Love Your Inner Athlete

What does hockey look like when you’ve seen it from every angle - as a parent, a Special Hockey coach, and a referee? Dana Thiede has spent decades inside the game, and what he’s observed from ice level might surprise you.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime friend Dana to explore what officials actually see and feel during a game, why Minnesota Special Hockey represents everything right about the sport, and how the culture of hockey has shifted - for better and worse - over the decades.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, player, or official, Dana’s honest perspective from multiple vantage points offers a refreshing look at what really shapes the experience of young athletes.

Connect with Dana: Minnesota Special Hockey / Beltline Hockey Referee Association

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on hockey culture, youth sports development, and building better athletic environments.

What does it take to prepare professional baseball players for the demands of a grueling season? Corey Measner, minor league strength and conditioning coach for the Seattle Mariners, shares insights from his journey through collegiate and professional sports, revealing what separates players who make it from those who don’t.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with his nephew Corey to explore how mental fitness intersects with physical preparation, why relationships matter more than knowledge, and what happens when elite athletes face the mental challenge of injury recovery.

Whether you’re an athlete working to reach the next level, a coach developing training programs, or a strength professional looking to understand the mental side of performance, this conversation offers practical insights from the professional ranks.

Connect with Corey: Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach, Seattle Mariners organization

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on performance optimization, injury recovery, and the intersection of physical and mental training.

What happens when an executive coach survives America’s largest mass shooting just days after finishing her coaching certification? Krista Ryan’s journey from that horrific night in Las Vegas to a cancer diagnosis reveals how the simple mantra “keep freaking going” became a life-saving framework for navigating any challenge life throws at us.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Krista to explore how trauma taught her everything she was doing wrong, why neutral thinking beats toxic positivity, and how vulnerability and connection became her greatest strengths.

Whether you’re navigating your own trauma, supporting someone through a difficult time, or simply trying to show up as your best self, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on resilience, forgiveness, and the courage to keep going.

Connect with Krista:

• Business: KFG Coaching (Keep Freaking Going)
• Book: “Keep Freaking Going”
• Partnership: Limitless Minds (Neutral Thinking)
• Role: Dean of Minnesota Speakers Academy

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through life’s hardest moments.

What does it take to help veterans who’ve lost themselves after service find their way back to purpose and belonging? Jon Engfer, with Every Third Saturday’s Warriors Return program, shares insights from his journey as a former All-American hockey player to leading a five-week interpersonal development program that’s transforming lives through dignity, accountability, and community.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Jon to explore how moral injury differs from PTSD, why “victor not victim” mindset matters, and what it means to truly support veterans in reclaiming their identity and bringing honor back to their brotherhood and sisterhood.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking support, someone wanting to serve your community, or a leader interested in how mental fitness principles apply beyond sports, this conversation offers powerful insights on building stronger communities through authentic connection.

Connect with Every Third Saturday:

• Executive Director: Jess McKenna
• Programs: Veterans Resource Empowerment Center, Warriors Return
• Opportunities: Volunteer groups, donations (clothing, hygiene), events (gala, golf tournament, walk)

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on resilience, community building, and reclaiming purpose.

What does it take to walk into two different programs and lead both to their first state tournament appearances decades apart? Bart Inniger’s journey from watching his dad coach at North Dakota State to building championship culture at Minnetonka and Chanhassen reveals timeless truths about what really drives success in athletics.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime coaching friend Bart to explore how mental fitness transformed his coaching approach, why relationships matter more than tactics, and what he wishes every parent of an athlete understood.

Whether you’re a coach looking to build a winning culture, a parent trying to support your athlete, or someone interested in the intersection of mental fitness and athletic performance, this conversation offers practical wisdom from over 30 years in the gym.

