The Curious Competitor with Connor Carrick

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Nikole MacLellan aka “Dr. Kokes”, a naturopathic doctor and fellow member of the Designs For Sport advisory board. We talk about the dance between sympathetic and parasympathetic states for athletes, strategies for getting back into a parasympathetic state after an event, how to balance a playful approach in stressful situations, and using breathwork as a tool to build your CO2 tolerance. Dr. Nikole also dives into the tradeoffs that often occur between performance and longevity, why you should build a support team of different professionals you trust, and how to endure the darker periods as an athlete.   Dr. Nikole on socials @sportsdockokes Check out her podcast “The Off Season Podcast” on all platforms   Episode Overview: 2:30 - What athletes should be doing less of    7:00 - Parasympathetic recovery tools    14:00 - Managing your lifestyle as an athlete     18:00 - Changing your beliefs about performance   21:00 - Breathwork as a tool for building CO2 tolerance // breathwork as a powerful tool   30:00 - Building your foundation before adding external factors   32:00 - Performance and longevity   38:00 - Importance of building a support team   42:00 - Navigating dark periods as an athlete   45:00 - Developing phrases to improve performance   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  TOLOS BAREFOOT SHOES - Use Code “CC” for 10% Off Your Order - https://weartolos.com/ Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

In this episode, we are joined by the founding members of Apex Cool Labs, Ariel Paul and Evy Lyons to discuss their new and innovative palm cooling device “The Narwhal”. Ariel and Evy share their inspiration for creating Apex Cool Labs, how your core body temperature and local muscle temperatures affect your performance and why palm cooling is such an effective tool. They also discuss the use of palm cooling for downregulation at the end of your workout and to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness, the optimal temperature for palm cooling to see results, and how palm cooling can be used to aid those who experience exercise intolerance.   Discover Apex Cool Labs on all socials @Apexcoollabs  Visit ApexCoolLabs.com   Episode Overview: 1:30 - How Ariel and Evy got started 7:30 - How temperature can affect performance 10:30 - Why palm cooling is an effective tool 15:30 - Palm cooling and post-workout recovery 21:00 - The trick to cooling down before bed 27:00 - How to hack a palm cooling device and the optimal temperature for palm cooling 34:00 - Other brands we love in the fitness space 40:00 - Palm cooling for exercise intolerance  53:00 - Where you can find Apex Cool Labs   TOLOS BAREFOOT SHOES - Use Code “CC” for 10% Off Your Order - https://weartolos.com/ To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

Do you ever wonder how your brain works? In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Neurotherapist Dr. Andrew Hill, who graciously guides us through an exploration of cerebral operations. Following our participation in Quantitative EEG "brain mapping," we had the opportunity to interpret the ensuing data in real time during the podcast. Our analysis delves into an array of brain patterns, connections, and states of neural activity. Notably, several of these revelations unveil significant correlations with the daily-life symptoms I encounter and even extend to my athletic performance, all without any prior interaction with Dr. Hill. Our discussion extends to the impact of brain injuries on function, alongside an examination of how brain mapping holds promise for forthcoming athletes. We conclude by addressing pivotal lifestyle factors poised to enhance cognitive capabilities.   Episode Overview: 1:14 Understanding The Tests Of My Brain 3:39 Interpreting My Results - Performance 6:22 My Brain Patterns and Brain Waves  16:55 Why Connor Might Have Brain Fog  18:55 Being Tired Wired and Sleep 27:05 Acquired Vs Learned Brain  33:05 How Brain Mapping Could Help Future Athletes 48:19 Lifestyle Factors To Boost Results  58:52 Conclusion   Connect With Peak Brain Institute at https://peakbraininstitute.com/     To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  TOLOS BAREFOOT SHOES - Use Code “CC” for 10% Off Your Order - https://weartolos.com/ Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

