In this special Season 1 recap, host Phil Osaer reflects on some of the most memorable lessons shared on The Athlete Lab Podcast. Featuring takeaways from Dr. Cheri Mah, Barry Smith, Megan Keller, Adam Eaton, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, Kate Kelley Schneider, and Dillon Kelley, the episode revisits powerful conversations about preparation, resilience, leadership, recovery, and what it takes to keep growing as an athlete and a person.

In this episode of The Athlete Lab Podcast, host Phil Osaer sits down with Jill Lane, sought after Sports Nutrition Advisor to the Pros, mom of three and Founder & CEO of the go-to sports nutrition app for student athletes Fueling Champions®, for a practical conversation on how young athletes and sports families can better fuel performance. Hired by Hall of Fame athletes, Super Bowl Champions and industry leading companies, her passion for helping professional athletes, busy sports families and top performance centers around the country get elite sustainable results has become the cornerstone of her business.

Jill Lane has worked with 20+ professional athletes and coaches from the NFL, NBA, and MLB, while also managing high-level relationships with pro teams through her consulting work. But what really sets her apart is that she’s lived it herself, she was a high school All-American, an Olympic Development Team member, and competed at both the collegiate and semi-pro levels.

She understands what it actually takes to perform, recover, and sustain success and today, she’s on a mission to help the next generation of athletes do exactly that through Fueling Champions.

Together, they dive into:

• Jill’s journey from athlete to nutrition coach

• The biggest nutrition priorities for young athletes

• What parents should know about protein and supplements

• How her Feed, Lead, Succeed approach helps families support performance together

• Simple ways to build healthier routines without overcomplicating nutrition

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode offers practical takeaways to help support better energy, recovery, and long-term development.

Learn more:

• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)

• Jill Lane (https://www.jilllane.com/) | Fueling Champions (https://www.fuelingchampions.co/)

Follow us:

• Instagram: @theathletelabpodcast

• Guest Instagram: @itsjill.lane

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Kevin Woodley joins Phil Osaer on The Athlete Lab Podcast for a deep dive into the modern goaltending position, what’s changing, what still holds up, and how goalies (and coaches/parents) can keep evolving.

Kevin is a writer covering the NHL (including the Vancouver Canucks) for NHL.com, a Contributing Editor at InGoal Magazine, and a co-host of the InGoal Radio Podcast, bringing both reporting and rink-level perspective to the conversation.

In this episode, Kevin shares takeaways from Italy and insights on Connor Hellebuyck, why the best goalies obsess over learning and adapting, how he built a career focused on the crease, and what youth goalies should prioritize right now, plus how to use analytics without losing the human side of performance.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a goalie, goalie parent, or coach who wants to get better in the crease.

Learn more:

• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)

• Kevin Woodley (InGoal Magazine) (https://ingoalmag.com/author/kwoodley/)

Follow us:

• Instagram: @theathletelabpodcast

• Guest X: @KevinisInGoal

Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Athlete Lab Podcast

Cheri D. Mah, MD, MS, a sleep physician & performancespecialist, joins Phil Osaer on The Athlete Lab Podcast to break down what great sleep actually looks like for athletes and why it’s one of the biggest performance multipliers most people underestimate.

As a sleep physician and Adjunct Lecturer at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, Dr. Mah is widely recognized for her work on sleep and performance in elite athletes from sleep extension research to how chronic sleep loss impacts cognitive function, reaction time, and biomechanics. She’sconsulted across the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, advised international organizations, and works with high performers from executives to CEOs.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways you can useimmediately whether you’re a youth athlete, parent, coach, or simply someone trying to get a better night’s sleep and improve your daily life.

Together they dive into:• What “good sleep” actually looks like (quality, consistency, and timing) • Paying back “sleep debt” • The “nappuccino” and when it’s useful • Using sleep data without letting it hijack your mindset • The Mah Method: simple strategies for better sleep and better performance

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someonewho needs better sleep.

