Jordan Owens | Mindset Is Everything | The Game Sports Podcast

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. [00:00:06] Speaker B: It's time for the sports podcast. It's almost David McKay Jr. I am joined by the one and the only Brendan Brooks. Over a thousand professional hockey games played throughout North America and Europe. Brooksy, you're back in this because we have a special edition upload and we're very glad to have you come on back to join us for this episode with our special guest. How you been my friend? [00:00:29] Speaker C: I've been great. [00:00:30] Speaker A: It's so good to be back. It's been a while and looking forward to today. [00:00:36] Speaker B: Definitely. Now this is the. This isn't going to be our guest. He's like our introduction here. This is my son, Arlo McCaig. He's never had an appearance on the show. It took 10 months to have Arlo show up and what not better than to have him jump on to show his face for the first time on this show with the with a special edition upload. So Arlo is making an appearance. It's been an awaited request is when Arlo's face is going to appear. So guess what? If you tuned into the special edition upload, you get to see little Arlo as he sits here pulling a bunch of things off the desk doing what 10 months old individuals do. Oh the games and as he eats also the wrist protection here now the Game Sports podcast is powered by 91Network and featured on Spaces which to Village media and suit Today 91 and is a video platform where the the Game Sports podcast is featured as well as other podcasts. We're also on social media, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, we're on all audio platforms, Spotify, you name it all at the Game Sports podcast like follow, subscribe and be involved in the discussion. And we want to do a quick introduction to say hi to Brooks again and to introduce Arlo maybe the future host of this podcast to take the reins once I retire and Brooksy in the panel retires from the show. Brooksie says hi, you say hi his listeners. He says hi to everyone and Arlo's first appearance on the show when we come back after our break as he's already trying to grab the mic. Look at that, we got him in training already. When we come back we have our guest join us and we're not saying the name yet because well, you see it in the title. But we're going to save it for the usual special introduction that I have for every guest we get on the show. I'm pumped because it's been a few months since we've done these and I like to definitely get my usual wind up, get them pumped because it's going to be a beauty today. Don't go anywhere. Welcome back to the Game Sports podcast. Brooksy continues to join yours truly, David McCaig. My son's no longer here beside us, but it's fine because our special guest has joined us and to tee this up, get everything ready, get your popcorn ready, get your beverage ready because everyone knows that loves to watch here. The show for the past 10 years knows when we do these special editions. I love these introductions. So get into it right now. Today's guest is someone who's lived at the highest level of sport and then did something a lot of athletes do after the game, which is reinvent themselves completely. And this is such a positive reinvention. He's a former professional hockey player with over a decade in the game. He's gone from locker rooms and packed arenas to building a life rooted in creativity, purpose and intentional living. But this isn't just another former athlete story. Nah, nah, nah. Not only listen to the Game Sports podcast because you know, we like to keep electrifying interesting, but this is about shift. This is from performance to purpose, structure to freedom, let's call it or chasing results to saying, well, designing a different life beyond the game. Now he's a creative strategist, storyteller and mentor, helping people find clarity, build their voice and create something real, all while embracing a more conscious lifestyle. From mindset to even how he fuels the body. And he's got me fueled right now and I haven't even started the show. If you, if you're someone navigating identity growth or what comes after the thing that you thought that would define you forever, this conversation is going to hit. So sit back, lock in and get ready because this is a different kind of game. Speaking of the game, however, to note this, a hockey individual who played for Mississauga in the ohl, HL for Brantford, Grand Rapids, time in Denmark, Denmark, Italy, Dell and EIHL spreading over 12 seasons again, RA across North America and Europe. He's the one. He's the only origin creative. Jordan Owens. Jordan, welcome to the show, my friend. That's your introduction that you get here on the Game Sports podcast. [00:04:30] Speaker D: Okay. Wow. Yeah, it's for, for, for hockey players. Brooks, you can attest to this. It's very uncomfortable getting your tires pumped like that. I just instantly want to deflect it to, to my team and my line mates. There's no one here but me, so I have to take it uncomfortably. But thank you for that. Of course you. [00:04:47] Speaker B: What. What I want to highlight is not even just. We've had a lot of hockey players on this show, and I admire what [00:04:53] Speaker A: I always buckle up. [00:04:55] Speaker B: That's what I look at doing. Okay. Like, you got a lot that, like real estate, or you got some that get into trades. We got some that just put their feet back. Right? Drink those pina coladas. Some of them are GMing NHL teams and doing a good job, some not doing a good job. But obviously the approach that you took and what Brooks, he has educated me on with Brett Nasby, I gotta give him a shout out. Red nasb, obviously connecting us as well. Even if he's comfortable with me introducing you or not. Too bad, Naz. Your name's getting dropped on this show. What I have seen with your content on YouTube and with your website and everything that you've done is what I want to dive into. We're going to have that as the main course here on the show. But as much as I appreciate you going on and wanting talking about that, I want to unpack your hockey career first before we dive into that. [00:05:42] Speaker C: Okay. [00:05:42] Speaker B: Because I know a lot of people are going to want to know about that as well. So your playing days, I want you to take me back. Take me back to your playing days, the journey of your playing days. What do you want to highlight to our viewers and listeners? [00:05:54] Speaker D: Well, shout out to the Sioux, because I have a special, special link to the Sioux which might have been a watershed moment in my hockey career. And maybe, maybe I hate to play this game, but if I had a time machine go back, I maybe would have made a different decision. So I was drafted to the Sioux Greyhounds, and in the fourth round, you know, not super high, but not super low either. Um, and my bags were. So I. Dave Tory, he was the director, player personnel, I think, at the time, and he owned the Chatham Maroons, which had this loose affiliation with the Greyhounds. So I was drafted by the Greyhounds. They assigned me to play my first year junior with Junior B in Chatham Chatham Maroons. So I played there. I was like, kind of. So. So I was a late bloomer. So at that time, you know, I honestly struggled a lot. I felt intimidated by the older players. Like, I just wasn't, you know. Yeah, I didn't really find my. Myself there at all. But I still was going to play in the O the next year. Like, they. They were grooming me. It was a year for that. But the night before I was supposed to go to training camp in the Sioux, literally, bags packed at the front door. I'm ready to go. The next morning, I come downstairs probably at like 10 or 11, and I go to my mom. I'm just like. I go to my parents, I'm like, I'm not going. And they were like, okay, no problem. They. They didn't question it or push back or anything. Like, my parents have always just supported whatever I do. There was a lot going on in my family at the time. And for whatever reason, you know, I think it's just one of those divine, cosmic things. Like, I just. It wasn't meant to be. So I had that uncomfortable phone call the next day with. I forget the name of the gm, but John Van Beesbrook, I think, was coaching at the time. And, yeah, they weren't happy. They weren't happy. They were saying my whole career was over and everything. So I ended up playing that. That year. Junior B, my hometown. I did not care about hockey at all. I was going to high school with my friends. I had a girlfriend at the time. Like, I just. I wasn't really thinking about the future too hard, but I always knew that I was going to be a professional hockey player. So it was this. This weird contradiction happening. You know, I had a. I had. I played on the fourth line that entire year. This is my NHL draft year, by the way, playing on the fourth line. Junior B got some PK shifts here, there, and. And I had a great playoffs, though. So I was a little bit of a confidence builder. And I guess there was a. Maybe a scout or two in the building from the Mississauga specifically, and they traded for my rights that summer, like, two weeks before training camp. Basically. I'm working at the Sheridan on Clifton Hill, Sheridan on the Falls. My mom, I think she actually called the hotel to, like, get a hold of me because this is way before the iPhone, right? So my manager calls me over. I'm talking to my mom. She's like, yeah, some. Some man called. I guess. Your rights have been traded to the Ice Dogs. They want you to come to training camp. And it's like, in two weeks, like, what the hell? So I. I literally quit on the spot. I go home, I start training with whatever was remaining in that summer. I go to camp in Mississauga. Have a. Have a great camp. I have nothing to lose, right? I'm just playing hockey. And I was smitten by the O. Soon as I walked into the Hershey Center. You know, you have matching jerseys and socks and, you know, like, the fighting straps and all