Connect with Bart: Head Girls Basketball Coach, Chanhassen High School, Minnetonka School District

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on coaching excellence, building culture, and developing young people through sports

What happens when a coach who started in 1970 shares insights from five decades of watching the game, athletes, and culture evolve? Bruce Johnson’s journey from player to longtime Armstrong High School coach to current assistant at Buffalo reveals timeless truths about what really matters in developing young people through sports.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Bruce to explore how coaching has evolved, why Minnesota’s community-based model works so well, and what separates coaches who build wins from coaches who build people.

Whether you’re a coach navigating modern challenges, a parent trying to support your athlete, or someone interested in how sports development has changed over half a century, this conversation offers perspective that can only come from decades of experience.

Connect with Bruce: Former head coach at Armstrong High School, current assistant coach at Buffalo High School

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on coaching excellence, athlete development, and the evolution of sports culture.

What happens when a former teacher and premature twin discovers that most elite athletes—despite their incredible conditioning—are actually terrible breathers? Stephanie Esser’s journey from struggling to breathe during yoga to becoming a certified breath coach reveals a critical performance factor that nine out of ten people are missing.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Stephanie to explore why breathing mechanics matter more than cardiovascular fitness, how trauma gets stored in breathing patterns, and why your diaphragm might be the key to better performance, recovery, and mental health.

Whether you’re an athlete looking for an edge, a coach seeking practical tools for nervous system regulation, or someone dealing with stress and anxiety, this conversation offers evidence-based strategies that are measurable, practical, and potentially life-changing.

Connect with Stephanie:

• Business: Balancing Elephants
• Services: Breath assessments, personalized training programs, workshops
• Available: In-person and online worldwide

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on performance optimization, nervous system regulation, and holistic athlete development.

What happens when a professional performer who skated alongside Olympic legends discovers her true calling is helping young athletes find confidence and joy in their sport? Kathleen’s journey from Disney on Ice and Stars on Ice to becoming one of Minnesota’s most sought-after skating coaches reveals what it really takes to develop both technical skills and mental resilience.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Kathleen to explore how performing at the highest level shaped her coaching philosophy, why small steps create big goals, and how to help athletes separate practice mindset from performance mindset.

Whether you’re a coach looking to develop deeper connections with athletes, a parent navigating youth sports, or an athlete learning to trust yourself under pressure, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on what makes great coaching truly transformational.

Connect with Kathleen:

• Head Pro at Braymar Figure Skating School
• Private power skating clinics
• Working with athletes from youth through NHL level

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on coaching excellence, athlete development, and building confidence through sports.

What happens when a leadership development expert, former hockey executive, and hockey dad combines decades of experience helping people navigate life’s biggest transitions? Bob Gazich unique perspective on emotional intelligence, failure, and success offers insights that transcend sports and business alike.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime friend Bob to explore what makes great leaders, why failure might be your best teacher, and how to support young athletes through the messy reality of development - whether in junior hockey, college, or life after sports.

Whether you’re a leader looking to develop your team, a parent navigating youth sports, or an athlete facing transitions, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on what really matters when developing people.

Connect with Bob:

• Email: [email protected]
• Services: Leadership development, athlete transition coaching, family business succession planning
• Faculty: St. John’s University/College of St. Benedict

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, development, and navigating life’s transitions.

From 98 Saves to Healthcare Leadership: Justin Lochner’s Journey Beyond the Net

What happens when a college goalie who once made NCAA history discovers that the mental skills learned between the pipes become his greatest professional asset? Justin Lochner’s journey from Augsburg University to healthcare consulting reveals how athletic experiences shape leadership, resilience, and success long after the final buzzer.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad reconnects with his former college athlete to explore what it takes to perform under extreme pressure, why visualization became a game-changer, and how the lessons from a historic performance continue to influence his approach to challenges today.

Whether you’re an athlete learning mental skills, a parent wondering about the long-term value of sports, or a professional seeking insights on team dynamics and leadership, this conversation offers a roadmap for translating athletic experiences into life success.

Connect with Justin: Former Augsburg University starting goalie, current healthcare consultant

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on mental preparation, peak performance, and life after competitive sports.