Achieving Excellence: Kelly Pannek on Mental Fitness and Coaching
In this episode of the Love Your Inner Athlete podcast, host Hans Skulstad delves into the extraordinary career and mental fitness journey of Kelly Pannek, co-head coach of the Benilde St. Margaret's girls hockey team and an accomplished player with national championships and an Olympic medal. Kelly shares her beginnings in hockey, transitioning from boys to girls teams, and her storied playing career including her role in Minnesota's inaugural women's professional hockey team. The conversation highlights her experiences as a high school athlete, the critical role of mental performance in her development, and her transition to coaching. Key insights include the importance of resilience, preparation, and embracing one's role on a team. The discussion also touches on the challenges and rewards of coaching, the evolving landscape of women's sports, and the emphasis on mental health and overall well-being for athletes.
Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:59 Meet Kelly Pannek: From Player to Coach
01:58 Kelly's Early Hockey Journey
06:10 High School Sports Experience
08:37 Leadership Lessons and Challenges
11:13 Mental Performance in Sports
15:53 The Rise of Women's Professional Hockey
20:20 The Pressure of Being a Young Athlete
21:20 Navigating Mental Health in Sports
21:35 Handling Social Media and Comparisons
22:41 Strategies for Managing Game Pressure
23:13 Preparation and Trust in Team Dynamics
26:04 Coaching Philosophy and Challenges
30:03 Building Team Culture and Communication
39:07 Balancing Playing and Coaching Roles
41:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Visit https://www.centerforsportsandmind.com/ to learn more about Mental Fitness and take your next step!
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