Courtlyn Fazakas, girlfriend of Brett Ferguson, who plays for the Guildford Flames in the EIHL, joins me on Breaking the Ice today! In this episode, she reflects on her journey from small-town life to navigating the perks and challenges of moving abroad with her partner and building a career and sense of purpose in a new country.

In this episode we chat about: 

• Shifting from corporate life to fitness and finding her passion.
• Adjusting to life as a hockey spouse, handling shared spaces, and making new friends.
•  Her experience with mental health and medication 
• Advice for starting your own business 

and so much more! Plug your headphones in and enjoy this episode!

 

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In this episode of Breaking the Ice, Rachel Novak, girlfriend of Michael Cichy, who plays for the Fife Flyers in the EIHL, joins me! Rachel and Michael have been in a long-distance relationship for over eight years. We dive into the challenges, lessons, and strategies of maintaining a strong relationship while apart, focusing on the unique struggles that come with the hockey lifestyle.

 

In this episode we talk about:

• The emotional rollercoaster of long-distance relationships.

• Managing communication with time zone differences and hockey’s unpredictable schedule.

• The impact of long-distance on mental health and anxiety.

• Practical strategies for maintaining trust and staying busy while apart.

 

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Order Custom Hockey Swag from Daisy May Designs

 

Dana Oleksuk, wife of Travis Oleksuk, who finished last season in Rosenheim in the Del3, joins me on the podcast for the third time! Our husbands played together in Austria for two hockey seasons and in this episode we caught up and updated each other on our lives.

In this episode we talk about: 

• Not having a contract this late in the year and what that looks like for each of us
• The possibility of retirement and how we each feel about it
• The day to day challenges of this position (living with family, lack of stability or not being able to plan anything)
• How we each would get our stuff back from overseas if we didn't go over
• Mental energy and how it takes so much out of you to have these same conversations every year with your significant other

Regardless of whether you have a contract or not, you will definitely be able to relate to this episode and I hope it brings some light into your week that you are not alone!

 

EPISODES WILL BE OUT TWICE A MONTH!

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Use the code ICE15 for 15% off their first month or if you sign up for the 6-month/annual subscription payment you can get 15% off the whole plan!   Dana's Website:   www.dofitnessco.com www.dofitnessco.com/membership 

 

 

Drew Shott joins me on the podcast today! Drew's boyfriend, Jalen Chatfield, plays in the AHL for the Utica Comets & up in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks. We talk about going from long distance to moving in together, the ups & down transactions of hockey, friendships, the NHL bubble & more!

Tanya Jarrett, wife to Patrick Jarrett, who retired from professional hockey in 2018, joins me on the podcast to discuss all things health. Tanya is a nutritional therapist and she shares her methods to optimize your overall health during the hockey season & in life!

 

After giving birth to her daughter, Tanya knew she had to make a lifestyle shift. She walks us through several steps you can take to make little switches to start feeling better mentally, emotionally and physically! She also has several great programs for her business, linked below. I learned SO much from her and I can't wait for you all to hear.

 

http://www.tanyajarrett.com/

Part 2 continues from last week episode so if you missed it, listen back!

 

Within part 2, Cassie talks about postpartum and how she had to go back to the hospital several times and felt she wasn't getting the help she needed during this new and overwhelming time.

 

We spend a good portion of the episode talking about the neccessities you need when having your baby during the hockey season overseas. You can really get ANYTHING overseas but it's more for your comfort.

 

Enjoy!

Cassie Garbowsky, wife of Matt Garbowsky, who finished last hockey season in the EBEL in Graz, Austria, joins me on the podcast today. Being over halfway through my pregnancy and having my baby in Graz next season, I had tons of questions for her and we decided to make this a two part episode!

Cass talks about planting the seed of having a baby to your husband, what you need to have written in your European contract, the benefits of having a baby abroad to first trimester anxiety and her personal birth experience in Europe.

I am so excited to share this one with you! Enjoy :)

 

Emily Usset joins me on the podcast for Episode 7. This girl was a freakin blast to talk to and I loved her endearing personality! Her and her husband met in college in the states, as he came over from Finland to play college hockey. We talk about the cultural differences of marriage in the U.S. and Scandanvian countries and once they were engaged and planning their big day, BOOM enter a global pandemic!

 

After blessings from their parents, they decided to elope to a courthouse in Finland. Mind you, Emily came over for a two week trip in March and has been kickin it in Finland ever since (bringing not much more than a winter jacket, doc martens and purple tennies!...see pictured above). We cover so much ground in this episode including what family and friends think when you follow your spouse all over the heck, the travel ban on the US for girlfriends and wives AND stay tuned for a special story about the sauna culture in Finland (and how she had to sauna in her birthday suit with her husband’s entire family, when she visited for the first time).

