The Athletes Podcast

A torn ACL sparks a pivot to Prague, an elite training internship, and a national reality challenge that reshapes how we coach and compete. We launch the Two‑Minute Warning, debate sports’ hottest questions, and map the real rise of women’s sports with on-the-ground proof.

• ACL tear as catalyst for change
• Prague study abroad and work grind
• Gary Roberts internship lessons in sport science
• Canada’s Ultimate Challenge mindset and adaptability
• Hyrox prep and finishing with one ACL
• Training ethos: build durable, adaptable athletes
• Creatine basics and lifting myths for women
• Social reach, coaching impact, and community
• Women’s sports growth across WPBL, PWHL, WNBA
• Two‑Minute Warning debates: Jake Paul, GOAT, Leafs, Clark vs Reese, rugby vs football

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Sandra Abstreiter shares how film study, better fueling, and smarter gear choices helped her rise to Germany’s starting job and a PWHL roster. We swap stories from the PWHL takeover tour, dig into mindset for starters and backups, and unpack how small gains stack into big jumps.

• jumping from skater to goalie at 16 and building skills fast through deliberate video study
• why comfort-driven gear choices accelerate confidence and flow on the ice
• practical fueling: carbs pre-ice, protein and creatine for recovery, electrolytes for heavy days
• monitoring training load with simple metrics to spot underfueling
• PWHL takeover tour energy and what fan momentum means for women’s hockey
• agency and brand support that removes friction and lets athletes focus on execution
• starter versus backup mindset: same game, same craft, reduced pressure
• facing elite shooters to raise standards and sharpen reads
• protecting identity beyond sport to sustain joy and resilience
• closing advice: don’t dream small dreams

Shout out to Perfect Sports, Pioneer Alder Grove Auto Group, Warrior, Hyperice, Howies, IQBAR, and more who supported camp and travel

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We sit down with ultra runner Dave Proctor to unpack how he ran across Canada, what attention and meditation did for his performance, and why the finish line mattered less than the steps that got him there. The talk moves from ego and validation to stillness, doubt, and the craft of stacking habits.

• Canadian pride and sport as pure attention
• Doing vs being and running across Canada
• Outrunning ego and the Second Mountain idea
• Meditation as training for focus and composure
• Pain vs discomfort and practical reframing
• COVID, a broken foot, and choosing acceptance
• Doubters as mirrors and compassionate resolve
• Post-record stillness, writing, and new identities
• Baselines for runners and habit stacking
• Influences from Terry Fox to Al Howie

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Cal Dorohoy, founder of Fairway Co and director of Innovation for VaynerSports, joins Dave to discuss the ambitious Fairway Long Drive Tour across Canada and the intersection of athletics and entrepreneurship.

• Cal created Fairway Lager after identifying the untapped opportunity to own the "social side of golf"
• The beer contains a protease enzyme cutting 90% of gluten, making it less filling for extended days on the course
• The Long Drive Tour spans from Tofino, BC to Cabot Nova Scotia over 18 days
• Playing 18 rounds with over 50 athletes, creators, and entrepreneurs showcases Canadian talent
• Cal transitioned from soccer to business after an injury, finding that his competitive athletic mindset transferred directly
• Athletes make excellent entrepreneurs because they understand teamwork, competition, and resilience
• Both professional athletics and entrepreneurship require sacrifice and dedication behind the glamorized social media presence
• The vision includes building communities in each city for future tours, connecting people through golf
• Law of attraction and clear goal-setting have been crucial to Cal's success in business
• Sports that allow multi-generational play and moderate drinking (golf, pickleball, curling) create unique social connections

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Luke Way, founder of Isocapnic Technologies, reveals how respiratory limitations affect athletic performance and how proper breathing training can unlock significant performance gains.

• Approximately 70% of athletes are functionally limited by their respiratory systems, meaning they physically cannot breathe enough air to perform at their true potential
• VO2 max testing provides valuable insights beyond just a number, showing how different body systems contribute to or limit performance
• Many athletes compensate with rapid, shallow breathing (up to 70 breaths per minute) instead of utilizing their full lung capacity
• Breathing deeper rather than faster is more efficient as each breath contains "dead space" air that doesn't participate in gas exchange
• The Isocapnic device allows athletes to train respiratory muscles without hyperventilation, conditioning them for sustained deep breathing
• Nasal breathing is beneficial for low-intensity activities but physically cannot meet ventilation demands during high-intensity exercise
• Proper respiratory training can reduce the energy cost of breathing from 18% to 8% of total energy expenditure during endurance activities
• Blood work several times per year helps athletes monitor important markers like ferritin levels to optimize training and recovery
• Consistency in training, recovery, and injury management is the ultimate differentiator for athletic success

For more information about respiratory training and to connect with Luke Way, visit Isocapnic Technologies online or reach out at Kelowna Hockey Fest.

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Shea Emry shares his remarkable journey from being a two-time Grey Cup champion in the CFL to competing in World Long Drive Championships, hitting golf balls over 400 yards with a specialized 48-inch driver. His story demonstrates how elite athletes can successfully transition between sports, applying lessons from one competitive arena to another.

• Former CFL linebacker who retired in 2015 and discovered long drive golf in 2022
• Personal record of hitting a golf ball 429 yards using a driver with just 4.5 degrees loft
• Qualified for World Long Drive Championships where competitors regularly hit drives over 400 yards
• Applies mental preparation techniques from football to his golf game
• Credits his multi-sport background for ability to transition between athletic disciplines
• Emphasizes the importance of exposing children to multiple sports rather than early specialization
• Runs a "professional snowball making" business, creating snowball fight experiences for events
• Co-founded Sphere Guide, a platform connecting clients with specialized coaches
• Maintains the same competitive mindset in golf as he did in football, paying attention to details without overthinking

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Maddie Warren joins us for a brutal leg workout and shares her journey from teenage undereating to powerlifting to becoming a bodybuilder who travels the world. She opens up about finding balance, building confidence, and pursuing personal growth on her own terms.

• Training with heavy hip thrusts (3 plates) and high reps for glute development
• Using cooling implements called "narwhals" to maximize workout capacity
• Surviving Bulgarian split squats that Maddie describes simply as "death"
• Discussing how Maddie balances training while traveling extensively
• Exploring the myth that women will get "bulky" from lifting weights
• Maddie's transformation from restrictive eating to finding balance
• The importance of building muscle as the foundation for a "toned" look
• How Maddie approaches social media negativity and gym interactions
• Why Maddie describes herself as the "Side Quest Queen"
• Advice for guys trying to approach women at the gym: build rapport first

Check out Perfect Sports for the best pre-workout supplements and Can-i Wellness for recovery. Visit MaddieWarren_fit on Instagram and TheFitMaddie on TikTok to follow her fitness journey and travels.

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Evy Lyons from Apex Cool Labs explains how palm cooling technology is revolutionizing athletic performance by cooling blood and muscles during intense activity.

• Palm cooling accelerates recovery in competition and training by utilizing hands as the body's natural radiators
• Our palms get 10 times more blood flow than other skin areas when we're hot
• Cooling your palms helps lower core temperature, accelerate heart rate recovery, and extend muscle stamina
• Heat inhibits performance, but we lack internal temperature sensors to detect when our muscles are overheating
• Optimal cooling temperature is 50-60°F (10-15°C) - ice is actually too cold and causes vasoconstriction
• Athletes using palm cooling can add extra quality volume to workouts, leading to compound performance gains
• Evie doubled her pull-up max from 7 to 14 in eight weeks using palm cooling between sets
• Narwhals devices are now used by elite athletes across all major sports leagues and in the Olympics
• Beyond athletics, palm cooling provides critical benefits for "industrial athletes" in firefighting, construction, and manufacturing
• Heat is the number one climate-related killer globally, making cooling technologies increasingly important

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Brian Wallack shares his journey from professional basketball player in Spain to Gymshark athlete and social media fitness influencer with half a million followers. His transition reveals how he's now able to inspire more people through fitness content than he ever could have on the basketball court.

• Importance of planning training around performance needs, especially for in-season athletes
• Effectiveness of training right after games or before practice to maximize muscle fibre activation
• Brian's realization that playing pro basketball abroad wasn't fulfilling his true purpose
• How social media has allowed him to reach millions rather than thousands
• Behind-the-scenes look at the 12+ hour workdays that fuel his content creation
• Value of doing the most difficult task first thing each morning to train your brain
• Benefits of having an accountability partner or listening to motivational content
• Brian's guiding principle: "If nothing changes, nothing changes"

Shop Gymshark using code BWALL for 20% off, and catch new episodes with Brian co-hosting from our South Surrey, Vancouver studio soon!

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Dusty Imoo, also known as "The Goalie Therapist," shares his journey from professional hockey goaltender to mental performance coach, offering insights on managing stress and finding balance in high-performance situations. Drawing from his 15-year career, most recently coaching with the Los Angeles Kings, Fort Wayne Comets, and Japanese national team, he provides practical wisdom for athletes looking to optimize their mental approach.

• Mental performance often separates good athletes from great ones once physical skills reach a certain level
• Simplifying your approach reduces anxiety rather than adding multiple techniques and routines
• Balance is crucial - you can maintain drive and ambition without sacrificing enjoyment
• The "mamba mentality" isn't the only path to success - sustainable passion comes from a good place
• Forcing children into sports rarely works - passion must come from within
• Parental support without pressure created Dusty's natural drive for excellence
• Later career years were his most enjoyable after shifting his mindset about performance
• Finding balance led to career longevity rather than burnout

Hit subscribe to stay updated on new episodes every week!

Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements, use "AP15" to save 15%!
--
Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel.
--
Check out Dusty's stuff:
Instagram

--
Check out Dave's stuff:
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

--
Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout
--
Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products
--
Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20

Support the show

 Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 15% on Perfect Sports Supplements