Love Your Inner Athlete

Building Championship Culture from the Bench: Sam Terres on Coaching, Relationships, and the Game What does it take to build a program that sends the first Bantam A team in Armstrong Cooper history to the state tournament - and then do it again? Sam Terres’s journey from Armstrong Cooper captain to youth hockey coach reveals how relationships, compete level, and doing things the right way create s...

The Accidental Sports Psychologist: Erin Ayala’s Unconventional Path to Elite Performance What happens when a self-described mediocre JV athlete accidentally stumbles into sports psychology and discovers it’s exactly where she belongs? Erin Ayala, founder of Skadi Sports Psychology, has built a practice around the athletes who don’t see themselves in traditional sports performance spaces - and her...

What does hockey look like when you’ve seen it from every angle - as a parent, a Special Hockey coach, and a referee? Dana Thiede has spent decades inside the game, and what he’s observed from ice level might surprise you. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime friend Dana to explore what officials actually see and feel during a game, why Minnesota...

What does it take to prepare professional baseball players for the demands of a grueling season? Corey Measner, minor league strength and conditioning coach for the Seattle Mariners, shares insights from his journey through collegiate and professional sports, revealing what separates players who make it from those who don’t. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits dow...

What happens when an executive coach survives America’s largest mass shooting just days after finishing her coaching certification? Krista Ryan’s journey from that horrific night in Las Vegas to a cancer diagnosis reveals how the simple mantra “keep freaking going” became a life-saving framework for navigating any challenge life throws at us. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans...

What does it take to help veterans who’ve lost themselves after service find their way back to purpose and belonging? Jon Engfer, with Every Third Saturday’s Warriors Return program, shares insights from his journey as a former All-American hockey player to leading a five-week interpersonal development program that’s transforming lives through dignity, accountability, and community. In this episod...

What does it take to walk into two different programs and lead both to their first state tournament appearances decades apart? Bart Inniger’s journey from watching his dad coach at North Dakota State to building championship culture at Minnetonka and Chanhassen reveals timeless truths about what really drives success in athletics. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad si...

What happens when a coach who started in 1970 shares insights from five decades of watching the game, athletes, and culture evolve? Bruce Johnson’s journey from player to longtime Armstrong High School coach to current assistant at Buffalo reveals timeless truths about what really matters in developing young people through sports. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad si...

What happens when a former teacher and premature twin discovers that most elite athletes—despite their incredible conditioning—are actually terrible breathers? Stephanie Esser’s journey from struggling to breathe during yoga to becoming a certified breath coach reveals a critical performance factor that nine out of ten people are missing. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Sku...

What happens when a professional performer who skated alongside Olympic legends discovers her true calling is helping young athletes find confidence and joy in their sport? Kathleen’s journey from Disney on Ice and Stars on Ice to becoming one of Minnesota’s most sought-after skating coaches reveals what it really takes to develop both technical skills and mental resilience. In this episode of the...

What happens when a leadership development expert, former hockey executive, and hockey dad combines decades of experience helping people navigate life’s biggest transitions? Bob Gazich unique perspective on emotional intelligence, failure, and success offers insights that transcend sports and business alike. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with longtime f...

From 98 Saves to Healthcare Leadership: Justin Lochner’s Journey Beyond the Net What happens when a college goalie who once made NCAA history discovers that the mental skills learned between the pipes become his greatest professional asset? Justin Lochner’s journey from Augsburg University to healthcare consulting reveals how athletic experiences shape leadership, resilience, and success long afte...

What happens when a coach spends over two decades building something bigger than wins and losses? Greg Miller’s journey through three high schools and college basketball reveals how authentic leadership and genuine care for players creates bonds that transcend the game itself. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Greg to explore how mental training evolve...

What happens when a psychology graduate realizes traditional therapy isn’t the answer - and a personal injury becomes the catalyst for transforming how athletes recover? Carrie Jackson, author of “Rebound” and founder of the Injured Athletes Club, discovered that the mental side of injury recovery was being completely ignored, and she’s been changing that ever since. In this episode of the Inner A...

What happens when a family tragedy shapes an athletic director’s entire approach to leadership? Britt Lauritsen of Bemidji State University carries forward lessons learned from a grandfather who responded to unthinkable violence with love and compassion - and it’s transforming how she leads in today’s complex college athletics landscape. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skul...

What happens when a small-town assistant coach steps into the head role and faces his biggest test? Matt Humpal of Amery, Wisconsin had 19 years to prepare for his moment - but nothing could have prepared him for the journey that followed. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Matt to explore how losing a player to suicide shaped his coaching philosophy, w...

What happens when a seasoned media executive applies 24/7 industry survival skills to solve youth sports’ biggest crisis? Stacey Kauffman, founder of SK Collective, is on a mission to keep 70% of kids from quitting sports by age 13 - and her approach might surprise you. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Stacey to explore her journey from radio station...

From Pink Sweatpants to D1 Coach: Allison Roethke’s Mental Game Evolution What does it take to go from a four-year-old who wouldn’t step on the ice without her lucky pink sweatpants to becoming a Division I assistant coach? Allison's journey from Quinnipiac player to Sacred Heart coach offers powerful insights on mental performance, coaching philosophy, and navigating today’s complex hockey la...

What happens when the game you’ve built your entire identity around suddenly ends? Former University of Minnesota defenseman Jake Parenteau knows that story intimately - and his journey from two Frozen Four appearances to post-hockey depression to becoming a mental performance coach offers powerful lessons for every athlete. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits dow...

What does it take to earn the complete trust of elite athletes over more than two decades? Suz Hoppe, head athletic trainer and associate athletic director at the University of Minnesota Duluth, has the answer - and it goes far deeper than just treating injuries. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Suz to explore how authentic relationships transform ath...

From High School Hockey to the Stanley Cup: Karson Kuhlman’s Mental Fitness Journey What does it take to go from a small-town Minnesota hockey player to scoring goals in the Stanley Cup Finals? Professional hockey player Karson Kuhlman knows the answer isn’t just physical training - it’s mental fitness. In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad reconnects with Karson, who he...

What separates good athletes from great ones — and great coaches from transformational mentors? In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast , host and mental performance expert Hans Skulstad sits down with Derek Plante , former NHL forward , Stanley Cup Champion , and current college hockey coach , to explore the often-unseen mental side of high-level sports. From his rise at the Univer...

How does an undersized forward from International Falls become a key player for the Minnesota Gophers —and then return as a coach to help athletes thrive mentally and physically? In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast , host and mental performance expert Hans Skulstad is joined by Ben Gordon , current assistant coach for the University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey Team and former stan...

What does it take to coach for four decades—and still evolve? How do you stay connected to athletes in a changing world while holding space for mental health , resilience , and genuine relationships ? In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast , mental performance expert Hans Skulstad sits down with Ken Pauly , longtime head coach of Benilde-St. Margaret’s Boys Hockey . With over 40 ye...

How do you instill confidence, resilience, and mental preparation in today’s athletes? In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast , host and mental performance coach Hans Skulstad sits down with Joe Dziedzic — former NHL player, Minnesota Gopher standout, and founder of JD Hockey . Joe shares his journey from youth hockey in Minneapolis to playing alongside legends like Mario Lemieux a...