Breaking the Ice

breakingtheicepod

Breaking the Ice is the podcast sharing the real stories behind life in professional hockey!

Each week, you'll hear honest conversations with hockey wives, girlfriends, coaches' wives, and the women who navigate the unique realities of this lifestyle. From moving across the world and raising families to marriage, motherhood, identity, mental health, and everything in between, these are the conversations that happen beyond the rink.

Whether you're living the hockey life yourself or simply curious about the people behind the game, welcome to our community!

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139 episodes
Updated July 29

Episodes139

Newest first

Sep 30, 2020 · 1 hr 1 min
Growing through this hockey life with Ashley Buck
Ashley Buck, wife of Brandon Buck, who finished last season in Nürnberg, Germany, joins me on the podcast today! Ashley has been in this hockey world for 11 years now and throughout it all has experienced several moves, languages, marriage, babies, injuries, no payments (to name a few!) They have also met some of their best friends in this lifestyle. Ashley is the owner of Ashley Buck Photography and the hockey apparel line, Beau and Bex. She was an open book and I love her perspective of this hockey life! https://www.beauandbex.com/
Sep 23, 2020 · 58 min
So long, long distance with Karlee Bowles
Some of the two most hated words from hockey spouses: Long Distance. Karlee, married to Parker Bowles, who finished last season in Znojmo, Czech Republic in the EBEL, joins me on the podcast today for our conversation about long distance! Karlee and Parker did long distance off and on for TEN years but are finally together again! They met at a really young age and throughout their time together had clear communication and really understood each other’s needs and wants. They made it work and came out the other side! That’s not to say they didn’t have their bad days (and they definitely wouldn’t do long distance again!) but overall, feel like it made their relationship stronger. In this episode, we chat about love languages, time differences and all things long distance. I love how Karlee talks about not putting so much pressure on your relationship when you are apart, and I’m not gonna lie guys...I DEFINITELY did this! I felt this pressure to have these deep meaningful conversations for an hour every night and let’s face it….YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT and if your conversations get stale and boring THAT’S NORMAL!!!! Hope you enjoy this epi!
Sep 16, 2020 · 1 hr 23 min
Pregnant in a Pandemic with Katie Joslin
Katie Joslin, wife of Derek Joslin, who plays for Redbull Salzburg in Austria, joins me on the pod today to talk about being pregnant in the pandemic! After being diagnosed with a herniated disk in her back, she needed to lean on family and get some extra help with their little girl Elizabeth. Katie and her husband made the tough decision to separate for the birth of their second child and she headed back home to Canada, while he stays in Austria. Her due date is about a month before mine and we spend this episode swapping stories and discussing what it has been like being pregnant during COVID. We share some of our struggles, yet have a lot of laughs and funny moments throughout this crazy new adventure!
Sep 9, 2020 · 1 hr 14 min
Rolling with the hockey life punches with Claire Stewart
Claire Stewart, girlfriend of Lawson Crouse, who plays for the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL, joins me today on the podcast. We talk about her experience in this hockey world and some of the challenges she has endured in her personal life. Before her and her boyfriend met, she had decided to cut ties with the modeling industry, and was cleaning up her life mentally and physically. She was letting go of toxic relationships and focusing on self love, and a positive healthy happy life for herself, by herself. But when the right person comes along, you just know! Through her life experiences, Claire has really learned to roll with the hockey life punches and make the most of every single experience that this crazy life throws our way!
Sep 2, 2020 · 53 min
Stepping into your power with Katie Anderson
Katie Anderson, girlfriend to William Rapuzzi, who plays in Dornbirn, Austria in the ICE Hockey League, joins me on the podcast today to talk about all things career. We cover topics such as, getting a working visa as a girlfriend, finding jobs in your summer or season city to imposter syndrome, not knowing how or where to start and ideas to take that first step. We have to remember to not compare our year one to someone else’s year ten and realize that our individual personalities are what make us unique and make a business unique. Katie talks about how this hockey life has really allowed her to step into her power, in terms of starting her own business and finding something that she is passionate about! I felt like I was sitting down with an old friend for this conversation! She was so easy to talk to and offered a lot of advice. Here are a few additional resources that Katie provided below: Finding work as an expat in your respective country (in order to obtain a visa as a girlfriend since not all countries will allow you to be attached to your sig o's): https://www.inlingua.com/centers/ Facebook Search Prompts “Expat Jobs in [your city/town]” “Expats in/of [your city/town]” Google Search Prompts “Jobs in [your country/city/town] for expats” “Seasonal jobs in [your country/city/town]” Look up Hotels & Restaurants in your area, don’t be afraid to reach out and see if they’re interested in part-time/seasonal help. You may have to do some of the leg work but oftentimes they will help you with obtaining your visa! Finding seasonal work at home: Is there anything in your town that is seasonal or peaks when you