 

This is a good one folks, be sure to tune in!

Priscilla met her husband Matt Frattin in 2013 when he was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 2017, Priscilla and Matt decided to make the move overseas and signed in Kazakhstan, with their 6 year old daughter and she became pregnant, while she was over there.

We talk about what her experience was like living somewhere so foreign, transitioning her daughter to a new school, while navigating everything in between, in addition to being newly pregnant. We also tap into the struggles of going to a new country and some of the difficulties we endure aka the grocery store and how important it is to connect with other hockey girls beforehand.

Prepare yourselves...it’s a LONG one but my hope is that it will be helpful and super informative (also, take a shot every time I say it is what it is, in this episode). From everything I have gathered, it’s so important to still do your own personal research before you travel. This should give you some mental clarity before you read everything online and get overwhelmed. You got this! 

 

We broke this up into four parts, each segment being about 30 minutes. 

 

1. I speak to flying with my goldendoodles as ESA (which I’ve done to Sweden and Austria) and within the United States. 
2. @meghan.schofield talks about flying with her golden in Cargo (to and from Canada). We talk about the steps you need to take to get your dog, their cage and your mind ready because we know there is so much fear regarding putting your pup underneath the plane.
3. @evellance clears the air that you CAN fly ESA into the U.K. I hand the floor to her and she breaks down, in order, what you need to do in advance for this. She talks about how there is no quarantine, fees to expect and more! 
4. @veronicakosarew does not have her dog or cat as ESA but has spent the last two seasons in the U.K. She talks about the alternative methods that you can take to get there with your animals as a “pet!” We also touch on pet passports. 

 

RESOURCES: 

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/animal-health-welfare/heathrow-animal-reception-centre/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx

 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states/pet-travel-dogs-into-us

Carine Bailey, wife to Matt Bailey, who just signed with Södertälje SK in the Allsvenskan league in Sweden, joins me today on the podcast. This was SUCH a fun conversation to have because we talk about alllll things traveling and packing. We discuss how going overseas for the first time can feel overwhelming because you feel like you need to bring it all but trying to switch to a minimalistic mindset. She also spills all the best travel tips for your next vacation. So grab your notepad and tune in!

Jessica Lynch, wife to Kevin Lynch, who finished last season as a forward for the Montreal Laval Rockets, mom of Emma & Ella, and owner of @yogababyclothing joins me today on the pod. We talk about being a hockey wife pre-kids to post kids and what it’s like being a mom in this lifestyle. She tells the story about how her first born, spent the first 9 months of her life, while on an AHL call up, in a hotel #HOCKEYLIFE am I right?! Jessica handles this lifestyle with grace and her laid-back personality is endearing and inspires me to #coolmyjets when times get tough.

 

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Kellie Lamoureuex, wife to JP Lamoreoux (goalie of the Redbull Salzburg in the EBEL), mom to Henry and Leah, and children's author of Inside the Net and On the Blue Line, joins me today and we talk about what's going on in the world with COVID-19. We shoot the breeze about what we originally thought about the virus, how it escalated quickly within Europe/our league, getting back into the U.S. and life & hockey moving forward.

 

You can find her books on amazon today! 

Hi guys! I hope you all are having a nice summer at home. As always, I wanted to be open with you about some of the things that I have been struggling with postpartum this time around. I am so grateful that I have this safe space to share about my life and hope that I can help someone with this episode.

 

• How I was diagnosed with Postpartum OCD + Anxiety
• I talk about some of my triggers and how I have experienced "impending doom" and ruminating thoughts
• How my hypochondria has sky rocketed this time around and how I am overcoming it
• How I found a therapist that I LOVE
• How you're not crazy, it's the hormones

 

Some things that have helped me:

This podcast + this Instagram account has thoroughly helped me with this journey https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-hard-things/id1526993843

 

This episode specifically:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-hard-things/id1526993843?i=1000577362483 

Dana Oleksuk, owner of DO Fitness Co, wife to Travis Oleksuk (forward in Graz, Austria in the EBEL) and mom to baby Harvey joins me today in the hot seat! Dana talks about how she quit her career as a meteorologist and moved to Europe with her then boyfriend, Travis. Through this major life decision, she was redirected to her passion and purpose and is dedicated to creating healthy habits for her and her family.   Follow me on Instagram!    Follow Dana on Instagram! 