this. This stuff, it was like premium hockey stuff, you know, for, like the hockey nerds. They had the reps there, the sticks on the wall, skates. You know, you're wearing all matching gear. Like, this is. This is pretty. Pretty cool, right? First time being introduced to visor, right? So this is a big moment for a young Canadian kid. So I really wanted to make the team. But anyways, I had a great camp. Greg Gilbert was the coach at the time. Patrick o' Sullivan was on the team. Cody Bass, Stefan Legion. These are just a few of the names that had ended up having, you know, decent pro careers. And yeah, I had a good season. And then my next season, I had a better season. And then the third season was my OA year, and that was my best year. I was the captain and I made the All Star team my second year. And then it was off to the races. And then after that was finishing out that OA year. We got beat out in the first round to Sudbury. Mark Stahl was our captain. It might have been Foligno. I'm pretty sure it was Stahl. But Felino was there. Benoit Pulia, they had some good players, but I was. My agent was sort of in talks with the Rangers. Like, I thought I was going to be able to sign with the Rangers was basically, from what I've been told, it came down to two people, me and this player, Mike Busto. He was defenseman from the dub. And it was like they had one contract to give to, I guess, a CHL OA player, and he beat me out. I ended up going down to Hartford, who's the Rangers affiliate. And I played nine games there. I think it was two. Their last two regular season games, seven playoff games, and played well. And I was like, never a scrappy. Like, I never fought in the O. You know, I was a skilled guy in the O. Scored goals, put up points. And, you know, when I got to pro, I remember it so vividly. Getting into that locker room. And again, it's just another level up. You look around like, this is so cool. You know, just the gear. The training staff's on another level. Like, they're looking after everything, right? A kid from. From. From Niagara Falls. All of a sudden, you shake hands with the trainers. Come on with me. You go in the back, you get to pick out whatever you want. Gives me a set of gitch. I start walking away. He's like, no, you need like two. Here's another one. You know what I mean? Like, you're getting doubles or triples of Shorts and T shirts and hoodies and all this stuff. These are the small details like I. I nerd out about. So anyways, I had a good. Yeah, a good stint there. I remember in playoff game, we were. Again, I mentioned I wasn't a scrappy fighter guy, but I asked somebody to square off center ice. Like, this is how bad I wanted to be a pro player. Had no idea what I was doing. I don't know if you guys know the name Jim Schonfeld. He was the Rangers assistant GM for years, working side by side. Glenn Sather, he was the head coach at the time. Yeah, that won him over because he was an NHL, you know, tough guy, fighter. I remember coming back into the room after that scrap. So second intermission, um, I just had the scrap. My. The team, my teammates, all the boys were like, yeah, you know, that was pretty cool. Schoenfeld puts me on the first line power play, which was QB'd by Nigel Dawes. I'm standing net front. This is a playoffs, right? So it's, it's pretty intense in the American League. And I remember just, yeah, I had no fear, just standing there. Guys are, like, letting off one timers. I'm, like, doing my job. Dawes ends up scoring. So now, all of a sudden, I feel pretty sweet. I was screening the goalie and, yeah, Schoenfeld was just really impressed with that and the courage, and they ended up signing me to an American League deal. Yeah, I went home, I trained. I didn't know what I was doing. You know, I, I went. I didn't have a trainer or anything. I went to Rangers camp, first NHL training camp. And it was good, but it was. I wasn't in shape. I, I just had no idea. I was in way over my head, Way over my head. I, I, when looking back, I look at that experience as, as, Like, I felt like I was on a tourist visa. Like, I went to the NHL training camp like a fan, you know, like, totally fanned out by these, by these guys. You look around the room like I sat beside Jagger for a week. You know, I didn't say two words. Like, I just. I was silent. Brendan Shanahan's over there. Shawn Avery's there. Lungfist is there. You know, Dan Girardi, he's across the room. I know. You know, Brooksie. So these, all these guys, right? And I'm just like, where am I right now? But it never occurred to me that, like, I can actually try here to, to make this team. Like, I never gave myself permission to Be successful. I was just like, nope, this is for them. This isn't for me. I don't bel here like total imposter syndrome, right? But anyways, I go down to Hartford, I work my ass off. I, you know, I do pretty good. That, that year they take the option on my deal. So I'm coming back to Hartford again for my second year. And I'm speeding up a little bit this summer though, going into my second year, I turn it on. I'm like, you know what? I need an NHL contract. That's the next thing. So I become like a, an animal. Like, I am laser focused on the gym. Like, looking back, I couldn't do it again. Like, I don't think I have what it takes to go through what I went through and do it again. But I went to camp in shape and this is like the Tortorella era. No, not quite. Not, not quite. That was the next year. So I have a, I have a great camp, go down to Hartford, have an amazing season. My best pro season by far. Like, I was almost want to say I got like really lucky. There was luck there, but it was, it wasn't blind, dumb luck. It was earned luck. You know, like, I worked so hard that any shot I took, it was going off three guys and it was finding its way in. Or just like you're getting second assists with like 30 seconds to go in a losing game just to like pad your stats a bit. Like every. It was one of those seasons. Like, it was just. And I was playing full of confidence and everything. I was getting in scraps and that after that season, that was the year that I got an NHL contract and then I hadn't. Yeah, go ahead. [00:14:13] Speaker B: Yeah, see, and there's something like, I know obviously you went over to Europe after your time in the, in the A and all that, but in between that, you know, there's a cool picture that was uploaded. I creeped your Instagram for it with the New York Rangers. Also on your website. And I believe people, you have said, quote unquote in a previous interview. That's your. One of your favorite, most coolest pictures. Being caught in that moment when you score with the Rangers. And I'm assuming putting that on was obviously in an exhibition game. I didn't see that piece of the interview in an exhibition game. But, you know, you talked about two things there. You talked about you knew that you're going to be a hockey player. You had that mindset and you just worked your rear end off to get where you wanted with It. And you had a very unique training strategy to get there. And you're looking right and left and with Yogurt Lundqvist. And obviously you did deserve to be with those guys, just to say, because obviously you were there. But going to the second point, as I was talking about the goal that you scored, that has that picture. That's what I was going to ask you before you went on was what made that the cool picture. I know you kind of shared that before, but you have that picture really highlighted for yourself. I'm sure it's just more than the picture itself. It's the moment of relief or that moment that you would have faced for yourself to have like, I did it. [00:15:26] Speaker D: Yeah, it was, it was. There's probably two, like, big, big moments that I look back at at that level. Both exhibition games, NHL exhibition games. But that moment, it was like that summer of just dedicating, you know, myself to. To something and just deciding that I was going to be undeniable like I am. I'm putting in the work. Like, I took pride in it. Like, you know, the David Goggins, I had that, like, that Goggins mentality a decade before Goggins came around and in the mainstream. And then, then to scores just like, I did it, you know, I did it. My mom and my girlfriend, my brother, they were in the stands. It was just like, you go through hell and then to have that happen, it's just so rewarding. All the early mornings, like the burning legs, the self talk, like, no, you don't have to go. You, you worked out hard yesterday, you don't have to do it today. Sleep in, you know, whatever. Saying no to that over and over and over and over and over and over again and then getting rewarded, it's just, it's. It's fulfilling. It's a high. It's a natural high. You know, you get high in life that way. [00:16:29] Speaker A: It just shows, like how hard work, you know, always good things happen when you put in the work. Like, you know, you put yourself. When you're working so hard, you put yourself in a position that if you didn't work as hard, maybe you wouldn't have been in that position to score that goal. You know what I mean? It's just good things happen when you work so hard. And I wanted to go back a little bit about what you were saying when, you know, just for some of our listeners, that, you know, no matter what, you know, if you put in the work, you're going to be found, good things are going to Happen no matter what, you know, and you're going to get noticed. And when you go to camp, you go to tryouts because this is, you know, tryouts for the new year coming up. Kids don't realize you just got to get noticed somehow. And for you, not being a fighter, you were like, I got to get noticed. And you ended up fighting doing something you don't do. [00:17:17] Speaker D: Yeah. And I guess I feel, because you guys can probably tell I get excited about the story because I am proud of my journey because I feel I really maxed out what I was capable of. And I know you guys have had some, some big name hockey personalities on this