Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast

Welcome to Episode 25 - Enjoy the Journey 

This week, hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer discuss the importance of enjoying the journey in hockey and sports in general, rather than solely focusing on achieving a "mountaintop" goal. 

They emphasize the value of camaraderie, gratitude, and the process of improvement. They highlight the unique bonding experience in hockey due to its demanding nature and the lifelong friendships formed. They also touch on the application of these principles to life beyond sports.

This episode highlights:

- How gratitude and positive reinforcement are presented as...

Welcome to Episode 24 - Believe in Good Things and Good Things Will Happen with Jake Hildebrand

This week, we’re on location at Munn Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan State University, where we’re joined by Jake Hildebrand — former Spartan goaltender from 2012 to 2016, and current netminder for Eisbären Berlin in the DEL. During his time at MSU, Jake was named an All-American, Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, and Big Ten Player of the Year. Since turning pro, he’s earned ECHL Goaltender of the Year honors, captured the ECHL Kelly Cup, and won champions...

Welcome to Episode 23 - What It Takes to Win It All

The Florida Panthers are your 2025 Stanley Cup Champions! There is a ton to unpack in this episode as your hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer discuss how the Panthers can go back-to-back winning the Cup while defeating Edmonton both times. We will be diving into the mentality required for success in hockey, particularly focusing on this year's Stanley Cup finals. 

This episode highlights:

- The emotional intensity and physical sacrifice involved in playoff hockey.

- Key players like Connor McDavid, C...

Welcome to Episode 22 - Big-Time Players Make Big-Time Plays in Big-Time Games with Kirsten Simms!

This week, hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer bring on 2025 National Champion, Kirsten Simms who has recently became an online sensation with her penalty shot and OT winning goal to catapult the Wisconsin Badgers to win the National Championship against Ohio State. After being down 3-2 with 18 seconds left in the 3rd period, Kirsten is seen raising her hand, courageously volunteering herself to take arguably one of the most high pressure chances to ever occur in a hockey game with so much...

Welcome to Episode 21 - Facing The Monster

This week, hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer introduce the episode focusing on anxiety and its impact on hockey players, emphasizing actionable strategies to overcome it. They highlight that anxiety affects everyone and discuss how to turn it into a motivator rather than a paralyzer.

This episode uncovers:

- Discussions about seeking reassurance and experiencing self-doubt even after great performances and why acknowledging and addressing these feelings are important, compared to ignoring them.

- That doubt, fear, and worry are built-in security systems meant...

Welcome to Episode 20 - No Limits, No Excuses with Kim Muir

This is the story of ultimate adversity. Kim Muir is a prestigious power skating coach who started her coaching career at 15 after transitioning from competitive figure skating to coaching hockey players, leveraging her technical skating skills. 

She was found on the streets of Seoul, South Korea at 6 months old, next to a dumpster and lived in an orphanage for the first 4 years of her life, as a "Jane Doe". She was then adopted and brought to Trenton, MI where Kim explains to go on a...

Welcome to Episode 19 - Suffering Is The Path to Every Great Thing

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer introduce the topic of suffering as the price of joy, emphasizing its importance in achieving goals and mental toughness in hockey and life. We stress the importance of perseverance, mental fortitude, and finding ways to stay engaged in the process despite setbacks.

This episode highlights:

- The importance of choosing one's path and accepting the suffering required to achieve greatness.

- Acknowledging and addressing underlying issues, such as self-doubt and lack of support...

Welcome to Episode 18 - The Mission of a Leader with Bryan Lerg

What does it take to really be a leader?

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer discuss the qualities and characteristics Bryan Lerg embodies as a leader in hockey as well as in his next path in life. On this episode, we welcome Jeff's cousin Bryan, a former professional hockey player, as a guest to discuss his experiences and insights on leadership at various levels of hockey.

This episode highlights:

- Bryan's journey from youth to the NHL.

...

Welcome to Episode 17 - Driven by Purpose with Rob Liddell

This is the story of overcoming. Will you attack the challenge or hide from it?

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer open up the conversation into Rob Liddell's life sharing his personal journey of dealing with stage four cancer while maintaining his dedication to goalie coaching. 

This episode highlights:

- How Rob's diagnosis affected his perspective on life and coaching.

- The development paths of successful goalies, with Rob highlighting the importance of work ethic over natural talent.

Welcome to Episode 16 - Dialing It In When It Matters with Natalie Ferenc

What is your why? One of the themes in this episode is understanding the value of having fun in sports along with one's personal motivations for playing.

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer open up the discussion into Natalie's experience as a female athlete and the importance of self-confidence. 

This episode highlights:

- Navigating through the ups and downs of playing a male dominated sport as a female.

- How entering the transfer portal her sophomore y...

Welcome to Episode 15 - The Controversy Surrounding Multi-Sport Development.

Should I engage in other sports outside of hockey? This is a question that lingers throughout the hockey world and on this episode, we discuss the value behind multi-sport development. 

Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer emphasize that quality training with a purpose is more valuable than quantity. Check out this episode to gain useful information on how to develop overall athleticism for hockey by participating in other sports. 

This episode highlights:

- The benefits of sports diversification. 

- Personal exp...

Welcome to Episode 14 - The Power of Mental Performance: Derek Lalonde.

We are pumped to share this episode with Derek ‘Newsy’ Lalonde, discussing the importance of growing your mental toughness. Hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer sit down and dive into the life of coaching and what Newsy accredits to his success in climbing the ladder to the NHL. 

