🧠 Mental fitness isn’t a buzzword anymore — it’s a skill. And like any hockey skill, it has to be trained.

Mental fitness is one of the most requested topics in the Our Kids Play Hockey community, and for good reason. Parents, coaches, and players all know it matters — but far fewer know how to actually teach it, practice it, and *build it into everyday hockey life.

In this episode, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by Swedish sport psychology leaders Henrik Cronebäck and Johan Fallby, co-founders of PlayWellMinds, a science-backed mental training platform helping young athletes build confidence, focus, and emotional balance through short, daily routines.

This conversation moves mental fitness from theory to action.

🏒 Inside this episode:

~Why mental fitness should be trained just like skating, shooting, and strength
~How elite athletes learn to work with stress instead of fighting it
~Why introducing mental skills early gives kids a lifelong advantage
~The difference between outcome goals and performance goals — and why it matters
~Simple tools parents and coaches can use immediately (including the powerful “Top Three” exercise)
~How teams can build stronger culture, trust, and communication through shared mental skills

💡 From mindfulness and breathing, to emotional awareness, reflection, and celebration, Henrik and Johan break down how mental training can become a daily habit — not a reaction to problems.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants kids to stay in the game longer, enjoy it more, and develop skills that go far beyond the rink.

📩 Have questions for the hosts or guests? Email [email protected] or use the text link in the show description.

🎧 Listen, learn, and start training the mind like the muscle it is.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Training the Mind Like the Body in Youth Hockey

#OurKidsPlayHockey #MentalFitness #YouthHockey #SportsPsychology #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #PlayerDevelopment #MentalTraining

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:

• Facebook Group
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube