Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast
Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast with hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer, is a space for athletes, parents, and coaches to see the depths of hockey and the mental hurdles that come with it.
Jeff Lerg has extensive experience as a former player and current coach that propels his knowledge and life advice. Jeff has reached the ultimate pinnacle of what it means to be a successful D1 Collegiate Athlete. Playing at Michigan State University, he has won countless awards and accolades displaying his success. Also, a former professional goalie for 10+ years across the U.S. and Europe, he has had first-hand experience reaching his own goals and helping others achieve theirs.
Chris Palmer, M.A. in Psychology, is a Hockey Mental Performance Coach who trains individuals, coaches, and teams from house leagues to Pro and Amateur in the US, Europe and Canada. He trains “heart, head, and guts,” with a proven process that helps clients maximize mental toughness and motivation to develop a grinding and intense compete level. As a former NCAA runner, x2 All-American, and Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris brings a great deal of knowledge in athletics and the mental performance space to positively impact the lives of athletes all over the world.
Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast
The Season’s Over… Now What?
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Welcome to Episode 63 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast — brought to you by Vaughn Custom Sports!
“The Season's Over… Now What?”
In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc tackle one of the most uncertain — and most important — moments in an athlete’s journey: the offseason.
The season ends, the jersey comes off, and suddenly the questions hit: What now? Where am I playing? Should I be training? Am I falling behind? For many athletes, this time brings not just uncertainty… but an identity crisis.
The team dives into how to navigate that exact moment with clarity and purpose — instead of panic.
From the importance of stepping away and resetting mentally, to the power of reflection, cross-training, and building a plan, this episode breaks down why the offseason isn’t about doing more… it’s about doing what actually matters.
Episode Highlights:
• Why the end of a season can feel like losing your identity
• How to handle not having a team (and why it’s more common than you think)
• The importance of taking a mental and physical break after the season
• Why cross-training and playing other sports can accelerate development
• How to balance short-term opportunities vs. long-term growth
• The truth about burnout — and how to avoid it
• Why comparing yourself to others during the offseason is dangerous
• How to reflect effectively: what went well, what didn’t, and why
• Real examples of elite athletes using setbacks and breaks to level up
• How to build a clear offseason plan instead of “bouncing around”
• The 3 true purposes of the offseason: recover, decide, and build
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is a powerful reminder that the offseason isn’t something to survive — it’s something to maximize.
Take a step back. Reset. Build your plan. And go create what’s next.
Stay dialed. Stay driven.
📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
X: https://x.com/dialedanddriven
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast
🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
Apple Podcasts: 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