Out of the Comfort Zone: Blake Bolden's Powerful Message to Young Hockey Players

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: A Lesson in Courage and Growth

In a standout episode of Ride to the Rink, former pro player and NHL scout Blake Bolden joined Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra to talk about one of the most essential lessons in sports and life: getting out of your comfort zone.

Blake's resume is as impressive as her message. She's the first Black woman to play professional women's hockey and the second woman ever to scout in the NHL. Her accomplishments didn't come easy, but they came because she consistently chose to lean into discomfort rather than run from it.

"If I didn't get out of my comfort zone, I wouldn't be the person I am today," Blake said. That message couldn't be more important for young athletes learning to navigate the ups and downs of the game.

Fear vs. Love: Choosing What Drives You

When kids hit a wall or face moments of fear—whether it's trying out for a new team, bouncing back from a bad shift, or taking on a new challenge—Blake offered a simple but powerful strategy: choose love.

"The opposite of fear is love," she explained. "Go towards love. You love the game. You love your family. You're bigger than you think you are."

That mindset shift—from fear-based doubt to love-fueled determination—is a game-changer. It reminds players that the reason they started playing in the first place wasn't to be perfect; it was because they loved it.

The "Obsessor Thoughts" and How to Tame Them

Blake describes those nagging doubts that creep in as "obsessor thoughts"—inner voices that say you're not good enough. But instead of silencing them forcefully, she teaches kids to understand those thoughts as a natural response to fear and redirect their focus back to love and purpose.

Hayley added her own experience to the conversation, recalling a time in college when she was so focused on making the national team that she forgot to enjoy the game. It wasn't until she started playing freely and being present with her team that she found success—and got noticed by USA Hockey.

Gratitude: A Daily Practice for Mental Resilience

The conversation also highlighted the importance of practicing gratitude. Lee offered a simple exercise: when you're stuck in a negative spiral, start listing things you're thankful for—your family, teammates, coaches, gear, health. That mental shift can pull you out of fear and back into a place of perspective and positivity.

Blake practices this daily. "I wake up and think about how grateful I am for my family, my job, my life. I'm living a life I've chosen."

Key Takeaways for Young Players:

• Growth lives outside the comfort zone. Discomfort is not a threat; it's an opportunity.

• Fear is natural, but love is stronger. Play for the love of the game, not the fear of failure.

• Be yourself. Don't try to become someone else to succeed—lean into your own strengths.

• Practice gratitude. It's a powerful way to refocus when things get tough.

Final Whistle

Blake Bolden's story is one of resilience, authenticity, and fearless love for the game. Her advice resonates far beyond hockey—it's about becoming a better version of yourself through sport. Whether you're on your way to the rink or facing a big challenge, remember: growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone.

And as always, from the Our Kids Play Hockey crew: We believe in you. You should too. Skate hard, have fun, and skate on.

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