If you're a hockey player or any sport for that matter, and If you're looking to gain an edge on your opponents and train your brain in the same way that you train your body, then watch this video! Scott Livingston shares with us his methods for training our brain in the same way that we train our body, and it's sure to help you unleash your athletic potential! In this episode, I welcome renowned Performance Coach and Physical Therapist Scott Livingston. We discuss the concept of Neuro Reconditioning, and how traditional training modalities fail to consider how the brain functions. We talk about the importance of individuality in training based on sport, position, injury history, and body type. We also chat about the hidden challenges of working through injury as well the importance of disrupting narratives we tell ourselves.   Episode Overview: 0:00 Introduction 0:47 What Is Neuro Reconditioning? 18:12 Short Falls Of Typical Training Philosophy 25:25 Understanding Individuality In Training 33:20 The Hidden Challenge Working Through Injury 41:30 Physical Vs. Mental Issues (Software Vs. Hardware) 45:04 Interupting The Narratives We Tell Ourselves 57:20 The Four Stages Of Competence Related To Sport   Connect With Scott Here: https://www.instagram.com/kingopain/ Website: https://www.reconditioningHQ.com Leave Your Mark - https://leaveyourmark.buzzsprout.com/     TOLOS BAREFOOT SHOES - Use Code “CC” for 10% Off Your Order - https://weartolos.com/ To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

In this episode, I break down some of my thoughts on the latest NHL trade deadline as well, as some personal stories of players that have been moved. I also discuss some recovery modalities I use to help me regulate my nervous system and maximize athletic performance during the season. I also talk about the importance of emotional regulation and off-season training advice for youth athletes.  TOLOS BAREFOOT SHOES - Use Code “CC” for 10% Off Your Order - https://weartolos.com/ To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content   Episode Overview:  0:00 Introduction  2:14 Thoughts on Trade Deadline  2:25 Dmitry Orlov 6:57 John Klingberg  10:20 Tanner Jeannot 11:46 Patrick Kane  17:11 Heart Rate Variability & Nervous System Regulation  20:20 Red Light Therapy & Dopamine  21:45 Napping & Non-Sleep Deep Rest  23:11 Importance Of Protein Consumption  24:12 Disrupting Of Routine  24:23 Visualization  26:35 Reading  27:48 Addressing Injuries  29:30 Training Advice For Youth Athletes  35:35 Emotional Regulation For Importance  37:57 Final Thoughts 

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Lovecchio, a former professional hockey player and current trainer and co-host of the Hockey Think Tank Podcast. We talk about how it’s not enough to just show up in the sport of hockey, how to grow confidence through discipline, and how to learn from your mistakes. Jeff also shares his journey from a professional athlete to becoming a trainer, his methods of using visualization to better his game, and the role models he looks at to expand his toolbox and better help his clients.    Listen to Jeff on the Hockey Think Tank Podcast: https://www.thehockeythinktank.com/podcast    Episode Overview:  2:00 The Game Within the Game 8:00 Discipline vs Motivation 12:30 From Professional Athlete to Trainer 21:00 Learning From Past Mistakes 24:00 How Storytelling Can Help or Hinder Your Game 32:00 Using Visualization to Better Your Game 38:00 Setting the Standard vs Responding to It 42:00 Hockey Role Models 50:00 Working Smarter and Harder    

In this episode, I am joined by Jack Han, a hockey consultant, former NHL analyst, and AHL coach. We discuss Jack’s approach to personalized player analytics and development, what it’s like to work alongside NHL head coaches and the exhausting nature of a hockey season. We also dive into the importance of storytelling to improve your game, how you can use hockey as a vessel to reach your long-term goals, and different exercises to better your physical and mental game.   Connect with Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhanhky The Hockey Tactics Newsletter: https://jhanhky.substack.com/   Timeline: 4:00 - Jack’s Approach to Player Analytics 7:30 - Player Analytics vs Head Coaches 14:00 - Exhaustion During the Season 17:00 - Storytelling vs Analytics 22:00 - Hockey as a Vessel to Reach Long-Term Goals 31:00 - Showing Up in a Competitive Environment 35:00 - Visualization Using Time Horizons 48:00 - Growing Together as a Team

