How can you support your child’s “golden age” of growth without pushing too far, too soon?

Between the ages of seven and ten, something amazing happens: kids stop just playing sports and start learning how to compete. In this episode of Inside the Wave, Perry Wirth sits down with returning guest Chandler Lewis, swim coach and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, for Part 2 of their youth development series. Together they explore what really happens when coordination, focus, and confidence all start to click — and how parents can nurture it without the pressure.

You’ll learn how to: • Recognize the key PIES shifts (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social) at this stage • Keep motivation strong without overtraining or burnout • Turn early competition into a tool for confidence and growth • Balance discipline with fun during practice and meets • Use “process praise” to build intrinsic motivation that lasts

Chandler combines years of experience coaching athletes from first lessons to NCAA hopefuls with expertise in mental performance, helping kids (and their parents) enjoy the process as much as the progress.

Whether you’re on the pool deck or sidelines, this episode helps you turn your child’s golden age of growth into a foundation for confidence, coordination, and lifelong joy in sport.

Connect with Chandler: Swim Program: Clewis@wsacltd.org Sports Psychology: championshipmind.com | Chandler@championshipmind.com

Stay tuned for more conversations that go beyond the mats.

How do you know when your child is ready for competition — and how do you make sure it stays fun? In this first episode of a four-part series on youth sports readiness, host Perry Wirth welcomes back returning guest Chandler Lewis — sports psychologist, personal trainer, and competitive swim coach who has guided thousands of kids from their very first lesson to high-level meets.

This installment focuses on the 3–6 age range, where play and movement lay the foundation for lifelong athletic growth.

You’ll learn:

• The big differences between ages 3–4 vs. 5–6 in sports readiness.
• How the PIES framework (physical, intellectual, emotional, social) shapes growth.
• Why play and movement skills come before scores and medals.
• Signs your child may be ready for low-stakes competition — and how to keep it stress-free.
• The crucial do’s and don’ts for parents: what to praise, what to avoid, and how to set kids up for long-term success.

Chandler combines expertise in sports psychology with years of coaching one of Wisconsin’s largest swim programs. He’s worked with kids as young as four all the way to future Olympians, giving him a rare perspective on what truly matters in an athlete’s early years. Through his work at Schroeder Aquatic Center and Championship Mind, he helps young athletes — and their parents — build resilience, confidence, and joy in sport.

If you’re a parent or coach of a 3–6 year old, this episode is your roadmap to balancing play, development, and early competition without the pressure.

Connect with Chandler

• Swim Program: CLewis@wsacltd.org
• Sports Psychology: championshipmind.com | Chandler@championshipmind.com

Stay tuned for more conversations that go beyond the mats.

What does fueling your body actually look like when you’re training BJJ in your 30s and beyond?

In this episode, Perry sits down with Kodi—a brown belt, sports nutritionist, and lifelong tinkerer with deep roots in both the kitchen and the gym. They unpack what it really takes to support performance and longevity for grapplers juggling work, family, and training.

Highlights include:

• How to systemize your nutrition without overthinking it
• Kodi’s go-to supplements for energy, recovery, and joint health
• Why most athletes under-eat (and how to fix it)
• What to eat before and after class to train hard without wrecking your sleep
• The truth about plastic containers, rice cakes, and raw-scooping pre-workout

Kodi brings more than expertise—he brings empathy. From real-life meal prep tips to coaching insights for men and women on the mats, he’s helping athletes make progress in sustainable, realistic ways.

This is a must-listen for anyone navigating BJJ in their 30s, 40s, and beyond—especially if you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this recovery thing right?”

Learn more about Kodi: Instagram: @kodakv1 Resources: @kodak_gummy – Free guides, nutrition systems, and tools for grapplers