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 Mindset You Need to Come Back From Injury
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Welcome to Episode 66 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!
“The Mindset You Need to Come Back From Injury”
In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc tackle one of the toughest realities athletes face: injuries—and not just the physical side, but the mental battle that comes with them.
When you get injured, you don’t just lose time on the ice or field. You lose confidence. You lose your routine. You start to feel like your team is moving on without you. And before you know it, you’re questioning your identity, your progress, and even your future in the game.
So what do you do when everything feels like it’s slipping away?
We break down how to handle both short-term and long-term injuries, how to avoid the dangerous trap of coming back too early, and how to rebuild your mindset so you don’t just return—but come back stronger.
Episode Highlights:
• Why injuries impact your mind just as much as your body
• The hidden confidence loss that comes with time off
• How FOMO and comparison can derail your recovery
• The biggest mistake athletes make when trying to come back too soon
• How compensating injuries can create long-term problems
• Why you can’t fake confidence when returning to play
• How to redefine daily wins during recovery
• The importance of staying connected and avoiding isolation
• How to manage fear of re-injury and self-doubt
• Practical ways to keep improving your game while injured
• Why developing other skills and hobbies can actually help your performance
• Real examples of athletes who missed time and still reached elite levels
• How to know when you’re actually ready to return
• Why your injury doesn’t have to define your career
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Whether you’re currently injured, coming back from one, or just want to be prepared for the inevitable challenges of sports, this episode is a must-listen. Injuries are part of the journey—but how you respond to them is what separates good athletes from great ones.
Stay resilient. Stay patient. Stay dialed. Stay driven.
📲 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialedanddriven/
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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