Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast

Welcome to Episode 83 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc take a step back from the technical side of sports to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing young athletes today: self-belief.

Athletes are training more than ever—but are they training the part of the game that controls everything else?

Jeff and Natalie share what they've seen firsthand through years of coaching, mentoring, competing, and working with athletes across different sports. From athletes breaking down after one mistake to young players struggling to identify their own strengths, they explore why so many athletes are having a harder time believing in themselves—and what can be done about it.

You'll hear Jeff's personal story of overcoming adversity and developing an unwavering belief in himself, along with practical strategies athletes and parents can use to build confidence, create better practice habits, set meaningful goals, and stay committed when success doesn't happen overnight.

Episode Highlights:

• Why today's athletes are struggling with self-belief more than ever
• Why training your mind is just as important as training your body
• How one mistake, bad game, or coach's decision can quickly impact an athlete's confidence
• Jeff's personal story of overcoming adversity and believing he could become a professional goalie
• Why self-belief can't be measured by a coach, scout, teammate, or anyone else
• How doing hard things and practicing with intention builds confidence
• Why athletes need to understand their strengths and areas for improvement
• How to turn long-term goals into short-term goals and daily practice habits
• Why parents need to focus on their athlete's goals—not their own
• How surrounding yourself with like-minded, driven people can influence your mindset
• Why instant gratification can make long-term athletic development more difficult
• How small successes can create momentum and make athletes hungrier to improve
• Why success isn't defined by playing college or professional sports
• What it really means to reach your personal peak potential
• How the Dialed & Driven Success Formula helps athletes train their mentality
• The vision behind Dialed & Driven and the goal of reaching 50,000 youth athletes

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you're an athlete who has struggled with confidence, a parent trying to support your child's development, or a coach looking for ways to help athletes become more mentally resilient, this episode is for you.

You can't control every result.

You can't eliminate every mistake.

You can't guarantee where your athletic journey will take you.

But you can control the work you put in, the goals you set, and the belief you build along the way.

Because success isn't about guaranteeing that you'll become a professional athlete.

Success is leaving no stone unturned in your development to reach your personal peak potential.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

Welcome to Episode 82 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc sit down with U.S. Olympic Ice Dancers Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik to go behind the scenes of their incredible rise to the highest level of their sport.

Just four and a half years after becoming skating partners, Emilea and Vadym went from being in the middle of a highly competitive U.S. ice dance field to the Grand Prix Final, U.S. Nationals podium, Four Continents Champions, 5th at the Olympics, and 3rd at Worlds. But as they explain throughout this episode, their success was anything but overnight.

Their story is filled with sacrifice, setbacks, pressure, doubt, family support, mental preparation, and thousands of hours of repetition.

You'll hear how they learned to trust each other, overcome fear of failure, handle the enormous pressure of performing on the Olympic stage, and stay focused when the outside world became louder than ever.

Emilea and Vadym also open up about the mental challenges they faced before working with Chris Palmer, how improving their communication changed their partnership, and why knowing that they had each other's backs allowed them to perform with more freedom and confidence.

Episode Highlights:

• The incredible four-and-a-half-year journey that took Emilea & Vadym to the Olympics
• How they went from the middle of the U.S. ice dance field to becoming Olympic athletes
• The sacrifices required to chase an Olympic dream
• Why having the right people in your corner can change everything
• How their families supported them through the toughest moments
• The mental and physical demands of Olympic ice dancing
• How Emilea overcame a fear of failure that once made her extremely nervous before competitions
• Why their relationship and communication became one of their greatest competitive advantages
• How they learned to lean on each other when things went wrong
• The importance of bringing your practice routines and rituals into competition
• Why repetition is key to success
• How thousands of repetitions prepared them to improvise during a five-second mistake at the Olympics
• How they prepare for mistakes before they ever happen
• The different approaches Emilea and Vadym use for visualization and competition preparation
• How they managed the overwhelming media attention and distractions surrounding the Olympics
• Why athletes need to learn when to say “no” to distractions
• How to separate your performance from your identity
• How they handle criticism, negativity, and social media “haters”
• Why you have to focus on becoming better than you were yesterday
• How to find success in a subjective sport where results aren't always completely in your control
• Why their ultimate goal isn't just winning medals—but making people feel something
• The courage it takes to pursue something you aren't sure you'll be good at
• How doubt from others can become fuel instead of a limitation
• Why belief in yourself has to come from your own progress—not someone else's validation
• The importance of finding joy in what you do
• Why you only get one life—and you should run toward your dreams

AND SO MUCH MORE!

This episode is about so much more than ice dancing.

It's about what happens when you choose a dream that other people don't believe is possible.

It's about surrounding yourself with people who believe in you.

It's about preparing so relentlessly that when something goes wrong, you're ready to respond.

It's about learning to trust your partner, your preparation, and yourself.

And most importantly, it's about continuing to move forward when the results, the opinions, or the circumstances don't go your way.

Emilea and Vadym are incredible examples of what can happen when you combine belief, preparation, repetition, resilience, and the courage to keep chasing something you care about.

As Vadym says:

“You have one life. If you're not running towards your dreams like there's no tomorrow, you're doing something wrong.”

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

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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

Up next in The Goalie Nation Series, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc sit down with one of the fastest-rising young goaltenders in professional hockey, Charlotte Checkers goaltender Cooper Black.

Standing 6'9" and coming from the small hockey town of Alpena, Michigan, Cooper's journey is anything but conventional. From playing house hockey and AA, leaving home at 14 to chase AAA, returning to high school hockey, getting cut from multiple junior teams, and nearly walking away from the game altogether, his story is a powerful reminder that there is no single path to success.

Now entering his fourth professional season after signing with the Florida Panthers organization out of Dartmouth College, Cooper shares how resilience, patience, and an unwavering belief in himself helped him overcome rejection after rejection while continuing to chase his NHL dream.

Throughout the conversation, Cooper explains why adversity became his greatest motivator, how learning to trust the process transformed both his game and mindset, and why developing the mental side of hockey has become the biggest separator at the professional level.

He also gives listeners an inside look at the realities of junior hockey, Division I college hockey, and life in the American Hockey League, while sharing what it's really like competing every day with one goal in mind: earning an opportunity to play in the NHL.

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up in Alpena, Michigan, and taking an unconventional path to professional hockey

• Why returning from AAA to high school hockey didn't end his hockey dreams

• Nearly quitting hockey after his junior year—and what changed everything

• Getting cut from multiple junior teams before finally earning an opportunity

• Using rejection as fuel instead of letting it define you

• The importance of loving the game through every setback

• Choosing Dartmouth for both hockey and academics—and how his mindset evolved once he arrived

• Transitioning from college hockey into the business of professional hockey

• What surprised him most during his first days as a pro

• Why the mental side of the game becomes even more important at the AHL level

• Learning to trust preparation instead of overthinking during games

• Why patience is one of the most important qualities for developing athletes

• How confidence is built through consistent work—not outside opinions

• Why every athlete's journey looks different, and why that's exactly how it's supposed to be

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Whether you're a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is filled with valuable lessons on perseverance, patience, confidence, and trusting your own path—even when it doesn't look like everyone else's.

Cooper's story proves that setbacks don't determine your future. Being cut, overlooked, or doubted doesn't mean your journey is over. If you're willing to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself, your biggest opportunities may still be ahead.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

Welcome to Episode 80 of the Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast!

Up next in The Goalie Nation Series, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc sit down with one of the most accomplished winners in professional hockey, Florida Everblades goaltender Cam Johnson.

A four-time Kelly Cup Champion, three-time Kelly Cup Playoff MVP, and NCAA National Champion at the University of North Dakota, Cam has built a career defined by resilience, belief, and performing when the stakes are highest. But his path to professional hockey wasn't nearly as traditional as many would expect.

From playing AA hockey throughout his youth, going undrafted into the USHL, being traded before his junior season even began, and patiently waiting for his opportunity at North Dakota, Cam shares how trusting his own journey—and believing in himself—allowed him to accomplish things very few athletes ever will.

Throughout the conversation, Cam explains why confidence is built through self-belief rather than outside validation, how learning to embrace adversity shaped his mentality, and why the biggest difference between good athletes and great athletes is their ability to elevate their game when it matters most.

He also takes listeners behind the scenes of life in professional hockey, discussing the reality of the ECHL, the culture that has helped the Florida Everblades become one of the greatest dynasties in minor league hockey, his experience with the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets organizations, and what it truly takes to sustain championship success year after year.