Welcome to Episode 0! This is a quick solo episode where I lay out my mission, what the podcast is going to look like and I tap into my hockey story a little bit so far! So grab a big glass of wine (or coffee) and tune in for Episode 0!

Carli Husson is a spirit baby medium and energy healer that I had a session with a couple months before I conceived my daughter. I loved our session so much that I knew I HAD to have her on the podcast so here we are!

 

In this episode we chat about:

• What a spirit baby is
• How she started with this work and how her spiritual journey began 
• How she prepares for a reading 
• Signs from our spirit babies 
• Gender disappointment and how we should normalize it
• How everything is energy 
• How you can start the journey of connecting with your spirit baby 
• A mini spirit baby reading on me where Carli connects and tells me the gender of my last baby in the future!

 

Follow Carli on Instagram @matrescent.mama   Full list of offerings & to book a session: https://www.matrescentmama.com/offerings   More on SIGN, a 5-week Spirit Baby Group Immersion: https://www.matrescentmama.com/sign

 

Cheers to ONE HUNDRED Episodes of Breaking the Ice! It has been my absolute honor to be the host of this podcast and communicate with the amazing women in this community daily. In this episode I talk about:

 

• 100th episode + how there has been EIGHTY THOUSAND downloads since I started!
• Winning the championship + what the experience was like witnessing it in person
• How the starts aligned on the day of Game Six 
• Bridging the gap between coaches SO's + players SO's and how it leads to one word: Communication (and preferably at the beginning of the season!)
• Inclusion on Teams + Why this makes such a difference in your overall well being during the season
• + more!

Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE + REVIEW if you LOVE Breaking the Ice! It's the best way to show your support for my show!

Jackie Gendron, wife of Miles Gendron, who plays in the ECHL for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, joins me on Breaking the Ice today.

In this episode we chat about:

• TikTok and how Jackie grew her following majorly once she moved to Norway for her husband's job and started sharing about their day to day there
• How Jackie met her husband in high school and has traveled with him for 11 years
• Remote jobs: How to find a remote job, what it's like working North American hours in Europe
• Focusing on the positives of this lifestyle + how it can benefit you overall to not dwell on the negatives

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Maggie Kestner, wife of Josh Kestner, who plays for Rauma Lukko in Finland, joins me on Breaking the Ice today.

In this episode we chat about:

• Losing your identity in this lifestyle
• The challenges emotionally when isolated so far away from home
• The common misconceptions that people have about hockey
• Missing big life moments back home during the season
• Visa Issues
• Trying to get out of Russia right before the war started

and so much more!

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Emilie Blum, wife of Jonathon Blum, who plays for Red Bull Munich in the DEL, joins me for a long overdue episode of Breaking the Ice!

In this episode we talked about:

• The show, Hockey Wives, and how Emilie was cast for it
• One Year Contracts and the uncertainty of it
• Not having any control as a hockey wife
• Schooling for Kids Abroad
• How to make friends outside of hockey
• Transitioning from a house you love back home to a small apartment in Europe
• Mid-Season Burn Out
• Struggling with Mental Health during the hockey season and how going on anti depressants are okay

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Tara Kampfer, wife of Steven Kampfer, joins me on Breaking the Ice today.

  In this episode, we talk about:

• Her experience going on The Bachelor ABC and all the behind the scenes details
• How she felt watching herself back on tv 
• How she met her husband and moving around in this hockey life
• Living in Russia and playing in the KHL during COVID
• The war in Russia + Brittney Griner

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Alyssa Flynn, wife of Brian Flynn, who finished his last professional season in the AHL with the Utica Comets joins me for todays episode of Breaking the Ice.

In this episode we talk about:

• Self Care for Moms
• How postpartum is not just the first three months after having a baby
• How to support a new mom postpartum in our lifestyle
• Pregnancy Loss Abroad
• The healing power of food
• Plant Based Nutrition

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Website for recipes, yoga, and motherhood: https://www.alyssakflynn.com/    YouTube Yoga & Meditation Videos: @alyssakflynn   Other stuff:   Yinova Center: Chinese medicine, acupuncture, women’s health & fertility specialists:  https://www.yinovacenter.com/   Thrive by Arianna Huffington    The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted https://www.amazon.com/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1941631568   Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof You Can Heal Yourself by Dr. Lissa Rankin (this book mentions the Roseto, PA community) https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Medicine-Scientific-Yourself/dp/1401939996   Postpartum Support International (including this just in case listeners don’t know about it!) https://www.postpartum.net/

Stefany Jenks, wife of AJ Jenks, who finished his last professional season in the ECHL playing for Fort Wayne Komets, joins me on Breaking the Ice to share all about their experience in the wild wild west, aka the ECHL.

