What happens when the "dream life" of a pro-hockey partner hits the reality of needing your own identity? Can you actually build something for yourself when your entire life is at the mercy of the next trade or a contract in Europe?

Today's episode is a bit longer, but trust me, you need every minute of the 23 years of stories my guest Bianca is sharing. She's lived the ultimate pivot, from the quiet (and sometimes lonely) grind of raising a family in Germany to the sheer grit it takes to launch a business in a country where you don't even speak the language.

We're getting into the real stuff: the power of the "hockey wife" survival sisterhood, the struggle to keep your own professional fire burning, and how to stay grounded when you're living without a permanent map.

If you've ever felt like you were living in the shadow of someone else's career and you're ready for a serious shot of ambition and truth, then hit play because we're going deep in this one.

Did something in this conversation I had with Bianca resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Bianca's early transition into the hockey world and the unique perspective she gained while navigating her partner's career in Canada and abroad\

• The emotional (and logistical) reality of moving a young family across borders, including the specific challenges of settling into life in Germany

• A deep dive into Bianca's entrepreneurial journey and how she successfully balanced raising children while launching a business in a foreign country

• Some of the big ways that the "hockey wife" community serves as a vital support system for her

• The strategic ways Bianca pivoted her professional skills to adapt to the European market as she grows her own empire

• Her thoughts on navigating the language barrier and cultural shifts in local communities she's lived in with her family

• Bianca's insightful advice on managing the high-pressure "waiting game" of contract seasons and the uncertainty of professional sports life

• The evolution of her own personal brand and how she leveraged her unique experiences to inspire other women in similar transition periods

• A look at the long-term career planning required for life after hockey and the steps Bianca and her family are taking to prepare for the next chapter

• Reflections on the enduring strength of the "Canadian connection" and something that Bianca just can't live without when being away from Quebec (01:56:55)
  
  

LINKS:

Bianca's Instagram

Brent's Hockey Profile

Ever wondered if it's possible to build a global empire when your home base changes with every trade? It sure is, and today's guest is living proof. My girl Chelsea Brown Pelech scaled a high-impact social enterprise while living out of a suitcase at the behest of a pro hockey contract. This powerhouse refused to let the "hockey wife" label define her, and today, you'll get to meet her and hear all about it!

In this episode, Chelsea reveals the raw, unscripted reality of founding Millie, a for-purpose business empowering women globally, while navigating 15-hour bus rides and the soul-crushing chaos of international visas. This isn't your typical "behind the scenes" fluff. We're talking about the grit required to maintain professional autonomy in a world that expects you to just sit and watch from the stands.

If you're tired of the filtered version of sports life and want the real story of ambition, impact, and survival, hit play. We're going deep, and we're not holding back.

Learn more at www.millie.ca and join the conversation on Instagram @wereinonepod. Let's get into it!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Mike's incredible achievement of reaching 1,000 professional games and the resilience required to maintain a career of that length

• The challenges and growth that came with navigating a long-distance relationship for 6 years while Chelsea established her own professional identity

• The inspiring origin story of Chelsea's social enterprise, Millie, which focuses on the economic empowerment of women and artisan communities

• Her strategic shift during the lockdowns, moving from impact travel to launching a podcast to continue amplifying the voices of women-led organizations

• Chelsea's heartwarming story of rescuing her dog from the streets and the logistical hurdles that were faced bringing a rescue pet into the nomadic life of a professional athlete

• A look at the often-hidden financial and legal hurdles of being a hockey partner, including the high costs and restrictions of UK and US work visas

• What happened with a high-stakes career pivot at the Canadian border and how it all worked out in the end for Chelsea and Mike

• How the unconventional nature of the hockey world ultimately served as a catalyst for Chelsea's career growth
  
  

LINKS:

The Millie Community Website, Instagram & Podcast

Young Epilepsy Website & Instagram

Zimbabwe Educational Trust Website & Instagram

Mike's Hockey Profile

How do you handle the sudden, shocking end to a 16-year career? And what happens when a hockey life filled with structure and sacrifice gives way to a "real life" you're no longer prepared for?

In the powerful conclusion of my conversation with Mathieu "Tousy" Tousignant, Mathieu shares the emotional gut-punch of his forced retirement, revealing the raw truth behind the saying that a professional athlete "dies twice." He opens up about adjusting to civilian life, from managing a schedule without game-day focus to the surprising challenge of changing winter tires, and so much more.

You'll also hear about Tousy's new roles in coaching and training, which keep his passion alive, and the extraordinary story of his partner, Claudhel. Learn how she is the "yin to his yang" and his greatest supporter, including the unforgettable way they met (and the job she took to stay with Mathieu during a season abroad)...

Stay until the end for the hilarious inside scoop on the best on-ice chirps and the story of the toughest fight he ever took. Again, this is a brutally honest and genuinely uplifting look at finding passion and purpose after the uniform comes off, and if you missed it, make sure to check out Part One of this incredible conversation I had with Mathieu!

Did something in this conversation I had with Mathieu resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• The emotional reality of Mathieu's forced retirement following back surgery and the powerful moment he realized "a professional athlete dies twice."

• A behind-the-scenes look at the intense summer training schedule he had while playing that most fans don't see, including the many sacrifices made over the years

• Mathieu's post-career pivot, covering his new role coaching M15-level youth hockey, working as a skill coach, and finding renewed passion as a personal trainer in Quebec

• The whirlwind story of meeting his long-time partner, Claudhel, falling in love almost instantly, and her decision to move to Germany with him just 2.5 months later

• How she worked a small, unexpected job at a German restaurant "peeling potatoes for a visa" just to be able to stay with him during his season abroad

• A candid discussion on the heavy emotional toll his fighting and big hits took on his partner, especially after concussions, and the constant support she provided through multiple surgeries

• The big ways in which life looks different now post-retirement for both Mathieu and Claudhel

• A hilarious recap of the funniest and most memorable chirps heard on the ice, and what a grocery stick has to do with hockey…
  
  

LINKS:

Mathieu's Player Profile