THE LOCKER ROOM LIFE

Mike Rabideau’s story is so much bigger than hockey. Mike’s journey through the game has taken him from playing professionally in the FHL, including time with the Brewster Bulldogs, to becoming a shooting consultant, trainer, coach and mentor helping the next generation of players develop their game. But the most powerful part of Mike’s story has nothing to do with goals, statistics or what happen...

What happens when you see an outdated problem in sports and decide to completely rethink it? We sat down with Matt Hall, Founder & CEO of TRUFIT Customs, to break down the journey behind building a sports technology company focused on making professional-grade custom-fit products more accessible to athletes at every level. Matt and the TRUFIT team took a process that was traditionally expensive, t...

Logan Renkowski’s journey is proof that your path doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s to get where you’re supposed to go. From the USHL to the NAHL, back to the USHL, Logan continued to bet on himself. He kept working, kept believing and refused to let adversity define where his career was headed. Then came the breakthrough. 43 goals. 63 points. A Clark Cup Championship with the Sioux Falls...

BUILD YOUR BRAND!!! In this edition of WORKING IN SPORTS, Nick Bowins breaks down one of the most important lessons for anyone trying to get their foot in the door of the sports industry: YOU are your best marketing tool. Your reputation, your work, your relationships, and the way you present yourself all become part of your brand. Getting the opportunity is only the beginning. Find the right posi...

BE COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. For more than 25 years, Brijesh “Coach B” Patel has built athletes, coaches, and cultures around one belief: real growth starts outside your comfort zone. As Associate Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Performance at Quinnipiac University, Coach B has helped build a championship-level environment centered on preparation, accountability, relationships, a...

The work doesn’t stop when things don’t go your way. That’s when it matters most. Cameron Korpi joins Locker Room Life to talk about the journey of a goaltender who has continued to work, adapt and bet on himself through every stage of his career. From AAA hockey to the NTDP, NAHL, four seasons of USHL experience, the University of Michigan and now Union College, Cameron’s path has been built thro...

Nate McBrayer joins Locker Room Life to talk about the journey behind getting to where he is today and the years of work, sacrifice and dedication that people don’t always see. Growing up in Ohio, Nate developed a love for the game early. But wanting something and earning it are two completely different things. We dive into what it took to keep climbing, leaving home, competing at higher levels, l...

For Lucas Van Vliet, the mission is simple: focus on becoming the best version of yourself every single day. Not worrying about where everyone else is.
 Not chasing somebody else’s timeline.
 Not letting the outside noise dictate the work. It’s about dedication to the process, belief in yourself, and showing up every day with the intention to improve. The biggest results don’t happen overnight. Th...

Mike Young knows what it means to bet on yourself. Comedian. Writer. Director. Producer. But behind every title is a story built on the grind, adversity, unwavering belief, and the decision to keep going when the path wasn’t guaranteed. Mike talks about believing he could turn comedy into a career long before the success showed up — trusting his instincts, staying committed to his passion, and hav...

Noah Powell’s journey was never supposed to be easy. Adversity. Injuries. Setbacks. Doubt. At almost every stop, something stood in the way. But Noah kept finding a way forward. After going undrafted in 2023, he came back and exploded for 43 goals in the USHL, leading the league and forcing the hockey world to take notice. Then came the moment he had been chasing: hearing his name called by the Ph...

FOUNDER | STU MIDDLETON We sit down with the team behind Hockey Gives Blood, a nonprofit founded in 2018 by former hockey players who wanted to use the power of the game to help others. The organization was inspired by deeply personal tragedy, including co-founder and President Stu Middleton losing his father, Tom, and the devastating Humboldt Broncos tragedy that showed the world just how powerfu...

Jordan Ray's journey is a story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering belief. Born and raised in Florida, she carved out an incredible path to Yale University, where she developed into one of college hockey's top competitors while balancing the demands of an elite academic institution. But the road to achieving her dream wasn't smooth. At one of the most critical moments of her collegiate ca...

For every kid growing up in Minnesota, wearing the Maroon and Gold isn't just a goal... it's the dream. Jackson Nevers didn't get there by chasing hype. He got there by embracing pressure, staying committed to the process, and leading from the front. From becoming captain of the Madison Capitols to earning his opportunity with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Jackson's journey is a reminder that lead...