and players on this podcast, they're probably, you know, listening, being like this, this good dude. You played a handful of exhibition games like that's nothing. But it's true to some extent. But like making the rounds in, in men's league now and then, just being in as the mental coach and in the Facebook groups for all the hockey parents, I just see how hard it is to even, even to get to junior hockey. It is so hard. And then to become a professional, people are all of a sudden giving you even $500 a week to play hockey. Like how difficult it is through the, the hundreds of thousands of players to get to that point. It's crazy. Like it's winning the lottery that someone is going to give you any amount of money to play hockey. It's ridiculous. So I just feel very grateful I didn't make it all the way. I didn't hoist a cup. I wasn't the captain of the Leafs. But like I feel very content inside. [00:18:30] Speaker B: Telling you that. See, like there's. [00:18:31] Speaker A: But you made it. [00:18:32] Speaker B: Yeah, Brooks, he said what you just said. There's a legend in the sue is Angelo Bombaco. And he one time told me what I was playing. I didn't play as high as you, Jordan, or even as high as Brooksie. My cap was junior Junior and that was it for me. And I've said on the show a lot of times Brooks is probably rolling his eyes because he used to chirp me about that. But the funny thing is I was told by him at a young age, I was 13 or 14 years old, just getting ready to having that interest in. At that time it was called Midget. Now it's called under 15. Okay, everyone's clarifying that. But he told me we will find a hockey player every 5 km. And Sault Ste. Marie. It's a big reference to Hockeytown. But it's not even just to Say, Marie, you go through Ontario and Canada, there's a hockey player in that backyard, there's a hockey player there, there's a hockey player at this rank. They will find you. You got to find a way to make yourself notice. He actually said that, which is like, full circle in this conversation, because it's so true. And the game is different then than it is now. It is completely different. The physicality of the game, it's more finesse, more speed. Now, which, you know, some players would flourish now, that didn't back when I played what I have, I don't know if I would have now. Like, it's so different. But if you are good enough, you will be found, even if it's on the backyard of a hockey rink in a pond. Because people talk and it's a matter of you put and work here. And I'll say it the only swear, maybe I'll say, tonight, you work your ass off. You will be located and you will get scouted, and you put in the work. You'll get the results. Sorry, Brooksy, I cut you off with that. [00:20:06] Speaker A: No, that's okay. Yeah, well, social media now is a big thing for that, too. Like, you know, these coaches and scouts, they don't really have to go anywhere. They got live Barn. [00:20:15] Speaker B: That's so. Yeah. Jordan, I know we stopped you with the hl. I know you were going to get into that Europe stuff, so we'll let you continue that piece because I know you and Brooksie have some familiarity with playing overseas in Europe, which I'm very envious of, to be honest. [00:20:29] Speaker D: Yeah. So there. There's. There's actually one part of the story that I. I'd like people to hear, because this is. This is the moment again. If I had a time machine, I go back a second time. It's a mistake. It's where. It's where I failed myself. And it's still, to this day, a tough pill to swallow. So, you know, getting that NHL contract, doing what I had to do, committing myself to the goal, you know, showing up at camp in tremendous shape, getting rewarded with some games, getting a goal, you know, it couldn't have gone any better. But I didn't make the Rangers that year. They sent me down to Hartford again. But this time it was. I took my foot off the gas pedal and I had this sense of entitlement. Like, man, I just got this deal. I just played a couple games, you know, scored a goal. Now I'm going to get power play time. Like, now they see what I can do now opportunities should be given to me and I just didn't have that, that like sixth or seventh gear, you know, I wasn't playing desperate, you know, and that's. The margins are so slim. Right? It's, it's, it's just this much and everything, just all the momentum I, I gained just. It started to reverse. And once it started to reverse even just a little bit, it became uncontrollable and I couldn't stop it. And before I knew it, we're nearing the end of the season. It was actually trade deadline and you know, they shipped me off to the, the red wing system and assigned to Grand Rapids and I finished out my contract there. So it was half a season and then another full season. So I did another shot at Grand Rapids, but I just never, I never found my footing there. Never was able to get the momentum back, never was able to, to get the confidence back. It was just an uphill battle. And yeah, I just couldn't, couldn't find a home there. Couldn't find a home there. Always felt like I was an outsider. And then at the end of my contract season, there was about 20 games left. I'm taking a D to the net from like the red line. It was basically like a, a one on one sort of from the, from the red line. I start leaning in as we cross the blue line, top of the circles trips me. This is like the first or second shift of the second period and we go flying into the boards, passing it and I go into the boards really hard. Like I knew it was going to be terrible and I just couldn't stop myself. Every hockey players, you know, I experienced something like this. You can usually try to get up, you know, had no chance. We were just going too fast and I broke my humerus. My arm was like all contorted, dangling out in weird, weird configurations. Yeah, it was pretty traumatic, but that was it. I was like, yeah, we're not going to resign you, dude. We don't even know if you, you can play again. And just went home with a broken arm for the, for the summer and that was, that was the end of the, the NHL journey for me. I was able to get a walk on back in Hartford because Jim Schoenfeld, he was my boy, said, yeah, come out to camp that year, Oise was picked up off waivers. He went to Vancouver. And Chad Kolarik, he's a good, good, he's a goal scoring guy. He had a great career in the Del. He blew out his knee. ACL training camp so it was like, there's a spot on the team. And Jonathan Odie Marchessault claimed those two spots. He was going by Jonathan Odie Marchessault at this time. Now he's just Jonathan Marchessau. [00:23:25] Speaker B: So, yeah, it's a good thing you shortened that up. That's a little. It's a lot to say. Go with Jonathan Marshall now. He's had quite the career, obviously. Marshesau cup winner, obviously. Now he's in Nashville. Right. It's. It's had quite the career. And small hockey player, too. Like, considered small in the eyes of playing professional hockey. And I know Brooks, you can kind of relate to that, being on smaller end. BROOKSIE Kind of 5, 9, 5, 10. [00:23:48] Speaker A: That's right. [00:23:48] Speaker B: Doesn't matter. You feisty? [00:23:50] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. [00:23:51] Speaker D: And he could skate like the wind. I remember, Brooksy, like, towards the end of your career, when we were skating, like, I. I was wearing the pro skates in Niagara, and you were, like, tinkering with, retiring, and you were out skating, everybody on the ice. And I remember just sitting there like, this dude can play forever because he can just skate. And that's what it is, really. Like, guys fall off when they can't move anymore, 100%. [00:24:11] Speaker A: Like, I'm 47 and I can still skate, and I'm still playing with, you know, the young guys right now. But that's what made me have such a long career. Especially when you go to Europe and you have that big ice, as, you know, you're a good skater yourself. So it just adds time. And I always say to kids, work on your skating. Work on your skating, because no matter what, it is the most important thing. And because of that, it just made my career extend because most guys that, you know, at my age slow down. And when that happens, even if you're smart, you have better hands, whatever, you just can't keep up. And that's why I was able to play so long, is because I could skate. And that's why I'm pushing it on all the young kids, you know, that I'm trying to help is, you know, learning to take that long stride, because I got a really long stride. And it's just about powering through. [00:25:03] Speaker D: And youth players, you know, who are at that stage, like 13, 14, 15, you know, they're trying to make the next jump before they. They age out, essentially before junior. And I noticed the players who can skate instantly, and if you have a person or a player who skates like the wind, like, they're smooth, they're not only fast, but They're. They're smooth. Like, the mechanics are there. The stride, the pivots, the crossovers, the backwards, all of that stuff, it stands out so clearly to me. And then, like, you can teach kids to. To just do their job on the ice, you know, like, I'll take a good skater. I could teach them to. To play through in right. And developing the skills. Like that can happen. That could be taught to the skating, though. Like, it's such a foundational thing. If it's not mastered early, it's hard to become a better skater. Like, once you're out of your childhood, like, it's. You've already developed the habits that are. That are like. They're forged like steel by that time. [00:25:53] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:25:54] Speaker A: You know, you could teach other things. Like, you know, for me, it took me a long time for my hands [00:25:58] Speaker C: to catch my feet. [00:26:00] Speaker A: I don't know, it was like years. Like, I think I was, you know, behind a lot of guys because of that, like, in minor hockey and. And. And through that, it just took time. And I remember I had a coach. I don't know if you know, Rob Hubbard. Do you remember Rob Hubbard from Niagara? Anyway, so Rob said to me, just keep skating. Eventually those hands are gonna catch up to you. You know, just keep. Keep working, keep working, and you know what I mean? I think my hands finally caught me at like 17 and 18 maybe, and I started. You start to notice a difference. And then it just kind of got better and better because with being able to skate, everything feels slow. You know what I mean? Make an extra move because you're moving so fast, but it doesn't feel like. [00:26:43] Speaker D: And, yeah, it's literally just skating. You could just out skate everyone and have success that way. But, yeah, men's league is a lot. [00:26:52] Speaker A: No, it's just the conditioning. [00:26:53] Speaker C: It's just the conditioning now. [00:26:55] Speaker A: Now I can only go up and back, and then I'm off. There's no two times anywhere. [00:27:00] Speaker B: So before we dive into the now, one thing I want to wrap up with, the hockey side of things, is your European tour. I want to sit here and predict that Italy was the most beautiful place you play, because that's the Italian background in me. I've been a little bit biased, but you had Germany, you had Italy, you [00:27:15] Speaker D: had England, you had a. Yeah, it was all great. People asked me, like, where was your favorite spot that you ever played? Even North America. Like, I loved everywhere that I played. I just. I like where I am, you know, it just. I'm not a person that always wants to Be like somewhere else. Everywhere I was was great. But my favorite, if I had to pick a favorite, it was probably Italy because the hockey was, it wasn't the best Europe. It was a level where I, if I worked hard, I always had to work hard to have success. I was never a guy that could just go half speed and have any success. I had to give it all to, to get anything. But I was successful there and I gave myself permission to shoot the puck because I was always a pass first guy. This year in Italy, I was like, you know what? I'm shooting everything. And I did that. I scored the most amount of goals that I, I did in my career. I would go home and have €2 bottles of wine every night with prosciutto and parmesan. I, I had, I lived in this, on a dairy farm in the top floor of this barn that was freshly renovated. Floor to ceiling glass doors that opened up to snow covered mountains, you know, with an outdoor rink there that I just watch and, and go for hikes. And yeah, I had this little Fiat car where I could basically reach into the trunk from the front seat and I would just drive like through the winding mountains to practice, you know, and it was just, yeah, it was one of those moments where it's like, yeah, I'm not in the NHL right now, but this is pretty damn cool. My buddies are at home digging ditches, you know, I'm getting paid to, to do this, you know, so it so cool. [00:28:37] Speaker B: So I know before we transition to the next topic, I wanted to say like there was some one point that I was going to ask as a transition and who were you at the end of your career faced faces who you are now? I think that's a perfect segue question before we dive into the now piece, because I can imagine, you know, with age, with experience, with time, things changed. Were you at the end of your hockey career to who you are now as a person person? [00:29:05] Speaker D: Yeah, well, a lot changes. Like when you decide that you're done chasing the NHL and you, you go to Europe, it's kind of like, okay, I want to see the world. I want to, you know, hopefully make, make a bit of money. Your whole perspective changes. And you know, at that point I was starting to use hockey as, as just a way to open up doors and allow me to experience different places. Like, I love to travel. After every season in Europe, I would go away for two, three weeks to different places, backpacking and you know, I love to break bread with my teammates and get to learn the Culture and all this stuff. And with that, you're changing as, as, as a person. Like not just the hockey player. Like you're changing as a person. You're. You're exposed to the world and you start to really understand that, that the way that I was brought up or the way that I was raised or my culture, my society, it's like, it's not the only way. There's many different ways to live and you can say that to someone, but it's just theory. It takes actually experiencing it for it to really click. So I really just enjoyed the whole time. Like hockey for me at that point, it wasn't like things were changing inside of me. I was not, not getting like upset about losing and stuff like that. Like, there was the competitor in me that was like, oh yeah, I'm. Obviously it's better to win than it is to lose, but if we lost, I was kind of like, well, man, we're. Look where we are right now. Like, this is pretty cool. Just hockey. [00:30:20] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:30:21] Speaker D: You know, I was life. [00:30:22] Speaker B: Enjoy the moment. [00:30:22] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, for sure. It was like, man, I was just in, in India, seeing people like going, doing slum tours, like, losing a game is not a big deal, guys. [00:30:30] Speaker C: True. [00:30:30] Speaker D: It's not. [00:30:31] Speaker B: Y. [00:30:31] Speaker D: It's not so that, you know, it's hard because that's what I'm saying is true. But at the same time, you're a professional athlete. You're getting paid to win. So like there was this, this conflict or this friction that was happening inside of me and it got stronger and stronger as I, as I got older. And at one point it's just like, okay, like maybe, maybe I'm done. You know, I just don't really have that hunger inside of me like I, I once did. And now I'm actually curious to see what I can do outside of hockey. Like, am I this one hit wonder who's just a hockey player or, or could I go do something that nobody thinks I could do and, and show them that I'm multi dimensional, not just, you know, a one dimensional type of person. So that became my motivation and, you know, hanging up the skates. I played my last year in England. I, I said I always want to finish in England. I don't know why. I think it's just cool because you're like living abroad, but you're. It feels like home because it's English speaking and you know, you can order a coffee in your first language, which, you know. Yeah, I don't take that for granted anymore. I never, It Was never a bother to be. You know, these places where they don't speak English, but at the same time, it's. I mean, there's nothing better than your mother tongue, you know, something as simple as just greeting someone on the street, you know, and those conversations. Yeah. So I ended up getting into. I started to code at the end of my career. I had a friend who was a web developer, and this was before remote jobs. So this was like, hey, there's an opportunity where I could work from my computer anywhere in the world, also learn this skill, which I think is going to be valuable. We're going back a few years now. Now it's very questionable with AI, but it was like, okay, this sounds like something like, I never thought I could code. I never thought I was smart enough. I never looked at myself as like this academic person or intellectual person. Like, let's just try that. So I did a coding boot camp and got hired, you know, months after I retired as a software developer in downtown Toronto. And all of a sudden I'm like commuting to work and sitting in an office and doing corporate stuff, you know, which was a whole new experience. But it just wasn't it, you know, I was just like, yeah, this is cool. I proved I can do it. This is not it. I felt like very much in the rat race and just didn't enjoy the work, you know, Just didn't enjoy it. And then Covid happens and yeah, it's been a. I would like to say that I've landed on the new version of myself, but it's. It changes all the time. I still haven't found it, because how can anything be as fulfilling as living your. Your dream, your childhood dream, right? Like, what. What's next after that? So I think a lot of players struggle with this. You know, when you score a big goal and the 10,000 fans are going crazy and you're greeted in the streets and just that rush of like celebrating a huge goal or, you know what I mean, the bus rides. Like, nothing comes close to that. So, yeah, it's just been a. It's been a journey, but I love trying new things, meeting new people, new experiences. Like, I've done so much that I'm happy and proud of, but there's always that question that's underneath I'm trying to answer at all times. It's all like, what is the point of this work? Like, what is the point of it? [00:33:26] Speaker A: Yeah, no, I. I just. I just think it's amazing how you can, like, you try to find Yourself and I'm in the same boat of like, you know, every day you're trying to find out what makes you feel close to that, that feeling. It's, you know, we may never reach it, but it's, it's nice to find something and do something each time through, [00:33:48] Speaker D: through just self inquiry, self study. Like I'm a self development nerd. I'm, I love spirituality and all these types of metaphysical concepts, philosophy. Like I, that's my jam. I love to, just to sit and contemplate these things, meaning of life and all this. And I think that's what kind of pointed me towards what I'm doing now. Part of what I'm doing now, which is coaching youth athletes on the mental side of the game, just helping them develop like the mental tools and develop pro habits, you know, help them try to become the best version of themselves. I think the parents maybe get confused like, like, hey, this guy can help my kid get to the NHL. That's, that's not really it. What it is is helping them be the best version of themselves, whatever that is. So if it's them going from single A to, to double A and being a great double A player, like for me that's