Breaking the Ice

In this episode of Breaking the Ice, Rachel Novak, girlfriend of Michael Cichy, who plays for the Fife Flyers in the EIHL, joins me! Rachel and Michael have been in a long-distance relationship for over eight years. We dive into the challenges, lessons, and strategies of maintaining a strong relationship while apart, focusing on the unique struggles that come with the hockey lifestyle.

In this episode we talk about:

• The emotional rollercoaster of long-distance relationships.

• Managing communication with time zone differences and hockey’s unpredictable schedule.

• The impact of long-distance on mental health and anxiety.

• Practical strategies for maintaining trust and staying busy while apart.

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Today is a minisode with me, your host! 

Here are some things I chat about in this episode:

• Missing big life moments during the hockey season (weddings, babies, trips to see family)

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We all know it best, the hockey life is chaotic and this absolutely can make it challenging in your relationship when there are always additional stressors at play. Today on the podcast I have couples therapist, Tracy Dalgleish, who is a podcaster, author, and a force in the online space!

In this episode we talk about:

• Learning to tune into your own needs when you are living in constant chaos

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Dr. Tracy's First Episode on BTI: Resentment, Acceptance + Making Space in Your Relationship

Natalie Miller, wife of JT Miller who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, joins me on Breaking the Ice Podcast today. If there's one episode that will make you laugh, this one is it.

In this episode we talk about:

• Long Distance, Call Ups + Send Downs

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Sarah Bross, wife of Zack Bross, who finished his last season in the Del3, joins me on Breaking the Ice Today!

In this episode, we chat about: 

• Long Distance in college and what she would go back and tell her younger self

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Emmeli Rakell, wife of Rickard Rakell, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, joins me this week on Breaking the Ice! Emmeli and her husband are Swedish and have spent a portion of their lives living in the US, while Rickard plays in the NHL.

In this episode we talk about:

• What it was like for Emmeli moving to the US, while hardly speaking English

• How isolating it can be to not have other people around who speak the same language as you

• What it has been like for her experiencing a new culture + new friends

• How she has changed her mindset in regards to this lifestyle

• Having a baby in the USA, as a Swede, and how things changed for her once she had kids in this lifestyle 

• Driving differences between USA + Europe and other hilarious culture differences between Europeans and Americans

and so much more!

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Haley Palve, wife of Oula Palve, who plays hockey in Tampere Finland, joins me on BTI and shares her personal journey with infertility and IVF with me. Throughout this episode, we dive into:

• What it was like experiencing infertility + how it affected her mental health

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Haley's First Episode on BTI

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Other BTI episodes on IVF:

Her Journey with IVF with Sandra Szczechura

Our Fertility Journey: Miscarriages, IVF and Surrogacy with Terra O'Reilly

Never Give Up, a journey to motherhood with Jamie Machacek

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Join me in this episode of real, authentic conversation with Laura Caggiula, wife of Drake Caggiula, who plays in the AHL for the Bakersfield Condors. If you're a mom or just curious about the challenges of motherhood in the hockey lifestyle with two children under two, this episode is just for you!

Laura and I share our experiences of raising two children under two in an open and honest dialogue.

Here are some highlights from our conversation

• The realities of motherhood and how to balance responsibilities

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Megan McIlvane, wife of Matt McIlvane, who is the head coach for the San Diego Gulls, joins me on the pod today for a much anticipated coach's wife episode!

In this episode we talk about SO much but to name a few: 

• Leaving her passion and career to move to Europe with her now husband

AND BEYOND MORE! This conversation was so much fun to have and I hope you all enjoy!

Megan sits on the board of directors for a non-profit called Megan's Mission, named after an unbelievable girl who fought childhood cancer fearlessly. They are 100% volunteer based and have raised over 2 million for more up to date treatments and cures for childhood cancers. The hockey community is so great and any support would be greatly appreciated! Click here! www.instagram.com/megansmission

Dana Oleksuk, wife of Travis Oleksuk, who finished last season in Rosenheim in the Del3, joins me on the podcast for the third time! Our husbands played together in Austria for two hockey seasons and in this episode we caught up and updated each other on our lives.

In this episode we talk about: 

• Not having a contract this late in the year and what that looks like for each of us

Regardless of whether you have a contract or not, you will definitely be able to relate to this episode and I hope it brings some light into your week that you are not alone!

EPISODES WILL BE OUT TWICE A MONTH!

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