How do you mentally prepare to play hockey when the stakes seem sky-high?
This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey brings you insights from Brianna Decker, who highlights the crucial role of mental preparation and confidence in elite hockey, where skill differences are razor-thin.
She shares her unique approach to practice, treating it with the same intensity as a game, pushing herself and her teammates to elevate their performance.
Brianna opens up about the tough lessons learned from losing the 2014 Olympic gold medal, leading to profound self-reflection and a revamped preparation strategy for 2018.
The conversation also explores the art of long-term goal setting, maintaining focus and motivation over the four-year Olympic cycle.
Finally, Brianna reflects on the exciting growth of women's professional hockey, discussing its expanding visibility and the inspiring impact it has on young players dreaming big.
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00:00:00 Intro
00:00:08 Brianna Decker's Olympic Journey
00:01:44 The Mental Grind of Olympic Preparation
00:08:11 Overcoming Career Challenges
00:09:42 The Long Journey from Loss to Motivation
00:12:04 Navigating Unstable Professional Leagues
00:14:03 Growth and Visibility in Women's Hockey