Disclaimer: This post was written by Coach Louie and is not meant to downplay anyone experiencing anxiety or offer any form of clinical advice. Rather, his intent is to share his opinions and offer perspectives that might help people and athletes in particular to better regulate their emotions. We hope you find it helpful. ___________________________________________________________________ Without looking too far you’ll hear the word anxiety mentioned. It’s become a buzz word in the mental health world. This psychological and physiological diagnosis is everywhere and we attach it to everything. It doesn't seem too long ago when anxiety was rarely mentioned–if at all— and surprisingly people seemed less anxious. I have no doubt that anxiety exists, having experienced it myself – but has the rate of anxiety increased over the years? Or, have we looped too many thoughts and feelings under the umbrella of anxiety? Is there too much attention on the topic? In the mental health world it is always safer to go the route of over expressing how you feel versus keeping things inside. It’s more common these days for children and adults alike to express how they feel and find solutions or coping mechanisms to help. I write with the utmost concern for those who need to express their feelings and thoughts - myself included - but have we come to a point where thoughts of anxiety are worse than thoughts that created it? It’s not uncommon to see people with anxiety and not remember what caused it. In a good way, we have become more aware of our thoughts and feelings which can help us identify, categorize and process them, but has this practice oversensitized us to the point it does more harm than good? Some have become obsessed with the notion of anxiety that they are constantly looking for what could trigger those symptoms, which creates more anxiety and off we go on this vicious loop. A lot of what we call anxiety today used to be called life. The French used the phrase “C’est la Vie” (this is life), which encompasses life as an experience as opposed to something we can always control. We are now more secure about our future than ever before. If you're reading this, you probably aren't concerned about your next meal or a roof over your head. Nonetheless we find ourselves unsatisfied. We may be physically secure, but it’s not enough - we demand to know our future. With all the anxiety labeling, we have forgotten that insecurity is a part of life. There will never come a time when you’re completely secure, and if you think so, just think a little more. No matter how well things are going, one can always feel the anxiousness of the unknown or ponder our inevitable death. As a human being you are not obliged to think about everything, no one has died or gone to jail because they refused to go down a path of anxious thinking. Our thinking [...]

Although I have been a hockey coach for over 30 years, I have always viewed myself as an educator first, and everything that being educator entails. Ironically, the work that I am doing now as a Performance Coach, is and has been extremely gratifying. Looking back, I know that the seeds were definitely planted while I was in university in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. In attending the University of Toronto where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education (Kinesiology in today’s language), there were two distinct tracts that one could have gone down. There was the more scientific, biomechanical side, or the more humanistic side, of sociology and psychology of sports and of physical activity and health… I chose the latter. I graduated in 1992, after playing for 5 years for the Varsity Blues hockey team. I then went on to play professionally in Italy for a season, and then returned to become an Assistant Coach at U of T. Coaching was something that I wanted to commit to, and I found joy on the ice helping our players become better. However, another role that I took on, was that of being a mentor and consultant to these players. It was in that role that I found, where I was truly having an effect and more importantly an impact, not only on the players on ice growth and development, but off the ice as well. Over the next few years, I coached, and subsequently obtained my Bachelor of Education degree and embarked on a teaching career. I continued to progress as a Head Coach in Jr. Hockey, first with the Brampton Capitals, and then with the storied St. Michael’s Buzzers. The synergies between coaching and teaching were natural. I did this for 8 years. Along the way, I read voraciously, on anything from successful people’s biographies, to leadership books. I utilized the information that I took in to inform my classroom teaching as well as my coaching. I always had a very good grasp on the X’s and O’s of the game and could make adjustments in game as well as instruct during practices… very well. What I really enjoyed, however, was the leadership side of the game, helping individual players become better both on and off the ice. I enjoyed the culture building, creating standards of excellence and an environment of high-performance. This got me excited. Without knowing it, our teams with the Buzzers went to the league finals three seasons in a row, with us winning the Championship on two occasions. One of the players on that team was a young Cassidy Preston, who eventually coached my son in AAA hockey and obtained his PhD in Sports Psychology. I subsequently became the Head Coach and General Manager of the Oshawa Generals, of the OHL, and then became a scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL (garnering a Stanley Cup ring in 2016). I’ve continually sought out learning [...]

