Our Kids Play Hockey

More Than a Hockey Player – Building Self-Worth and Mental Toughness with Danielle McDonough


Listen Later

How do young athletes build confidence, resilience, and a strong mindset both on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we welcome Danielle McDonough, former professional hockey player, mindset coach, and author of The Empowered Athlete.

Danielle shares her incredible journey from playing boys’ hockey in Southern California to earning a full scholarship at Providence College, playing professionally in the NWHL and Switzerland, and ultimately transitioning into mental performance coaching. She discusses the mental challenges young athletes face, including anxiety, pressure, and self-doubt, and provides actionable strategies to help players, parents, and coaches develop mental toughness and confidence.

In this episode, we cover:

🏒 Danielle’s journey from youth hockey to professional play

🧠 The importance of mindset training in sports and life

💡 How visualization, self-awareness, and breathing techniques help athletes perform under pressure

🚗 The “car ride home” conversation – what parents should (and shouldn’t) say

🔑 Why mental skills training is just as important as physical training

This episode is packed with golden nuggets for players, parents, and coaches who want to support young athletes in their development—not just as hockey players, but as confident individuals.

📖 Check out Danielle’s book, The Empowered Athlete, for even more tools on self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-worth in sports.

🔊 Listen now! 

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

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


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Our Kids Play HockeyBy Our Kids Play Hockey

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

56 ratings


More shows like Our Kids Play Hockey

View all
The Hockey PDOcast by Sportsnet

The Hockey PDOcast

853 Listeners

Spittin Chiclets by Barstool Sports

Spittin Chiclets

20,205 Listeners

Glass and Out by The Coaches Site

Glass and Out

62 Listeners

32 Thoughts: The Podcast by Sportsnet

32 Thoughts: The Podcast

1,944 Listeners

The Hockey Think Tank Podcast by thehockeythinktank

The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

485 Listeners

The Cam & Strick Podcast by Cam Janssen & Andy Strickland

The Cam & Strick Podcast

514 Listeners

Youth Hockey Podcast by Randy Gifford Lance Alexander

Youth Hockey Podcast

30 Listeners

Missin Curfew by DraftKings Network

Missin Curfew

817 Listeners

The Rink Shrinks by The Rink Shrinks, Bleav

The Rink Shrinks

365 Listeners

The Athletic Hockey Show by The Athletic

The Athletic Hockey Show

426 Listeners

PowerTech Development Podcast by PowerTech Online

PowerTech Development Podcast

92 Listeners

The DFO Rundown by The Nation Network

The DFO Rundown

69 Listeners

Daily Faceoff Live with Frank Seravalli by The Nation Network

Daily Faceoff Live with Frank Seravalli

53 Listeners

Empty Netters Podcast by Almost Friday Media

Empty Netters Podcast

136 Listeners

The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation by USA Hockey

The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation

8 Listeners