Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast

The Best Find a Way, the Rest Find Out: Building a No-Excuses Mentality

Welcome to Episode 70 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast! “The Best Find a Way, the Rest Find Out: Building a No-Excuses Mentality” In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc break down one of the core principles of the Dialed and Driven mentality: no excuses. Every athlete says they want to do whatever it takes. They start the season, the offseason, or a new training program with big goals and big intentions. But somewhere along the way, something slips. A workout gets missed. The effort drops. The focus fades. And while there may always be a reason, the hard truth is this: at the highest level, it comes down to one simple scale—done or not done. So what does it actually mean to build a no-excuses mentality? We dive into the difference between having a reason and making an excuse, why the best athletes point thumbs instead of fingers, and how taking full ownership of your development can completely change your path.  Episode Highlights: • What “no excuses” really means in sports and life • Why the highest level leaves no room for “I almost did it” • How to point thumbs, not fingers, when things get tough • Why excuses keep athletes stuck while ownership creates growth • Why mental toughness is built one small decision at a time • How athletes can push past the moment they think they’re done • Why your standard becomes your identity • How to ignore social media, recruiting noise, and comparison • Why development and visibility matter more than hype • How parents can support athletes without adding pressure • Why the best find a way—and the rest find out • Real examples of athletes choosing effort, ownership, and perseverance AND SO MUCH MORE! If you’ve ever caught yourself blaming the schedule, the coach, the team, the circumstances, or anything outside your control, this episode is a reminder to look inward first. Because success is not built on perfect conditions—it’s built by athletes who decide their standard and live up to it when things get hard. No excuses. Find a way. Stay dialed. Stay driven. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440674/fan_mail/new] 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/ [https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/] X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven [https://x.com/dialedanddriven] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast] 🎙️ Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650 [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 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast]

Trey Augustine: Signed with the Detroit Red Wings & Former Michigan State University Goaltender

Welcome to Episode 69 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast! In this episode, Jeff Lerg and Natalie Ferenc continue the Goalie Nation series with one of the brightest young goaltenders in hockey — Detroit Red Wings prospect and Michigan State standout Trey Augustine.  From youth hockey with Honeybaked to the USA National Team Development Program, World Junior Championships, and now the start of his professional career, Trey shares the mindset, habits, and competitiveness that helped shape him into one of the top goalies in the game today. Trey opens up about the mental side of elite performance, the importance of staying level-headed, and why “being where your feet are” has become such a powerful tool throughout his hockey journey. He also reflects on getting drafted by his hometown Detroit Red Wings, representing Team USA on the international stage, and the lessons he’s learning as he transitions into professional hockey. Already a two-time Big Ten Goalie of the Year, Mike Richter Award winner, two-time World Champion, and two-time All-American both athletically and academically, Trey gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what truly separates elite athletes from the rest. Episode Highlights: • Trey’s journey from Honeybaked youth hockey to becoming a Detroit Red Wings draft pick • The mindset habits that helped him improve statistically every single season • Why “being where your feet are” became one of his biggest mental performance tools • How competitiveness has fueled his success both on and off the ice • The importance of maintaining high standards even on difficult days • How he balances intensity, confidence, and being a great teammate • Pregame routines, visualization, and tracking habits that help him feel prepared • The emotional differences between international hockey and college hockey • Lessons learned from winning back-to-back World Junior Championships with Team USA • What it was like going through the NHL Draft process and hearing his name called by Detroit • The biggest adjustments Trey has noticed early in professional hockey • Why skating and puck-handling are becoming even more important at the pro level • How competing in sports outside of hockey helps him stay mentally fresh • Advice for young goalies on developing consistency, discipline, and maturity AND SO MUCH MORE! If you’re a goalie, athlete, coach, or parent looking to learn what it takes to compete at the highest levels of hockey, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on mindset, preparation, composure, and long-term development. Stay present. Stay dialed. Stay driven. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440674/fan_mail/new] 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/ [https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/] X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven [https://x.com/dialedanddriven] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast] 🎙️ Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650 [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 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast]

Johnny Hicks: 2026 National Champion & University of Denver Goaltender

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. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440674/fan_mail/new] 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/ [https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/] X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven [https://x.com/dialedanddriven] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast] 🎙️ Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650 [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 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast]

Confident Athletes Don’t Guess—They Decide

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. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440674/fan_mail/new] 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/ [https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/] X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven [https://x.com/dialedanddriven] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast] 🎙️ Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650 [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 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast]

The Mindset You Need to Come Back From Injury

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. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2440674/fan_mail/new] 📲 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/ [https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/] X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven [https://x.com/dialedanddriven] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast] 🎙️ Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge [https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650 [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 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast]