What separates a good player from a great one — and how can coaches foster that transformation?

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast, host and mental performance coach Hans Skulstad talks with Pat O’Leary — national champion with the Minnesota Gophers and state title-winning high school hockey coach — about the role of mental fitness in long-term success.

Pat opens up about his journey from elite player to influential coach, and how life challenges, personal tragedies, and the daily grind of performance helped shape his approach to both life and leadership. He shares real-world strategies for building resilient athletes, creating team culture, and showing up consistently — as a coach, parent, and mentor.

This episode is packed with insight into:

✅ Building mental resilience as both player and coach

✅ Coaching through adversity and leading during tough times

✅ The importance of mental health conversations in team culture

✅ How to give constructive feedback without crushing confidence

✅ Strategies that separate good from great in high performers

Whether you're a coach looking to inspire, a parent supporting your athlete, or a player chasing peak performance, Pat delivers powerful stories and practical tools to help you thrive under pressure — and love the process.

🔑 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

00:59 – Pat O’Leary: Gophers National Champion and Hockey Coach

03:31 – Pat's coaching philosophy and how it’s evolved

08:30 – Leading through tragedy and adversity

17:05 – The dynamics of coaching your own child

23:51 – How to maintain consistency in performance over time

24:52 – Addressing mental health in high school teams

27:30 – What truly separates good from great players

29:18 – Delivering honest feedback that motivates

34:56 – What it means to be "hard to play against"

38:02 – How to recognize and develop exceptional athletes

🧠 Discover more on Mental Fitness for Athletes:

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com to level up your performance and mental strength.

💬 Follow Hans Skulstad and Center for Sports and the Mind:

Facebook: Center for Sports and the Mind

Twitter/X: @2ChallengeMind

Instagram: @centerforsportsandmind

YouTube: Hans Skulstad

Website: https://hansskulstad.com

How does a state champion & captain evolve into a future Navy pilot with elite mental resilience?

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast, host and mental performance coach Hans Skulstad sits down with Reagan Roloefs — 2018 state champion, six-year varsity athlete, Naval Academy graduate, and aspiring military pilot — to explore what it means to lead with clarity, train your mindset, and build lifelong resilience.

Reagan shares how visualization became a tool for high-pressure performance, how the support of teammates built her foundation of confidence, and how her commitment to a greater purpose has guided her through every transition — from elite athlete to service leader.

This episode is packed with insight into:

✅ Visualization practices that improve confidence and execution

✅ The power of teammates and shared trust in high-performing groups

✅ How to build clarity around what you want — and go after it

✅ Mental strategies for navigating big transitions

✅ Staying consistent through challenge with purpose-driven discipline

Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone chasing a new chapter, Reagan’s journey shows how cultivating a strong mental game — and leaning into connection — can help you become the leader your mission needs.

🔑 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

00:54 – Meet Reagan Roloefs: State Champion and Naval Academy Standout

03:53 – How visualization elevated Reagan’s performance

18:35 – Balancing athletics, academics, and leadership training

24:40 – The strength of team connection and trusting your people

25:17 – Inside life at the Naval Academy and adjusting to a new structure

27:46 – Leaving lacrosse behind and navigating an identity shift

32:45 – The link between mental preparation and real-world performance

34:45 – Advice on finding clarity and direction as a young athlete

39:31 – The impact of mental coaching and support

41:57 – Celebrating team success and shared achievement

🧠 Discover more on Mental Fitness for Athletes:

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com to level up your performance and mental strength.

💬 Follow Hans Skulstad and Center for Sports and the Mind:

Facebook: Center for Sports and the Mind

Twitter/X: @2ChallengeMind

Instagram: @centerforsportsandmind

YouTube: Hans Skulstad

Website: https://hansskulstad.com

What does it really take to develop the mental game of a professional athlete?

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast, host and mental performance expert Hans Skulstad sits down with former NHL defenseman and elite hockey skills coach Lance Pitlick to explore the mindset, routines, and mental toughness needed to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

Lance shares his journey from playing youth hockey in Blaine, MN, to skating for the Minnesota Gophers and ultimately playing in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. Now the founder of Online Hockey Training, he mentors the next generation of athletes on mastering both their physical and mental game.

This episode is packed with insight into:

✅ Mental habits that shape elite athletes✅ Strategies for building confidence and mental resilience✅ How to navigate tough coaching relationships✅ The transition from professional athlete to transformational coach✅ The importance of self-awareness, consistency, and loving your inner athlete

Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent looking to understand the psychology of performance in sports, this conversation delivers powerful lessons on developing mental strength, overcoming perfectionism, and thriving under pressure.