I grew up in the typical hockey family, with two older brothers that were incredibly talented, a forward and a defenseman to learn from. I was also fortunate enough to have a “hockey-dad” who coached me and my friends for years before moving to the U22 league at the age of fifteen. This is when I started to take my training to the next level and I started to believe I could make it to the university level. The 'Ah-Ha' Moment The summer before playing U22, I attended Brian O’Riellys summer hockey camp, as one of two females, alongside my brother and other OHL / Major Junior prospects. Intimidated, I tried my hardest to keep up with the boys.After long hard training days, Coach “Bri”, who was a performance life coach, gave speeches on sport perseverance, mental toughness and being a good athlete and person. These talks altered my life indefinitely, it gave me insight into what mental performance training is and could do for me as a young athlete moving towards a university career. From that camp forward, not only did I decide to fully dedicate myself to my sport and make it to the next level, it made me want to pursue a career in sports psychology. I too had a passion for helping people, especially athletes, believe that they could get anywhere they wanted in their lives and achieve their greatest sport goals. Unfortunate Events Piled Up - Adversity However, in my last year of high school, I was involved in an accident that took me out of sport for the majority of the season. This accident gave me many mental struggles when trying to get back into playing shape. I then committed to a newly appointed NCAA Division 1 league university team, not fully knowing exactly what the year ahead of me would entail.Unfortunately, fresh off of months leave from the ice, I found myself on an underdeveloped and unorganized team. My gameplay took a major downhill turn. I went from a confident blue-liner that could see the ice well and move the puck fast, to a nervous, unsure defender, often making unconfident plays. My skating and puck skills also took a hit and I was at the lowest point of my career, on the verge of quitting all together.The Covid pandemic inevitably sent me home and made my transition to move back to Canada a lot simpler. From there, I then had to commit to a comeback journey. Fresh Start Through self-directed training during lockdown, I took the year of 2020 to recover my hockey career. Despite the major adversities, I embraced the physical and mental training necessary to make Brock U. After a tough summer of catchup and a tough tryout process, I made the Brock team as a “walk-on”.I thought I was back in business! Believing that my career was “saved”, I realized that my game play was still a little behind my peers after being away from the rink [...]

Being an athlete has always been a part of my identity. Whether it was hockey, baseball, soccer, track & field, golf—you name a sport, I’ve probably played it. I never once considered myself anything but an athlete. I always thought my natural athletic abilities would take me far, but as I got older, it became apparent that I needed to put in the work. Throughout high school, the effort I invested helped me play on some of the top hockey and baseball teams in British Columbia. I was on a path for success. But one thing held me back… Comparing Myself to Others My goals had always been to become a college/university athlete in either hockey or baseball and hopefully turn pro. However, I often found myself caught up in comparing my progress to others. I had teammates who were committing to Junior hockey teams, earning NCAA Div 1 scholarships, and even getting their shot at going pro. Instead of focusing on how I could improve, I constantly felt like the system was unfair and I played the victim. I felt I was working just as hard as everyone else, but not getting the same opportunities. This way of thinking sent me into a downward spiral. The more opportunities my teammates got, the more I became frustrated as I felt like I deserved better. Comparing myself to others affected my performance and I constantly felt like I was falling behind others. I let the noise affect me in a negative way and I started to fall out of love with being an athlete. Despite all this, my abilities on the ice still provided me with multiple chances to prove that I belonged at the highest level of hockey. Not Being Ready for My Moment With my teammates being called up to play for junior hockey teams, my goal was also to get called up to play for a British Columbia Hockey League team. In my 11th-grade year, I got my shot to play junior. I remember the excitement of going to the rink that day, stepping on the ice for warm-up, and thinking about the opportunity I had to prove myself in the BCHL. But this opportunity didn't go as planned. I ended up playing only 3 shifts. It wasn't the end of the world for me, but it was definitely disappointing. They promised me another chance, and they delivered on that promise when I got into my second BCHL game. Surely, I couldn’t get fewer than 3 shifts, right? Nope, I played just 1 shift that game. Even the backup goalie saw more ice than I did. My mind spiraled after that game. I questioned whether I belonged and if I was given a fair opportunity to prove myself. This self-doubt affected my performance for the rest of the season with my own team. Feeling hopeless, I believed my chances of playing college hockey, let alone junior hockey, were slipping away. That summer after the [...]

