vital for developing future champions.

Competition fosters growth and resilience in young athletes.

Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling enhance technical skills and positional awareness.

The 2001 team's legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Maintaining a love for the sport is key to long-term success.

The bonds formed through wrestling create lasting friendships and memories.
Thank You To Our Sponsor
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1 hr 10 min
January 27 Building Champions: Ben Clymer, Head Coach of Faith Christian Academy
Fred and Brandon chat with Ben Clymer, the head coach of the elite Faith Christian Academy. Coach Clymer has built a high school empire, creating D1 wrestlers left and right. His belief in building wrestlers will surprise many, as he cares more about character and faith than talent.

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1 hr 3 min
January 20 World Champion Vougar Arujau: The Art of Coaching
Note: This episode endures a few technical difficulties., but the conversation still flows!
World Champion Vougar Arujau, who's also the father of World and NCAA champ Vito Arujau, highlights the importance of understanding individuality in sports and the challenges of parenting young athletes. Vougar shares his insights on coaching and the delicate balance of supporting children in their sports endeavors while allowing them to develop their own identities.
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44 min
January 13 Wrestling Toughness: Hurt vs. Injured
Dr. Brandon Mason and Fred Minnick explore the physical toll of wrestling and understanding the differences between being hurt and an actual injury.
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52 min
January 06 NDSU Head Coach Obe Blanc: Why Character Matters
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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1 hr 6 min
December 30, 2025 Wrestling Lessons For Life With Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling Women’s Head Coach
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
24:42 The Growth of Women's Wrestling in America
34:07 The Growth of Women's Wrestling
35:41 Coaching Dynamics: Men vs. Women
42:20 The Role of Relationships in Coaching
47:51 Parenting and Coaching: Lessons Learned
53:36 The Importance of Teachable Moments

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1 hr 4 min
December 23, 2025 Best of 2025
A look back on Pin It Forward's first year!
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50 min
December 16, 2025 Lee Roper On The Pursuit of Winning
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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1 hr 6 min

About Pin It Forward

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Pin It Forward, the podcast where wrestling grit meets parenting wisdom, hosted by Fred Minnick, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former wrestler, and Dr. Brandon Mason, an All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State and Radiologist. As parents of young wrestlers themselves, Fred and Brandon draw on their deep roots in the sport and their firsthand experiences to guide listeners through the highs and lows of raising kids in wrestling—and youth sports in general.