In this episode, I’m joined by World Champion curler, mom, and Registered Psychotherapist Sarah Wilkes, who brings a rare and valuable dual perspective to the world of sport — one from the ice, and one from the therapist’s chair.

Currently playing lead on the #1 ranked team in the world and fresh off a World Championship win, Sarah’s path hasn’t been a straight line. We explore the emotional intensity she’s carried since her early days, the influence of her multi-sport background, and the tools she’s developed to stay grounded, curious, and consistently high-performing.

We also dive into her evolution from fastball to elite curling, her shift into psychotherapy and supporting athletes through a mental health lens, and the difference between mental toughness and true wellness. Sarah shares how curiosity helps shift pressure into presence, how she balances high-level competition with motherhood and team connection, and what it really means to support your whole self — not just the athlete part.

Whether you’re a competitive curler, a coach, or simply someone looking to approach sport (and life) with more intention, this conversation is packed with insight, heart, and practical takeaways.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit: www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

Listen to other top interviews:

• Episode 07: Mark Nichols

• Episode 29: Joanne Courtney

• Episode 87: Val Sweeting

📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @empoweredperformance 📰 Join the newsletter for more tools, tips, and resources to support your performance journey.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-class athlete and certified hypnotist Val Sweeting.

We talk about how hypnosis supported her during the intense bubble season, what shifted when she stepped away from it, and how she eventually found her way back—this time as a certified hypnotist. Now, she’s helping other athletes do the inner work through her new program, Unleashed.

Val shares how her training and mindset have evolved over the years, how she balances chasing big goals with being a mom and mentor, and what it really takes to build mental resilience at the elite level.

We explore the power of mental training—whether through visualization, therapy, working with a sport psychologist, or trying something like hypnosis—and how it helped her develop the confidence and calm needed to perform under pressure and stay at the top of her game.

If you love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 80: Sofia Mabergs on Team Dynamics, Sweeping & Training for Curling -Olympian Sofia Mabergs discusses her journey with Team Hasselborg, touching on team cohesion, training routines, and the importance of playing to individual strengths.

• Episode 82: Curling for Beginners & Improvers with John Robertson -Author John Robertson shares insights from his book, offering guidance for curlers at various skill levels to elevate their game.

• Episode 84: Safe Supplements with Nina Walker -Performance nutritionist Nina Walker discusses how athletes can navigate the world of supplements safely, focusing on making informed choices without compromising health.

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

In today’s episode I walk you through my thought process around what it means to be a great 5th player on a successful curling team. I give you my experience as well as a long list of questions to help you and your team decide if carrying a 5th will work for you, and how exactly do you want that role to look.

This is likely my last episode before mat leave -if you’re new to the podcast make sure to scroll through past episodes and sign up for the 4-month curling tips & tricks newsletter sequence to continue to access Empowered Performance info.

Love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 27: Communication is about collaboration

• Episode 34: 4 exercises to become a better brusher

• Episode 82: Curling for beginners and improvers

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

Today’s episode dives into the intricacies of sweeping that not a lot of people pay attention to. When discussing who is the best sweeper the argument often centres around effectiveness and power, however top sweepers are not just great because of their physical skill. The best sweepers also know how to manage their energy throughout a game, understand the different paths in the ice and are great at communicating amongst the team. This is where the acronym SMART sweeping comes into play. I go through each element in this episode and provide examples and ways you can practice or at least learn about adding these into your tool belt.

I dive into how to master each element of SMART sweeping alongside becoming a more effective, powerful and efficient brusher in The Better Brushing Practice Plan which is available now. See show notes for details.

This is likely my last episode before mat leave -if you’re new to the podcast make sure to scroll through past episodes and sign up for the 4-month curling tips & tricks newsletter sequence to continue to access Empowered Performance info.

Love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 80: Sofia Mabergs on team dynamics, sweeping and training for curling

• Episode 41: Sweep to the button

• Episode 79: Lean Curling on evidence based practice standards and crazy sweep tests

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

Today’s episode I have Nina Walker back on the podcast talk about how to safely navigate the world of nutrition supplements; whether you are an elite athlete who might be drug tested in the future, or just a concerned athlete hoping to learn how to make smart choices around what to put in your body.

Nina let’s us know what her top 2 supplements are as a Performance Nutritionist, and goes through the pro’s and con’s of some common supplements such as caffeine, protein, and creatine.

Make sure to check out her new IG page: @rock_nutrition_for curling specific sport nutrition advice.

Love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 76: Nina Walker Nutrition on eating for physical and mental performance

• Episode 06: Basic nutrition for curlers

• Episode 24: PEACE & LOVE not RICE

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

Today’s episode I get to chat with Chantal Duhaime from Airways Myo. Chantal gives us insight into what myofunctional therapy is and how it can help you and your family improve your quality of life and the bonus benefits of enhancing performance.

Love this episode? Check these out:

• Episode 03: Shut your mouth -the key to better breathing

• Episode 32: 5 ways to improve your cardio nobody told you about

• Episode 48: Sassy hips & energy leaks

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

In today’s episode I interview the author of Curling for Beginners and Improvers. John Robertson gives us insight into what inspired him to write this book, and how he hopes it will help curlers of various abilities take their game to the next level. You can purchase his book in various forms at https://www.curlingbeginners.ca 

Some episodes that will pair well with this conversation:

• Episode 66: Considerations for first-year curlers, for athletes

• Episode 68: Considerations for first-year curlers, for coaches

• Episode 69: Considerations for first-year curlers, for teammates

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

Today’s episode outlines the pros and cons and ways to maximize your time during a solo curling practice. I give you a list of devices to help you reach your goal as well as an outline of how I organize my own personal practices.

Love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 18: Letting your knees go past your toes

• Episode 23: Teach, test and repeat with Terri Weeks

• Episodes 40, 41 & 41: 3 Brushing intervals for you & your team

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

In today’s episode I am joined by Sofia Mabergs who shares snippets from her journey to the top of women’s curling with Team Hasselborg.

We touch on the importance of each athlete playing to their strengths, setting goals and enjoying your time on the ice.

Fia shares her learnings around practice, sweeping and training specifically to improve curling performance.

Love this episode, check these out:

• Episode 18: Let your knees go past your toes

• Episode 55: Should you ‘toe out’ for more balance?

• Episode 74: Elements of a curling specific offseason

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast

Today’s episode features English researcher and curler Jotham Sugden. We talk about his mission with his website www.leancurling.com centring around curling research and sweep science.

We answer a couple questions such as:

• How can an athlete and a coach determine what information is good?

• How to combine experience and research with the human athlete in front you?

• What matters more, experience, education or research?

We also touch a bit on sweeping science, sweep testing and gripper vs slide sweeping 

Some other great episodes to check out:

• Episode 48: Sassy hips and energy leaks

• Episode 65: 5 reasons you aren’t a better brusher

• Episode 55: Should I 'toe out' while curling?

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast