Welcome to Episode 77 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc tackle one of the most emotional moments in an athlete's journey: getting drafted, getting cut, or feeling like you've been left behind.

Whether you weren't drafted, got released from a tryout, or watched teammates move on without you, it's easy to believe your hockey career is over. But is one decision really enough to define your future?

So how do athletes move forward when rejection feels personal?

We dive into why draft season creates so much pressure for athletes and families, why getting passed over isn't a final judgment, and how the most successful players use setbacks as fuel instead of letting them become the end of their story.

Episode Highlights:
• Why hockey drafts create so much pressure for athletes and parents
• The truth about what getting drafted actually means
• Why not getting drafted doesn't define your future
• How to separate your identity from your hockey career
• The difference between being nervous and being unprepared
• Why focusing on your job—not the outcome—is the key to performing under pressure
• How daily habits build the confidence you need in high-pressure moments
• What to do after getting cut from a team or released from a camp
• Why rejection should be viewed as information, not a final judgment
• How team needs—not just talent—often influence roster decisions
• Real examples of athletes who overcame rejection to reach the highest levels
• Why opportunity exists long after one camp, one draft, or one setback
• How parents can better support athletes through disappointment
• Why resilience comes from getting back to work, not dwelling on the result

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever felt like everyone else was moving forward while you were standing still, questioned whether you were good enough after getting cut, or wondered if one setback changed your entire future, this episode is a reminder that your journey is far from over.

A draft is an opportunity.

A cut is not a career-ending decision.

One team's "no" can become another team's "yes."

Keep doing your job.

Keep getting better.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 76 of the Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast!

Up next in The Goalie Nation Series, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc welcome back PWHL New York Sirens goaltender Callie Shanahan following the completion of her rookie season in professional hockey.

After joining us shortly after being drafted last fall, Callie returns to share what life is really like as a first-year professional goaltender. From the intensity of training camp and earning her first PWHL start to adapting to the speed of the game and navigating the highs and lows of a rookie season, Callie provides an honest look inside the journey of becoming a professional athlete.

Throughout the conversation, she discusses the biggest adjustments she had to make after college hockey, the patience required while waiting for opportunities, and how intentional practice habits helped prepare her for the moment she finally stepped into the crease.

Callie also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at life in the PWHL, including travel, team culture, professional expectations, fan support, and the continued growth of women's hockey. She shares her goals for Year 2, why simplifying her game became one of her biggest breakthroughs, and the mindset that continues to drive her forward.

Episode Highlights:

• What training camp is really like in the PWHL

• The biggest differences between NCAA and professional hockey

• How Callie stayed mentally prepared while waiting months for her first start

• The emotions behind earning her first professional game and first PWHL victory

• Why "doing less" helped her perform better under pressure

• The importance of treating every practice like game day

• Adjusting to the speed, hockey IQ, and skill level of the professional game

• Technical changes she made to become a more effective goaltender

• Life behind the scenes in the PWHL, including travel, road trips, and team culture

• How her brand, Trendy Tendies was created and why connecting with fans has been so rewarding

• Her offseason goalie camp and giving back to the next generation

• Her goals of earning a starting role in the PWHL

• Why she believes the future of women's professional hockey is only getting brighter

• The power of trusting the process, embracing the daily grind, and getting 1% better every day

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you're a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking to better understand what it takes to transition from college athletics to the professional level, this episode is filled with valuable lessons on patience, preparation, resilience, and believing in yourself when opportunities don't come right away.

Growth isn't always immediate—but if you stay committed to the process, your opportunity will come.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 75 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc tackle one of the most difficult experiences every athlete faces: failure.

Whether it's a bad game, getting cut from a team, making a costly mistake, or simply feeling like you're falling short of your goals, failure can quickly become something athletes are ashamed of. But what if failure isn't something to fear? What if it doesn't mean you're broken, incapable, or not good enough?

So how do athletes actually recover from failure without losing confidence?

We dive into why failure feels so personal, where those beliefs often come from, and how athletes can rebuild belief by going back to the basics, focusing on what they can control, and surrounding themselves with supportive people who help them keep moving forward.

Episode Highlights:
• Why failure feels so painful and why athletes often take it personally
• How many athletes unknowingly attach their self-worth to their performance
• Why perfection is an impossible standard to live by
• The truth behind the saying, "Failure is a gift"
• How elite athletes recover after bad games and setbacks
• Why building belief starts with returning to the fundamentals
• Why focusing on what you can control helps rebuild confidence
• How habits and daily decisions shape an athlete's mindset
• Why supportive teammates, coaches, and parents matter more than you think
• The dangerous lie that failure means you are a failure
• How thought patterns become habits—and how to retrain them
• Why resilience is built by getting back up again and again
• What parents can do to help athletes feel safe when they make mistakes
• Why confidence isn't built by avoiding failure, but by working through it

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever walked off the ice feeling like you let everyone down, questioned whether you're good enough, or struggled to bounce back after a setback, this episode is a reminder that failure is part of the journey—not the end of it.

