Ben Gordon on Coaching Confidence and Character

Description

How does an undersized forward from International Falls become a key player for the Minnesota Gophers—and then return as a coach to help athletes thrive mentally and physically?

In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete Podcast, host and mental performance expert Hans Skulstad is joined by Ben Gordon, current assistant coach for the University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey Team and former standout Gophers forward. Ben opens up about his athlete-to-coach journey, sharing how the lessons he learned as a player now shape how he mentors and supports the next generation of hockey talent.

From battling self-doubt as a player to emphasizing the value of mental fitness and resilience as a coach, Ben shares powerful insights into how focus, confidence, and mindset impact performance at the highest levels of the game. This conversation goes deep on navigating pressure, coaching the mental side of hockey, and helping athletes manage both the internal and external demands of competitive sports.

This episode is for:

✅ Hockey players aiming to improve their mental game

✅ Parents of athletes navigating performance pressure

✅ Coaches building resilient teams

✅ Anyone interested in the future of sports psychology in hockey

🔑 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

01:00 – Introducing Ben Gordon: From player to Gophers coach

02:18 – The challenges of being an undersized forward and developing resilience

03:22 – Shifting from player to coach: Mental fitness insights

15:27 – The role of mentorship and key moments that shaped Ben’s path

22:33 – Final advice for athletes and coaches on mental performance

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