a win. You know, it's not necessarily seeing them through to the end because that's, you know, we all know how, how difficult that is and it's, it's useless to even make that the goal because we have no control. I have no control over what the kid's doing when, and he's not on the call with me. [00:34:48] Speaker C: Right. [00:34:49] Speaker D: So it's important to frame that. But coming back to what I was going to say, it's like the work that I'm doing now, I feel fulfilled in helping others. Like just being of service to others, I think is at the root of happiness for us as humans. [00:35:03] Speaker A: After with, you know, how you got involved with, you know, the, the programs and all the stuff, after with the video content and, and doing these documentaries [00:35:16] Speaker D: of what I believe, like many others bought a camera, just started filming. And I was comfortable with the camera because in high school I took this English media class where the teacher just basically gave us a camcorder and he's like, okay, go out, go out in the world and make a movie. So that's what we did, actually, that my first movie that I made got played in the IMAX theater, which has since been torn down in Niagara Falls. So that's just sort of my film history in a nutshell. But Fast forward to 2015. I'm in Germany and I buy this camera and just turn it on and, and, and just start filming life abroad. Season ended. I went to Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and I just documented what I was doing. Basically my friends and family were like, hey, this is cool. The videos are getting better. And just got better and better and better. I loved it. I genuinely loved just the whole process and editing and picking music and everything. And then came someone who's like, hey, can you film something for me? Like, I guess so. And it was a hockey school for my, for my buddies, my teammates. So they flew me out to. I think it was Idaho. Yeah. Boy, was it Idaho. Sun Valley, Idaho. Yeah, yeah, they flew me out. Yeah. So I'm getting what's what. It wasn't like officially paid work but you know, they paid my expenses, the flight and that was sort of like the birth of a video content creation. And yeah, it's opened some, some interesting doors. In 2024, I was commissioned, I guess you could say by CBC to travel across Canada with my family and document it. Sort of like vlog style, family road trip style. And I pitched this project to them and I had no idea they were going to say yes because it was actually ridiculous. It's like, guys, I want to travel across Canada with my family. I'm going to make a 90 second video on every province and you guys are going to pay for the whole thing. And they're like, okay. It's like, what? And yeah, yeah, it was, it was incredible. So just to have that time with my family and to see Canada on the road and. Yeah, yeah. I just still can't get over that experience for, for any Canadian, you know, how, how big and vast Canada is. And most of us have no idea just how expansive Canada is and vast. It's everything. It's everything. Like we know Toronto Trio, we'll pass by the Sioux, you go up there, play some junior hockey games or whatever, you know, between, you know, this, the Sioux and like Winnipeg, like what's there? Most people don't know know. And sorry, the people listening who, who are in like, is it Dresden, I think, or Dryden. Dryden, you know, sorry guys. Yeah, but maybe that's just. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So Canada is pretty, pretty cool. It's a great graphically, it's a really fascinating country. During Canada, winter is tough. [00:37:54] Speaker B: So this is what I thought would be a funny question to it is what, what's actually been harder? Like pro hockey or building something from scratch. Because when you think about it, like, [00:38:05] Speaker D: and I'll be I know the answer. [00:38:06] Speaker B: Like I actually, you know what? I. I've been doing this for 10 years and I've had guys who've been doing the show with me. Brooks, he's one. We've done 89 special edition shows and all I did was do it for fun. I didn't market second swear of the show and I just had more fun. I was just doing it for fun. And it's like what if in the day I actually would have focused what I'm doing now with all this marketing and all that at the time when it was prime Covid. But you can't dread on the past, right? You just, it doesn't really matter. But all the hockey that I know I did in comparison to creating content, I would say this is easier because. Not easier, sorry. Like I'm not physically exhausted. But you know what? The mental exhaustion is just as equivalent to a certain degree because you're wondered is this worth it? Is this? Is this. But gotta remember from when you first did it is why. That's what makes it fun and connectivity. But. But yes, that's why I want to spin it to you because everyone has their own experience and you have had a lot of success with your schooling, your or your creative concept. Origin creative. Sorry, I drew a quick blank there and a pitch you made to cbc like you've had that. Those steps which I'm sure encouraged you to go on where you know, Brooksy and I have been sitting in our offices doing these and it's different than playing hockey or playing a sport that you invest time in from a physical standpoint, what's been harder? Pro hockey or starting this from scratch? [00:39:24] Speaker D: Life after hockey, being self employed exponentially potentially harder than thin making it and maintaining status as a professional hockey player in my own opinion because as a hockey player like you knew, you knew what you were. All you had to do was show up. They told you where to show up. All you had to do is show up and just do the thing you love to do, right? Whereas self employed life, there's no one telling you where to go. There's no hand holding. It's like figure it out yourself. And if you don't figure it out, you're going to starve and you're not going to be able to pay your bills. And it's, it's, it's, it's terrifying. Half the time it's terrifying. And when you get some success, it's actually like scoring a big goal. It's like scoring an OT goal. You know, it Feels, feels really good when an opportunity comes around or, you know, you get to work with a really cool, cool brand. But the thing is, if you, if you stop for a second, you just sink and you start to drown. You know, you have to keep fighting the whole time. I mean, I feel half the time I'm, I'm exhausted from it. And the other time it's like exhilarating, you know, so it's, it's important to stay balanced, I find. And I'm still like learning to do this as, as I go. It's been like seven years self employed, but I'm still learning every day, like, how do I make something a sustainable business? How do I find balance between work and family and business and pleasure? And how do I not just stay in a feast and famine cycle, you know, get some really awesome projects and then it go radio silence for a few months, you know, so you really have to just enjoy the journey. One of my favorite shows is. Well, it is my favorite show. It's called Alone. It's a survival show on the surface. You guys know the show Alone? [00:41:01] Speaker B: Heard of it? [00:41:02] Speaker D: Yeah. So this is the Alone in a nutshell. It's 10 survivalists, like professional survival badasses, they drop them off in remote locations and it's a last man standing and they film themselves. So it's like you, you only know you win the show when they, they come and tell you you've won. You don't know when other people quit. So in this show, these contestants, they go through these radical ups and downs. One minute they catch a couple fish and they are on cloud nine. They go six days without eating, and all of a sudden they're depressed. They're gonna go home, they're tapping out, right? And I see the parallels between that show Alone and Self employed life. And I've watched several seasons of this show and I've noticed that the winners, the ones who outlast everyone else and they win, they always have like this playful attitude. Like, even when things are really bad, they find humor in all situations. So I've been trying to like, just take that attitude of like, you know, sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not great, but I'm just gonna be playful about it and just not take it all so seriously. And life has just been a lot more enjoyable that way. I, I find. [00:42:07] Speaker B: Yeah, you know what? You, you brought up a good point. Because in regards, you made me think of one particular point actually was more around the identity piece. Because you said at the beginning when I asked that question you. The struggle, it's harder because of that. You have that fear. You don't know it's anxiety inducing because you don't know you gotta put food on the table for your family, for yourself. And. And, you know, did you find that there was like a. I guess I'd say, did you go through an identity struggle after hockey at all? I know you had this kind of happen fairly quickly while you're playing, but you had to grind to get to that point. [00:42:40] Speaker A: Point. [00:42:41] Speaker B: So, like, did you find that you went through an identity struggle after Hawk at any point? [00:42:45] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think you start to question it towards the end. I think every player, you know goes through this. And then when you stop very. It's. It's shell shocking because it's, you know, in. In. I don't know if you guys have heard of the book how to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It said, I wish everyone in the world would read this book. If I could force everyone out, that would be the book. It is the most important book anyone can read, in my opinion. But in this book, he shares that all humans, you know, he says all men have this inherent desire that's as strong as their desire to procreate, to eat and to sleep. And that other desire is to feel important. So we all strive