Every athlete fails.

Champions fail.

Hall of Famers fail.

The difference is that resilient athletes learn, adjust, and keep getting back up.

Fall down seven times. Get up eight.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 74 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc continue the Goalie Nation series with The Ohio State University goaltender Kristoffer Eberly.

Kris’ journey to Division I hockey has been anything but conventional.

From Tier 2 youth hockey and Michigan high school hockey, to the Metro Jets, Compuware, the NCDC, the USHL, and ultimately The Ohio State University, Kris shares the long-term path that shaped him both as a goaltender and as a person.

Throughout the conversation, Kris reflects on what it was like growing up as an overlooked goalie who was never considered a can't-miss prospect. Despite never making many of the elite select camps and not playing AAA consistently until age 18, he maintained an unwavering belief that he would one day become a Division I athlete.

He opens up about the challenges of comparing himself to others, being cut from teams, navigating injuries, and embracing the setbacks that ultimately helped build the resilience and confidence that have defined his career.

Now entering his senior season at Ohio State, Kris gives listeners an inside look at what it takes to continue earning opportunities at the Division I level while staying humble, staying grateful, and trusting the process every step of the way.

Episode Highlights:

• Kris' journey from Tier 2 hockey and Michigan high school hockey to Division I college hockey

• Why being a late bloomer became one of his greatest advantages

• How playing with friends and focusing on enjoyment fueled his development

• The impact of injuries, adversity, and being overlooked throughout his career

• How an Instagram direct message helped open the door to the next level

• His rapid rise from the NCDC to the USHL and eventually The Ohio State University

• Why belief in yourself matters more than comparing your path to others

• The importance of doing the work when nobody is watching

• Lessons learned from getting cut and missing out on elite select camps

• Why every goalie's journey is different and why patience matters

• What he learned from attending the Detroit Red Wings Development Camp

• Working with NHL stars, including Pavel Datsyuk and Connor Hellebuyck

• How confidence is built through preparation, consistency, and experience

• The importance of being a student of the game and learning from multiple goalie coaches

• His "I made it" moment during his first collegiate start against Minnesota

• The goals he and Ohio State have for his senior season

• Advice for young goalies navigating adversity, development, and the pressure to rush the process

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you're a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking to better understand what long-term development really looks like, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on perseverance, patience, self-belief, and trusting your own path.

Success doesn't always happen on the timeline you expect.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 73 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

"The Longevity Formula for Athletes: Chris Phillips"

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc sit down with one of the most experienced sports medicine and performance professionals in the industry, Chris Phillips, Founder and Owner of Compete Sports Performance & Rehab.

Chris is a board-certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with more than 30 years of experience helping athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and maximize their performance. Throughout his career, he has worked across the NHL, professional soccer, arena football, Olympic figure skating, and elite youth sports, building a reputation for developing athletes who are built to perform—and built to last.

Chris served as the Athletic Trainer for the Czech Figure Skating Team during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and previously worked with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Sol, Los Angeles Avengers, Orange County Blues, and Anaheim Bolts. He was also selected as the Head Athletic Trainer for the 2002 USA Hockey Men's National Team and was part of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finalist Mighty Ducks organization.

Over the years, Chris has worked alongside some of the world's greatest athletes, including Alex Ovechkin, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, J.S. Giguère, Marta, Joy Fawcett, Shannon Boxx, Nathan Chen, and Mariah Bell.

Drawing from decades of experience, Chris recently authored Built to Go the Distance: The Athlete's Guide to Performance and Longevity, a book designed to help athletes and families understand the importance of injury prevention, long-term development, and building careers that last.

You can learn more about Chris and Compete Sports Performance & Rehab at:

https://competeperformance.com

And find his book here:

https://www.amazon.ca/Built-Go-Distance-Performance-Longevity/dp/B0GXL54FZV

In a sports culture that constantly pushes athletes to do more, specialize earlier, and train year-round, Chris shares why longevity—not intensity—is the ultimate competitive advantage.

From his experiences in the NHL, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Olympic Games, Chris reveals why the best athletes are often the ones who master the basics, prepare before problems arise, and commit to doing the simple things well.

Episode Highlights:

• Why longevity is the missing piece in youth sports development
• The difference between being cleared to play and being prepared to return
• Why the best athletes "warm up for the warm-up"
• How elite performers approach preparation differently
• Why doing the simple things well leads to long-term success
• The biggest mistakes athletes make when returning from injury
• How mobility, asymmetries, and movement quality impact performance
• Why single-leg strength matters more than most athletes realize
• The importance of proactive injury prevention instead of reactive treatment
• What separates elite athletes from average athletes in their daily habits
• Lessons from the Stanley Cup Finals and the Olympic Games
• Why showing up early and preparing matters more than talent
• How parents can help athletes think long-term instead of short-term
• Red flags athletes and families should watch for when choosing rehab professionals
• Why every athlete needs a plan—not just exercises
• How to build a career that lasts instead of chasing short-term results

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever dealt with an injury, worried about burnout, or wondered how elite athletes stay healthy while competing at the highest levels, this episode is a reminder that success isn't just about how hard you train.

It's about how long you can keep training.

Because talent doesn't matter if you're unavailable.

Do the simple things well. Play the long game.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 72 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

“How Athletes Build Grit Before the Season Starts”

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc break down one of the most important traits every athlete needs before the season begins: grit.

Every athlete says they want to get better. They say they want to make the team, earn the role, play at the next level, or become the kind of player coaches can trust when the game gets hard. But talent only gets you so far. At some point, every athlete runs into discomfort, pressure, fatigue, doubt, and the daily grind of doing what they said they would do.

So how do athletes actually build grit before the season starts? 

We dive into why grit is not something you magically have once the season begins. It is built in the offseason through daily habits, hard choices, uncomfortable reps, and the willingness to complete the tasks you signed up for—even when you do not feel like doing them. 

Episode Highlights:
• Why talent alone will not take athletes where they want to go
• How athletes can develop grit during the offseason
• Why the hard things you do now prepare you for the season later
• What it means to complete the tasks you sign up for
• Why discomfort is necessary for real growth
• How “micro-sucks” help athletes build toughness one rep at a time
• Why your reason has to be stronger than your excuses
• How to gamify training and create internal motivation
• Why cheating the hard parts keeps athletes from building real confidence
• How small offseason habits can strengthen mental toughness
• Why athletes need an identity outside of sports
• How nervous athletes can build belief through preparation
• Why grit is built when no one is watching
• Real examples of athletes choosing effort, ownership, and resilience

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’ve ever struggled to get up for the early workout, finish the extra rep, stay focused when no one is watching, or push through the moments when training gets uncomfortable, this episode is a reminder that grit is built before you need it.

The season will test you. The pressure will come. The difficult moments will show up. The question is whether you used the offseason to prepare for them.

Do the hard things. Build the habit. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 71 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc continue the Goalie Nation series with Michigan Tech University goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz.

Owen’s path through college hockey has been anything but ordinary. 

From youth hockey in Metro Detroit, to Wichita Falls, Youngstown, the University of Minnesota, a return to junior hockey, Lindenwood University, and now Michigan Tech, Owen shares the unique journey that shaped him both as a goalie and as a person.

Throughout the conversation, Owen opens up about the uncertainty, setbacks, and unexpected turns that came with navigating the modern college hockey landscape. After arriving early at Minnesota, going back to juniors, being de-committed late in the process, and eventually finding the right opportunity at Lindenwood, Owen leaned on a simple but powerful mentality: everything is going to work out.

He reflects on the importance of controlling what you can control, staying grounded through change, and keeping hard work at the core of everything he does. 

Now entering his senior season at Michigan Tech, Owen gives listeners an inside look at what it takes to stay composed, keep improving, and continue chasing success through a path filled with adversity, patience, and perseverance.

Episode Highlights:
• Owen’s journey from Metro Detroit youth hockey to Division I college hockey
• How he earned an opportunity at the University of Minnesota as an 18-year-old freshman
• What it was like joining a college team mid-season after the starting goalie signed an NHL contract
• The challenge of going from the University of Minnesota back to junior hockey
• How Owen handled uncertainty, setbacks, and being de-committed late in the recruiting process
• Why he chose Lindenwood and the importance of going where you’re wanted
• The biggest misconception about “going backwards” in development
• How playing games and trusting the process helped him grow
• The differences between Minnesota, Lindenwood, and Michigan Tech from a player experience standpoint
• Why Owen believes “everything is going to work out” when hard work stays at the foundation
• How trust from a coaching staff impacts a goalie’s mentality
• Owen’s no-excuses approach to practices, games, and competition
• The role of outdoor hobbies, golf, fishing, hunting, and other sports in helping him reset mentally
• His goals heading into his senior season at Michigan Tech
• Advice for young goalies navigating change, adversity, and the pressure to rush the process

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’re a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking to better understand the reality of development, opportunity, and resilience in today’s college hockey world, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on hard work, patience, composure, and trusting your path.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 70 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

“The Best Find a Way, the Rest Find Out: Building a No-Excuses Mentality”

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc break down one of the core principles of the Dialed and Driven mentality: no excuses.

