The most consistent hockey players don’t play for approval—they play by a personal code. This post explores how internal standards help you stay composed, motivated, and elite under pressure.

Great hockey players recover fast. This post reveals how to use reset rituals to stop emotional spillover, regain focus, and sharpen mental toughness when the pressure’s on.

The best hockey players train through boredom. This post reveals how repetition, not novelty, wires elite instincts and builds championship-level consistency.

Distractions are everywhere—but focus is a choice. This post explores how top hockey players block out noise, control their breath, and sharpen mental clarity when it matters most.

The most dangerous hockey players aren’t always the strongest—they’re the fastest thinkers. Discover how the 5-second rule and quick decision-making give you an edge when the game speeds up.

Talent may open the door, but mental toughness is what keeps you on the ice. In this post, we explore why mindset—not raw skill—is the ultimate difference-maker in hockey. Learn how to build resilience, regulate emotion, and train your brain to thrive under pressure. Toughness isn’t born. It’s built—shift by shift.

Motivation is loud, but discipline is what lasts. This post breaks down why relying on feelings is a losing strategy in hockey—and how building ironclad routines, eliminating excuses, and showing up regardless of mood is what truly separates great players from the rest. Discipline doesn’t care how you feel. It just gets the job done.

Elite hockey players don’t wait for the puck to drop—they’ve already played the game in their minds. This post dives into the science of visualization, revealing how mental rehearsal sharpens instincts, builds confidence, and gives players a competitive edge most never develop. If you’re not training on the invisible ice, you’re already behind.

In hockey, mistakes are inevitable—but dragging them into your next shift is optional. In this post, learn how elite players master the mental reset, using science-backed strategies like cognitive reframing, breathing techniques, and ritualized resets to stay locked in and dangerous. Shift amnesia isn’t a luxury—it’s a weapon.

In hockey, nothing is guaranteed. You’re not owed your spot. You’re not entitled to the ice. You’re either getting better or you’re getting replaced. That’s the brutal truth. But the beauty of it? You get to choose. Every morning. Every shift. You get to decide whether you’ll be driven by hunger—or lulled to sleep by comfort.

As someone deeply passionate about hockey, I see a natural connection between what Navy SEALs represent and the mindset required for hockey players to thrive. Both are team-centric environments that demand grit, focus, and mental endurance to reach elite levels. While the physical demands are different, the mental skills—especially grit—are universal.

For a hockey coach, a losing streak is more than just a series of unfortunate games—it can threaten team morale, shake confidence, and impact the season. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a downward spiral. The right approach can turn things around and set your team back on the path to victory. Here’s how coaches can help break out of a losing streak and rebuild momentum.

Rituals aren’t just about superstition or habit; they have a solid foundation in psychology. When you perform a ritual consistently, it serves as a cue for your brain, signaling that it’s time to shift states. Neurologically, this process is tied to the concept of neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. When you engage in a ritual, your brain starts to associate that specific sequence of actions with a particular state of mind. Over time, just beginning the ritual can help you shift gears almost automatically, accessing a different mindset, focus level, or emotional state.

When I used to compete in Ironman triathlons, I learned the hard way that mental preparation is just as crucial as physical training. The night before every race, I would set up my bike and gear in a specific, deliberate manner. My water bottles were aligned just so, my race shoes meticulously positioned, and my helmet set at just the right angle. I would visualize the entire race course, seeing myself glide effortlessly through each leg—swim, bike, and run. Finally, as race day dawned, I would plug in my headphones and listen to the same playlist of songs on repeat, each beat a drumroll leading me into my zone. This wasn’t just a routine; it was my ritual. It activated my alter ego, transforming me from Scott Schwertly into "Iron Scott," a relentless, unstoppable Ironman competitor.

Creating an alter ego is a powerful tool for athletes seeking to elevate their performance. It allows you to step into a new persona, one that embodies the traits and qualities necessary to overcome challenges and achieve success. However, to fully step into this persona, you need more than just mental preparation—you need a tangible connection. This is where a relic comes into play.

When we think of alter egos, we often envision them as the ultimate version of ourselves—stronger, faster, more confident, and capable of achieving greatness. But what if I told you that to truly unlock the power of your alter ego, you need something more than just a perfected version of yourself? You need an adversary.

The concept of an alter ego might sound like something out of a comic book or movie, but it’s actually a powerful tool used by some of the world’s most successful athletes. From Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” to Beyoncé’s “Sasha Fierce,” alter egos have been helping individuals tap into their full potential for years. If you’ve ever wondered why you might need an alter ego in your athletic journey, here are five compelling reasons to consider.

Mental toughness is often the dividing line between good and great. Athletes push their bodies to the limit, but it’s the mind that can truly elevate performance to the elite level. This is where the concept of an alter ego comes into play. By stepping into a powerful persona, athletes can unlock their full potential and achieve extraordinary results. But how exactly does an alter ego work in sports, and why is it such a game-changer?

The summer of 1986 was a magical time. I vividly remember sitting in a darkened theater, eyes wide with excitement, as the opening scenes of Top Gun blazed across the screen. The roar of jet engines, the pulse-pounding soundtrack, and the sheer exhilaration of watching Pete “Maverick” Mitchell take to the skies left a lasting impression on me. I was instantly hooked. The idea of transforming into someone fearless, unstoppable, and completely in control resonated deeply, and it wasn’t long before I realized that this concept wasn’t just for fighter pilots—it was something athletes could harness too.

Todd Herman’s The Alter Ego Effect is more than just a book; it’s a guide to becoming the best version of yourself. These quotes serve as daily reminders of the power we all have within us to transform our lives.