This episode highlights:

- Derek Lalonde’s extensive coaching journey from dreaming of being a teacher to coaching at the NHL level.

- Coaching philosophy, highlighting the importance of relationships and direct communi...

Welcome to Episode 13 - Inside Hockey Politics

While politics definitely exists, we want to emphasize that there's still roughly 70% pure opportunity in hockey. While that might look different for every family and player, there is a harsh reality portion of "politics" when actual player development is overlooked. That said, staying focused on consistent effort and development can still open doors—because talent and work ethic do get noticed. 

With that, in this weeks episode, hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss the politics in hockey, particularly focusing on how it affects youth sports and player dev...

Welcome to Episode 12 - What It Takes to Stand Out

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss the importance of making good impressions and how to stand out in every level in hockey. They emphasize that true confidence comes from preparation and genuine effort, not from pretending or seeking approval. 

This episode highlights:

- How standing out requires giving everything you have regardless of pecking order or perceived limitations.

- The importance of making good impressions during tryout season, particularly for teenagers going to junior hockey tryouts or junior players trying t...

Welcome to Episode 11 - Facing Reality

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg dive into what it is like to face reality in sports. We understand how difficult it is to navigate through disappointment or frustration that arise throughout one's career. So, we want to emphasize the importance of self-identification and how to set realistic but, lofty goals. 

This episode highlights:

- Understanding true passion versus just loving the lifestyle sports brings to your life.  

- Dealing with developmental challenges.

- Being able to realistically evaluate yourself and the importance of...

Welcoming Dillon Kelley, aka DK The Mobility Guy! 

This episode is all about making your own path in sports. Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg break down the unusual story of how DK became a goalie as well as how he was able to get to play in the American Hockey League, despite not taking the “normal” steps to get there. 

This conversation explores key topics such as pressure management, resilience, and the importance of enjoying the process, as well as highlighting DK’s transition to a successful mobility business following his sports career.

Episod...

Welcome to Episode 9 - Growing Through Failure

Hosts Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss the critical role of failure in achieving success in sports. They emphasize that failure is an inevitable part of growth! Also, in this episode we explore how acknowledging and learning from failures, rather than being overwhelmed by them, can lead to significant improvement.

This episode highlights:

- Coping mechanisms on overcoming failure regardless of how big or small it is. 

- Actionable advice on redefining failure and maintaining a competitive, growth-oriented mindset.

- Stories explaining h...

Welcome to Episode 8 - Pregame Rituals & Superstitions!

Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss the significance of pregame rituals and superstitions in hockey. They explore how these rituals help players transition mentally and physically from daily life to being game-ready. 

We also welcome our first special guest, Fife Lerg! She provides a deeper level to not only help us get to know co-host, Jeff Lerg better, but offers insights into the impact of these rituals from a partner's perspective.

This episode highlights:

- Personal stories on the positive and negative impacts of p...

Welcome to Episode 7 - Managing The Pressure

Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss tangible strategies to manage and perform under pressure. They explore concepts such as practicing mindfulness and visualization, and focusing on small tasks to achieve the big picture. This episode aims to provide actionable insights for athletes, parents, and coaches to help them handle pressure effectively and achieve success.

This episode highlights:

- Ways to reframe pressure.

- The analogy of “You can always take your ball and go home”.

- Examples of how the world’s greate...

It's that time of year again... playoffs! Welcome to Episode 6 of The Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast.

Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg will exclusively talk about what it takes to ensure that you are mentally prepared for playoffs. This episode showcases strategies for peaking during high pressure games such as playoffs, championships, and nationals. 

This episode will dive into:

- Personal experiences of both success and failure in playoffs.

- How pressure can affect performance.

- How to maintain focus on incremental goals, managing emotional energy, and understanding that a...

Welcome to Episode 5 - The Comparison Game

Chris Palmer and Jeff Lerg discuss the challenges of the hockey season, specifically focusing on the comparison game among athletes. This episode will dive into the ins and outs of the big question that arises at end of a hockey season... Where am I going to play next season? 

This episode highlights:

- Ways to combat comparing yourself to others.

- The importance of focusing on controllable factors.

- Explores how players and families deal with recruitment decisions and team placements during t...

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast - Why Am I Not Playing?

Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer sit down and discuss the difficulty in not playing. Whether you're a goalie or a player, everyone goes through having to ride the bench. The rollercoaster of emotions is normal and this episode dives into ways to navigate and better prepare yourself for the weight it can feel to not play. 

This episode highlights:

- Playing time uncertainty and what that looks like at all levels. 

- Not receiving feedback fr...

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast - Too Much VS Not Enough.

Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer sit down and discuss how extra training doesn't matter if you are not performing when it counts. There is an illusion behind what is enough when it comes to training, recovery, and achieving peak performance - what is enough for you, might not be enough for someone else. 

This episode highlights:

- The fear of missing out, burnout, and comparing yourself to others.

- The importance of being intentional in y...

Episode 2 of the Dialed & Driven Hockey Mentality Podcast - Building a Belief System

Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer sit down and discuss how someone can build an internal belief system. Everyone’s path to believing in themselves will be different but, there are three primary commonalities that are established throughout the course of the episode. 

This episode highlights:
- Examples how goal setting plays a part in building internal belief
- Advice on creating a nurturing athletic environment
- Team belief versus individual belief 
- The difference between false and actu...