When The Hockey Life Stops Feeling Like a Dream with Elle Mingoia

Elle Mingoia, wife of Trevor Mingoia, who finished his last professional hockey season playing in Valerenga, Norway, joins me on the podcast today. This episode is real, raw and vulnerable and an episode where I know a lot of women will feel heard. We chat about:  Having kids adds a whole new layer to hockey decisions The mental load of hockey life (on and off the ice) How the business side of hockey is changing for families: Logistics, Needs and being told one thing and showing up to another The uncertainty of what comes next after hockey Why no one really prepares you for retirement The identity shift that comes with this lifestyle Thinking about life beyond hockey… before you have to and so much more! I can't wait for you guys to listen to this episode. If you are struggling in this lifestyle, please reach out or confide in someone you trust. You are not alone!    Follow the podcast on Instagram  Follow Elle on Instagram Support Elle's business/follow on Instagram: Peach Lab Charleston   LINKS: Get 35% off your first BEAM order with the code ICE Get 15% off your first NUULY order!  

Yakira Gill, wife of Sahir Gill, who plays in Hannover Germany in the Del3, joins me on the podcast! Over the past 8 years in Europe, Yakira has such a positive perspective about their hockey journey and this is a must listen if you need a little inspo to make the best of it! In this episode we chat about:  What her and her family ask for from teams when making a decision of where to sign  Finding joy in the small moments The European Hockey experience and what that has been like for her and her three kids  First year culture shock and the adjustment period Her birth experiences in Europe vs. North America  Birth Advice for those giving birth abroad and so much more!    Follow me on Instagram Follow Yakira on Instagram  Get 35% off your first BEAM order with the code ice  Get 15% off your first NUULY order

Buckle up. Today is the day my solo episode is out and I am catching you up you up to speed on my life. This episode is HONEST. This isn't a universal episode, or an episode where I am speaking for everyone. It's simply me sharing my truth. Whenever I record these solo episodes, I always listen back and think there are more things I wish I said or described! But I sat down one night during an away game, and shared my truth!  In this episode I am chatting about:  Why we originally went overseas and what drew us to hockey there Walking through our Euro journey  What I enjoy about the lifestyle over there Why we made the decision to be done with Europe Loneliness abroad and how that deeply affected my mental health Sharing our conversations about what life may look like after hockey Online noise about the hockey life the ECHL strike over Christmas How I am staying grounded and what I am focusing on with a crazy North American hockey schedule Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram 

Today on Breaking the Ice, I am joined by Caitlyn Mantha, wife of Anthony Mantha, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL! In this episode we chat about:  Navigating Unpredictability in this lifestyle: trades, moves and what they do every season with their living arrangements Flexibility and her roll with it attitude for surviving constant change How they prioritize and focus on their relationship throughout the hockey season Solo parenting and long roadtrips How she has evolved throughout her years in the hockey lifestyle and so much more!   Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Follow Caitlyn on Instagram Get 10% off your TELETIES order

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Marianna Theodore, wife of Shea Theodore from the Vegas Golden Knights! We dive into: How they navigated the early days of a long-distance relationship. The fun and unique traditions the wives have every year in Vegas. Experiencing the highs (and emotions) of winning the Stanley Cup. A behind the scenes look at life in a pro hockey family. How they find connection and balance as parents amidst a fast-paced lifestyle. and so much more!   Follow the Podcast on Instagram Follow Mariana on Instagram Use Rents4Baby next time you travel (Code ICE10 for 10% off your order) Get Game Day Ready with JEOVERSEAS  

Today on the Breaking the Ice, I am joined by Caitlin and Chelsea, the women behind the Instagram page @themamapsychologists  ! We chat about the unique challenges of motherhood in hockey life. From postpartum anxiety and depression to solo parenting during road trips, this episode will help you navigate life away from your support systems. We dive into:  The Importance of Community in Postpartum How isolation, especially living overseas, impacts new mothers NICU Experience and Trauma Differentiating Baby Blues from Postpartum Mental Health Issues Partner Preparation and Support Social Media Boundaries and Mental Health Managing info overload and algorithm driven anxiety content Solo Parenting and Self Care Practical strategies for managing alone time during hockey season This is a MUST listen for moms everywhere!   Follow my page on Instagram Get 20% off your first Little Bipsy Order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20

This week, I’m joined by Clarabelle Knyzhov, wife of Nikolai Knyzhov, who plays for the Abbotsford Cannucks in the AHL. Clarabelle is a former Naval Flight Officer turned graduate student, whose story is nothing short of inspiring! From serving her country to navigating the unpredictable world of professional hockey alongside her Russian husband, Clarabelle opens up about discipline, identity, and the resilience it takes to thrive in both military and hockey life! What you’ll hear in this episode: How military discipline prepared Clarabelle for the unpredictability of hockey life Her perspective as a first-generation American and why she chose to serve in the Navy Meeting her husband on Hinge and navigating years of long-distance Early relationship challenges with international career decisions and Russia opportunities Balancing two demanding careers and learning to compartmentalize stress Breaking stereotypes about military women and hockey players and more! Follow the Podcast on Instagram! Follow Clarabelle on Instagram!    EPISODE SPONSORS: Get 20% off your first Little Bipsy order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20 Get 15% off Poppy and Pine with the code HOCKEY15   

This week on Breaking the Ice, I chat with Lauren Rodych-Eberle, wife to Jordan Eberle, captain of the Seattle Kraken. Lauren and I dive into what life looks like in the hockey world as a captain’s family, raising three kids, and building a life that changes every season! We talk about: The difference between in season and off season rhythms What it means to be “the captain’s wife” (and the role that comes with it) Navigating trades and the constant possibility of moving Conscious parenting and how to ground your kids in the chaos Having real conversations with older kids about leaving and getting settled for the hockey season Finding balance and identity outside of hockey while raising three little ones Lauren also shares about their family foundation, Sticks and Strings, which supports music and hockey programming for kids. From helping provide instruments to funding hockey camps and clinics, it’s all about creating opportunities for kids to find confidence and connection through both sports and the arts. This is one of my faves, enjoy! Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Shop Little Bipsy and Get 20% Off Your First Order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20 Get 40% off at Cozy Earth with the code ICE40   Follow Lauren on Instagram  Follow Sticks and Strings Foundation Contribute to their Foundation

Today on the podcast, Erin Forsberg joins with me! Erin is the wife to, Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators. We talk about how she’s built a life in a city she loves, the balance between two demanding careers, and what it’s like to step into the hockey world. We chat about her music career, navigating motherhood with a toddler while her husband is on the road, and the friendships that make the hockey community feel like family!   Follow my podcast on Instagram Follow Erin on Instagram Get 40% off your Cozy Earth Order with the code ICE40 $15 off ANY Zoe Stroller

Kayla Alber, wife of former pro hockey player Patch Alber, joins me on Breaking the Ice today to talk about life after European hockey. She opens up about what the transition back to the U.S. really looked like after Patch’s retirement, everything from navigating an unexpected identity shift to adjusting as a parent without the support of their tight knit hockey community. It’s an honest, down to earth conversation about change, growth, and finding your footing after such a unique chapter of life.   Get 40% off your Cozy Earth order with the code ICE40, the softest bedding you'll ever own just got even better.   Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram   Follow Kayla on Instagram   Past Episode with Kayla