Episode Description

In the first ever episode for The School of Unlearning podcast, I sit down with my friend and NHL Defenseman, Connor Carrick. We traverse childhood, pro sports in the NHL and Connor reveals what he believes to be the secret weapon for the next generation of athletes.

This episode is special to me as it bridges the gap between sports and spirituality, a less talked about gift that comes with playing team sports. Connor nudges us to curb our ego, shares his tips on how to settle into the present moment and stop pretending to be someone we really aren't. After 9 seasons in the NHL, Connor finally "lets his shoulders drop", a reminder he uses on the ice to help him tap into flow state so that he can play his best hockey. I have a sneaky feeling that whether you play pro sports or not, this episode will empower you to redefine success and find agency in your life.

Show Notes

In this episode you'll hear:

• How growing up as the oldest of 3 boys influenced and shaped Connor's sense of success

• How to move from "force to flow"

• How Connor embraces the spiritual side of the game and what that means for him

• How pretending/posturing is an energy drain

• How athletes struggle to balance the highs of the sympathetic and the mundane of the parasympathetic in sports

• The power of granting yourself permission to show up fully and lead

• Where the best version of you lives

• Connor's definition of unlearning and finding agency

If you loved this episode with Connor Carrick, click here to learn/hear more from him. Connor is on Instagram @connorcarrick and has his own podcasted called, "The Curious Competitor" which can be found on iTunes and Spotify.