Check out our latest blog post written by Coach Louie. In the world of sports, greatness isn't solely defined by skill or physical prowess. It's about the ability to influence the game, to leave a lasting imprint that transcends the final score. This quality is what separates good athletes from the truly exceptional. Consider elite hockey players Brad Marchand, Tom Wilson, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Sidney Crosby. Each of them possesses a unique ability to "game break," to shift the momentum of a match in their team's favor. They don't just play; they impact. They understand that to excel at the highest level, they must go beyond their technical abilities and become catalysts for change on the ice. Brad Marchand exemplifies this mindset by not only scoring crucial goals but also by disrupting opponents' strategies. His impact isn't just physical; it's psychological. He knows when to push boundaries, to tilt the game in his team's favor through sheer force of will. Similarly, Tom Wilson's style may be controversial, but his ability to deliver pivotal hits can swing a game's momentum. He epitomizes the concept of making a statement on the ice, of leaving a mark that affects both teammates and opponents. Then there are the superstars like McDavid, Matthews, and Crosby, whose offensive brilliance is matched only by their strategic acumen. They possess an innate understanding of how to break a game wide open, using their skills to dictate play and create opportunities that others might miss. What sets these athletes apart is not just their physical talents but their ability to transform themselves into characters who thrive under pressure. These characters know how their role impacts the game and when to play it. The game is not merely a competition but a stage where they must perform. Just as actors immerse themselves in their roles, athletes must embody their game personas with intensity and focus. This shift in perspective—from player to performer—can be transformative. It means embracing the pressure, the spotlight, and the expectations that come with being at the top of your game. It requires stepping onto the ice and owning the role they have created for themselves. Unleashing Your Alter Ego: Getting into Character Deciding who you want to be in the arena is more than just choosing a character; it's about defining your alter ego—the embodiment of your ideal athletic persona. At CEP, we believe in the power of this alter ego to transform your performance. Just as an actor immerses themselves in a role, you too can channel a specific persona that enhances your abilities and mindset when competing. The alter ego is a carefully crafted identity that embodies the ideal version of oneself as an athlete. This alter ego is characterized by specific traits, attitudes, and behaviors that align with peak performance. It’s not about pretending to be someone else, but rather about tapping into aspects of your personality that enhance confidence, focus, resilience, and intensity. A compelling example of [...]

My journey in hockey started with navigating the intense hockey culture of Toronto from a young age. I faced pressures most Toronto hockey players would understand—expectations of being drafted into the OHL and US college scholarships. Despite the challenges, success seemed to come naturally. I earned a full D1 scholarship to the University of Michigan and was honored as a Hobey Baker finalist and All-American. These achievements fueled my belief that success was a linear path, where each step forward would lead to more victories and accolades. However, my perception of success took a sharp turn upon entering the professional ranks. Turning Pro After being selected in the 3rd round to the Ottawa Senators in 2007, I signed with the NHL club 4 years later. I still remember my first camp, seeing players I idolized as a kid introduce themselves to me. It was a dream come true, until reality set in the next day… Every morning the coaches would post 2 intrasquad lineups for scrimmage in the dressing rooms. On the first day I was given no line! There were 4 lines of players and then my name all by itself underneath them all, and there was a whole other half of camp across the hall with 4 lines as well… so you could only imagine how I felt when it came to the organization’s belief in me. I was able to shrug it off on day one, I thought to myself… Maybe all the rookies take turns being the extra man, tomorrow will be different—It wasn’t, this continued on the entire camp until I was eventually sent down to the minors. I believed I didn’t deserve to be so low on the depth chart and looking back I was right, I didn’t deserve that. The Start of the Spiral But at the time I couldn’t deal with this blow to my confidence—I was never an extra, never even a third line player. I had never dealt with responding to this kind of situation. Instead of using it as motivation to prove them wrong, I started down a spiral of negative thoughts. Suddenly, the assurances I had grown used to weren't there… I wasn’t automatically seen as a top player or prospect and opportunities in the NHL weren't guaranteed. I felt like I had no one to turn to. I even noticed the coaches had a different mindset than I was used to—less personal and concerned about their job security. I was no longer someone's project, but instead, a product. This change in outlook took me by surprise. I wasn't accustomed to feeling this way. I felt like a nobody for the first time in my hockey career. I had a boy’s mind in a man’s world. Physically I could excel at the pro level but I wasn’t yet mentally mature enough to do so. In the minors I became coach conscious, constantly second guessing my decisions on the ice. I always thought my coach didn’t [...]

In the world of youth sports, parents naturally become fans of their children—cheering on from the sidelines, wanting their kids to do well, and experiencing the highs and lows of sport. However, there is a difference between being a fan and being a parent. And parents need to be mindful of how their approach to youth sports affects their child. The Weight of Expectations There's a fine line between being a supportive parent and unintentionally adding pressure. It's okay to cheer for your child and show excitement. But be careful of your language. Saying things like "This is such a big game!" while hyping them up and telling them how good they are might have the opposite effect that you want. Instead, it might make kids feel the weight of expectations and the pressure to be perfect. Athletes Can't Think Like Fans When athletes adopt the mindset of a fan, they create a fantasy of winning and nightmares of losing. This causes them to feel the need to win (creating tension) and the fear of failure (creating worry). Instead, athletes need to stay even-keel by keeping perspective. They can’t make the moment bigger than it is. They need to be able to accept and let go of the past and detach from the future so they can commit to the present and be in the moment. Athletes Need One Voice Athletes can’t be worried about what others think. They need to have one clear voice focused on the task at hand. It’s why professional athletes need to be able to filter what fans say. But when a parent acts like a fan and hypes up a game or their child, that’s a lot harder to filter because they are not just random fans. They are parents on the child’s inner team. As Mental Performance Coaches, we certainly don’t hype up the athletes we work with—instead, we help them take ownership of their capabilities. We also don’t tell them what to think and feel; instead, we work with them so they can gain clarity on who they want to be. It needs to be their choice, and we help them strengthen their voice. What Role Will You Play? Parents don’t need to become experts in sports psychology or Mental Performance coaches. But I do encourage you to reflect on your role and how you want to approach youth sports. Especially when it comes to communication - what you say and how you say it. I’m not going to dive into the concerning parent behaviors like yelling instructions from the stands… let’s just say that is hard no. And to be clear - you can be a fan. You will be a fan. The experience of sport is fun and should be fun. So enjoy the experience it as a fan. At the same time, be mindful of your language. Avoid adding the weight of expectations. Encourage your child to develop resilience, own their capabilities, and be in the present [...]

