On this episode of The Mental Game Sports Podcast, host Larissa Mills has her first-ever conversation with a skating coach as she sits down with Travis Sherman from Perfect Skating. Travis brings a deep understanding of how skating development connects to confidence, mindset, and overall growth in young athletes.

Together, they explore what truly helps athletes improve, from building proper mechanics to developing behaviours like focus, consistency, resilience, and accountability. Travis explains how effective coaching goes beyond teaching skills and becomes a process of shaping habits that support long-term success. They also discuss what parents can do to better support their children’s development on and off the ice.

You can reach Travis at (519) 694-7504, on social media @perfectskatinglondon, or online at london.perfectskating.ca.

On this episode of The Mental Game Sports Podcast, host Larissa Mills talks with Bryan Gent, a former pro hockey player who is now a nutrition coach and firefighter. Bryan runs Hockey Nutrition, where he helps young athletes build healthy routines, understand their energy needs, and fuel for stronger performance. He can be reached at bryan@hockeynutrition.ca
.

Bryan shares insights from his time in Junior A, NCAA, SPHL and UHL hockey, and explains how proper nutrition supports focus, recovery, confidence, and long-term development. He also offers practical tips for parents and coaches to make healthy eating realistic at home.

This conversation gives families clear tools to help young athletes grow stronger both physically and mentally.