In this episode, we welcome Strength Coach Jim Ferris. Jim is known for his work in the basketball community from training with the Philadelphia 76ers for many years and training several NBA players that live their offseason in the Philadelphia area. We discuss how to adapt your training for performance and recovery metrics and identify weak links in training protocols. We also dive into where most athletes fail to focus on for their off-season training, and how playing the long game is the key to a sustainable and injury-free career.  We also discuss the challenges in youth development in sports and the success of your training is completely individual.    Episode Overview:  3:14 How To Adapt Training Based On Performance and Recovery 8:30 Balance Old-School Training Work Ethic Vs. Modern Approaches  12:30 Identifying Weak Links In Training & Working With Other Trainers 18:20 How To Get The Most Out Of Your Summer Training  22:40 Where Athletes Should Focus On Training 27:00 Balancing Life and Training 29:16 Playing The Long Game In Training 33:20 The Individuality Of Training 35:54 What Does Basketball Do Right and Wrong? 39:47 Challenges In Youth Development and Training 45:47 Redefining Success In Training 53:30 What Struggles Do You See With Modern Athletes?    Connect with Jim at https://gymferris.com/ To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit My  YouTube for additional content

In this episode, I sit down with Christian Burrus and Jeremy Tucker from Adapt Fitness, an app for customized training programs from top hockey performance experts. We talk about setting your training goals as an athlete based on your needs from the game, how Adapt Fitness can help fill gaps in various aspects of your athletic training, how to manage the stress of all the moving parts in maintaining your health and the game, and how to manage the tradeoffs between training and sleep. We also dive into why you should be customizing your training specific to your goals and needs, how to draw inspiration from the previous generation of athletes, and why education on all aspects of your training is the key to being a great athlete.  Episode Overview:  2:00 - Welcoming Christian and Jeremy 3:45 - What is Adapt Fitness 8:45 - Setting Your Training Goals 11:30 - Why Athletes Need Extra Support 18:00 - Managing the Stress of All the Moving Parts 22:00 - Tradeoffs in Your Training 24:45 - Why You Should Customize Your Training 30:00 - Taking Inspiration From the Previous Generation of Athletes 38:00 - Education and a Growth Mindset 44:00 - Comparing Training Around the World 47:00 - Training for Amateur vs. Professional Athletes 52:00 - Adapt Success Stories 57:00 Conclusion   Visit https://www.adaptfit.io/ to learn more about Adapt Fitness App      To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit My  YouTube for additional content

In this episode I am joined by Sam Whiting, a human potential specialist, to discuss all things breathwork. Sam talks about his journey as an alpine ski racing athlete and how he came to discover breathwork in his training, how to gain the ability to notice your nervous system and why breathwork is a powerful tool for wellness. Sam talks about the importance of training your breathing muscles, and the different types of breathwork practices, and teaches some tools accessible to everyone when starting with breathwork. We also dig into the impacts of chronic mouth breathing, the connection between your breath, your physiology, and your psychology, and how you can use breathwork to help influence your state of being.   Sam's Jackson Hole Winter Experience - https://www.samuelwhiting.com/jackson Free Week Of Passes Available Here Edge Theory Labs - Use Promo code "WhitingEnergy" For A Discount  Visit Sam at https://www.samuelwhiting.com/      To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content       Episode Overview:  10:30 Why Breathwork? 22:00 Training Your Breathing Muscles 26:00 Inhale vs Exhale 29:30 Different Types of Breathing Practices 35:30 Using Breathwork in Your Daily Life 47:00 Chronic Mouth Breathing 51:00 Breathwork and Physiology 57:00 Adaptability Through Your Habits 1:00:00 How to Work With Sam

In this episode, I recap what the last few months have looked like and some of my strategies for adopting a growth mindset. I dig into the concept of DIIG: Desire, Intent, Imagination, and Grind, and how I use these concepts to fuel my growth as a professional hockey player. I walk through some of the ways that I support healthy dopamine levels to fuel my desire, including cold exposure, vagal tone, taking phone breaks, and creating variations within my routine. I also talk about the mindset I take to prevent burnout, how to ask yourself questions in order to find solutions to your game, as well as how to effectively put your plans into place.   Timeline: 3:35 Growth Mindset 6:30 How Desire Leads to Improvement 16:00 Dopamine and Athleticism 23:00 Working Hard to Make Things Easy 27:00 Preventing Burnout as an Athlete 32:30 Using Intent in Practice 35:00 Using Imagination to Find Solutions 42:20 Putting Your Plans Into Place 50:30 Conclusion   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit My  YouTube for additional content  