In this episode, we chat about: 

 

• The unpredictability in minor league hockey and what it has taught her about herself
• Being ghosted by a team when it comes to resigning with them
• Friendships outside of the hockey life
• Motherhood
• How your priorities shift depending on which season of life you're in
• Retirement and the phases you go through when you retire
• The fear of both being unemployed when it comes to retirement
• Networking for our S/O post hockey life

 

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Today is a minisode with me, your host! 

Here are some things I chat about in this episode:

• Missing big life moments during the hockey season (weddings, babies, trips to see family)
• Sacrifices that we make as significant others in this lifestyle 
• Not trying to fix or get to the bottom of your feelings and just letting yourself feel them
• Our travel day over to the UK
• Navigating our kids having a hard time with the hockey season transition and how I've supported them with these changes 
• Moving and how it affects you mentally
• HOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LIFE FIGURED OUT IN A WEEK (say it louder for the people in the back)

 

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CUSTOM GAME DAY APPAREL for the hockey season from custom.by.elle

Buckle up, I’m ready to share my birth story! For those of you that have followed my pregnancy journey, my daughter was breech and I chose to have a scheduled c-section here in France. I share the highs and lows of my hospital experience, as always, UNFILTERED.

 

In this episode I talked about:

 

-The surgery + what it was like having a c-section

 

-My childcare falling through a few days before my scheduled c-section

 

-Being in the hospital alone and struggling with a major language barrier

 

-The differences between having a baby in Austria and France

 

-What I’ve learned and done differently as a second time mom: Advocating for myself in the hospital

 

-The last night with your toddler before the baby comes

 

-C-Section recovery + (with a toddler)

 

-The transition from 1-2 kids

 

& more!

 

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Want to be a Guest? Fill out the Guest Submission Form here!

My last SOLO Episode leading up to my birth 

My European Birth Story in Austria

Layne Gibbons, wife of Kyle Gibbons, who plays in Val Gardena in the Alps Hockey League, joins me on BTI for the SECOND time. I felt we could all use a light hearted and funny conversation and I knew she was my go-to girl!

In this episode, we talk about:

• Visa Issues and Flying Super Late in our Pregnancies
• Finding Dog Sitters + Baby Sitters Abroad
• Funny Situations with Teams
• ALL THINGS POP CULTURE. Bravo, RHW, Vanderpump Rules, Kardashians, Ultimatum + Love is Blind, F***, Marry, Kill. You name it, we went there.

We hope this episode puts a smile on your face!

 

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Listen to our Episode on Friendships: A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime 

Get 15% off your order at my Online Boutique SALT. with the code ice.

Danielle Nyquist, wife of Gustav Nyquist, who plays in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets, joins me for a wonderful episode all about SLEEP. Danielle is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and owns her own business, Sov Gott Sleep (which means sleep tight in Swedish) In this episode we talk about ALL things baby + toddler sleep including:

• What drove her to create a career around sleep
• Healthy Sleep Habits and when we can begin to implement them
• What healthy sleep habits are and WHY they are so important
• Newborn Sleep, what you can expect and how to know when your baby is tired
• What sleep regressions are and what we can do to help support our kids through these developmental progressions
• Toddler Sleep Regressions
• How + WHEN to move your toddler from a crib into a toddler bed (Lord, help us)
• The Witching Hour(S)!!!

+ More! 

 

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Work with Danielle:

Website: www.sovgottsleep.com Here you can find more information about booking a free consultation, booking a group experience (parenting group, school group), and shop my sleep packages.  Email: sovgottsleep@gmail.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/sovgott_sleep  Facebook: facebook.com/sovgottsleep

It's been a MINUTE. I recorded this solo episode because I felt it was about dang time to update you guys on what has been going on for the past month and a half. I wanted to share the real and true hardships of this lifestyle and some of the additional stressors we have been dealing with. 

Making a complete lifestyle shift (going from off-season to season and vice versa) can be really draining.

In this episode, I share about prepping for the season, the travel day, my pregnancy and getting adjusted in a new country. I share what helps re-center me when I am going through a hard time and how there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

 

LINKS:

One of my favorite memories of this podcast + community was our retreat last year and in case you haven't heard, this year it is in CABO SAN LUCAS! May 17-21st, 2023. There are still rooms available so DM me if you have questions or want to sign up today! 