Learn more:

• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)

• Dr. Cheri Mah (https://www.drcherimah.com/)

Follow us:

• Instagram: @AthleteLabDetroit

• Guest Instagram: @drcherimah

• Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Athlete Lab Podcast

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Adam Eaton, former Major League Baseball outfielder and current MLB coach, for a conversation centered on resilience, adaptation, and what it really takes to sustain a career at the highest level.

From his upbringing and path through professional baseball to the daily grind of the Major Leagues, Adam shares the habits and mindset that helped him navigate the ups and downs of a long career. He opens up about battling through injuries, the mental side of rehab, and the perspective gained from some of the biggest moments in the game, including postseason pressure and Game 7 experiences.

Now transitioning into coaching, Adam reflects on what’s changed, what still matters most, and how he approaches developing the next generation of players. Throughout the conversation, he offers honest insight into adjustment, accountability, and the ability to evolve over time both on and off the field.

Together, they dive into:

• Adam’s upbringing, journey, and the habits that shaped his career

• The reality of the Major League grind: consistency, pressure, and longevity

• Injury rehab and the mental challenges that come with it

• Performing in high-stakes moments, including postseason and Game 7 experiences

• Transitioning from player to coach and seeing the game through a new lens

• The importance of adjustment, adaptability, and continuous growth

If you want to understand what it takes to compete, adjust, and last at the highest level, this episode offers perspective from someone who’s lived it.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Kim Muir, one of the most influential power skating coaches in hockey and her story is unlike anything you’ve heard.

From being found as an infant in South Korea and growing up in Michigan, to becoming a national-level figure skater and eventually coaching hundreds of athletes across every level of hockey, Kim’s journey is built on resilience, curiosity, and a relentless drive to get better.

But what makes her one of the most sought-after skating coaches isn’t just her story, it’s how she teaches and connects with athletes. Kim breaks down skating in a way that helps players truly understand how their body moves, why efficiency matters, and how small details can completely change performance on the ice.

Together, they dive into:

• Kim’s unconventional path into hockey and how she built her coaching career

• Why skating is the most important and most overlooked skill in hockey

• What separates elite skaters and how to actually train it

• Lessons from working with players across the NHL, NCAA, and junior levels

• Advice for players, parents, and coaches on long-term development

If you want to understand what truly drives performance and hear a story that will stick with you, this episode delivers both.

Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring Olympians, professional athletes, coaches, and performance experts. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who’s chasing their next level.

Learn more:

• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/) • Kim Muir Power Skating (https://kimmuirpowerskating.com/)

Follow us:

• Instagram: @AthleteLabDetroit

• Guest Instagram: @kimmuirpowerskating

• Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Athlete Lab Podcast

#AthleteDevelopment #KimMuir #PowerSkating #HockeyDevelopment

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Barry Smith, a seven-time Stanley Cup–winning coach and current Director of Player Evaluation for the Chicago Blackhawks, for a masterclass in team building, habits, and what it really takes to win at the highest level.

With a coaching career that spans college hockey, the NHL, and international competition, Barry shares stories and lessons from working inside championship organizations, including his time with the Detroit Red Wings, and alongside legendary coach Bob Johnson. He breaks down the habits that drive team improvement, why mental makeup and processing speed separate great players, and how efficient, purposeful practices can elevate both individuals and teams.

Together, they dive into:

• Habits that drive team improvement and long-term success

• Behind-the-scenes insights from Stanley Cup–winning teams and what made them different

• Lessons learned from working with Bob Johnson and other great coaches

• How to structure more efficient, high-impact practices

• What truly matters when evaluating players: mindset, character, and hockey IQ

• Advice for players, coaches, and parents on development, preparation, and competing at a higher level

If you want to understand what winning organizations do differently and how those lessons can be applied at any level of the game; this episode delivers perspective from someone who’s been part of it all.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Topher Scott, former Cornell captain, pro hockey player, college coach, and founder of The Hockey Think Tank, for a practical, honest conversation about what athlete development really looks like in today’s hockey landscape.

From his path through youth hockey outside Chicago to the USHL, Cornell, pro hockey, and coaching at the Division I level, Topher shares the lessons that shaped his approach to developing athletes and building teams. He breaks down the pillars of athlete development, how coaches and parents can create an environment that supports growth, and why culture and accountability aren’t slogans; they’re daily behaviors. Topher also pulls back the curtain on the recruiting process, offering grounded perspective for families trying to navigate the journey without losing the joy of the game. Along the way, Phil and Topher dig into the mission behind The Hockey Think Tank and how education, community, and better leadership can improve the youth hockey experience for everyone involved.