are home (i.e. the tourism season in Alaska runs ~April-September), look into what jobs are available seasonally in your hometown. Have a nursing or other medical license? Oftentimes, private practices will happily take on extra help seasonally. Bars & Restaurants are also happy to take on seasonal help usually. Finding online work/building an online career that fits the expat lifestyle: Facebook & Pinterest are my favorites for finding useful and valuable content/groups. Pinterest Prompts “build an online business” “Learn how to…[enter in what you’re interested in doing]” “Become a…[web designer, developer, coder, online coach, etc]” Facebook Groups (these are VA specific but you can search so many other types of groups) https://www.facebook.com/groups/howshedidthat/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/vasavvies/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/109710112902737/ AND lastly, I forgot to mention on the pod that I know so many amazing women in the hockey community also have online product-based businesses! You don’t have to just offer a service if doing your own thing is your thing!
Aug 26, 2020 · 1 hr 21 min
Retirement & life after hockey with Stefanie Heid
Stefanie Heid, wife of Chris Heid, who had a career ending injury that immediately led him to retirement, joins me on the podcast today. Retirement from hockey is something that we may be going through now, have either already gone through or will go through at some point in our hockey lives. For most families, this is a rough transition and we want to know the best ways to support our partner. Stefanie has such a positive outlook on retirement and life after hockey. Her and Chris both believe that hockey was the start to their lives but not the focus and feel it catapulted them into what they were really meant to do. I can’t wait for you guys to hear this episode and I hope it helps someone who may be needing to hear this today! Stefanie’s husband is now a mental strength coach and helps coach players boost their mental performance so they can become better athletes and people. Check out his website here: https://underthebucket.com/
Aug 19, 2020 · 1 hr 15 min
Let‘s talk about mental health with Mimi Franco
Mimi Franco, engaged to Scott Tanski, who finished last season in Glasgow in the EIHL, joins me today on the podcast to talk about mental health. Mimi and Scott have both lost loved ones to mental illness and are really dedicated to mental health advocacy and ending the stigma against mental illness and anxiety. Mimi's first season overseas was also the first time her and Scott had lived together. It was a complete lifestyle change having to depend on someone and have the identity as "Scott's girlfriend" instead of just, Mimi. In this episode, she shares her story, including some of her struggles and the way she overcame them. We talk about the importance of reaching out when you are struggling and she shares some of the tips that help her stay grounded. I loved talking to Mimi and I hope conversation about mental health is something that we can continue to normalize as a community!
Aug 12, 2020 · 1 hr
The ups & downs of hockey, friendships & the NHL Bubble with Drew Shott
Drew Shott joins me on the podcast today! Drew's boyfriend, Jalen Chatfield, plays in the AHL for the Utica Comets & up in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks. We talk about going from long distance to moving in together, the ups & down transactions of hockey, friendships, the NHL bubble & more!
Aug 5, 2020 · 1 hr 14 min
Optimizing your health during the hockey season with Tanya Jarrett
Tanya Jarrett, wife to Patrick Jarrett, who retired from professional hockey in 2018, joins me on the podcast to discuss all things health. Tanya is a nutritional therapist and she shares her methods to optimize your overall health during the hockey season & in life! After giving birth to her daughter, Tanya knew she had to make a lifestyle shift. She walks us through several steps you can take to make little switches to start feeling better mentally, emotionally and physically! She also has several great programs for her business, linked below. I learned SO much from her and I can't wait for you all to hear. http://www.tanyajarrett.com/
Jul 29, 2020 · 57 min
Having a baby in Europe, Part 2 with Cassie Garbowsky
Part 2 continues from last week episode so if you missed it, listen back! Within part 2, Cassie talks about postpartum and how she had to go back to the hospital several times and felt she wasn't getting the help she needed during this new and overwhelming time. We spend a good portion of the episode talking about the neccessities you need when having your baby during the hockey season overseas. You can really get ANYTHING overseas but it's more for your comfort. Enjoy!
Jul 22, 2020 · 58 min
Having a baby in Europe, Part 1 with Cassie Garbowsky
Cassie Garbowsky, wife of Matt Garbowsky, who finished last hockey season in the EBEL in Graz, Austria, joins me on the podcast today. Being over halfway through my pregnancy and having my baby in Graz next season, I had tons of questions for her and we decided to make this a two part episode! Cass talks about planting the seed of having a baby to your husband, what you need to have written in your European contract, the benefits of having a baby abroad to first trimester anxiety and her personal birth experience in Europe. I am so excited to share this one with you! Enjoy :)
Jul 15, 2020 · 1 hr 14 min
Eloping in the Midst of a Global Pandemic with Emily Usset