 

Have you made your list for Black Friday shopping? I have one more addition for you! My small business, SALT, is having a HUGE Black Friday sale. starting Thursday November 17th. You can take 30% off all regular priced items and 15% off all Markdown Items. Get some of your Christmas shopping out of the way!

 

 

Suz Lundeen, girlfriend of Joe Howe, who is currently the assistant coach at Yale but played his last professional season with the Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL, shares all about their journey through retirement.

 

Suz + Joe were both hockey players, who retired at the same time, and faced all the challenges that came with this, together. In this episode we talk about:

 

• The frustration element that can lead a lot of players into retirement 
• Struggling with high functioning depression
• Seeking help for the mental health issues and how they overcame this transition together as a couple
• Tangible tools they learned from therapy
• Leaning on community
• Retirement gifts

and so much more!

 

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Other Episodes on Retirement:

Knowing When It's Time to Hang Them Up with Sarah Whitmore

Retirement and Life After Hockey with Stefanie Heid

Having a Game Plan for Retirement with Andrea Hanson

Sarita Francis, engaged to Jordan Scarlett, who plays professional football in the NFL, joined me for an episode of Breaking the Ice. One thing I have learned from this lifestyle is that regardless of which sport you are in, our lifestyles are so similar. We experience very unique life experiences, struggles, highs, lows and everything in between!

 

In this episode, we chat about: 

 

-The NFL and what the schedule is like, the lifestyle + getting drafted for the first time

-The similarities between pro football and pro hockey

-Being Type A in this lifestyle

-Finding balance in this lifestyle

-Having 2020 babies

-Raising kids in the professional sports world

-Never being able to make plans in the lifestyle

-How she created her brand based on a passion that she had

-Creating boundaries within your business

-Advice for those looking to start their own business

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Get 15% off your order at my Online Children's Boutique, Salt with the code ice.

 

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Shop Pressed by Sarita

 

Sarita would love to offer listeners 15% off their next custom PRESSED design! DM "ICE" to @PRESSED.BYSARITA to activate your savings TODAY!

Brittany Wedgewood, wife of Scott Wedgewood who plays in the NHL for the Dallas Stars, and Emma Winnitoy, girlfriend of Mitchell Stephens, who plays in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens, join me for a friendship therapy sesh today!

 

We had so much fun catching up and updating each other about the summer and upcoming plans for the year and season ahead. We chat about new teams, post wedding blues, renting houses, getting kicked out of the US, engagement stories, intentions for the 22/23 hockey season and more!

 

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Get 15% off your order at my new children's boutique called SALT. Use the code ice. 

Annessa Smith, wife of Jeff Smith, who plays for EHC Neuwied in the Del 4, joins me on Breaking the Ice today. Annessa has been living the hockey life for 13 years and in this episode we chat about:

 

• Her mom passing away during the hockey season
• Embracing the culture that you’re in and leaning into it
• How to find things going on in the city that you live in
• Her birth experience in Germany 
• How it works when giving birth in another country and having no one to watch your first kid
• How team cars following players when wives are about to have a baby should be mandatory
• The adjustment from 1 to 2 kids
• How teams can tell you certain things that are false so you’ll sign and play there
• The struggle of not being able to get your kid into a daycare/school 
• Kinder Krippe 
• Having a home in Spokane in the Off-Season
• Social anxiety and how Annessa has coped with social anxiety while living abroad

 

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Take 15% off your order at Salt Kids Boutique with the code “ice”

 

I am scheduling out guests for Breaking the Ice! Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Fill out the Be a Guest Submission here.

Madison Marshall, wife of Ben Marshall, who plays in Ingolstadt, Germany in the DEL, joins me on Breaking the Ice today and I could have talked to her for five more hours. Madison has been doing all of my brand management and has been such an asset, turned friend! If you want to listen to a relatable AF episode….this one is for you.

 

We chat about:

• Madison having an identical twin and anything you’ve ever wanted to know about identical twins, I asked!

 

• The stereotypes and judgment that people have about the lifestyle and our husbands personal lives

 

• Different pay ranges within the sport and how everyone assumes each person makes millions of dollars

 

• Leaving a job that you love to move for your significant others job. It’s a choice, sacrifice and not an easy decision

 

• How Madison figured out what she wanted to do and how to start her own business while living abroad

 

• Learning your value and setting boundaries within your business and with your clients

 

• Being a people pleaser and cancel culture

 

• Inclusion in the hockey lifestyle, this was a long conversation. We each shared vulnerable stories of when we have been excluded by others and how it made us feel.