The "Mindset First" Workshop is our main workshop, which is about a new way for athletes, coaches, and parents to approach life and sports. Click here if you want to learn more about our workshops. Here's the video of the workshop, with the description below: Today’s athletes are surrounded by constant comparisons, expectations, and pressures to perform. As such, many athletes struggle with overthinking, self-doubt, and performance anxiety. These challenges don’t stop in sport, they carry into any area of life where being at your best matters. The default approach is to focus on climbing the ladder, receiving praise, and achieving personal results. Unfortunately, as the stakes get bigger, the pressures and expectations only get worse. Fluffy and cookie-cutter advice like “be positive,” “don’t worry about it,” and “just be confident” doesn’t work. These might be the mental states you are trying to achieve, but they are not the ‘how to’. Maybe it’s time to flip our approach — this applies to athletes, coaches, and even parents. Instead of focusing all of our energy on what we want to achieve, we need to prioritize who we want to be and how we want to show up. By ‘slowing down’ and gaining clarity on your inner world, you get grounded, centered, and ready to tackle the outer world. This new approach is all about taking control and being Mindset First. This is the approach professional athletes use to consistently get in the flow state and achieve peak performance. And it is exactly how you can break free from the weight of results, play with confidence, and perform when it matters most. In this insightful and interactive 60 min workshop, a CEP Coach pulls back the curtain and shares the four fundamental strategies we use when coaching professional athletes, surgeons, hedge fund managers, and CEO’s to show up at the best day-in and day-out. You will learn why ‘Acceptance’ is a superpower that professional athletes use to maximize their commitment to the process. You will learn the strategy Kobe used to take control of his inner-self talk and bring out the best version of him – aka the Black Mamba. What about surgeons… Have you ever wondered how they handle the pressures of a life or death surgery? Or how they respond when unforeseen complications and adversities arise? Here’s a clue — they challenge the status quo and think differently about success and failure. It’s time for you to flip your approach, be Mindset First, and achieve Consistent Elite Performance. Book Your Team Workshop

Sports provides youth a great opportunity to develop character, confidence, and life skills. As a mental performance coach, it's my job to ensure athletes are equipped with the perspective, the mindset, and the mental skills so that they can play at their best, and more importantly, to have fun while they're playing. Whether you are a pro, amateur, or youth athlete, it's important to look at sport as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than just being consumed by the results. That's why I'm excited to partner with SportCheck. As a brand, they believe that sport is more than just wins and losses. Rather, sports has the power to shape you beyond the sport itself by providing the opportunity to develop important life skills like resilience, focus, and teamwork. Every time a kid signs up for sports, they're getting the opportunity to develop important life skills. But you need to remember not to get blinded by the results and instead keep the life lessons that teaches top of mind. Or as I like to say, be Mindset First! Click here to check out the full message Please share this with anyone you think would be interested.

As part of a high-performing team you want to collaborate, support each other, and be a team player… but in the same breath, you also want to hit your numbers, earn your bonus, and chase down your next promotion. You try to be ‘positive’ but the projects, responsibilities, and requests keep piling up. And you try to be a team player but the gnawing feeling of your personal goals, results, and targets weigh on your shoulders. The default approach is to set goals, create priorities lists, and do your best to finesse your way through the company hierarchy. Unfortunately, this can foster a lack of communication, a self-serving culture, and stressful work environment. We’ve all heard the clichés like ‘suck it up,’ ‘grind it out’ and ‘be a team player’ — which can help you get short-term results. But, this approach is not sustainable nor optimal. Maybe it’s time to flip our approach. Instead of focusing all of our energy on what we want to achieve, we need to prioritize who we want to be and how we want to show up. By ‘slowing down’ and gaining clarity on your inner world, you get grounded, centered, and ready to tackle the outer world. This approach is how you optimize your individual performance as well as maximize your impact as a leader and a team player. It allows you to make the switch from ‘what can I get from my company?’ To, ‘what can I do for my company today?’ In this insightful and interactive 60 min session, Dr. Cassidy Preston pulls back the curtain and shares the principles and strategies he uses when coaching professional athletes, surgeons, hedge fund managers, and CEO’s to show up at their best day-in and day-out. You will learn how professional athletes break free from the weight of results, perform when it matters most, and be a team player. You will learn how leaders and CEOs build trust, resolve conflict, and create accountability in high stakes environments. What about surgeons… Have you ever wondered how they handle the pressures of a life or death surgery? Or how they respond and interact with their team when unforeseen complications and adversities arise? Here’s a clue — they challenge the status quo and think differently about success and failure.