Never Far from Home Ep. 328 - Roller hockey passion and growth

Ron Alexander comes on the show with a rich history of participating in the roller hockey world. We dive into his beginnings in southern California, and how he became engrossed with the game that would become his life. He speaks to stories of playing street vs street when he was young, following up with tales from St. Louis in the early 80's for National's. Ron has been involved with the rink community ever since he was 10, and in his adult life, he got into management as well. He continues to play to this day, and has been lucky to have a supportive family that has backed his dreams. Enjoy. https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Emma Gardner jumps on the podcast, and we are able to explore a timeline riddled with passion for the game. She is a southern California girl who started in roller, found her love for goaltending, and excelled both in the roller world, and also on ice when she began playing that as well. We speak of her time in some different organizations in southern California, how she was able to navigate the Covid year, and how she managed to advocate for herself throughout her career. Emma also has battled some medical challenges, and is a Never Far from Home recipient. We speak to her medical story. You do not want to miss this one. https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Monica Quimby joins the show and we were able to dive into a fascinating tale. It includes a history of skiing, which ended in a bad accident leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Ever the athlete, she began competing in disabled sports, and found sled hockey in her mid-twenties. It took over a huge piece of her heart, and she has been passionate about growing the women's game on a global scale. We explore her stories, from Green Bay to Norway, from Slovakia to Australia, and so many places in between. Enjoy the many tales of a fearless athlete who challenges paradigms daily. https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

David Hartle joins the podcast, and we are able to explore his timeline, which has always come back to the game of hockey. While he only started playing full time within the last decade, he has been a fan since childhood. We dive into his humble beginnings within the game, and how that was able to transition into action with Columbus Street Hockey. Our talk goes through the starting of this non-profit, and details how you the listener can get involved. David speaks to an amazing tale of Columbus Street Hockey and some of the incredible people who have taken this organization from roots, to the doorstep of building their own rink for the kids participating. Enjoy! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Zac Pearson joins the podcast, and we are able to explore his timeline that is full of passion for the game. While he navigated his professional career within the game, with a number of seasons playing pro in a few different leagues, he realized he would inevitably fall into coaching at some point. That Realization came to fruition, and he was owner, GM, and head coach for a number of teams in the JR hockey ranks, most notably the Decatur Blaze for over a decade. Zac continues to pursue his love of the game, and spreads it globally with European tours he hosts for kids, with some exhibition games mixed in. Recently he has begun a challenging fight to rid his body of cancer. Find out more on the Never Far from Home website as to how you can help him in his battle! https://www.neverfarfromhome.org/give/zac/   https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Delaney Collins joins the show and we hop right into a timeline that included growing up in Manitoba, earning a spot on the Canadian National team for a number of years, and eventually getting into coaching. There are a number of challenges she speaks about overcoming, and how her road led her to today, a family lady with a hockey job. She is currently coaching the Hungarian women's team, as of this release date, and is set to push for the Olympics with them in 2030. Enjoy tales from a brilliant hockey mind, and someone who has recently picked up a tennis habit. https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Garner Christensen joins the show a couple episodes after his mother was on. We dive into some storytelling about a young man who loves the game of hockey. He was involved from a young age, and ended up as a goalie. We spoke to decision making, and the challenge he faced stepping away from the game as a teenager to pursue a track for college baseball. He found his success, and has since returned to Washington after his collegiate career. Enjoy the tales from a second Christensen!! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://43degreesports.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Guy Mitchell joins the podcast after a long push and pull to get him on! We were finally able to lock down a day to meet up, and the stories did not disappoint. We dive into family, and a history of Mitchell's who loved the game of hockey, and excelled at it. From his Grandpa, to his dad, and eventually to Guy himself. Enjoy the tales of a hockey centric man that found himself falling in love with his second passion in life, being on the water. From the shores of Lake Erie, to Tahoe, to San Francisco, and eventually Washington, Guy has done his share of Captaining. We explore it all, and of course we crack a few brews as well. Enjoy! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://43degreesports.com/ https://summitcustomsticks.com/

Mason Wade joins the podcast on a trip home to Bellingham. We find time to share stories about his youth hockey days, falling in love with hockey right there at the sportsplex. Mason tells of his family connection, and how the guys in the room grew to be family as well. He speaks to his junior hockey experience, and ensuing collegiate run as well. Enjoy the many tales! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://43degreesports.com/

Shannyn Pierce comes on the podcast and we dive into the laughter right off the hop. There were stories about growing up a fan of the game, and her family. Then we talk about how her kids getting involved in the game ended up being a catalyst for her to partake again as a player. She has a personality that is avidly chasing down her passion, and we talk about how she has managed to balance it all with her love of hockey, and the many-times mentioned community of the game. Enjoy! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/ https://43degreesports.com/