 

• What to take out of your vocabulary when extending invitations to other people to hang out

 

• Madison just got married so we chat about etiquette and guest expectations about all the things (plus ones) and people putting you in uncomfortable situations to accommodate them

 

• Advice for future brides

 

• How people project things onto you if you a choose a life path that's different than theirs

BASICALLY ALL THE THINGS! Don’t miss this epi!!!!

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Work with Madison

 

Check out Madison's Youtube Channel 

 

Kaitlin Yakura, wife of Dean Yakura, who finished last season in the ECHL for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, joins me on Breaking the Ice and shares with me her journey of finding out she has Stage 3 Melanoma at age 25.

 

In this Episode we discuss:

 

• Getting Diagnosed with cancer and what this emotional process looked like for her
• What she had going on in her life and how it had to be put on hold
• What chemotherapy was like and how cancer affected her confidence and self-esteem
• How growing old is a privilege and the unknowns that cancer can cause in the big picture of life
• The ways in which she felt the most supported by friends and family
• How therapy was a huge part of her healing process
• The importance of being an advocate for yourself and your health

 

Follow me on Instagram

 

Follow Kaitlin on Instagram 

 

Resources for Cancer + Melanoma:

 

AIM Melanoma Foundation: 

CancerCare

American Cancer Society

We all know it best, the hockey life is chaotic and this absolutely can make it challenging in your relationship when there are always additional stressors at play. Today on the podcast I have couples therapist, Tracy Dalgleish, who is a podcaster, author, and a force in the online space!

In this episode we talk about:

• Learning to tune into your own needs when you are living in constant chaos
• How to express your needs to your partner before you're in a state of overwhelm
• Not letting you partners bad game affect your mood and WHY you let it
• How your early childhood experiences an impact how you feel + communicate in your relationship
• Social media and how it gives us a false sense of closeness
• Ways to prepare for a baby with your partner
• Boundaries 
• In Law Relationships

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Work with Dr. Tracy

Grab Her Book: I Didn't Sign Up For This 

Dr. Tracy's First Episode on BTI: Resentment, Acceptance + Making Space in Your Relationship

 

Camilla Emilie Jacobsen, engaged to Emil Bejmo, who plays for the Manglerud Star in Oslo, Norway, joins me on the pod today. Camilla and I met when she flew from Norway to Nashville for the retreat and I was so excited to see her face via zoom and chat with her.

 

In this episode we talk about:

 

-How Camilla works as a customs officer in the largest airport in Norway

-Her and her husband are from two different countries and she shares how they communicate

-Living the Hockey Life as a European Import

-How to put yourself out there when you are more shy + reserved going to a new country

-We chat about English

-Maternity + Paternity care in Europe

-Babies being born while sports are going on

-Biggest Fears as a First Time Mom

-People commenting on pregnant bellies whether your bump is boppin or not so much aka STOP doing it

 

 

 

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Get the Retreat Details here 

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Kecia Sheahan, wife of Riley Sheahan, who finished last season in the NHL playing for the Seattle Kraken, comes on Breaking the Ice today and we chat about all everything within our lifestyle. Kecia was an absolute pleasure to have on the podcast and I had the best time talking with her!

 

In this episode we talk about:

• What it was like planning a wedding during a pandemic and how everything turned out the way it should be
• Kecia and Riley are from two different countries and we chat about how they dealt with it during the height of the pandemic
• Living far away from family and the challenges of not having help once you start having kids
• Meeting someone from different sides of the world, different countries or across the country and deciding where you should settle down and plant roots
• Going to Seattle and what it was like going to a brand new organization 
• What a free agent is and what that has looked like for them
• Trying not to control the situation when you don’t know where you are going and trust the process
• Mental Health in the Hockey World
• The challenges and rewards of hockey

and so much more!

 

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Listen to Kecia's husband, Riley, "Speak your Mind Podcast"

Kayla Alber, wife of Patch Alber, who plays for the Fischtown Penguins (Germany) in the DEL, joins me for the first episode of Season 3. Kayla has been going to Europe for 5 hockey seasons and knows the ropes of packing and preparation for moving overseas!

 

In this episode we talk about:

• How you can find the essentials in other countries and packing things from home is all about preference
• The current ongoing lost luggage situation going on in Europe
• Our must have items for the big move
• Items we forget + regret to bring each year
• The items you can leave behind + grab abroad
• Must have items for kids (we kept this short + sweet)
• How to mentally prepare for the adjustment, because let’s face it’s an adjustment

 

Keep in mind, someone's year 10 abroad, is not someone’s year one and vice versa. Let’s remember to help support each other and make each other feel as comfortable as possible!