to feel important in some way. Right? It's part of our identity. We all, like, strive for this and we crave it. Yeah. We want to feel important so bad. That for sure. And we all have this. So as a hockey player at no matter. No matter what level, like, it starts in aaa, you know, you get your AAA jacket and you go to elementary school and everyone thinks you're pretty sweet. Oh, you're playing foot hockey during recess, and, you know, you get that respect. And then it only gets bigger and bigger. You go to Junior, you're in the O or whatever, the dub, and then you get. You get the pro and then some, you know, if you're fortunate enough, you make it all the way to the NHL. And everyone looks at you like, wow, like, that is so cool. Like. Like you're important. I think you're important. They say, what do you do for a living? I play professional hockey. And they go, oh, wow, cool. You know, and it's. It, it's, you know, it inflates your ego a little bit. It feels like. It feels that you feel something, but when you retire and then you don't have that anymore, it's like it starts to feel a little bit different, right? Your identity is like, well, who am I? I'm not this hockey player anymore. Like, what? Where am I finding my importance now? Now, you know, and some players have an easier transition than others. I think if you can find just a job right out of hockey and just don't even take a pause, it's like, season ends and boom, you're working 40 hours a week doing something else. The problem with that, though, is you don't take time to sit back and think, like, what do I want out of life now? Like, who. What type of work is going to give me purpose, fulfill me, that's meaningful. Like, you don't want to just go blindly and join the rat race. And then it's like. Like the next 40 years of your life go by and it's like, what am I doing? You know, I haven't done any of the things that I wanted to do before I die. [00:45:03] Speaker C: Finding that identity is so huge. Like, it took me, I think I'm gonna say, six years after I retired to really find an identity of who I am. And what am I gonna do? I think, you know, having this show with David helped a lot with keeping me involved in something that I love. But, you know, you're trying to figure this out. Like, it's so funny that when you retire, think it's just going to be, oh, I can chill, relax, and just smooth through the life. But it's. It's not. It's. It's. It's. It just shows how different when you play professional at a certain level, that it's not real life in a way. And then when you come back to the reality of real life, it's. It can be very scary. And for me, it just took that extra time to find, you know, what I wanted to do, who I am again, besides just a hockey player. [00:45:56] Speaker D: Yeah, like, a lot of, you know, some players. I think David, at the start of the show, you mentioned some guys get into hockey. They stay in hockey. [00:46:03] Speaker A: Right. [00:46:03] Speaker D: They get into coaching and stuff. And I've, you know, I've been just. I. I was never drawn to it. I don't know what it is. I honestly think I. I would be probably a pretty good. Good coach. But it's tough because, like, coaches are the first to go. The team struggles. You're done. [00:46:15] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [00:46:16] Speaker D: You know what I mean? [00:46:16] Speaker A: You're. [00:46:16] Speaker B: You're no security. [00:46:17] Speaker C: No. [00:46:18] Speaker D: Who wants to live that lifestyle? Like, I have two young kids, you know, like, they need stability in their lives and. And so does my wife, too. Like, you know, moving twice A year, you know, you're just canned. You go to work and you're literally canned. Cause the team lost four games in a row. And then what do you do? You know, where's your next check coming from? I don't know. Like, is that any way to live? [00:46:37] Speaker C: Yeah. No, not at all. [00:46:38] Speaker B: It's hard. Like, you love it, you love it, but it's not. It's truly. It's not. And you got guys like Patrick Ol or Patrick o'. Sullivan. But yeah, like, you got guys like Scotty Bowman. I'll use. That's probably the better example. Let me go with Scotty Bowman, guy who coached for how many decades and had such long tenures, but he, you know, coached different teams. Montreal, Detroit, obviously just naming two of them. So. But his longest, you know, like you look at some coaches, I've had longer tenures like John Cooper. And Tampa Bay right now has been. This is 2013. He's the longest active coach as of today. Today's April 22nd, everybody. So if John Cooper gets fired by the time this is uploaded, don't call me out below. But I doubt that's going to happen. But John Cooper's been this 2013. That's. That's rare to find. Sean Mapleys have won through four different coaches. It's. They, it's the first to go GM coach. They get the first blame and they're the people that fans blame the most. So fire the coach, fire the gm. You know, Brad Tree Living's a GM in Tron that just got let go before we did this recording. And you know, that he replaced obviously Kyle Dubas sue native who's doing a very good job in Pittsburgh at the time. While we're talking, you know, there's, it's just Tree Living's only been there for a couple years. See you later. Right. It's. It's a revolving door. It's not secure. And you build a reputation. Then why you go GM Buffalo, or you go, then you go GM Pittsburgh, you go GM this team, you're just bouncing around. And that's hard on a young family. If you have young kids, sons, daughters, or, you know, wife and family, I can see that being really hard. And security is also anxiety. [00:48:04] Speaker C: And you're talking about at the NHL level. And I think Jordan and myself are thinking like the minor hockey, the junior level, it is, you know, the amount of travel you got to do, you got to pick up. You might go for one year and you're trying to move up to get to that point of the NHL because 95, 98% don't get to fall into like a coaching position at such a high level. It's all the stuff before. And for me, like my last few years, I was a player assistant coach because they still did that in Europe. It was more to pay you more, but at the same time, it's. It's more, you know, you learn a little bit. Like, is this something you're interested in? In. There's so many things. And I think, you know, once you're done and you sit back, like, for myself, I never want to travel again. Like in the hockey world, like, unless it's to go watch my kids or I'm coaching my kids. Like to think about doing that. That is not like family oriented. I just can't even wrap my head around it. And I've been approached to coach a few times, probably like Jordan, and it's so not appealing to me to do that again. Especially when you have a family. [00:49:12] Speaker D: Yeah, I think the ideal. A coaching role for me would be. And I don't know if they have this yet, but I would love to go over tape with individuals and be like a mental coach for. It's like a hybrid of like, we're. We're going over tactical stuff on the ice, but it's also like, hey, how. How are you doing? Like, you were awesome two months ago. Like, what's going on? Like, where's your. Where's your head at? This is what the organization wants from you. Do this. Here are the clips that they want you to play like every night because they never had that brook. So you can probably attest to this. My entire pro career, you know, the American League, trying to make Dan Hl never knew where I stood. Never had a conversation with anybody that was like, hey, Jordan, we love when you do this. Just do this. We don't need you to score and do all this other crap or fight. We just want you to do this. If you do this every night, A plus, at your worst games are B pluses. We have a spot for you. We have a spot for you. In time. [00:50:07] Speaker B: You know, focusing on mental so important, especially in youth, because there's so much pressure that they think that they have to live up to a certain expectation for their parents, for their friends, for their whoever the heck they want to be like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or they want to be like that next guy. And they're so hard on themselves. And that youth development either pulls them away from the game or just doesn't develop them. Good for life either. Because if they don't make it in hockey and they have those confidence issues surface because they can't accomplish what they feel in hockey or they have that self doubt or that mental battle that they can't overcome. It could affect them in life more so because of maybe in school, maybe in work because they don't build that confidence or they're not coached properly. And I think that's a very fair point. You talk about coaching, there's more to it than teaching someone how to skate backwards, crossing over, lifting the puck like the Michigan and flipping over a pylon or whatever you want to do to have the hands. It's the mental that trains you to do. [00:50:56] Speaker D: It's all mental. You get to a certain level, it's all mental. These kids, even pro players don't realize like say you're lacking confidence as a player. This to me is so obvious. I work in this space now but, but for a lot of folks it's not. You don't have confidence. So now your, your self talk and your thoughts are like, oh, I'm bad, I'm going to turn the puck over, I'm going to miss the net. I've gone four games without scoring, I'm going to down. Those are your thoughts now your emotions, they directly are affected. Your emotions are, I'm sad, I'm depressed, I'm down, not feeling good. When your emotions like that, your physiology changes now your body like literally your body language starts to go like this and your whole aura starts to change, right? You start to breathe shallow, your blood starts, you know, you get pricklies all over, you might get warm in the face. That happens to some people. You're still going to go out there and try your best though, right? Like that's the