Episode Highlights:

• Why playing AA hockey didn't stop him from reaching Division I and professional hockey

• Going undrafted, getting traded early in junior hockey, and trusting the process

• The importance of believing in yourself before anyone else does

• Learning patience while waiting behind an All-American goaltender at North Dakota

• Winning an NCAA National Championship and how preparation creates opportunity

• What life is really like in the ECHL and why winning cultures are built differently

• His journey through the New Jersey Devils organization and NHL opportunities with Columbus

• Inside the COVID NHL bubble and what he learned from being around NHL players every day

• Why Florida's championship culture continues to produce winning teams

• How self-talk and confidence help him perform in the biggest playoff moments

• Why nerves are a sign that you care—and how to use them to your advantage

• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who push you forward

• Why every athlete has their own path and shouldn't compare their journey to anyone else's

• How to build a mentality that allows you to perform when the lights are brightest

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Whether you're a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with lessons on confidence, resilience, leadership, and developing the mindset needed to overcome setbacks while continuing to chase your goals.

Cam's story is proof that your journey doesn't have to look like everyone else's. You don't have to be the most highly recruited player, the earliest developer, or follow the "perfect" path. What matters most is believing in yourself, embracing every opportunity, and being ready when your moment arrives.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

Welcome to Episode 79 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood aspects of athletic success: mental performance coaching.

For years, athletes have been taught to train their bodies—but what about the part of the game that controls confidence, focus, resilience, and decision-making under pressure?

Chris shares his unique philosophy on mental performance coaching, explaining why it's not therapy, why it isn't about fixing something that's "wrong," and why every athlete—from youth hockey players to Olympians, CEOs, military personnel, and professional athletes—has one common obstacle standing between them and their potential: doubt, fear, and worry.

You'll learn why your brain is designed to protect you, how those protective instincts can also hold you back, and what it actually takes to build lasting self-belief when things don't go your way.

Episode Highlights:

• What mental performance coaching really is—and what it isn't
• Why developing your mind is just as important as developing your skills
• The difference between therapy, counseling, and performance coaching
• How doubt, fear, and worry impact every athlete, regardless of age or level
• Why confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build
• The surprising environments where mental performance coaching happens
• How Chris's background as an elite runner shaped his coaching philosophy
• Why hockey may be one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world
• The hidden mental traps that prevent athletes from reaching their potential
• How parents can unintentionally affect an athlete's confidence—and what to do instead
• Why mistakes and failures should never define who you are
• How to separate your identity from your performance
• The importance of making peace with failure so you can perform freely
• Why the best athletes learn to manage their thoughts instead of fighting them
• How the Dialed & Driven Live Events are helping teams and organizations develop stronger, more resilient athletes

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever wondered why you perform differently in games than you do in practice, struggled with confidence after making mistakes, or questioned whether mental performance coaching is right for you, this episode is for you.

Your brain isn't broken.

Doubt, fear, and worry are part of being human.

The goal isn't to eliminate them.

The goal is to learn how to perform anyway.

Because when you manage your mind...

You unlock your potential.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

Welcome to Episode 78 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc discuss one of the biggest challenges athletes face during the offseason: finding the balance between resting, training, and avoiding burnout.

Summer is supposed to be a time to recharge—but what happens when taking time off starts to make you feel guilty? How do you recover mentally and physically without feeling like you're falling behind everyone else?

We dive into why the offseason isn't about doing nothing or doing everything—it's about finding the right recipe to come back stronger than ever. You'll learn why rest is actually part of the training process, how to avoid burnout before the season even begins, and why your best offseason may not involve spending every day at the rink.

Episode Highlights:
• Why taking time off can make athletes feel guilty
• The difference between resting and taking your foot completely off the gas
• How to recover mentally, physically, and emotionally without falling behind
• Why cross-training and building athleticism matter more than year-round hockey
• Simple ways to stay in shape without living at the gym or rink
• How technology and screen time can quietly derail your offseason
• Why "touching grass" might be the best training advice you'll hear all summer
• How to fight worry and anxiety with facts instead of emotions
• Why every athlete's offseason plan should be unique
• The importance of peaking at the right time—not all year long
• How finding joy in hockey leads to better long-term performance
• Why having fun is one of the most overlooked parts of athletic development
• The biggest signs you've failed your offseason—and how to avoid them
• Why your strongest season starts with your smartest summer

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you've ever felt guilty for taking a day off, worried that everyone else was outworking you, or struggled to find the right balance between training and enjoying your summer, this episode is for you.

Rest is not weakness.

Recovery is part of the process.

Train with intention.

Enjoy being a kid.

And remember—the goal isn't to be at your best in July.

It's to be at your best when the season begins.

Stay dialed. Stay driven.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

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.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

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.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

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.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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

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.

📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
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