In this episode I sit down with J.B. Spisso to chat about career design, mental wellness, performance and what it looks like at the highest level. J.B. is a veteran of the US Armed Forces, leadership and culture expert, and author of the Warrior Leadership: Steps to Success for Leaders on the Ground. J.B. opened up about his decision to join the military and some of the parallels between the military and athletes in terms of setting and maintaining high standards and short term goals. We spoke about some of the examples of leadership in the locker room, how to pick yourself back up after defeat, some of our tools for mental wellness, and the importance of enjoying the journey that is your life.    Episode Overview: 0:00 Welcoming JB Spisso 5:00 Joining the Military 9:00 High Standards and Short Term Goals 3:30 Leadership in the Locker Room 21:00 Repairing Bruised Belief 30:00 Tools for Mental Wellness 41:30 Lessons From Combat 49:00 Understanding Your Needs 58:00 Conclusion   Instagram @ jbspisso Website: https://www.jbsleaders.com/   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

In this episode, we welcome Frankie Corrado, a professional hockey defenseman and former teammate of mine from the Toronto Maple Leafs. We took a trip down memory lane remembering our journeys into the professional hockey space and joining the OHL before becoming teammates on the Toronto Maple Leafs. We talked about the struggles of transitioning from junior hockey to the NHL, the ways that luck works for or against you, how we build mindfulness into our day, and battling through injuries.    Timestamps: 0:00 Welcoming Frankie Corrado 2:00 Frankie’s Hockey Origin Story 6:00 Joining the OHL 14:30 Transition from Junior Hockey to NHL 20:45 Luck of the Draw in the Game 31:30 Reviewing Your Old Plays 37:30 Building a Mindfulness Practice 43:30 Battling Injuries 52:00 Building Mental Toughness 55:00 Don’t Rim the Puck 1:05:30 Working with TSN   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

In this episode, I sit down with Sylvie Tetrault, sports nutritionist, about all things nutrition for athletes. We discuss her experience working with Gary Roberts and the NHL, the importance of good nutrition, systems or habits you can implement to help you achieve your nutrition goals, and staple foods to have on hand. We reflected on the changes in food systems that have led to food intolerances, and why the quality of food you eat is important. She breaks down why fasting may not be beneficial for all athletes and the cyclical nature of athletes, how to wind down after a late-night game, and why you should take responsibility for your own health.   Episode Overview: 0:00 Welcoming Sylvie Tetrault 0:30 Working with Gary Roberts 8:30 Foundational Basics of Nutrition 12:00 Systems for Effortless Results 16:15 Staple Foods to Keep on Hand 20:30 Foods that Get a Bad Rep 24:00 Fasting Practices as an Athlete 31:13 The Cyclical Nature of Athletes 48:30 Taking Responsibility For Your Own Health 56:15 Foundational Supplements for Athletes 1:07:00 Conclusion   Sylvie’s Instagram: @Sylvietetrault Find Sylvie at Gary Robert’s Performance: https://garyrobertsperformance.com/sports-nutrition/  Email: info@sylvietetrault.com    To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content  

In this episode, I sit down with a former teammate and NHL veteran, Aaron Volpatti, high-performance coach and author-to-be. We spoke about Aaron’s story of adversity and perseverance that got him into the NHL, his relationship with high-stress environments and tolerance to pain, working through the fear of failure, and how to use the power of visualization to get to where you want to be.   For more information on Aaron’s work, check out: https://www.aaronvolpatti.com/   Episode Overview:  0:00 Welcoming Aaron Volpatti 1:00 Aaron’s NHL Origin Story 18:00 High-Stress Environments and Pain 23:00 Using Visualization to Get Into the NHL 29:00 What is Visualization 36:00 Getting Started with Visualization 43:00 The Fear of Failure 47:45 How to Stay in a Flow State  50:45 Adversity is an Opportunity for Growth 53:30 Looking at the Bigger Picture 57:00 Wat Aaron is Most Proud Of 58:30 Conclusion   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content    

