The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

In today's episode I am joined by Nicole Dubuc-Charbonneau, a mental performance consultant based out of Sudbury Ontario, but works with high performance athletes across Northern and Southern Ontario.    We touch on some of the fundamental mental training concepts that athletes and humans at every level can benefit from. From improving self awareness as an athlete, and honing your facilitator skil...

In today's episode I am joined by Lori Olson-Johns. 3x Alberta Champion, high school educator, mom, coach and role model.   Lori shares her story of how her experience with an Own the Podium project changed how she views training, recovery and being her best self for her loved ones, teammates and students.   We touch on how to do your own sleep/recovery study and some tips to improve your performa...

Terri is back to help me dispel the myth that you shouldn't let your knees track past your toes during squatting and lunging activities, why this concept matters for curlers, and how to train specifically for the demands of the sport safely.   Check out the following episodes with Terri here: Episode 10 -Curling Injuries are Common but not Normal Episode 12 -Our Critique of the LTAD model for Curl...

In today's episode I am joined by The Golf Strength Coach , Nick Buchan. We talk about the importance of assessment, and working to increase the number of movement options you have to make skill development easier and more efficient. The need for both golfers and curlers to move well is paramount to success. Nick gives us 3 movement keys for improving rotation and overcoming our innate right side...

This episode is for you if you've ever thought: "I need to get lower in my slide", "I need to stretch more and that will help me feel less tight", "yoga isn't for me as a competitive curler", Or, "regular training is not manageable full season". To stay as up-to-date as possible, join the Empowered Performance newsletter and follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance Sample Yoga for Curling r...

After the longest off-season ever I recap the top 8 learnings I hope all my athletes carry with them into the competitive season. + the one thing you can do today to help prep you for next off-season   To stay as up-to-date as possible, join the Empowered Performance newsletter and follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance Info on the Back to Curling Kickstarter and the upcoming in-season tr...

In the final installment of the Return to Curling series I help you prepare your off-ice work and on-ice practices so that you can get back on to the ice safely and with the most transfer of off ice learnings to on ice performance. I walk you through how to manage the first few weeks on the ice, your last minute off-ice work, and how to plan for success if your first time on the ice is during a ga...

Today's episode features longtime friend, curler and run lead from Toronto Pedro Malvar. We talk about competing as a student athlete, learning how to train specifically for curling, and how you can use running as part of your off-ice training regime safely and effectively. To stay as up-to-date as possible, join the Empowered Performance newsletter and follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperforma...

In this episode Terri Weeks is back to talk about how to get the most out of the Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD) as a coach and an athlete. We list several critiques and warn that the model is just that, a theory to provide a framework and should be taken with a grain of salt. To stay as up-to-date as possible, join the Empowered Performance newsletter and follow me on Instagram at @emp...

The Return to Curling 3-part series is dedicated to safely and effectively returning to the curling ice. Whether your "off-ice season" was 4 months, or 15+ months, taking the time to prepare to step back on the ice after a break from the sport can help improve performance, enjoyment and decrease chance of injury. Give us a follow & don't miss out on parts 1 and 3.   This episode walks you through...

In today's episode I bring on Masters student, coach and competitive curler Terri Weeks. We chat about how her research around preventing knee pain in childcare workers can be translated into the sport of curling.   We talk about concepts like progressive overload, how strength training can help condition your cartilage for the demands of the sport, and how to approach return to curling so you can...

In today's episode we start a 3-part series dedicated to safely and effectively returning to the curling ice. Whether your "off-ice season" was 4 months, or 15+ months, taking the time to prepare to step back on the ice after a break from the sport can help improve performance, enjoyment and decrease chance of injury.   There are only a few things we have individual direct control over when it com...

In today's episode I have on the show the host and producer of The Coaching Kids Curling Podcast. Glenn Gabriel was inspired to create his podcast to fill in a gap in resources for coaching kids. We talk about imposter syndrome as a coach, creating a safe community for all club members and fostering a love of the game in youth athletes.   Show notes & your FREE self-assessment can be found here: w...

In today's episode I am joined by World Champion & Olympic Gold medalist Mark Nichols.   We touch on our mutual passion for working with others, educating ourselves and taking care of our mind and body so that we can compete and play.   Mark shares his learnings from decades of curling success, his own perspective on behaviour change, nutrition and curling specific fitness.   If you want to learn...

In today's episode I walk you through the 2019 Canada's Food Guide. What it is, and how you can use it as an athlete to better your health and performance.   I dive deep into not only the recommended "what" to eat, but the CFG recommendations for "how" to eat to help you create a better relationship with food.   To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newslet...

In today's episode I walk you through how to bring more muscles to the party in the hack, in your delivery & in your training. Want to learn my favourite movement cue when it comes to trying to improve balance, power, confidence and decrease likelihood of pain?   Dive in deeper to improve your balance on the ice so you can hit the broom more often & improve your weight control regardless if you've...

In today's episode I walk you through 8 of the mistakes I made over the past 15 years on my quest to be a stronger, fitter and more confident competitive curler.   Don't mess around with your goals. Regularly assess your progress, reassess the program you are following, & make sure that every aspect of your off-season training is there to help you.    To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure t...

In today's episode I am going to share what I've learned over the past decade about something we do 24-2800 times a day. Something that is influenced and influences your emotions, your mental state, your satiety, your sleep patterns, and how well you get the most out of everyday activities. It's often overlooked, and oversimplified missing out on a few key features.   It's time to talk nerdy about...

In today's episode I share my tips to making sure you as a Curler are not just watching and enjoying the game, but also learning everything you can about the sport and looking for ways for you to personally improve.   This is a reminder that every game you watch can be valuable to your growth as an athlete.   It is especially important when you don't have access to ice, or if you're looking for an...

In today's episode I share my story and expertise on training the entire athlete to be best prepared for the demands of the sport of curling, and you get a chance to learn a little more about me, and why you'll want to not only listen, but subscribe and share with your team. We discuss the 3 overarching themes of the podcast, who should be listening, and how I came to find myself coaching and rese...

In today's episode you get a quick run-down of what to expect from the Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast. If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe on your favourite platform. If you want to stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast