In this episode, I’m joined by World Champion curler, mom, and Registered Psychotherapist Sarah Wilkes, who brings a rare and valuable dual perspective to the world of sport — one from the ice, and one from the therapist’s chair. Currently playing lead on the #1 ranked team in the world and fresh off a World Championship win, Sarah’s path hasn’t been a straight line. We explore the emotional intensity she’s carried since her early days, the influence of her multi-sport background, and the tools ...
Jul 11, 2025•57 min•Ep. 88
In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-class athlete and certified hypnotist Val Sweeting. We talk about how hypnosis supported her during the intense bubble season, what shifted when she stepped away from it, and how she eventually found her way back—this time as a certified hypnotist. Now, she’s helping other athletes do the inner work through her new program, Unleashed. Val shares how her training and mindset have evolved over the years, how she balances chasing big goals with being a mom an...
Jun 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 87
In today’s episode I walk you through my thought process around what it means to be a great 5th player on a successful curling team. I give you my experience as well as a long list of questions to help you and your team decide if carrying a 5th will work for you, and how exactly do you want that role to look. This is likely my last episode before mat leave -if you’re new to the podcast make sure to scroll through past episodes and sign up for the 4-month curling tips & tricks newsletter sequ...
Nov 21, 2024•33 min
Today’s episode dives into the intricacies of sweeping that not a lot of people pay attention to. When discussing who is the best sweeper the argument often centres around effectiveness and power, however top sweepers are not just great because of their physical skill. The best sweepers also know how to manage their energy throughout a game, understand the different paths in the ice and are great at communicating amongst the team. This is where the acronym SMART sweeping comes into play. I go th...
Nov 06, 2024•47 min•Ep. 85
Today’s episode I have Nina Walker back on the podcast talk about how to safely navigate the world of nutrition supplements; whether you are an elite athlete who might be drug tested in the future, or just a concerned athlete hoping to learn how to make smart choices around what to put in your body. Nina let’s us know what her top 2 supplements are as a Performance Nutritionist, and goes through the pro’s and con’s of some common supplements such as caffeine, protein, and creatine. Make sure to ...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 84
Today’s episode I get to chat with Chantal Duhaime from Airways Myo. Chantal gives us insight into what myofunctional therapy is and how it can help you and your family improve your quality of life and the bonus benefits of enhancing performance. Love this episode? Check these out: Episode 03 : Shut your mouth -the key to better breathing Episode 32 : 5 ways to improve your cardio nobody told you about Episode 48 : Sassy hips & energy leaks To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to joi...
Oct 26, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 83
In today’s episode I interview the author of Curling for Beginners and Improvers. John Robertson gives us insight into what inspired him to write this book, and how he hopes it will help curlers of various abilities take their game to the next level. You can purchase his book in various forms at https://www.curlingbeginners.ca Some episodes that will pair well with this conversation: Episode 66 : Considerations for first-year curlers, for athletes Episode 68 : Considerations for first-year curle...
Oct 16, 2024•59 min•Ep. 82
Today’s episode outlines the pros and cons and ways to maximize your time during a solo curling practice. I give you a list of devices to help you reach your goal as well as an outline of how I organize my own personal practices. Love this episode, check these out: Episode 18 : Letting your knees go past your toes Episode 23 : Teach, test and repeat with Terri Weeks Episodes 40, 41 & 41 : 3 Brushing intervals for you & your team To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Em...
Aug 29, 2024•47 min•Ep. 81
In today’s episode I am joined by Sofia Mabergs who shares snippets from her journey to the top of women’s curling with Team Hasselborg. We touch on the importance of each athlete playing to their strengths, setting goals and enjoying your time on the ice. Fia shares her learnings around practice, sweeping and training specifically to improve curling performance. Love this episode, check these out: Episode 18 : Let your knees go past your toes Episode 55 : Should you ‘toe out’ for more balance? ...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 80
Today’s episode features English researcher and curler Jotham Sugden. We talk about his mission with his website www.leancurling.com centring around curling research and sweep science. We answer a couple questions such as: How can an athlete and a coach determine what information is good? How to combine experience and research with the human athlete in front you? What matters more, experience, education or research? We also touch a bit on sweeping science, sweep testing and gripper vs slide swee...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 79
In this episode I answer questions such as: Best workout for improving stability and power for peel weight Should I pull back in the curling delivery? What workouts should I do if I have a knee injury? This months case study gives tips for if your inner thigh or outer hip is influencing your ability to get into a comfortable and accurate delivery position If you’ve got a question or case study example you can fill this out HERE . Watch HERE Some other great episodes to check out: Episode 05 : It...
May 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 78
In today’s episode I am joined once again by Mental Performance Consultant Emily Riley. She walks us through the fundamentals of mental performance training, so that you have the basic skills to work on finding your best as a person, performer, teammate and a team. Emily has found many people know what they struggle with, but don’t know how to go about increasing their confidence, managing their emotions and being a great communicator. This summer she has a 4-month off ice mental performance pro...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 35 min
In today’s episode I am joined by Nina Walker, a performance nutritionist who oversees the nutrition support for British Curling. The bulk of this episode outlines the key elements of a well-fueled curler, and introduces you to the concept of a Performance Plate. Nina recommends focusing on your nutrition year-round; using the off ice season to practise timing of meals around training, practices and games. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these: Episode 06 : Basic nutrition for c...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 76
In this episode I answer questions such as: What are the best off ice exercises for sweeping training? What are some important tips for skips in the off ice season? How do I set goals for next year when I don’t have any big events? Does using a stabilizer make it harder for me to switch to a broom? And more. This months case study outlines helps a curler who struggles with hitting the broom; they always slide to the right of the target.ow You can watch this episode on Youtube HERE . If you’ve go...
Apr 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 75
In this episode I provide a framework with which to put together your own offseason training program. I help you plan and organize what, when and why you will workout. Some other great episodes to check out: Episode 04 : Avoid these 8 mistakes I made training to become a fitter curler Episode 09 : Reverse engineering your goals Episode 28 : Using performance gap analysis to dictate offseason training for curling I list 6 more in the show notes To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join...
Apr 02, 2024•49 min
How to breath well, move well, manage your nervous system, train hard, recover harder and maximize your efforts in the gym. In this episode I preview 6 movement concepts that I believe every aspiring high performing human/athlete need to master. Carry these concepts into your on ice training to improve performance and make technique adjustments easier. Catch the free follow up webinar on March 27, 2024, or find the recording in the shownotes. The podcast and webinar set you up to success with th...
Mar 23, 2024•57 min•Ep. 73
In this episode I answer questions around topics such as: Returning to sport after injury, How to run an end of season debrief, How to find more control in your takeout weights, & more This month's case study is a submission video from someone who wanted help with applying more pressure during bigger brush strokes. I walk you through what they are doing really well, and what technique changes they could try in their next practice to be more effective and efficient. If you’ve got a question o...
Mar 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 72
In this episode I answer questions such as: How to manage setbacks after an injury, Who is the best sweeper, What happens during those between end meetings, & more This months case study outlines how I would help someone who struggles to find balance in the delivery, and who feels pain in their knee when they turn their slider foot ‘out’. If you’ve got a question or case study example you can fill this out HERE . Some other great episodes to check out: Episode 19 : Giving yourself grace with...
Feb 04, 2024•52 min•Ep. 71
Save this for the next time you’re sick, lacking motivation, or need some help finding your way back to regular training. In this episode I go through a hierarchy of low level movements and build up to your regular training routine and intensity. If you’ve got a question or case study example you can fill this out HERE . Some other great episodes to check out: Episode 03 : Shut your mouth -the key to better breathing Episode 57 : How to use your RHR to manage performance Episode 11 : Return to C...
Jan 26, 2024•26 min
If you have ever played on a curling team with a new curler, this episode is for you: Tips and tricks to help you support and encourage new curlers as they learn and grow. Give them tips as a skip or a sweeper while avoiding overwhelm, and help them find a win after every shot. This is a 3-part series; check out episode 66 focusing specifically on tips for new curlers, and episode 68 tips specifically for coaches of new curlers. Make sure to check out the show notes for more information on The B...