next stage in this. But, but with your self talk bad, your emotional state bad, your physiology bad, the overall output is going to be terrible. So this is just a loop and it goes around in a circle so they have to break out of it. [00:52:00] Speaker C: Right. [00:52:00] Speaker D: And it starts with self talk. Well it starts with just noticing, hey, I'm in a negative loop right now, I need to get out of it. Change the self talk. That changes emotions and so on. [00:52:08] Speaker C: Yeah, like I for me like when we played together was at the very end of my career and it's so crazy because I went through that. I would have loved to have had a mental coach my last year at 40, you know, even before then too. But at 40 I really needed it because I was going through some stuff outside the Arena. And I remember it's almost as if I forgot how to play hockey. And it was crazy. And the year before, I led the league in goals. And then you come back, and because of the stuff outside the rink, you know, my mental state was not where it is. And it was like, I was like, okay, I'm just going to go to the rink and do what I always do. But because there was so much noise outside the arena, I couldn't figure out how to just let that go and play the game that I know how to do so well. And my last year. Well, my last quarter of a year was I just didn't know how to. What to do. I didn't know how to change that outlook. And it was. It was such a weird feeling when you go from the highest of the high in such a short time because of my mental health and. And to not have someone there or someone to guide you. They're all like, what's wrong, Brooksy? What are you doing? What's going on? Why can't you play today? And it was crazy because I didn't have the answers. And to have someone that helped me control that, I think, you know, I could have still been playing, and I think, you know, you could have used it when I was younger, too, with certain decisions. Because when you're younger, you know, you want things to happen so fast, and sometimes you need someone to let you know, hey, just sit in it. It's gonna happen. And it's so important, like you're saying, and I think it's amazing what you're doing. And, you know, there couldn't be a better guy for these young people if they come to you to talk, and you're just doing a great job. [00:53:57] Speaker B: Well said. [00:53:57] Speaker D: Yeah. You know what, Brooks, are. You say, like, I didn't know. I didn't realize you played to 40. That's. That's amazing. Like, I'm. I'm turning 40 and I'm. I'm actually actively. I'm in pretty good shape. Shape right now. I want to play. Like, I'm just waiting for a buddy who's like, now in a coaching position to be like, hey, we need an emergency golf. Like, I'm there. I'm in that good of shape. But, you know, playing men's league and like, these, these tools, like, I'll have it. Like, I play hard now in men's. Men's league. I don't care. I play hard. So why naturally the other team, like, I'm public enemy number one, right? So it's like I, I have to use these tools that I'm teaching to these kids now. You know, if I go out there, you know, I miss a couple chances. It's like, oh, I can't score tonight. It's like I'm going to bury the next one. You know, just a simple reframing in, in how you talk to yourself. Huge difference. But yes, the mental side of the game even important in, in men's league at, at 39 years old, maybe instead [00:54:53] Speaker B: of me going into various points and flashy type of questions, you changed your diet, you changed your, your, your approach. And if I remember correctly, it's after you played the game. [00:55:03] Speaker D: Right? [00:55:04] Speaker B: Is where that, that all came place or was it during? [00:55:06] Speaker D: No, it was during. During. [00:55:07] Speaker B: It was during. Okay, so what, what was that focus that led towards that approach towards having the vegan approach, which I know is a big part of your, you know, you share that on your content, you share on that health approach, so on that mindset and energy that you're feeling. [00:55:20] Speaker D: So I, it started with a doc I was in my first year in Europe, I was playing in Denmark and we watched a documentary. It was me and two other North American teammates. We'd have pizza and documentary night every like Monday and we watched food. And it was the first time I was awakened to the, the mass, the food system, mass scale factory farming. That was a seed that was planted and it took a, you know, a handful of years and watched another, that it was just like growing. And I watched this other documentary, Earthlings. I watched that and I was like, oh man, I'm done. Done. I'm like, why did I watch this? Now my life is going to be harder. I can't eat animals. So I was kind of mad at myself for watching. But I went on that journey was I was the vegan for almost eight years. My mind. I was an ethical vegan too, by the way. So there's three, basically three types of vegans. There's ethical vegans, there's health vegans and then there's environmental vegans. So I was, I was ethical. Like I never argued about the health side. So I feel like no one really knows about what the best diet is. They've been arguing about this since, since they started you know, documenting, you know, the science behind food. No one really knows. Find out what works best for you and that's the best. And then the environmental, I mean people debate about that too. But for me the moral side or the ethical side was undebata. Now it is debatable. So I'm not, I'm not vegan anymore. [00:56:34] Speaker B: Okay. [00:56:35] Speaker D: I started eating meats I think probably a little year and a half, maybe like a year and a half ago. And now I eat like mostly, mostly beef and veggies and fruits. [00:56:44] Speaker C: How was the first bite? [00:56:45] Speaker D: Very few carbs to. [00:56:47] Speaker C: Welcome back to, to that. I'm just curious what. [00:56:49] Speaker D: That was a little weird. It was a little bit weird but at the same time it felt I, I had no doubt in my mind that it was the right decision for me. Man, it's been crazy. Like I, I feel amazing now. I put on almost 15 pounds. So I got my size back and I just, I read a book, eat right for your type. And it's about eating for your blood type and that was part of a bunch of reasons that got me to shift. That was maybe the, the straw that broke the camel's back. So I'm type O, O positive. So O type blood type thrives on, on animal based protein, specifically beef. [00:57:26] Speaker B: So interesting education. I didn't know and you know, honestly it's, you gotta, yeah gotta learn each day. I love steak meat. I, I, I feel like I could nuts. How I eat now, I might have gained shape a little bit. I've gained a little bit on the front area of the stomach I would say. But I'm happier than I've ever been with eating. I think that's all that, all that matters that the Italian heritage is really coming out a lot more now. So I want to get to. We usually do a wrap up question, Brooksie and I, that, that's, oh, now I'm pulling out the archives. That's like 20, 19, 8 0. We used to do that. Now I don't know if Brooks, you, I'm sure Brooks, you'll have one more question. But I'll ask my final one before we start to, to wrap up. So I wanted to give like a deep young I want or deep young a deep question, a serious question. If a young athlete is listening, which I'm sure you know, I, I'm hopeful that we have all ages listening. What should they start doing today outside of their sport to succeed in their sport? [00:58:23] Speaker D: What should a youth athlete do to [00:58:27] Speaker B: succeed in their sport? So like what should they start doing today outside of their sport to start succeeding in their sport? [00:58:34] Speaker D: This is incredible. So I'm in Toastmasters. It's a public speaking club. Essentially you practice public speaking. One of the exercises we do is impromptu questions like this. So that's a question you got to walk up to the Lectern and speak. [00:58:46] Speaker B: So love it. [00:58:47] Speaker D: I just feel I didn't go this week. So now I'm like, I'm doing Toastmasters right now. The, the, the mental side for me and. Yeah. Is it biased because I'm a mental performance coach? No, I, I believe wholeheartedly it is the most important thing a youth athlete can do for themselves because it won't only help them in their sport, it will help them in life. We have to be our own best friends internally. It starts with self talk. That self talk. You know, I explained a little bit of how the cycle works. It affects your emotions, it affects your physiology, it affects how you take action action in, in life and how you take action affects your trajectory or your path. [00:59:24] Speaker C: Right. [00:59:24] Speaker D: It's this circle and they're all reliant upon each other. So really understanding your mind and understanding yourself is going to help you in your sport. But more importantly it's going to help you in, in your life as you go through. Because it's not something that you master, it's something that you practice and you practice and you practice and you practice and you know, we just mentioned a few minutes ago, you know Brooks, a year over 40 now. I, I'm, I'm turning 40 next week. Still practicing the, these, these tools. But it gets easier over time. It's like building a muscle. So don't underestimate the power of, of, of understanding the thyself, I should say. [00:59:59] Speaker C: Well said for sure. [01:00:00] Speaker B: Well said. I knew that question put you on the spot, but I knew you'd nail it. [01:00:02] Speaker C: I didn't have a question. I wasn't sure if we were going to do it. But you know what, this is pretty easy. Cause I can go back to the Toastmasters Improv too. For me, like my question is I'm going to make this kind of like a two parter. And I always like to know like what. Who was the one person that had the most influence on you in the game of hockey for part one and my second one is who's had the most influence