🔑 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

01:04 – Meet Lance Pitlick: From NHL Player to Skills Coach

05:14 – The College Hockey Journey and Breaking into the NHL

08:04 – Overcoming Obstacles and Staying Mentally Strong in Pro Hockey

12:28 – Mentoring Young Athletes: Mindset First

16:38 – Coaching Philosophy: Empowerment, Not Perfection

21:19 – When Coaching Impacts Confidence – for Better or Worse

25:01 – Daily Mental Habits That Drive Success

26:02 – Why Mental Training is Essential in Modern Athletics

30:40 – Managing Perfectionism and Pressure in Sports

35:09 – Training Tools and How to Self-Correct

37:56 – Embracing the Process and Loving Your Inner Athlete

🎯 Learn more about Lance Pitlick and Online Hockey Training:https://www.onlinehockeytraining.com/2024-about-me

🧠 Discover more on Mental Fitness for Athletes:Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com to level up your performance and mental strength.

💬 Follow Hans Skulstad and Center for Sports and the Mind:

Facebook: Center for Sports and the Mind

Twitter/X: @2ChallengeMind

Instagram: @centerforsportsandmind

YouTube: Hans Skulstad

Website: https://hansskulstad.com

Mental Fitness and Coaching Insights with Mike Schwartz

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad is joined by his long-time friend, Mike Schwartz. Mike shares his journey from playing hockey to becoming a high school and college hockey coach, eventually transitioning into a financial advising career. The discussion delves into the importance of mental fitness in sports, highlighting the influence of sports psychologist Ainsley Smith on Mike’s coaching philosophy. Mike talks about the parallels between coaching and financial advising, the evolving perception of mental health, and the need for coaches to understand their players deeply. They also discuss parenting athletes, the impact of role models, and the value of curiosity and lifelong learning.

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Key Moments:

00:50 Meet Mike Schwartz: A Coaching Journey

03:46 Transition from Coaching to Financial Advising

06:16 The Importance of Mental Fitness

10:46 Incorporating Mental Fitness in Coaching

12:28 Parenting and Coaching: A Personal Perspective

15:57 College Sports and Coaching

17:56 Influence of Coaching Legends

19:29 The Power of Knowledge

22:59 Coaching Philosophy and Emotional Fitness

24:33 Reflections and Role Models

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Connect with Mike Schwartz on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-schwartz-a7b253a/

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Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

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Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

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Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

Resilience in Hockey: In-Depth on Goalies with Steve Carroll

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad engages in an enlightening conversation with Steve Carroll, a seasoned goalie coach affiliated with Gustavus Women's Hockey and the founder of the Carroll Goalie School. They discuss the evolution of mental fitness in sports, particularly in hockey, diving deep into Steve's journey from being an underdog at Mankato State to coaching thousands of goalies across different levels. Highlights include the changes in goalie equipment and training, advocating for maintaining self-belief, and fostering resilience. Steve shares insights on the importance of recovery from goals allowed, the necessity of consistent practice with purpose, and the significance of visualizing success. The episode also focuses on the crucial role that coaches play in a goalie's development and how to balance constructive feedback without damaging a player's mental fortitude. Key themes such as mental fitness, performance, personal growth, and the realities of hockey coaching are explored thoroughly.

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Key Moments:

00:54 Meet Steve Carroll: A Journey in Hockey

03:36 High School Hockey Memories

06:24 Changes in Goalie Training and Equipment

08:16 Coaching at Gustavus and Goalie Development

14:05 The Carroll Goalie School: Origins and Impact

21:53 The Influence of a Legendary Coach

23:04 Coaching Philosophy and Techniques

25:25 Goalie Development and Challenges

29:13 The Importance of Emotional Management

32:28 Innovative Approaches to Goalie Training

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Connect with Steve Carroll and the Carroll Goalie School:

https://carrollgs.com/

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Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

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Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

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Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

Vision Performance Training: Unlocking Athletic Potential with Bjorn Carlson

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad welcomes Bjorn Carlson, a vision performance specialist with over 15 years of experience at the Vision Performance Center of Minnesota. Hans and Bjorn discuss the significant role of vision training in enhancing athletic performance, from youth sports to the professional level. Bjorn explains how vision therapy can aid in concussion recovery, academic challenges, and overall mental fitness with diverse applications to develop athletes at all levels. Vision therapy increases neuroplasticity and teaches an athlete's brain to work efficiently, be aware of their periphery, and focus in the heat of competition. Key insights include the evolution of vision training, the impact of neuroplasticity, and real-life success stories of athletes who have benefited from improved visual processing. Listeners will learn how vision training can build resilience, boost confidence, and foster better performance in both sports and daily life.

Key Moments

02:12 Bjorn's Journey into Vision Training

03:43 Evolution of Vision Performance Training

05:00 Impact of Vision Training on Athletic Performance

06:13 Working with High-Level Athletes

07:14 Common Visual Processing Issues in Athletes

12:51 Vision Training Programs and Their Benefits

17:00 Long-Term Effects and Maintenance of Vision Training

30:16 Case Studies and Success Stories

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Connect with Bjorn Carlson and the Vision Performance Center of Minnesota:

https://vpcmn.com/

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Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

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Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

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Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

Journey to Elite: Lauren Johnson's Path to Mental Performance Excellence

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad speaks with Lauren Johnson, former mental performance coach for the New York Yankees and founder of Elite by Choice. They explore Lauren's journey from aspiring professional soccer player to overcoming multiple concussions, shifting her focus towards kinesiology and eventually sports psychology. Lauren shares insights on her challenging career path, advocating for mental fitness, the importance of adaptability, and her work with high-performing athletes. They also discuss the misconceptions about mental performance making athletes 'soft' and Lauren's ongoing efforts to bring mental conditioning concepts to children through her new toy line. The episode underscores the relevance of mental health and resilience in both sports and personal growth.

Key Moments:

01:39 Lauren's Journey to Mental Performance Coaching

06:30 Challenges and Breakthroughs

10:16 Working with the New York Yankees

14:02 High Performers: Similarities and Differences

17:13 Assuming Positive Intent

22:17 Defining Mental Fitness

26:01 The Balance Between Toughness and Empathy

30:01 Advice for Young Athletes and Parents

33:33 Tools for Mindset Shifts

37:54 Embracing Uncertainty and Growth

42:50 Lauren Johnson's Future Plans

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

A Referee’s Journey in Hockey: Brian Thul

In this episode of the 'Love Your Inner Athlete' podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime friend and accomplished hockey referee Brian Thul. They delve into Brian's journey from a multi-sport youth athlete in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to becoming a referee in high-level stages including college hockey and the World Junior Championship. Brian shares insights on mental fitness, the culture within hockey, challenges in youth sports, and how his vast experiences from officiating to coaching have shaped his approach. Key topics include effective communication, maintaining composure under pressure, and fostering a love for the game while upholding integrity and respect for referees - all lessons he has learned from a wealth of diverse experiences. The discussion also highlights the balance between personal passion and professional responsibility in contributing positively to the community and the sport of hockey.

Key Moments:

00:50 Meet Brian Tool: A Journey in Hockey

02:47 Brian's Early Years and Career Beginnings

05:05 Refereeing at High Levels: Challenges and Experiences

14:34 Lessons from Refereeing and Transition to Teaching

19:01 Youth Hockey Leadership and Philosophy

25:33 Coaching, Mental Fitness, and Respect in Sports

36:29 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

Embracing Mental Fitness: Travis Thomas

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad engages in a compelling conversation with Travis Thomas, a seasoned performance coach specializing in mindset, team dynamics, and culture. They discuss Travis's diverse journey, from his early days as an athlete and improv comedian to his impactful roles at IMG Academy and with the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team. Travis shares valuable insights on developing mental fitness, emphasizing resilience, focus, and having the courage to face challenges. He also explains the concept of 'Yes And' from improvisation and its relevance to mindfulness and mental performance. The episode concludes with Travis offering practical advice for parents navigating their children's athletic experiences, highlighting the importance of supportive, enjoyable environments over mere competitive progression.

Key Moments:

01:31 Meet Travis Thomas: Performance Coach and Improv Comedian

04:24 The Power of Belief Over Confidence

12:08 The Concept of 'Yes And'

21:25 Connecting Through Improvisation

23:48 Debunking Mental Performance Myths

26:30 Challenging Traditional Views on Emotions

28:01 Journey to the U.S. Men's Soccer Team

30:22 Pinch Me Moments and High Pressure

35:45 Mental Fitness and Therapy

40:10 Advice for Parents of Young Athletes

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20

Coaching Across Generations: Thomas Johnson on Mental Fitness in HockeyIn this episode of the 'Love Your Inner Athlete' podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Thomas Johnson, a multifaceted hockey coach with over a decade of experience. They discuss the various roles Thomas has undertaken, from coaching high school hockey to running youth initiation programs and the high performance program. The conversation delves into the importance of mental fitness, the evolving dynamics of the sport, and the strategies Thomas employs to help athletes manage stress and setbacks. Key insights include the impact of mental fitness tools on coaching effectiveness, the evolution of hockey skills, and the value of fostering a supportive community culture.Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:52 Meet Thomas Johnson01:45 Thomas's Various Roles in Hockey04:21 Coaching with Family06:04 Finding Your Why in Coaching07:10 Mental Fitness in Coaching11:33 Changes in Hockey Over the Years15:57 Rebooting Techniques with Mites17:25 Challenges for Today's Athletes18:36 Impact of Culture and Mental Performance20:05 Mental Fitness Skills and Techniques21:53 Coaching High Performance Programs23:37 Integrating Mental Health in Coaching28:01 Coaching Your Own Kids33:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!

Learn more about Hans Skulstad:

https://hansskulstad.com/

Follow Center for Sports and the Mind, as well as Hans, on social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-for-Sports-and-the-Mind/100044301706608/

https://x.com/2ChallengeMind

https://www.instagram.com/centerforsportsandmind/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/hskulstad20