The Mental Goalie Podcast Episode 1 Show Notes – To listen to this Episode visit Spotify

What’s up goalguards, this is Coach Austin from The Mental Goalie and you’re listening to the Mental Goalie podcast. More athletes than ever are recognizing the importance of having a strong mental game and powerful mindset, and in a position such as goaltending, the stakes are even higher. On this show, broken up into short episodes, I break down easy ways for you to start your mindset journey on the ice. Over the next few months, we are going to discuss the ways ELITE goaltenders are able to play in the moment, not let mistakes get to them, and build confidence so that every time you step on the ice, you can perform at your very best.

Before we get into today’s episode, if you are an athlete struggling with confidence in your game and mental toughness during your training sessions, head over to thementalgoalieschool.com/mindsetacademy to schedule your free clarity call today and start the journey becoming an ELITE athlete. 

On today’s episode we are talking about where your dreams go to die! The graveyard of dreams you did not want to pursue; the awful place called the COMFORT ZONE. 

Your comfort zone is the only thing killing your dreams. And by dreams, I mean things as big as playing college hockey one day, to as small as learning how to play the puck behind the net. 

Let me ask you this: what happens when we are comfortable? Think about a cold stormy day, your in your warm, soft, comfortable bed. Do you want to leave the comfort of your bed to face the crisp air outside? Staying in that bed sure sounds pretty good to the alternative! 

Your comfort zone in hockey, and life, is that warm, cozy, soft, queen sized bed with the down comforter! As humans, we don’t want to push ourselves into situations that may cause us discomfort, so we stay with what we know.

But if we always stay within what we know, will we ever learn new skills or push ourselves to grow in different ways? Absolutely not, and that right there is why the comfort zone is killing your dreams and aspirations.

Let’s look at an example I love to use with my netminders: playing the puck. Coming out of the crease and stopping the puck for your defense or passing it up the ice, is one of the most uncomfortable plays for a goalie to make. The crease is where we feel safe, it’s what we know. Outside the crease, we are leaving the realm of comfort and forcing ourselves to perform a skill that’s a little different then our normal duties. But, can you name one NHL goaltender that NEVER plays the puck? I know I can’t. It’s part of the game, and therefore, if you aren’t pushing yourself out of the comfort zone to practice this skill until it becomes comfortable, then that dream of high level hockey may not come to fruition. 

To help you get out of your warm, soft, fluffy comfort zone asl yourself these self awareness questions:

• At practice, am I just going through the motions, just reacting, taking what comes at me? Or am I active? Am I on the offense, not the defense, in terms of my development. Am I  using practice as a means to work on bad habits, new skills?
• During the day, does the thought of a change in plans or a change in my routine scare me or excite me?
• When I make a new team, or move up an age group, am I the athlete that sits back and is content with that new level? Do I stop pushing forward, and take my foot off the gas?
• Or do I recognize the need to practice being faster and the need to get stronger so that I am not stagnant, but am pushing forward?
• Am I better today than I was yesterday? 6 months ago? A Year ago?

To push yourself out of that comfort zone, start looking inwardly to think about what is comfortable and consciously change it, and here’s how you can jumpstart that process:

• Think about one thing you want to improve in your personal life (school, relationships, hobbies).
• Think about one thing you’re struggling with in hockey.
• Ask yourself honestly, are you doing everything you can to improve that issue?
• Can you see how being comfortable is holding you back?
• Then, begin making a conscious effort to fix it. Not just when you have the opportunity, CREATE opportunities for yourself to work on that skill or trait. 

That’s all I have for you today goalies, remember, your comfort zone may feel soft and cozy, but it’s killing your dreams. Always ask yourself, would I rather be comfortable, or would I rather achieve my goal?

As always, thank you for listening! Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and if you need a little more guidance, a little more push, check out my coaching program at http://thementalgoalieschool.com/mindsetacademy.

Keep pushing yourselves forward, keep your hands out, stick down, and I’ll see you next time!