after hockey for you? Because I always like people to get a shout out and, and something to do. You know what has made you Jordan Owens. [01:00:36] Speaker B: Nice. [01:00:37] Speaker D: You know my dad was, was my guy, you know, growing up, my minor hockey. Like yeah, of course I remember the tournaments and the games and the AAA and all that kind of stuff. But it was the car rides home after the game with my dad that was everything for me. You know, down there. The QEW Brooks, you know, it just. The heat blasted and we're going 140, like, trying to get home for school in the morning. And my dad, work and just talking and him always just being so supportive and just like, no pressure, zero pressure from my dad. But I played for him, you know, it was like I played for myself, but it was just like, like, you know, I just wanted to impress my dad, you know, so, so much. And he would notice, like, the little things, like the, you know, maybe I'd put a puck like off the boards around my back or something in the middle of the game, like, no one notices. And he would notice that and, and say something. And I, it. It meant something to me. So it was always my dad. But there was one figure who I think also helped me in my pro journey. And he taught me what it really took to be a professional. And his name was Matt Ellis, my [01:01:44] Speaker C: old teammate, very well. [01:01:46] Speaker D: And he was one of my training partners for those summers in the American Hockey League. And he was the guy I just watched in the gym. And he showed up every day. And this man's work ethic was beyond. I remember one day he came into the gym late, and he was never late. He came in late and he didn't say anything to anyone. He drops his duffel bag and he goes right to the squat rack, loads it up, and he just starts firing off hand hang two. Two plates aside, and the first part of this story, we're like, dude, why are you late? And he's all depressed. He walks out of the gym. He comes back a few minutes later, and then he does this, like, crazy, this muscle feat. And we're like, dude, what happened? He's like, I didn't want to work out today, but I thought about the guys in my backyard shoveling dirt and laying bricks for me in the 30 degree sun. [01:02:32] Speaker C: Yeah, motivation, a hundred percent. Well, yeah. He would do full workouts after games, like, nothing I'd ever seen. Like, I'd get on the bike, try to flush it out, you know, for 15 minutes, 20 minutes. This guy would do like a full workout sometimes. And it was like he knew what he needed to do for his body and he knew what he needed to do to make it, and he found a way to make it. And I'm not sure if he is, but you might know. Is he still working with the Sabers as their strength and conditioning? I know he did for a long time. [01:03:00] Speaker D: Yeah. I didn't know that was his role. I thought he was, like, in some admin position, but I. I wouldn't, I wouldn't Be surprised if he isn't still there. But you did mention someone outside of the game. Outside of the game. I've had. Had a, had a couple good mentors, but I think most, most importantly is my, my wife has allowed me to just figure this whole post hockey life out and has given me a lot of grace and a lot of space to explore different things. And I've challenged her for sure. We've had some, some blowups about me always, you know, building castles in the sky. Hey, I'm gonna start playing pro hockey again. You know, this is like five years after I retired. Hey, let's move here. Let's go to the. All these different things that I, that I want to try. It's just who I am. And, and she's given me a lot of space to, to explore that. So I have to give her credit for that. [01:03:47] Speaker C: That's amazing. [01:03:47] Speaker B: Fun fact. Matt Ellis, according, according to Elite Prospects is the Buffalo Junior Sabres 1600 AAA assistant coach, but also the assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabers. [01:03:56] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's true. I remember seeing him on a bench. [01:03:59] Speaker C: Doesn't. Doesn't surprise me at all. [01:04:01] Speaker B: Yep, he is behind the bench according to Elite Prospects and looking at their website, I see that as well on Buffalo Sabers roster. So yeah, that's. I can confirm that on here just to share that out. But he. They actually have a. Their full roster, these NHL teams. Executive coaching staff, equipment staff, player development. It's like, oh my. They have everything now. We were talking about coaches, but yeah, Matt Ellis along with Mike Bales and Marty Wilford are the assistant coach. They have a video coach, video coordinator obviously. And obviously led by Lindy Ruff as their head coach, as we all know. [01:04:32] Speaker D: Yeah, I'm rooting for them actually. Oh, you got the T shirt on, Brooke. [01:04:35] Speaker C: Yeah, I'm really know who's on the coach on the bench. What's happening. I've been a fan since I was a kid. [01:04:41] Speaker D: Yeah, [01:04:43] Speaker B: that's okay. That's okay. Now Jordan, before we let you go and we get to the end here, the last thing I like to make sure people do is plug what they do. Obviously we've talked about what you do now, but where people can find you, where they can search you, obviously. You got Instagram, you got YouTube, you got the website, you got all things. Why don't you list that out on here. I'm going to put all the links of it on the website or the website website of your sites below in the description of the show so people can access it and I want you to take a few moments to share that if. If you'd like. [01:05:10] Speaker D: Yeah. Thank you. If you guys want to find me my website, iamjordanowens.com everything is there. You'll see my. My three offerings there. Links to social media, some writing, all. All the things. Links to my YouTube channel as well. [01:05:24] Speaker B: Yeah, you. You have great content. That's right. NASB showed me some stuff and I've obviously looked into your website, did all the research like a nerd before we talked today. So I knew what I can dive into some of these unique questions for you, but definitely great stuff that you do and I like what you say on your site. The keyword that I can use for taking away is mindset, creativity, purpose. All connected. Very well said. Love that. Now I want to say thank you to you, Brooksy, for coming back on for these. It's been a couple years since you and I have done these additions together. We've had other people jump on to. To join me and didn't want anybody else joining on this show for a couple reasons. One, we've done it for a while, but I know you knew Jordan and when I looked back and saw that we had a 2021 episode planned, I'm looking at all these topics you should see. I had a topic talk about Alex Petrangelo. Did you play with Alex Petrangelo? You did. [01:06:11] Speaker D: Okay. [01:06:11] Speaker B: Okay. I even did the research back then and you actually had Jonathan Marchessault on there as a fact. So fun fact. That's great. But now 2026, near five years later to the day, probably I don't know the date off by hand, but we finally got this show done. It did take Brett Nasby to get it done. But I'm glad that you're able to join on Brooks. [01:06:31] Speaker C: Appreciate it. Thank you for having me. [01:06:32] Speaker D: Okay, one last thing before we go. If you guys go to my social media, my most popular video viral for me, it's. It's got like, I. I think almost 300,000 views. It's a video that I took in the Connecticut Whale. It was the rebranding at the time, but it's Hartford Wolfpack, essentially Rangers farm team. Anyway, we're in the locker room after practice and I. I film like this makeshift baseball game. It's a pretty funny video, but it, but it was filmed just like haphazardly, you know, no fancy camera or whatever. It's the most popular piece of content that I've created and you'll see in that video. Video, Marcia. So sitting there watching and you'll hear Zuccarello come in out of the shower. At the end, he's yelling at us. Chris Newberry's in the video as well. A couple other other notable figures. But yeah, it's kind of annoying on Instagram. All my notifications are from this video I posted like a couple months ago. It's like, guys, so sick of this piece of content. But you guys might like it. [01:07:20] Speaker B: I didn't give it a watch for sure. And everyone else should take a watch of that. Make sure you check them out on social media. And speaking of which, Jordan, I appreciate you taking the time. I also appreciate the patience. You and I have been talking for what, since February as well. So on top of four years of us not doing a show, you and I have been texting on off for the last four weeks. Me being the worst texter in all of Ontario. And Bry knows that. I appreciate you. I appreciate you taking the time to come on the podcast here today. We've been long awaiting this episode and it's great to have your insight and it's been a treat meeting you and talking about everything you do then and what you doing now. [01:07:54] Speaker D: Yeah. Thank you for having me. [01:07:55] Speaker B: Of course. Jor Jordan Owens, everyone wants to thank you to Brendan Brooks again and to Jordan Owens and to you all, the listeners and viewers of the Game Sports podcast. Make sure you're following Instagram, Tik tok. Look, we're all over at the Game Sports podcast. You can even find us on ChatGPT. Okay, you search us there. It actually says Booyah at the top. It's hilarious. It's worth a chat. GPT or a Gemini search. I laughed and felt a little bit creeped out, but nonetheless, make sure that you are following the show. Keep an eye on 91N. That's where the video portions of the show are all audio platform Spotify is where you find the audio and also Spaces, which is through Studay and Village Media. And until next time, until our next episode, I'm here to remind you to keep your stick on the ice. Swing your bats, catch your touchdown downs, drain your threes and shoot your shots. Booyah.