In this episode, we welcome former national taekwondo champion and founder of Pain Station, David Arsenault. We discuss how to find joy in the process of showing up every day to training, leaning into adversity, the importance of remaining consistent in your effort as an athlete, and how physical literacy can improve your life.   For more information on David’s work, check out: https://www.championsforlife.ca/   Episode Overview:  0:00 Welcoming David Arsenault 5:00 David’s Origin Story 12:00 Finding Joy in the Process 22:00 The Birth of Pain Station 28:00 Being Consistent in Your Effort as an Athlete 32:00 Bringing Personal Values Into Your Game 40:00 The Importance of Physical Literacy 57:00 Conclusion   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content

In this episode, I sit down and reflect on this season so far as well as my brief experience being called up to the Seattle Kraken. We chat about my experience of how not to engage with NHL referees, the elements that make up a strong hockey team, working through minor injuries, and how my meditation practice has allowed me to lean further into my practice as an athlete.   Episode Overview: 2:40 Introduction 4:00 Schedule Disruptions 7:45 How Not to Engage with Referees 16:45 Elements of a Strong Team 22:40 Minor Injuries 29:00 Using Meditation to Improve my Game 39:00 Conclusion   To purchase my favorite Designs For Sport supplements visit www.connorcarrick.com  Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content  

How to surprise everyone to make the NHL, and then do it again, with the Ultimate edge finder and teammate, Liam O'Brien. In this episode, we discuss how adversity challenged Liam's growth and belief in himself, strategies that Liam uses to reflect let go and prepare for the next battle. We also discuss the evolution of the sport in youth, as well as, some secret stories from Hersey Bears during their time as roommates.    0:30 Introduction 1:57 Breakthrough In Washington 7:47 Favourite Memorabilia & First NHL Goal 10:36 First Stint In NHL & Challenge Of Being Send To Minors 17:45 How Liam Uses Writing To Reflect and Let Go 24:00 How Injuries Challenge You To Grow 34:36 Signing In Colorado & Playing In Arizona 39:40 What Gives Liam An Edge   43:18 The Power Of Belief 47:47 The Evolution Of Preparation Of Sport 1:02:02 How Connor Got In A Fight With An AHL Heavyweight 1:08:21 Stories From The AHL   Join our Curious Competitor Podcast Facebook Page. Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content Donate here to support our Podcast!

In this episode, we welcome Arizona Coyotes Performance Director Devan McConnell to the show. We discuss how to prepare for the demands of a training camp, how to approach training during a season, and the power of intention on meeting your goals. We also discuss specific considerations for the youth athlete, and why nutrition and recovery is key to performance.   0:12 Introduction 2:00 What Makes Devan Different?  6:30 How Devan Approaches Working With New Athletes? 9:20 Preparing For The Demands Of Camp 13:47 The Power Of Intent In Training 21:13 How To Approach In-Season Training  29:34 Considerations For Youth Athletes Off-Season Training 38:05 How To Find Balance in Training - On-ice Vs. Off-Ice  43:19 One Thing Devan Would Change In NHLer’s Approach  45:30 Recovery Techniques & Strategies  49:28 Nutrition in Youth Athletes & Mental Health  57:10 Creative Solution To A Training Restriction  1:00:00 Devan’s Favorite Success Story 1:03:57 Conclusion  Devan’s Book  Food What The Heck Should I Eat? Food Rules

A most skilled player amongst skilled players, offensive legend Robbie Schremp shares lessons learned as a former 1st round pick. We discuss the importance of coaching at the right time of development, how to play like a pro, and how to evolve your game to provide the most value to your team.  Episode Overview:  01:47 Robbie’s Origin Story  10:29 Right Coaching Right Time  12:20 Rob’s OHL Experience  22:20 Learning To Play Like A Pro & Dale Hunter  27:11 Rob’s Reflection Of Career 39:05 Evolving Your Game To Provide Value 42:15 What is Vision 44 & Why Teach? 51:10 What Did You Like About European Leagues? 1:03:00 Conclusion    44visionhockey.com  @44vision On instagram   Join our Curious Competitor Podcast Facebook Page. Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content Donate here to support our Podcast!