AMP Intermission

In this episode special guest Jocelyne brings so much inspiration of having breakdowns that ultimately lead to her breakthrough. Jocelyne struggled with addiction in her early adult life and after making a couple game changing shifts, she's pulled her life out of addiction and on the road to recovery. Loving herself more than ever before and feeling confident waking up each day.

Jocelyne has made it her mission to help others by providing a voice that they can resonate with in a way she never had. Jocelyne now works with jack.org and organization designed to train and empower young leaders to revolutionize mental health. Jocelyne travels with her non-profit group to schools and sports teams sharing their stories and offering support to our youth.

This episode talks about pursuit of our mission in life, and finding your soul's purpose. Bret & Jocelyne discuss the true importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and right environment to help you thrive.

Find Jocelyne @jocelyneguenard

In this episode Bret talks about overcoming the adversity of "hard coaches." Providing the tips on how to approach a challenge in your season. Where to put your focus and how to ensure that you are letting go of what you cannot control. Too often athletes struggle with a coaching dynamic and let it impact their entire season, all well missing out on the opportunities that lie ahead through that challenging year. 

Never waste that opportunity to self reflect, practice open communication and focus on the controllable.

Bret dives into this episode sharing what she beleives to a life without purpose looks like. How when we struggle in life, feel stuck, bored and lack any questioning, we are typically going through life not fulfilling our true purpose.

She then shares some advice and tips on how to find that purpose and mission in your life. Whether you are at the stage where you are in pursuit of your next step in sport, at the peak of your sport or wrapping up your sport - it is vital to be in pursuit of your mission.

Paul Seaton, father of Bret Howe, joined her to discuss his achievements in his sport of waterskiing. Born and raising the the United Kingdom, Paul took a love to the sport of waterskiing and had an extremely successful career. Paul Seaton held records in his event for slalom, jumping, and tricks. Paul's achievements in the sport: five time overall British Champion, three time overall European Champion, numerous individual event titles along the way, breaking a slalom record and world jump record. He also participated in the Munich 1972 Olympic Games and held a Guiness Book of Records Title. 

His waterskiing career ended in the jumping event, September 1975 at the World Water Ski Championships near London when upon landing, his leg hyper extended 45 degrees. At this time he was the favourite to win the jumping event and the combined overall.

This injury would ultimately end his waterskiing career, having his knee cap needing to be completely removed. He walked with a limp and increasing pain from 1975-2002, wearing away both hips to the point in which he needed two major surgeries; one knee replacement and both hips. 

As his daughter, Bret was able to water the determination and grit to not only recover from this injury, but to slalom ski for enjoyment. She envisioned that this was the same GRIT and determination he skied with in his sport career days. 

Paul went on to coach in the sport running a Water Ski School out of England. He  coached Andy Mapple, who was regarded as one of the greatest slalom skiers of all time. Paul set an example of how to turn adversity into the greatest teacher. 

While the injury abruptly ended his career at its height, he was determined to give back to the sport world in any way possible. From coaching waterskiing, to now leading the Brooks Bandits Junior "A" Hockey Organization's Board of Directors he continues to live by his life motto "Make A Difference."

D. Jay McGrath is a former WHL & College hockey player, who had big dreams to pursue his sport to its highest level. Moving away from home at 15 years old and all the pressures of being an aspiring elite level player in pursuit to the top of his game, led to drugs and alcohol as being his release from the pressures and anxiety he faced. He now has become an advocate and speaker for youth across Saskatchewan and then some to help those struggling know that "It's OK to Not Be OK." D Jay shares his story, his struggles and ultimately what his mission is today. 

This episode explores drug and alcohol addiction and how it is masked to those around. D Jay discusses the social pressures and how the love of the game can quickly dissolve when we push our problems aside. We discuss how one rises above the noise and finds their place in this world and in sport. 

If you feel those pressures, the fear of failure and fear of judgment - this episode ifs for you!

This episode provides some amazing advice for athletes at EVERY single stage. Guest to the podcast, Karli Fleury, shares some of the most incredible life lessons she has had through sport and still has today. Karli has pioneered a league in her current home of Banff, AB for female hockey players from a wide variety of ages. She shares what this project has brought to her and the sense of community it provides to so many. Hockey is such a connected sport and it truly can be for everyone. This was a candid and inspiring conversation!

What a candid conversation! I sat with Shann Minish - parent of a U18 AAA Female Hockey player, who is on the pursuit of her dreams to play at a Post Secondary level. We discuss the opportunities that have opened many doors for Brielle and how she grew up through the support and guidance of her parents. From Shann's perspective, we discuss how the relationship has evolved, and the support system necessary to guide the athletes from the sidelines. Shann unpacks some amazing advice for parents who may feel a sense of overwhelm or struggle in what steps to take. 

This was a fun one!

This is the first "Solo-sode" of AMP Intermission, where Bret explains her sport story from the earlier days to making her debut as the University athlete and ultimately how her sport career turned into a dual sport college athlete. Her love of the game, struggles, injuries and why she coaches athletes today! IG: @brethowe_coaching