Welcome to Episode 68 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc sit down with 2026 National Champion and University of Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks — or more famously “Johnny Bricks.” From starting the season as Denver’s third-string goalie to becoming the backbone of a national championship run, Johnny shares one of the most inspiring goalie stories in college hockey.

Johnny opens up about the mindset shifts, preparation habits, and mental discipline that helped him stay ready when nobody outside the locker room expected him to be the guy. He dives into the power of his process, journaling, staying present, and embracing adversity — lessons that every athlete, parent, and goalie family can learn from.

From going winless during his first junior season to posting one of the greatest statistical seasons in NCAA history, Johnny’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, patience, and belief.

Episode Highlights:
• Johnny’s incredible rise from third-string goalie to securing the starting spot and becoming a national champion goaltender
• The mindset shift that changed the course of his season
• How Denver stayed committed to the process despite early-season struggles
• What it felt like stepping into meaningful NCAA D1 games for the first time
• The importance of staying ready even when you’re not playing
• Why “being where your feet are” became Johnny’s biggest mental performance tool
• How journaling helped him overcome overthinking and pressure
• The story behind Denver’s unforgettable Frozen Four run
• Johnny’s experience playing in elimination games and overtime moments
• How he found peace and confidence under the biggest pressure of his career
• Lessons learned from adversity, setbacks, and doubters throughout his hockey journey
• The transition from BCHL and WHL hockey to NCAA Division I
• Superstitions, routines, and game-day habits behind “Johnny Bricks”
• Why staying level-headed is critical for long-term success
• Advice for young goaltenders chasing their dreams
• How Johnny balances hockey with life outside the rink to stay mentally fresh

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’re a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking for insight into what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level, this episode delivers powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and preparation.

Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast

Welcome to Episode 67 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

“Confident Athletes Don’t Guess—They Decide”

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc break down one of the most underrated skills in sports: trusting yourself when it matters most.

Every athlete has heard “trust your gut”—but what does that actually mean when the game is on the line, the pressure is high, and you don’t have time to think?

The reality is, great athletes don’t sit there analyzing every option. They decide. Instantly. And that ability doesn’t come from luck—it’s built through the right training, the right mindset, and learning how to operate in uncertainty.

So how do you stop second-guessing and start playing with confidence?

We dive into what intuition really is, why so many athletes struggle to trust it, and how modern training environments may actually be holding you back from developing it.

Episode Highlights:
• What intuition actually is—and why it’s more reliable than you think
• Why overthinking kills performance in high-pressure moments
• How elite athletes make split-second decisions without hesitation
• The role of training environments in building (or limiting) instinct
• Why overly structured training can make you play robotic
• How to develop “read and react” skills in real game situations
• The connection between flow state and trusting your gut
• How to create routines that help you get into the zone faster
• What “trust the process” really means (and what most people get wrong)
• Why confidence is built through action—not waiting for certainty
• How to take ownership of your development beyond your coach or program
• The balance between discipline and freedom in performance
• Why learning to listen to your gut leads to more wins over time
• Real examples of athletes making instinct-driven plays under pressure

AND SO MUCH MORE!

If you’ve ever hesitated, second-guessed yourself, or felt stuck trying to make the “perfect” decision, this episode will change how you approach the game. Because at the highest level, there is no perfect answer—only decisive action.

Stop guessing. Start deciding. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast

Welcome to Episode 66 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!

“The Mindset You Need to Come Back From Injury”

In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc tackle one of the toughest realities athletes face: injuries—and not just the physical side, but the mental battle that comes with them.

When you get injured, you don’t just lose time on the ice or field. You lose confidence. You lose your routine. You start to feel like your team is moving on without you. And before you know it, you’re questioning your identity, your progress, and even your future in the game.

So what do you do when everything feels like it’s slipping away?

We break down how to handle both short-term and long-term injuries, how to avoid the dangerous trap of coming back too early, and how to rebuild your mindset so you don’t just return—but come back stronger.

Episode Highlights:
• Why injuries impact your mind just as much as your body
• The hidden confidence loss that comes with time off
• How FOMO and comparison can derail your recovery
• The biggest mistake athletes make when trying to come back too soon
• How compensating injuries can create long-term problems
• Why you can’t fake confidence when returning to play
• How to redefine daily wins during recovery
• The importance of staying connected and avoiding isolation
• How to manage fear of re-injury and self-doubt
• Practical ways to keep improving your game while injured
• Why developing other skills and hobbies can actually help your performance
• Real examples of athletes who missed time and still reached elite levels
• How to know when you’re actually ready to return
• Why your injury doesn’t have to define your career

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Whether you’re currently injured, coming back from one, or just want to be prepared for the inevitable challenges of sports, this episode is a must-listen. Injuries are part of the journey—but how you respond to them is what separates good athletes from great ones.

Stay resilient. Stay patient. Stay dialed. Stay driven.

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📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast

🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast