Peak Performance Identity

Over the years I have worked with many young hockey players who have aspired to make the NHL. Today I am honored to work with players and help them achieve what I couldn’t accomplish through my lack of identity and commitment as a person and player. I too was a young hockey player dreaming of making it to the NHL.

I grew up in a family that valued hard work, perseverance, and integrity. My parents instilled the importance of working hard but never really understood identity and how to separate “who I am ” from “what I do”. This was a lesson I carried with me throughout my hockey career.

As I grew older, and faced many challenges on my NHL journey, I struggled with injuries, setbacks, poor self-image, hate, lack of confidence, and an overall poor identity.

As best I could, I  remained committed to my values and my dream. I worked tirelessly to improve my skills, I didn’t seek guidance from coaches or mentors. I  lost sight of my broader sense of self.

Honestly, I didn’t like the man I had become. I eventually was emotionally left on the curb in a city I have never lived in or visited. I was lost. 

Through the grace of God, I somehow drew strength from a mustard seed of faith. I saw myself not only as a hockey player but as someone who wanted something great from life, I valued success more than I appreciated my next breath of air.

For whatever reason, I found inspiration and guidance in the Bible and mentors who came to my rescue. They invested in me and I reciprocated with the only attribute I knew… effort.

I  used my mustard seed of faith as a guide to live a life with purpose and meaning.

Despite the obstacles I faced, I somehow through the grace of God found a commitment to my shaky values, faith, and a dream to become better than my current version of myself. Almost 25 years later,  I  remain persistent, dedicated, accountable, and diligent in my efforts to improve and succeed.

As best I know how, I remain grounded in my values and faith, and continue to inspire others to pursue their dreams through a healthy identity. Through the grace of God, I am inspired to leave a legacy as a former broken hockey player and as a person who was defined not only by what I  did on the ice but by who I am as a child of God.

Sports can be a powerful metaphor for life, and athletes often learn valuable lessons that can be applied beyond the hockey rink. One such lesson is the importance of separating “who you are” from “what you do.” This concept is essential for developing a healthy identity that can withstand the emotional rollercoaster of the season.

A healthy identity is built upon a foundation of core values and beliefs. These values and beliefs help shape a person’s character and guide their actions. Attributes of a healthy identity include:

• Being committed
• Persistent
• Dedicated
• Having integrity
• Being accountable
• Diligent
• Striving for excellence
• Being confident. 

When athletes separate “who they are” from “what they do“, they are more likely to embody these attributes.

They are not defined solely by their sport but have a broader sense of self that includes their values, beliefs, and relationships with others.

For many athletes, their identity is closely tied to their faith. They see themselves not only as athletes but as followers of Jesus Christ.

The Bible speaks to the importance of identity in several passages, including Genesis 1:27, which speaks to the inherent value and dignity of every human being, and in Jeremiah 1:5, which speaks to the idea that each person has a unique purpose and calling.

When athletes see themselves as created in the image of God and set apart for a specific purpose, they can find strength and confidence in their identity. They can use their sport as a way to glorify God and serve others.

Peak performance requires a mindset that supports flow and clutch states. Flow is a description of feeling and is what many people refer to as being “in the zone.”

Clutch performance describes what performers are actually doing to achieve high levels of performance, such as putting in greater levels of effort and focus and understanding the situational demands and their level of importance. To cultivate a mindset that supports both flow and clutch states, athletes need to focus on mental strategies such as mindfulness, stress management/activation, and outcome goals.

Mindfulness is a state of non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. It addresses all of the factors associated with flow, such as effortless attention, absence of critical/negative thoughts, complete and deliberate focus, heightened awareness, and absorption.

Stress management/activation is the ability to manage your body’s level of energy, which is an essential skill for peak performance. Outcome goals are specific and have a clear outcome in mind, providing a clear target for athletes to aim for.

In conclusion, cultivating a healthy identity requires mental strategies that support both flow and clutch states.

By separating “who you are“ from “what you do“ and focusing on values, beliefs, and relationships, athletes can develop a mindset that supports peak performance.

Mindfulness, stress management/activation, and outcome goals are essential for achieving flow and clutch states and reaching one’s full potential as an athlete and as a person.