Jan 05, 2024•19 min•Ep. 69
If you’re involved in Learn to Curl programs or find yourself in a coaching role helping fresh curlers navigate the curling world this episode is for you: Tips and tricks to help you help them get the most out of their first few years. In this episode I go into detail on a few priorities that I hope coaches can find the time to sneak into their programs, practices & coaching session. This is not an episode telling you how to run your LTC, but rather outlining some key curling principles that...
Dec 30, 2023•47 min•Ep. 68
Frazer Shaw is back to give us more insight into what is happening with that cold and pebbled surface we love to play on. He answers questions such as ‘what is green ice’?, and ‘is there a difference between ‘curl’ and ‘finish’? This episode is full of little things to pay attention to while you are curling to help improve your performance and is beneficial for players of all levels. Make sure you check out part 1 in Episode 63 where we talk more about how ice is made and managed. Some other gre...
Dec 16, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 67
If you’re new to the curling world this episode is for you: Tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your first few years. These are the things that can take years to learn, observe or be taught, but also things that can increase your enjoyment of the game early on. If you are new to curling, coach, or know someone who is new to curling give this a listen and share it with them. This is a 3-part series; with episodes directed at coaches and teammates coming soon. Make sure to check out th...
Dec 11, 2023•28 min•Ep. 66
75% of what a front end is responsible for is sweeping related, and yet our practices don’t reflect that. In my experience helping curlers improve their brushing performance, I’ve noticed a few trends in terms of what they are not already doing, and what kinds of things help them uplevel their abilities. In today’s episode I walk you through 5 reasons why you aren’t a better sweeper than you were a year ago, and of course, what you can do about it. Join me for a FREE brushing plank workshop Nov ...
Nov 24, 2023•40 min•Ep. 65
The best curling athletes are in the gym training year round. This statement scares some coaches because their main priority in season is to perform well on the ice. In this episode I walk you through how to optimally juggle off and on ice training without sacrificing time on the ice or setting your athletes up for injury and burnout I have 3 workout ‘themes’ I use to govern what I do in the gym (can be a facility or your at home setup) and walk you through how I use them with my athletes to set...
Nov 18, 2023•44 min•Ep. 64
In today’s episode I am joined all the way from Scotland by Frazer Shaw, the Assistant Manager of Curl Edinburgh. He shares with us his learnings about making ice and managing a curling club environment. We touch on what rocks are made of, how ice is made and what variables are important in making great ice. Fraser reminds us that there are tones of variables to consider when it comes to making great ice, and hopes that this episode deepens your appreciation for what your ice tech is doing from ...
Nov 12, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 63
In today’s episode I talk about how a focus on the teeny tiny process goals help you reach your bigger performance and outcome goals faster. I give you 8 habits that I’ve noticed the most successful people in life and sport follow. The key is to focus on the process and workshop eliminating any barriers to success. Those who focus on HOW to get shit done get shit done. In case you missed them, these episodes would be a great follow up listen: Episode 21 : Megan Pomeransky on how to get the most ...
Nov 07, 2023•38 min
In today’s episode I discuss how to measure intensity using a 1-20 subjective RPE. I take the time to describe the different elements such as subjective intensity, heart rate, the talk test, and the breathing gears. I go through each and explain how to use them during training and a curling game. In case you missed them, these episodes would be a great follow up listen: Episode 03 : Shut your mouth Episode 11 : The Bare Minimums (where I discuss The Canada’s Movement Guidelines) Episode 32 : 5 w...
Oct 30, 2023•35 min•Ep. 61
In today’s episode I walk you through the importance of focusing on small weekly goals and celebrating progressive ‘wins’ to help make your on and/or off ice program less overwhelming Task: At the end of each week take some time to reflect on 3 ways you ‘won’, and identify one main process thing you want to focus on and be held accountable for each week. Use these to build momentum, resilience, progress and focus on the things you can control In case you missed them, these episodes would be a gr...
Oct 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 60
In this episode I go over some of the reasons why that technique adjustment is hard to do or doesn’t stick in games, and of course some things to consider as both the athlete and the coach to help get the most out of each practice. We discuss the importance of expecting an implementation dip & the pathway of going from not knowing that your technique issue exists, to being able fix it and over time unconsciously apply it in a game setting. The In Season Training “Menu” is available here . Cl...
Sep 13, 2023•41 min