Together, they dive into:

• Topher’s upbringing and hockey journey from youth hockey to USHL, Cornell, pro hockey, and coaching

• The core pillars of athlete development (and what matters most at different ages and stages)

• Building culture and accountability without burning players out

• What great coaches do differently and how athletes can take ownership of their growth

• Recruiting advice: what evaluators actually look for, and myths that families should ignore

• Why The Hockey Think Tank exists and how it’s helping create change in the hockey world

If you care about developing better players and better people and creating an experience that athletes want to stay in; this episode is packed with perspective you can use immediately as a coach, parent, or player.

Learn more:
• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)
• Hockey Think Tank (https://hockeythinktank.com/)
• Topher Scott (https://hockeythinktank.com/about/)

Follow us & our guest:
• Instagram: @AthleteLabDetroit
• Hockey Think Tank: @hockeythinktank (Instagram)
• Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Athlete Lab Podcast

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Michigan State associate head coach and former RIT standout goaltender Jared DeMichiel for a candid look inside college hockey at the highest level.

From his journey as a player who helped take RIT to the Frozen Four, to building championship-caliber teams behind the bench at UMass and now MSU, Jared shares how his experiences have shaped the way he evaluates talent, develops goalies and defensemen, and builds a competitive culture that still puts people first. He opens up about what he really looks for when scouting youth and junior players, how the player/coach relationship has evolved, and what life actually looks like in a typical week of Big Ten hockey. Along the way, he offers grounded, practical advice for players and families who are trying to navigate the path to college hockey without losing sight of development and joy in the game.

Together, they dive into:

• Jared’s hockey journey as a goaltender and how it informs his coaching today

• What matters most when scouting youth and junior players beyond just points and size

• The modern player/coach relationship and how athletes can get the most out of it

• A typical week inside MSU hockey: practice rhythm, video, preparation, and recovery

• The Michigan State vs. Michigan rivalry: what makes it unique and how players manage the emotion

• Advice for goalies, skaters, and parents on development, patience, and choosing the right environment

If you care about where college hockey is headed and what really drives opportunity and development at that level, this episode offers a rare window into the process from someone who’s lived it on both sides of the bench.

Learn more:
• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)
• MSU Hockey (https://msuspartans.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey)

Follow us & our guest:
• Instagram: @AthleteLabDetroit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganStateHockey

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Michael Lee, creator of Physical Acting for Skaters, for a deep dive into the art of presence, performance, and expression in sport.

Drawing on his work with athletes competing at the highest levels of figure skating, Michael shares how physical acting can unlock a new level of confidence and connection on the ice and beyond. He explains how he first began coaching skaters, why full-body storytelling matters just as much as technical skill, and how athletes can train “rich” and “poor” energy to bring programs and performances to life. Throughout the conversation, he offers simple, practical “homework” that any athlete can use to improve their body awareness, emotional expression, and ability to perform under pressure.

Together, they dive into:

• What physical acting means in the context of sport and how Michael began working with skaters

• How body awareness and movement choices shape confidence, presence, and storytelling

• Performing under pressure: staying grounded while delivering your best when it matters most

• “Rich” vs. “poor” energy and how athletes can use this idea to elevate their programs

• Real examples from working with athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport

• Simple, actionable “homework” exercises athletes, parents, and coaches can use right away

If you’re in the world of figure skating or you care about how athletes show up, not just how they score, this episode offers a unique look at the performance side of development that often goes untapped.

**This episode was recorded prior to the Olympics.**

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who wants to get a little better.

Learn more:

• The Athlete Lab (https://www.athletelabdetroit.com/)

• Michael Lee (https://www.michaelleemime.com/)

Follow us & our guest:

• Instagram: @AthleteLabDetroit

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelLeeMime• Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Athlete Lab Podcast

#skating #athletedevelopment #performancemindset #presence