THE LOCKER ROOM LIFE

The work doesn’t stop when things don’t go your way. That’s when it matters most.

Cameron Korpi joins Locker Room Life to talk about the journey of a goaltender who has continued to work, adapt and bet on himself through every stage of his career.

From AAA hockey to the NTDP, NAHL, four seasons of USHL experience, the University of Michigan and now Union College, Cameron’s path has been built through experience, adversity and a relentless commitment to getting better.

We dive into the mentality required to play one of the toughest positions in sports. The pressure of being the last line of defense. Learning how to respond after a bad game. Staying confident when opportunities change. And understanding that development is rarely a straight line.

After his freshman season at Michigan, Cameron made the decision to transfer to Union. He responded by starting 26 games, winning 15, recording five shutouts and setting Union’s Division I era program record with a 160:06 shutout streak.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

It comes from work. Preparation. Patience. Self belief. And showing up every single day when nobody is watching.

Cameron’s story is a reminder that your path can change without your goal changing.

Keep working. Keep competing. Keep believing.

Because sometimes the opportunity you’ve been waiting for comes after you’ve proven you’re willing to keep going without it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Nate McBrayer joins Locker Room Life to talk about the journey behind getting to where he is today and the years of work, sacrifice and dedication that people don’t always see.

Growing up in Ohio, Nate developed a love for the game early. But wanting something and earning it are two completely different things.

We dive into what it took to keep climbing, leaving home, competing at higher levels, learning through adversity, developing confidence in his game and ultimately earning the opportunity to come back home and wear the Ohio State sweater.

Nate talks about the importance of putting in the work when nobody is watching, staying committed to your development, trusting yourself through the ups and downs and understanding that success doesn’t happen overnight.

It’s about embracing where you come from while refusing to let where you are today determine where you can go tomorrow.

No shortcuts. No guarantees.

Just work, belief and a commitment to getting better every single day.

Ohio raised. Ohio developed. Ohio State

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

For Lucas Van Vliet, the mission is simple: focus on becoming the best version of yourself every single day.

Not worrying about where everyone else is.
 Not chasing somebody else’s timeline.
 Not letting the outside noise dictate the work.

It’s about dedication to the process, belief in yourself, and showing up every day with the intention to improve.

The biggest results don’t happen overnight. They’re built through the days nobody sees—the extra work, the setbacks, the sacrifices, and the decision to keep pushing when it would be easier not to.

Believe in where you’re going. Stay committed to who you’re becoming.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Mike Young knows what it means to bet on yourself.

Comedian. Writer. Director. Producer. But behind every title is a story built on the grind, adversity, unwavering belief, and the decision to keep going when the path wasn’t guaranteed.

Mike talks about believing he could turn comedy into a career long before the success showed up — trusting his instincts, staying committed to his passion, and having the self-belief to push through the difficult moments.

But one of the biggest lessons? Don’t get so focused on what’s next that you forget to enjoy where you are.

Success is fun. The grind is real. But life gets even better when you stop, live in the moment, appreciate the journey, and enjoy the people and experiences along the way.

Listen and learn. Life ain’t easy — but it’s all worth it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Noah Powell’s journey was never supposed to be easy.

Adversity. Injuries. Setbacks. Doubt. At almost every stop, something stood in the way. But Noah kept finding a way forward.

After going undrafted in 2023, he came back and exploded for 43 goals in the USHL, leading the league and forcing the hockey world to take notice. Then came the moment he had been chasing: hearing his name called by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL Draft.

But getting drafted wasn’t the finish line.

The road continued through Ohio State, Oshawa, Arizona State and ultimately into professional hockey with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In March 2026, Powell signed his three-year entry-level contract with Philadelphia, officially opening the next chapter.

This story isn’t just about talent.

It’s about PERSEVERANCE. DEDICATION. GRIT.

Getting knocked down. Getting hurt. Getting overlooked. And continuing to show up anyway.

Noah Powell is officially a pro. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

FOUNDER | STU MIDDLETON

We sit down with the team behind Hockey Gives Blood, a nonprofit founded in 2018 by former hockey players who wanted to use the power of the game to help others. The organization was inspired by deeply personal tragedy, including co-founder and President Stu Middleton losing his father, Tom, and the devastating Humboldt Broncos tragedy that showed the world just how powerful the hockey community can be when it rallies together.

