Episode Description
Summary
What does it take to master the mental side of hockey?
Tampa Bay Lightning mental performance consultant Dr. Ryan Hamilton joins Greg Wolf and Braydon Coburn on Block Party to explain how elite athletes navigate pressure, adversity, confidence, sleep and the demands of professional hockey. He shares how he works with players, why confidence is something athletes “do” rather than something they possess and how the definition of mental toughness is evolving.
Hamilton also discusses the nearly 500-hour process behind his book, On the Inside Edge: Mastering Hockey’s Mental Game, his work with the Lightning and Hockey Canada, and the heartbreaking Olympic experience that changed how he thinks about gratitude, risk and living a bold life.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent or simply looking to perform at your best, this conversation offers practical insight into building resilience and strengthening your mental game.
00:00 Why Ryan Hamilton Embraces Discomfort
01:05 Meet Dr. Ryan Hamilton
01:55 Finding a Career in Sports Psychology
05:56 Building a Career by Focusing on the Work
10:39 What a Mental Performance Coach Actually Does
12:46 How Ryan Works with Professional Athletes
15:42 Building Trust and Supporting Players
21:34 Managing Adversity, Stress and Change
24:16 Sleep, Confidence and Peak Performance
26:37 Why Growth Requires Discomfort
29:38 Redefining Mental Health and Mental Toughness
32:44 Writing On the Inside Edge
34:21 Testing Mental Skills Through Ultra-Endurance Running
38:34 Lessons from Hockey’s Biggest Names
42:16 Making Mental Performance Tools More Accessible
44:16 Olympic Heartbreak and Living a Bold Life
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