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Paris O'Brien shares his remarkable journey from quitting hockey at age 15 to becoming the Chinese national hockey goaltender and Olympian. His story demonstrates how stepping away from sport temporarily can sometimes be the catalyst for future success when combined with passion, hard work, and being ready when opportunity arises.

• Growing up playing minor hockey in Coquitlam before deciding to take a year off at age 15-16
• Returning to hockey with Delta Hockey Academy before being spotted by Mike Keenan at a tryout
• Playing professionally in Finland at 17, then in Russia's VHL and KHL before the Olympics
• The critical importance of mental training for goaltenders—"90% mental, 10% physical"
• Working with mindset coach Pete Fry and now mentoring younger goalies himself
• Using technology like Visual Edge and Sensorina to train cognitive aspects of goaltending
• Comprehensive recovery protocols including cold tubs, heat therapy, and compression boots
• Playing at the Olympics against Team Canada after briefly practicing with them
• Custom gear setup including a helmet painted by his girlfriend artist
• Balancing hockey with other interests to maintain mental health and perspective

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Doug Lynch, former professional hockey player turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from the ice to founding innovative performance apparel company Filium and how the relationships built through sports became the foundation for his business success.

• Began playing hockey at age three in Coquitlam, BC, eventually being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round
• Won a Memorial Cup with the Red Deer Rebels at age 17, learning the importance of team success for individual growth
• Played professionally in the NHL (Edmonton) and in European leagues, including Austria and Sweden
• Founded Zenkai Sports (now Philium Incorporated) after retiring in Portland and connecting with Nike professionals
• Developed revolutionary technology that transforms natural cotton into high-performance fabric for athletic wear
• Secured investments from professional athletes, including Rickie Fowler, Marty Turco, and the Morris twins
• Established licensing partnerships with major brands like 1764 Golf and O'Neill's rugby apparel
• Emphasizes that relationships are the most valuable asset in business—"you never spend relationship capital, you only reinvest it"
• Currently mentors UBC hockey players and works with athlete transition organizations to help sports professionals prepare for life after competition

Use code AP20 to save 20% on Zenkai apparel and AP15 to save

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Linus Karlsson joins us from our new Pioneer Auto Group Jeep studio to discuss his hockey journey from Sweden to North America and the challenges of adapting to a different style of play. Linus shares insights about his NHL experience while revealing the mental aspects of professional hockey that fans rarely see.

• Linus discusses his new Jeep from Pioneer Auto Group and how it fits his hockey lifestyle
• Comparison of Swedish versus North American hockey styles - bigger European rinks mean more possession, while smaller North American ice demands physicality
• Growing up in a small Swedish town of just 1,500 people that produced three NHL players
• How Erik Karlsson and Johan Franzen from his hometown became his hockey inspirations
• Reflections on international tournaments and the excitement of seeing national teams compete
• Managing the mental challenges of playing professional hockey in a new country
• Working with a mental coach to handle the ups and downs of NHL/AHL transitions
• The importance of having fun and not rushing development as a young hockey player
• Playing multiple sports growing up, particularly soccer until age 14

Use code AP20 at checkout for 20% off Perfect Sports supplements

Powered by Perfect Sports Supplements use "AP20" to save 20%!
--
Want to see more of the AP? Subscribe to the AP YouTube channel.
--
Check out Linus' socials:
Instagram

Tiktok

--
Check out Dave's stuff:
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
--
Try Can-I-Wellness Sleep Product 20% off - AP20 at checkout
--
Get 20% off Caldera Lab Men's Skincare Products
--
Get your Vivobarefoot Shoes 20% off by using the code: ATHLETEPOD20

Check out our Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple | Google | Youtube l Save 20% on Perfect Sports Supplements