 

Resources from the Episode Below:

iHerb (You can order North American products from this website abroad)

German Amazon (We use this all the time in Austria!)

Free Packing List from my Website!

Episode on Packing with Carine Bailey

Apple AirTags for Keeping Track of your luggage!

Postpartum + Hospital Bag Essentials for having a baby abroad

First Few Months with Baby Essentials 

 

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What an incredible season two it has been with you all. For the last episode of season two, I wanted to jump on and share some life updates, recap season two, talk about what's to come with season three and take you along for the ride. Even though the pod is taking a minor summer break, I will still be super active on the Instagram page and chatting with you all! Thank you for being a part of this community, it means the world.

 

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Abby Grimaldi, wife of Rocco Grimaldi, who plays for the Nashville Predators in the NHL, is a hockey wife and Christian based musician from Grand Forks, North Dakota. Abby is an amazing human and this episode will inspire you all.

 

In this episode, we chat about:

 

• Moving and starting over and Abby’s outlook on fresh starts
• Growing up in a traditional home and never moving around to transitioning to the lack of stability that hockey brings
• Going from being a super busy person to struggling with depression once that stopped and hockey life started. 
• -The sense of fulfillment that’s affected once you stop working
• What Abby’s experience has been like living in different places away from her core people
• Taking hard times and turning them into life lessons
• Abby’s career as a musician and how she leaned into her passion

And SO MUCH MORE!

 

 

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Amanda Wick, wife of Jeremy Wick, who plays in Switzerland for the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in the National League, and I sit down and have a conversation on all things traveling with kids. In this episode, we each share all the tips and advice to hopefully help you prepare as best as possible.

 

In this episode we cover:

• Ages 0-5 years old. We break down what you need to bring with you and what you can leave behind
• Where you should be sitting on the plane according to your kids age
• What jet lag looks like and what you can do to stay sane
• Whether you should purchase an extra seat
• Whether you should bring a car seat on board
• Kids 2 and over having to wear a mask on the plane
• and more!

 

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Erinn Hakstol, wife of Dave Hakstol, who is the head coach for the Seattle Kraken in the NHL, joins me on Breaking the Ice today!

 

In this episode, we chat about: 

• How her and her husband met being 8 years apart!
• What covid looked like for them as a family and how her and her kids were apart from Dave for over six months 
• Home schooling older kids during a pandemic 
• Long distance
• Growing through this lifestyle with kids who are older
• What community means to her and how the hockey life has changed her perspective on life
• Experiencing the Seattle Kraken and what it's been like being with a brand new team and organization

 

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Visit BTI Website Here!

Claim your FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase of Athletic Greens Here. 

 

Taylor Cook is a women’s professional hockey player and a mindset coach! Taylor’s boyfriend, Eeli Parviainen, is the strength and conditioning + assistant coach in Bremerhaven, Germany in the DEL.

In this episode we chat about:

• The pay equity between mens and women's hockey
• The U18 World Championships getting canceled for women but mens continuing on 
• How she got started in her career
• Men’s mental health: Why men feel like they can’t be vulnerable and why we think there needs to be more resources on hockey teams
• Mental health struggles that happen with the hockey lifestyle and how can we recognize when we are struggling with it
• Tangible things we can do to incorporate in our lives to take us out of the hockey bubble such as a lot of movement, travel, away from life long family and friends and feeling left out 

 

 

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Check out Taylor's Website: https://www.elitehighperformance.com/

This is the group program that Taylor is running starting April 14: Take 25% off with the code BTI25 Valid until April 13 at 11:59PM EST**

 

Inside the Athletic Mind Podcast: Book reference: Mind Gym by Gary Mack

Stacey Kasdorf, wife of Jason Kasdorf, joins me on the podcast today. Stacey is a mom to three little girls, a business owner, influencer, blogger and wife. With this being a busy time of year, I thought this would be a great time to dive into the topics of motherhood, marriage + me time and how they all are intertwined.

 

In this episode we chat about:

• One of Stacey's hardest times as a mom
• How once you have kids, it's harder to make time for your marriage and Stacey shares how and her husband work on this
• Love languages and how they change depending on what season of life you're in
• How to take time for yourself when being a mom
• Burn out- how to recognize this before it's too late
• Stacey's top 3 tips for flying with kids on an airplane

+ more!

 

 

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Read her Blog here!

 

THANK YOU TO VUORI FOR SPONSORING THIS PODCAST. GET 20% OFF YOUR ORDER HERE!