What began as unimaginable tragedy has become one of hockey's most powerful movements. This week on Locker Room Life, we sit down with Shoulder Check founder Rob Thorsen for one of the most meaningful conversations we've ever had. After the loss of his son Hayden, Rob chose to build something bigger than grief. Through the #HT40 Foundation and the Shoulder Check movement, he's inspiring a culture...

Some battles happen inside the cage. The hardest ones happen within. On this episode of Locker Room Life, we sit down with Ian Heinisch—President of BK Ice Wars and former UFC middleweight contender—to discuss a life defined by resilience, redemption, and purpose. Ian shares his journey through addiction, incarceration, and the mental battles that nearly broke him before fighting his way to the UF...

Success isn't built overnight. It's built through purpose, perseverance, and staying true to who you are. In this episode of the Locker Room Life Podcast, we sit down with Kate Pettersen, one of the most respected voices in sports broadcasting. Her journey is a powerful reminder that authenticity and hard work never go out of style. From her humble beginnings and a lifelong passion for sports insp...

From dominating the USHL to earning his opportunity with the Ottawa Senators, Stephen Halliday's journey is a masterclass in perseverance, patience, and unwavering self-belief. Despite the accolades and expectations early in his career, the road to the NHL was anything but guaranteed. Stephen opens up about the setbacks, the moments of doubt, and the relentless work ethic that kept him moving forw...

Some people chase success. Others chase purpose. On this episode of Locker Room Life, Pat Shea shares his incredible journey from professional hockey to pursuing his true passion—acting. Rather than staying comfortable, Pat bet on himself, embracing uncertainty and creating opportunities where none existed. He dives into the mindset required to leave behind a successful career, the importance of b...

From Cesis, Latvia to the bright lights of North American hockey, Rudolfs Berzkalns' journey is a testament to what can happen when talent meets relentless dedication. At a young age, he made the bold decision to leave home, embrace a new culture, adapt to a different style of hockey, and chase his dream on the other side of the world. Today, he's become one of the most exciting young prospects in...

Blake Zielinski joins Locker Room Life to share his incredible hockey journey, from becoming one of the top players in the USHL to representing Team USA on the international stage. A recipient of the prestigious Gaudreau Award, Blake has earned a reputation not only for his accomplishments on the ice, but for the character, humility, leadership, and care for others that define who he is as a perso...

From a 15-year NHL career spanning more than 800 games to his current role as an NHL media analyst, Nate Thompson has seen the game from every angle. But this conversation goes far beyond hockey. Nate opens up with honesty and vulnerability about one of the most important challenges athletes face: the transition from player to life after the game. We discuss identity, purpose, mental health, findi...

LRL “COMMUNITY “ SERIES Money is one of the most important skills athletes are rarely taught. This week on Locker Room Life, we sit down with Dane Burkholder, a wealth advisor with 24 years of experience and co-founder of Financial Athlete, to discuss how athletes, parents, and families can build a healthier relationship with money and create long-term success beyond the game. We dive into the ori...

Coach Vinny Malts is redefining player development. After a successful playing career, he's dedicated his life to helping the next generation reach their full potential—not just physically, but mentally. From youth players to NHL athletes, Vinny understands that elite performance starts long before stepping on the ice. What separates him is his willingness to challenge the status quo. In a game th...

From a storied NHL career to winning 3 Stanley Cups, Jordan Nolan has continued to evolve far beyond the game. Now stepping into the cultural spotlight through the hit show Shoresy, Jordan continues to stay grounded in what matters most… humility, family, community, and pride in his Garden River First Nation heritage. Through 3 Nolans and countless charitable initiatives, he continues giving back...

From underdog to the NHL. Andrew Alberts carved out a career through grit, sacrifice, and belief when the odds weren’t in his favor. Now he’s helping shape the future of hockey as Hockey Development Director at Sense Arena. Building a new lane for player development through VR training, hockey IQ, and next-gen technology. The game is changing. Development is evolving. And the next generation of pl...