Every athlete says they want to do whatever it takes. They start the season, the offseason, or a new training program with big goals and big intentions. But somewhere along the way, something slips. A workout gets missed. The effort drops. The focus fades. And while there may always be a reason, the hard truth is this: at the highest level, it comes down to one simple scale—done or not done.

So what does it actually mean to build a no-excuses mentality?

We dive into the difference between having a reason and making an excuse, why the best athletes point thumbs instead of fingers, and how taking full ownership of your development can completely change your path. 

Episode Highlights:
• What “no excuses” really means in sports and life
• Why the highest level leaves no room for “I almost did it”
• How to point thumbs, not fingers, when things get tough
• Why excuses keep athletes stuck while ownership creates growth
• Why mental toughness is built one small decision at a time
• How athletes can push past the moment they think they’re done
• Why your standard becomes your identity
• How to ignore social media, recruiting noise, and comparison
• Why development and visibility matter more than hype
• How parents can support athletes without adding pressure
• Why the best find a way—and the rest find out
• Real examples of athletes choosing effort, ownership, and perseverance

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’ve ever caught yourself blaming the schedule, the coach, the team, the circumstances, or anything outside your control, this episode is a reminder to look inward first. Because success is not built on perfect conditions—it’s built by athletes who decide their standard and live up to it when things get hard.

No excuses. Find a way. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 69 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc continue the Goalie Nation series with one of the brightest young goaltenders in hockey — Detroit Red Wings prospect and Michigan State standout Trey Augustine. 

From youth hockey with Honeybaked to the USA National Team Development Program, World Junior Championships, and now the start of his professional career, Trey shares the mindset, habits, and competitiveness that helped shape him into one of the top goalies in the game today.

Trey opens up about the mental side of elite performance, the importance of staying level-headed, and why “being where your feet are” has become such a powerful tool throughout his hockey journey. He also reflects on getting drafted by his hometown Detroit Red Wings, representing Team USA on the international stage, and the lessons he’s learning as he transitions into professional hockey.

Already a two-time Big Ten Goalie of the Year, Mike Richter Award winner, two-time World Champion, and two-time All-American both athletically and academically, Trey gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what truly separates elite athletes from the rest.

Episode Highlights:
• Trey’s journey from Honeybaked youth hockey to becoming a Detroit Red Wings draft pick
• The mindset habits that helped him improve statistically every single season
• Why “being where your feet are” became one of his biggest mental performance tools
• How competitiveness has fueled his success both on and off the ice
• The importance of maintaining high standards even on difficult days
• How he balances intensity, confidence, and being a great teammate
• Pregame routines, visualization, and tracking habits that help him feel prepared
• The emotional differences between international hockey and college hockey
• Lessons learned from winning back-to-back World Junior Championships with Team USA
• What it was like going through the NHL Draft process and hearing his name called by Detroit
• The biggest adjustments Trey has noticed early in professional hockey
• Why skating and puck-handling are becoming even more important at the pro level
• How competing in sports outside of hockey helps him stay mentally fresh
• Advice for young goalies on developing consistency, discipline, and maturity

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’re a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking to learn what it takes to compete at the highest levels of hockey, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on mindset, preparation, composure, and long-term development.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Welcome to Episode 68 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc sit down with 2026 National Champion and University of Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks — or more famously “Johnny Bricks.” From starting the season as Denver’s third-string goalie to becoming the backbone of a national championship run, Johnny shares one of the most inspiring goalie stories in college hockey.

Johnny opens up about the mindset shifts, preparation habits, and mental discipline that helped him stay ready when nobody outside the locker room expected him to be the guy. He dives into the power of his process, journaling, staying present, and embracing adversity — lessons that every athlete, parent, and goalie family can learn from.

From going winless during his first junior season to posting one of the greatest statistical seasons in NCAA history, Johnny’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, patience, and belief.

Episode Highlights:
• Johnny’s incredible rise from third-string goalie to securing the starting spot and becoming a national champion goaltender
• The mindset shift that changed the course of his season
• How Denver stayed committed to the process despite early-season struggles
• What it felt like stepping into meaningful NCAA D1 games for the first time
• The importance of staying ready even when you’re not playing
• Why “being where your feet are” became Johnny’s biggest mental performance tool
• How journaling helped him overcome overthinking and pressure
• The story behind Denver’s unforgettable Frozen Four run
• Johnny’s experience playing in elimination games and overtime moments 
• How he found peace and confidence under the biggest pressure of his career
• Lessons learned from adversity, setbacks, and doubters throughout his hockey journey
• The transition from BCHL and WHL hockey to NCAA Division I
• Superstitions, routines, and game-day habits behind “Johnny Bricks”
• Why staying level-headed is critical for long-term success
• Advice for young goaltenders chasing their dreams
• How Johnny balances hockey with life outside the rink to stay mentally fresh

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’re a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking for insight into what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level, this episode delivers powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and preparation.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast