Happy New Year and welcome back to the Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We’re kicking off the year with a major announcement: we’ve officially partnered with Vaughn Custom Sports, a premier goalie gear company proudly based right here in Michigan.

Vaughn has been part of our hockey story long before this partnership ever existed. Both Natalie and Jeff wore Vaughn gear throughout their playing careers, and this collaboration is a natural extension of the trust, craftsmanship, and innovation we've always believed in. Their commitment to quality and their decades of impact on the game make them a perfect fit for the Dialed & Driven community. 

Check out Vaughn's website: https://vaughnhockey.com/

Today our hosts, Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss overcoming obstacles in pursuit of hockey dreams as well as setting the tone for a year of growth, belief, and action.

Episode 51 highlights: 

- Natalie Ferenc, our producer, is back on the pod—bringing fresh inspiration as we dive into the stories of high-performing athletes and what’s truly possible in just one year’s time.

- Inspirational athletes who exemplify their overcoming philosophy. Natalie highlighted Fernando Mendoza, Indiana's quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and Alex Ovechkin's remarkable comeback story, emphasizing how the 39-year-old hockey legend broke his leg but returned to set the all-time goal-scoring record.

- Finding your "why".

- How sports follow a non-linear path and that perfection is impossible, but the process of pursuing excellence leads to great outcomes.

- The importance of having fun and cherishing the small moments spent doing what you love. 

AND A LOT MORE!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ https://www.goaliementors.com/dialedanddriven

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Register for our Mentality Building Curriculum, The Dialed & Driven Success Formula!

🎯 https://www.goaliementors.com/successformula

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Welcome to Episode 50 - If You Stop Evolving, You’re Losing 🧰 

Our hosts, Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss innovation in athletic performance and the importance of being a student of the game by identifying strengths and growth opportunities, and continuously seeking improvement. 

Register for our Mentality Building Curriculum, The Dialed & Driven Success Formula! ➡️ Click here to learn more

Episode highlights: 

- How growth mindset facilitates innovation and creativity.

- The importance of positioning innovation as an additional tool rather than an obligation. Fundamental skills remain paramount!

- What it means to keep putting tools in your tool box. 

- How mental performance tools can become stale through overuse, suggesting athletes regularly update motivational phrases or reminders on equipment.

- Why innovation doesn't require dramatic changes. Small tweaks can yield significant improvements, such as dietary adjustments or enhanced visualization techniques.

- We warned against over-training without proper recovery, noting that physical presence at training sessions doesn't guarantee development without adequate nutrition and focus.

AND A LOT MORE!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Welcome to Episode 49 - Are You Really Giving 100%… or Just Saying You Are? 💯

Today, our hosts, Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss mid-season check-ins for hockey players and the challenge of self-assessment during holiday breaks when numerous distractions compete for athletes' attention.

Register for our Mentality Building Curriculum, The Dialed & Driven Success Formula! ➡️ Click here to learn more

Episode highlights: 

- A personal story from Jeff about his journey on becoming the starting goalie at Michigan State University his freshmen year along with the steps it took to gain that title. 

- Why a mid-season self-assessment is important in evaluating your timeline in achieving the goals you set at the beginning of the season. 

- How the self-assessment doesn't require abandoning fun but rather making intentional time for honest evaluation and targeted improvement.

- Practical self-assessment strategies. Palmer outlined a systematic approach: first, evaluate what's working and what isn't—success in practice, drill execution, ice time allocation, and overall performance satisfaction. He encouraged athletes to identify both strengths worth reinforcing and weaknesses requiring attention

- Why removing external blame from self-assessment, particularly the tendency to focus on coaches or teammates rather than personal controllables is crucial. 

- A statistical self-assessment method, suggesting athletes review their last 10 games individually, tracking goals, assists, total points, and plus-minus ratings. Also, using trusted coaches or advisors if you cannot honestly perform a self-assessment on your own.

AND A LOT MORE!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Welcome to Episode 48 - The Recipe for a Successful Team Culture 🏆 

Today, our hosts, Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg go into a detailed conversation about team culture. The hosts emphasized that effective leadership doesn't necessarily come from the most skilled players or those with official captain roles. 

Register for our Mentality Building Curriculum, The Dialed & Driven Success Formula! ➡️ Click here to learn more

Episode highlights: 

- Highlighting the significance of collective success over individual achievements. Jeff shared experiences from his championship teams, emphasizing that talent alone doesn't guarantee success— team chemistry and mutual support are crucial factors. 

- How modern sports' increasing individualization, particularly with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, can potentially impact team dynamics.

- The hosts shared examples of how encouragement and positive team interaction, even through simple gestures like high-fives, can significantly impact team performance and success.

- Maintaining discipline during breaks while enjoying time with family and friends. Hosts recommended maintaining basic fitness routines while taking mental breaks, suggesting specific workout strategies like 30-minute bike sessions.

- Why players should incorporate both physical and mental preparation into their pre-game routines, adapting to their specific positions and personal styles.

AND A LOT MORE!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Welcome to Episode 47 - How to Build an Athlete Who NEVER Stops Believing in Themselves 🤩

Our hosts, Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg start the conversation on the topic of belief and its connection to bullying. Jeff shares his personal experience of potentially being an easy target for bullying due to his physical conditions but maintained a positive attitude through athletic achievement. Chris discusses different approaches to handling bullying, emphasizing the importance of recognizing that bullying often reflects the bully's issues rather than the victim's worth.

🚨Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg introduce their new "Dialed and Driven Success Formula," a comprehensive 14-week program designed for athletes aged 10-17. The program consists of 89 videos covering various topics including belief, perseverance, thought control, and personal development, requiring only 20 minutes per week from participants. 

And, it's LIVE 🎉 But, to only individuals on the waitlist! Join the waitlist now, to secure the Founder's Price and sign up now! Click here to join the waitlist ➡️ https://www.goaliementors.com/successformula

Episode highlights: 

- The concept of a "sliding scale of belief" in athletes' performance and motivation levels.

- The conversation explores the relationship between belief and bullying, featuring personal experiences from both hosts. Jeff shares his story of overcoming potential bullying through athletic achievement, while Chris discusses different approaches to handling bullying situations.

- Practical strategies for maintaining and rebuilding belief during challenging times, including the concept of the Belief Book and the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of performance.

AND A LOT MORE!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Welcome to Episode 46 - The Mindset Flip Every Athlete Must Learn 🔃💪

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg center this discussion around mental performance in hockey, focusing on several key themes. Emphasizing the importance of reframing negative situations and maintaining hope while acknowledging adversity. 

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Episode highlights: 

- The concept of staying "dialed in," explaining that while it's impossible to be 100% focused all the time, it's about doing simple things consistently well. 

- Pre-game focus techniques, with both hosts discussing various strategies including breath work, visualization, and finding quiet moments.

- Natalie shared her personal experience of transferring from the University of Vermont to Lindenwood, demonstrating how perspective and adaptability can transform challenging situations into opportunities.

- Jeff shared his experiences in college recruitment, highlighting how maintaining a positive mindset and continuous improvement led to opportunities, even when initial paths seemed closed.

AND A LOT MORE!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650

Welcome to Episode 45 - Why Your Hard Work STILL Isn’t Enough 🤯 

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg welcome back Dillon Kelley aka DKthemobilityguy! In this episode, we discuss various aspects of athlete development, mentorship, and DK's specialty — mobility training!

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Episode highlights: 

- Insights about Dillon's DKmobility and his journey as a mobility specialist on how he focused specifically on hockey goalies and mobility training to start his brand. 

- the importance of understanding athletes' personal challenges and providing appropriate support and mentorship.

- DK's unique approach to combining strength and mobility training, which helped him maintain an injury-free career as a professional hockey goalie.

- The importance of making less appealing but necessary training elements more engaging through technology and competition.

- Why one should maintain consistent morning routines and habits during challenging times.

AND A LOT MORE!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Check out Dillon Kelley's instagram - @dkthemobilityguy

Send us a text

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Welcome to Episode 44 - The Complete Practice Prep Checklist Every Player Needs 📋✅

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg introduce a new practice preparation checklist! They outlined four key elements: proper nutrition and hydration, pre-practice focus routines, active listening during coach instructions, and maintaining a competitive mindset throughout practice sessions.

‼️ New Segment Alert! ‼️
We want to hear from YOU. Send us your questions—mindset, mental performance, hockey development, habits, anything. We’ll break it all down on the pod.

➡️ Click here to submit your questions!

Episode highlights: 

- Diving into the 4 key elements of the Practice Prep Checklist.

- The importance in practicing like a game and building the "compete mentality"

- How to be at your best for practice and stand out to your coach.

AND A LOT MORE!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Send us a text

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650

Welcome to Episode 43 - Developing the Complete Athlete — in Collaboration with Phil Osaer and The Athlete Lab Podcast 🎙️ 

Dialed & Driven x The Athlete Lab Podcast‼️ Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg sit down with Phil Osaer, the host of The Athlete Lab Podcast in this collaboration episode. 

Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Phil Osaer share more than just a passion for athlete development — they work together at The Athlete Academy, an academy for youth athletes which is part of The Athlete Lab. Phil, the Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and a former NHL scout, brings a wealth of experience and perspective on what it truly takes to build the complete athlete.

Episode highlights: 

- The importance of understanding failure as a pathway to success, particularly in youth development. Highlighting how athletes often seek help reactively when facing challenges rather than proactively seeking mental performance guidance.

- Delayed gratification in modern athlete development, noting how today's instant-gratification culture conflicts with the long-term nature of athletic development.

- Phil Osaer, with his experience in NHL goalie scouting and development, provided insights on what separates successful professional athletes. He emphasized that competitiveness is the key differentiating factor among elite goalies.

- Real stories and experiences from all hosts on developing the whole athlete.

AND A LOT MORE!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

The Athlete Lab Podcast:

For more information about The Athlete Lab please visit The Athlete Lab website

Follow The Athlete Lab on instagram @AthleteLabDet & The Athlete Lab Podcast @theathletelabpodcast

Send us a text

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650

Welcome to Episode 42 - How to Quiet Your Mind When the Game Gets Loud 🗣️

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer welcome back our producer, Natalie Ferenc, a former Division 1 goaltender. In this episode, we primarily discuss ways to manage emotions to not only help on the ice, but in real life moments such as present moment awareness. Furthermore, Jeff Lerg emphasized that while technical skills are important, mental preparation and presence are crucial for advancing in sports.

Episode highlights: 

-How the mind needs training just like any other muscle, drawing parallels between academic learning and sports-related mental development. We stress that focus, listening, and active participation are essential skills that require deliberate development.

- How consistent practice leads to habit formation.

- Words and/or phrases that Natalie and Jeff would tell themselves to find that "center" to reset and refocus in games and even in practice. 

- Actionable mechanisms to help yourself not get engulfed in doubt, fear, or worry to help with consistent performance. 

AND A LOT MORE!

Thank you for listening to The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast! We appreciate every listener, comment, rating, and share!

Looking to connect with one of our hosts? 

Find Chris Palmer here and find Jeff Lerg by clicking here

Send us a text

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