Julie Johnson, engaged to Tim Branham, who is the assistant coach of the Colorado Eagles in the AHL,  joins me on Breaking the Ice today! Tim was the head coach of the Utah Grizzles in the ECHL for 8 years and this is their first season making the big move to the AHL. In this episode, we discuss how it seems “against the rules” to co-mingle with coaches wives and players wives and how we can change this storyline.

 

In this episode we chat about:

 

• Never being a players wife and stepping directly into this role
• The different mentality between being a head coach vs. assistant coach's wife
• Negativity on the internet about your significant other
• How the relationship varies depending on the team dynamics
• Covid limitations for players and their wives last hockey season in the ECHL
• We both give our honest opinions on these relationships

 

 

If you haven't written a review yet on Apple Podcasts, leave one here

 

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Other Reference's:

Coach's Wife Life with Wendy Tippett

Natalie Miller, wife of JT Miller who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, joins me on Breaking the Ice Podcast today. If there's one episode that will make you laugh, this one is it.

 

In this episode we talk about:

• Long Distance, Call Ups + Send Downs
• Being A Mom Away from Home + Postpartum 
• Losing a Parent During the Hockey Season and Signs She Has Received from Her Mom Since She's Passed
• How Getting Traded + Leaving the House She Built and Designed Led Her to Find Her Passion
• Tips on How to Follow Your Dreams + Start a Career (while also supporting your significant other)
• How to Have A More Inclusive Hockey Season
• What a NHL Wives Fund Is
• How to Get More Involved in the Community 

 

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Victoria Arlen is a ESPN + MBC Host, Gold Medalist, Dancing with the Stars Contestant and Author, to name a few, joins me on the podcast today!

 

When Victoria was 11 years old, she developed two very rare conditions and lost the ability to walk, talk, communicate but she heard everything that people were saying for FOUR years. She was completely locked in her body.

 

In this episode we talk about:

 

• The beginning stages when Victoria and her family knew something was off
• How Victoria and her family got through these four years and the recovery to come
• The emotional ride of being able to hear everything going on but not able to respond
• Winning a gold medal at the paralympics
• Setting goals and never giving up
• Becoming one of the youngest people to become a reporter on ESPN (and female)
• The stereotypes from others being a female working for ESPN
• What it has been working in a male dominated industry
• The experience with Dancing with the Stars and performing while not being able to feel her legs and truly showing people what you are capable of
• Surrounding yourself with people who will lift you up/cheer you on 

 

It was such an honor to chat with Victoria and I know you will leave this episode feeling as inspired as I did!

 

This Podcast is sponsored by Vuori. Use the code ICE for 20% off your order! www.vuori.com/ice 

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Project Walk Boston

 

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Today is a solo episode with me, your host! I started to feel that roadtrip, middle of the season burn out creep in a couple of weeks ago and once I processed my emotions, I wanted to share this episode with you all.

 

In this episode I talk about:

 

• The Mental Load of Responsibilities 
  • Stepping into the role as the primary caretaker of kids, pets, household responsibilities but also feeling the overwhelm of not being able to take a break if needed
  • Long Roadtrips Alone
  • Planning Life Around Hockey

 

• The Mental Load of Traveling
  • Coordinating the Flights To/From the Season and sometimes having to travel by yourself (potentially internationally + potentially with children)
  • The end of the season overwhelm: What do we leave behind, where do we leave our stuff, what do we bring home, needing to pack suitcases, boxes and keep everything organized with less than a weeks notice, usually 
  • Long Exhausting Travel Days, twice a year

 

• The Mental Load of Starting Over:
  • Making New Friends every 8 months
  • Learning a new city or country, with maybe a new language 
  • The stress of not knowing where you will live constantly 

 

• What I have learned I needed in these tough moments

 

Listen to the episode on Coping with Travel Anxiety

 

Listen to the episode "The Unknowns Made us Stronger" 

 

 

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Gretchen Geraghty, girlfriend of Max Willman, who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL, joins me today on Breaking the Ice. Gretchen currently resides in Allentown, PA and her boyfriend is 1.5 hours away in Philadelphia living the hotel life!

 

In this episode we talk about:

 

• The uncertainties of the hockey life
• When they decided to move in together
• Long Distance
• Covid and how that affected her day to day
• Learning how to be independent in this lifestyle
• What it's like having a twin and living far away from them
• The comparison game of social media
• Making friends as an adult and how challenging this can be

and more! 

 

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Link to the Slumberpod!

 

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Listen to the Happy Hour Podcast: