Ask A Pro with Brock Montgomery

#9 – He Spent 20 Years Managing Risk — Until One Mistake Changed Everything | Mark Herbison

What happens when your identity, career, and body all change in a single moment? Brock Montgomery sits down with internationally certified mountain guide Mark Herbison, whose life was forever altered after a paragliding accident that cost him part of his leg. This isn’t a motivational comeback story. It’s an honest conversation about fear, resilience, risk, and what it really means to move forward when nothing goes back to normal.

#8 — Trevor Lakness

How did Connor Bedard build one of the best shots in hockey? Brock Montgomery sits down with Bedard’s longtime skills coach Trevor Lackness to break down the truth behind his training habits, what made him special, and how young players can actually follow his blueprint. They also dive into modern skill development, the problems with Instagram-style training, and Trevor’s wild coaching experiences—from Korea to running practices for Iran’s national team over Zoom. A fast, honest, eye-opening episode for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand what real development looks like.

#7 — Michal Mrázik: “Hockey Was My Life… Then It Wasn’t.”

In Episode #7, I sit down with Michal Mrázik, a former pro hockey player who was forced to retire at just 23 years old. We talk honestly about the pain and frustration of dealing with herniated discs, and what it feels like when your dream gets taken away before you’re ready.We dive into identity, confidence, and trying to figure out who you are when the one thing you’ve always loved is no longer an option. Michal also shares what inspired him to write his book Life Doesn’t End Up Here, how expressing his story helped him heal, and why he believes in starting over with curiosity and courage.Together we talk about resilience, personal growth, the positives and negatives of going viral, and finding joy in the simple things again — like travel, connection, and living life on your own terms.

#6: Ron Berteling, Dutch Hockey Legend (Former National Team Captain)

Ron Berteling on Building Dutch Hockey, Lake Placid ‘80, and Coaching Kids the Right Way 🇳🇱 In this episode, Brock sits down with Dutch hockey legend Ron Berteling—longtime Netherlands captain, 1980 Olympian (Lake Placid), coach, mentor, and champion for youth development. Ron shares how he fell in love with hockey in 1964, what the sport looked like in the Netherlands through the 70s/80s, unforgettable A-pool stories (Guy Lafleur, Team USA, the “Miracle on Ice” era), and why simple habits, discipline, and fun will always beat flashy skills on social media. You’ll hear practical coaching wisdom for mixed-level teams, how to grow a club the right way, why kids should “dream big but do the boring work,” and the magic of crisp outdoor sessions that keep us all in love with the game. #AskAProPodcast #RonBerteling #DutchHockey #LakePlacid1980 #YouthHockey #HockeyCoaching 🔗 Connect • Brock: @brockmontgomeryy ) 🙏 If you enjoyed this chat, please like, comment, and subscribe—it truly helps the show grow. Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Why Ron Berteling matters 00:18 – Hellos & how this convo finally happened 01:00 – Ron’s first skate (1964) & three-team Dutch landscape 03:00 – Idols then vs. now: Cruyff, Howe, and learning from books 05:00 – Coaching kids into good people (not just good players) 06:30 – Climbing from C-pool to A-pool & qualifying for Lake Placid 08:40 – Canary Islands Worlds, youth team, and loving the grind 10:05 – A-pool memories: Canada, Lafleur, and media attention in NL 12:30 – Why hockey boomed—and what we didn’t build for the future 14:10 – NL vs. Canada training challenge: big skill gaps, one sheet 16:20 – Practice design for mixed levels: push the top, include the rest 18:00 – Ice-time scarcity, tournaments, and maximizing puck touches 20:10 – Coaching philosophy: standards, roles, and “reach your level” 22:50 – Stats for kids? Why development > leaderboard 24:20 – Keep games close: what 16–2 scores teach (nothing) 26:30 – Club-hopping, systems, and teaching real game discipline 29:00 – Simple hockey: exits, entries, no blind passes, be the high guy 31:40 – Lake Placid: mindset, Red Army hours, and Herb Brooks’ ask 34:00 – Why USA beat the USSR (work rate, panic, and moments) 36:10 – Format reminder: US still had to beat Finland for gold 37:10 – Career highlights: 200+ caps, captaining NL, line with his son 39:20 – Motivation & longevity: friends, fun, and showing the standard 40:40 – Sticks & shots: from wood to Bedard, Ovi’s “old-school” snipe 43:10 – Social media skills vs. game sense—and coaching fixes 46:30 – Advice for 12–14s: be coachable, disciplined, team-first 49:10 – Going abroad (DE/AT/SE): pros, cons, and what actually helps 53:00 – Boring is good: sacrifice, offseason work, and no excuses 57:00 – Gratitude talk: parents, fees, and doing your best 59:10 – Outdoor rink magic: why crisp nights keep us in love with hockey 1:02:00 – Language, culture, and making the rink feel like home 1:04:30 – Wrap-up & what’s next

#5: Justin Cardinal, Pro Goalie Coach (Adin Hill, Logan Thompson)

In this episode, I sit down with pro goalie coach Justin Cardinal — who’s worked with NHL goalies like Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. We talk about the evolution of goaltending, mental preparation, and what it really takes to reach the top. We dive into everything from mindset and breathwork to gear comfort, nutrition, and time management — and how social media and culture shape today’s athletes. Justin also shares stories from coaching Stanley Cup champions and the emotional rewards that come with helping goalies succeed. It’s a great conversation with lessons that go far beyond goaltending — for any athlete who wants to keep improving both mentally and physically.