Emily Usset joins me on the podcast for Episode 7. This girl was a freakin blast to talk to and I loved her endearing personality! Her and her husband met in college in the states, as he came over from Finland to play college hockey. We talk about the cultural differences of marriage in the U.S. and Scandanvian countries and once they were engaged and planning their big day, BOOM enter a global pandemic! After blessings from their parents, they decided to elope to a courthouse in Finland. Mind you, Emily came over for a two week trip in March and has been kickin it in Finland ever since (bringing not much more than a winter jacket, doc martens and purple tennies!...see pictured above). We cover so much ground in this episode including what family and friends think when you follow your spouse all over the heck, the travel ban on the US for girlfriends and wives AND stay tuned for a special story about the sauna culture in Finland (and how she had to sauna in her birthday suit with her husband’s entire family, when she visited for the first time). This is a good one folks, be sure to tune in!
Jul 8, 2020 · 1 hr 24 min
Transitioning to life in a foreign country with Priscilla Frattin
Priscilla met her husband Matt Frattin in 2013 when he was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 2017, Priscilla and Matt decided to make the move overseas and signed in Kazakhstan, with their 6 year old daughter and she became pregnant, while she was over there. We talk about what her experience was like living somewhere so foreign, transitioning her daughter to a new school, while navigating everything in between, in addition to being newly pregnant. We also tap into the struggles of going to a new country and some of the difficulties we endure aka the grocery store and how important it is to connect with other hockey girls beforehand.
Jul 1, 2020 · 2 hr 2 min
Traveling with your pet on an airplane with Meghan Schofield, Emily Vellance and Veronica Livingston
Prepare yourselves...it’s a LONG one but my hope is that it will be helpful and super informative (also, take a shot every time I say it is what it is, in this episode). From everything I have gathered, it’s so important to still do your own personal research before you travel. This should give you some mental clarity before you read everything online and get overwhelmed. You got this! We broke this up into four parts, each segment being about 30 minutes. I speak to flying with my goldendoodles as ESA (which I’ve done to Sweden and Austria) and within the United States. @meghan.schofield talks about flying with her golden in Cargo (to and from Canada). We talk about the steps you need to take to get your dog, their cage and your mind ready because we know there is so much fear regarding putting your pup underneath the plane. @evellance clears the air that you CAN fly ESA into the U.K. I hand the floor to her and she breaks down, in order, what you need to do in advance for this. She talks about how there is no quarantine, fees to expect and more! @veronicakosarew does not have her dog or cat as ESA but has spent the last two seasons in the U.K. She talks about the alternative methods that you can take to get there with your animals as a “pet!” We also touch on pet passports. RESOURCES: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/animal-health-welfare/heathrow-animal-reception-centre/Pages/Assistance-Animals.aspx https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states/pet-travel-dogs-into-us
Jun 24, 2020 · 1 hr 13 min
Packing for the move across the pond and all the Travel Tips with Carine Bailey
Carine Bailey, wife to Matt Bailey, who just signed with Södertälje SK in the Allsvenskan league in Sweden, joins me today on the podcast. This was SUCH a fun conversation to have because we talk about alllll things traveling and packing. We discuss how going overseas for the first time can feel overwhelming because you feel like you need to bring it all but trying to switch to a minimalistic mindset. She also spills all the best travel tips for your next vacation. So grab your notepad and tune in!
Jun 17, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
Being a mom in our hockey world with Jessica Lynch
Jessica Lynch, wife to Kevin Lynch, who finished last season as a forward for the Montreal Laval Rockets, mom of Emma & Ella, and owner of @yogababyclothing joins me today on the pod. We talk about being a hockey wife pre-kids to post kids and what it’s like being a mom in this lifestyle. She tells the story about how her first born, spent the first 9 months of her life, while on an AHL call up, in a hotel #HOCKEYLIFE am I right?! Jessica handles this lifestyle with grace and her laid-back personality is endearing and inspires me to #coolmyjets when times get tough. Follow me on Instagram! Shop Yoga Baby!
Jun 10, 2020 · 47 min
Navigating through our new normal with Kellie Lamoureuex
Kellie Lamoureuex, wife to JP Lamoreoux (goalie of the Redbull Salzburg in the EBEL), mom to Henry and Leah, and children's author of Inside the Net and On the Blue Line, joins me today and we talk about what's going on in the world with COVID-19. We shoot the breeze about what we originally thought about the virus, how it escalated quickly within Europe/our league, getting back into the U.S. and life & hockey moving forward. You can find her books on amazon today!
May 21, 2020 · 50 min
Quitting her career and moving to Europe with Dana Olesuk
Dana Oleksuk, owner of DO Fitness Co, wife to Travis Oleksuk (forward in Graz, Austria in the EBEL) and mom to baby Harvey joins me today in the hot seat! Dana talks about how she quit her career as a meteorologist and moved to Europe with her then boyfriend, Travis. Through this major life decision, she was redirected to her passion and purpose and is dedicated to creating healthy habits for her and her family. Follow me on Instagram! Follow Dana on Instagram!
May 19, 2020 · 12 min
Introduction to our new online space
Welcome to Episode 0! This is a quick solo episode where I lay out my mission, what the podcast is going to look like and I tap into my hockey story a little bit so far! So grab a big glass of wine (or coffee) and tune in for Episode 0!