Hockey Gives Blood has turned that emotion into action. In partnership with Canadian Blood Services, its mission is to educate, inspire, and mobilize the hockey community around blood, plasma, stem cell, and organ and tissue donation. Through player ambassadors, teams, leagues, and community events, they are showing athletes that their impact can extend far beyond the rink.

We talk about the story behind the movement, Stu's personal connection to the cause, the incredible people who have helped grow it, and why hockey has the ability to create meaningful change when its community comes together.

This episode is about purpose, sacrifice, community, and using the game to give someone else a chance at life.

The game is bigger than the game.

DONATE TODAY:

https://hockeygivesblood.ca Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Jordan Ray's journey is a story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering belief. Born and raised in Florida, she carved out an incredible path to Yale University, where she developed into one of college hockey's top competitors while balancing the demands of an elite academic institution.

But the road to achieving her dream wasn't smooth. At one of the most critical moments of her collegiate career, Jordan battled through a significant injury that tested her physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rather than allowing adversity to define her, she embraced the challenge, fought through the setbacks, and came out stronger on the other side.

That resilience ultimately paid off when she was selected by the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL Draft, turning years of sacrifice into the next chapter of her hockey journey.

In this episode of Locker Room Life, Jordan opens up about overcoming adversity, trusting the process when everything seems uncertain, navigating the pressure of high-level hockey, and what it truly takes to earn your opportunity. Her story is a reminder that success isn't built during the easy moments—it's forged through the obstacles that try to stop you.

This is a conversation about grit, perspective, leadership, and chasing a dream when the path refuses to be easy.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

For every kid growing up in Minnesota, wearing the Maroon and Gold isn't just a goal... it's the dream.

Jackson Nevers didn't get there by chasing hype. He got there by embracing pressure, staying committed to the process, and leading from the front. From becoming captain of the Madison Capitols to earning his opportunity with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Jackson's journey is a reminder that leadership isn't given, it's built through consistency, resilience, and doing the little things right every day.

This conversation goes beyond hockey. It's about navigating expectations in the State of Hockey, earning respect through your actions, and understanding that the biggest moments are created by the habits no one sees.

If you're chasing something bigger than yourself, this episode is for you.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

What began as unimaginable tragedy has become one of hockey's most powerful movements.

This week on Locker Room Life, we sit down with Shoulder Check founder Rob Thorsen for one of the most meaningful conversations we've ever had.

After the loss of his son Hayden, Rob chose to build something bigger than grief. Through the #HT40 Foundation and the Shoulder Check movement, he's inspiring a culture rooted in kindness, connection, and the simple acts that can change or even save a life.

This isn't just a conversation about mental health. It's about seeing people. It's about being present. It's about remembering that before we're athletes, coaches, parents, or competitors, we're human.

For the Locker Room Life family, this episode is deeply personal. Everything our platform stands for, community, vulnerability, resilience, and supporting one another beyond the game, is reflected in Rob's mission. Hockey can bring people together, but kindness is what keeps us together.

This is more than an interview. It's a reminder that the smallest gesture, a hand on a shoulder, a text, or a conversation, can have the greatest impact.

If this episode moves you, don't keep it to yourself. Share it. Start the conversation. Check in on someone today.

Because the game is bigger than the game.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Some battles happen inside the cage. The hardest ones happen within.

On this episode of Locker Room Life, we sit down with Ian Heinisch—President of BK Ice Wars and former UFC middleweight contender—to discuss a life defined by resilience, redemption, and purpose.

Ian shares his journey through addiction, incarceration, and the mental battles that nearly broke him before fighting his way to the UFC.

We explore the mindset that fueled his comeback, the importance of confronting your demons, and how finding inner peace became his greatest victory.

Now leading BK Ice Wars, Ian is using his story to inspire others to embrace adversity and keep moving forward.

A raw, honest conversation about perseverance, purpose, and the fight that never ends.

This isn't just another interview.

THIS IS LIFE.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.