Navigating Long Distance in the Hockey World with Rachel Novak

Courtlyn Fazakas, girlfriend of Brett Ferguson, who plays for the Guildford Flames in the EIHL, joins me on Breaking the Ice today! In this episode, she reflects on her journey from small-town life to navigating the perks and challenges of moving abroad with her partner and building a career and sense of purpose in a new country. In this episode we chat about:  Shifting from corporate life to fitness and finding her passion. Adjusting to life as a hockey spouse, handling shared spaces, and making new friends.  Her experience with mental health and medication  Advice for starting your own business  and so much more! Plug your headphones in and enjoy this episode!   Follow along on Instagram with BTI Want to be a Guest? Follow Courtlyn on Instagram  Follow Life on the Court   

In this episode of Breaking the Ice, Rachel Novak, girlfriend of Michael Cichy, who plays for the Fife Flyers in the EIHL, joins me! Rachel and Michael have been in a long-distance relationship for over eight years. We dive into the challenges, lessons, and strategies of maintaining a strong relationship while apart, focusing on the unique struggles that come with the hockey lifestyle.   In this episode we talk about: The emotional rollercoaster of long-distance relationships. Managing communication with time zone differences and hockey’s unpredictable schedule. The impact of long-distance on mental health and anxiety. Practical strategies for maintaining trust and staying busy while apart.   Follow me on Instagram Follow Rachel on Instagram  Order Custom Hockey Swag from Daisy May Designs  

Today is a minisode with me, your host!  Here are some things I chat about in this episode: Missing big life moments during the hockey season (weddings, babies, trips to see family) Sacrifices that we make as significant others in this lifestyle  Not trying to fix or get to the bottom of your feelings and just letting yourself feel them Our travel day over to the UK Navigating our kids having a hard time with the hockey season transition and how I've supported them with these changes  Moving and how it affects you mentally HOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LIFE FIGURED OUT IN A WEEK (say it louder for the people in the back)   Follow me on IG!  Be a GUEST on BTI. CUSTOM GAME DAY APPAREL for the hockey season from custom.by.elle

We all know it best, the hockey life is chaotic and this absolutely can make it challenging in your relationship when there are always additional stressors at play. Today on the podcast I have couples therapist, Tracy Dalgleish, who is a podcaster, author, and a force in the online space! In this episode we talk about: Learning to tune into your own needs when you are living in constant chaos How to express your needs to your partner before you're in a state of overwhelm Not letting you partners bad game affect your mood and WHY you let it How your early childhood experiences an impact how you feel + communicate in your relationship Social media and how it gives us a false sense of closeness Ways to prepare for a baby with your partner Boundaries  In Law Relationships Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram  Follow Dr. Tracy on Instagram! Work with Dr. Tracy Grab Her Book: I Didn't Sign Up For This  Dr. Tracy's First Episode on BTI: Resentment, Acceptance + Making Space in Your Relationship  

Natalie Miller, wife of JT Miller who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, joins me on Breaking the Ice Podcast today. If there's one episode that will make you laugh, this one is it.   In this episode we talk about: Long Distance, Call Ups + Send Downs Being A Mom Away from Home + Postpartum  Losing a Parent During the Hockey Season and Signs She Has Received from Her Mom Since She's Passed How Getting Traded + Leaving the House She Built and Designed Led Her to Find Her Passion Tips on How to Follow Your Dreams + Start a Career (while also supporting your significant other) How to Have A More Inclusive Hockey Season What a NHL Wives Fund Is How to Get More Involved in the Community    Follow Breaking the Ice on IG  Get $15 off Your Zoe Stroller!  Use the code ICE10 for 10% off your Aircot!  Follow Natalie on Instagram Hire Natalie for Interior Design (for 2025 ;)) 

Sarah Bross, wife of Zack Bross, who finished his last season in the Del3, joins me on Breaking the Ice Today! In this episode, we chat about:  Long Distance in college and what she would go back and tell her younger self What made them take the leap to Europe The importance of getting things in writing + doing your due diligence Culture Shock Recognizing the positives of this lifestyle while you're in it Instagram v. Reality and the biggest misconceptions  Tips for traveling in Europe on a budget and her favorite place she's ever traveled in Europe What she doesn't recommend bringing to Europe and how she packed lightly for the season Follow me on Instagram Get $15 off your Zoe Stroller  Follow Sarah on Instagram   

Emmeli Rakell, wife of Rickard Rakell, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, joins me this week on Breaking the Ice! Emmeli and her husband are Swedish and have spent a portion of their lives living in the US, while Rickard plays in the NHL.   In this episode we talk about:   What it was like for Emmeli moving to the US, while hardly speaking English   How isolating it can be to not have other people around who speak the same language as you   What it has been like for her experiencing a new culture + new friends   How she has changed her mindset in regards to this lifestyle   Having a baby in the USA, as a Swede, and how things changed for her once she had kids in this lifestyle    Driving differences between USA + Europe and other hilarious culture differences between Europeans and Americans and so much more!   Follow the podcast on Instagram!  Follow Emmeli on Instagram! Be a guest on Breaking the Ice Get $15 off your Zoe Stroller!  Get 15% off your Nemah Order!

Haley Palve, wife of Oula Palve, who plays hockey in Tampere Finland, joins me on BTI and shares her personal journey with infertility and IVF with me. Throughout this episode, we dive into: What it was like experiencing infertility + how it affected her mental health What led her to choose the IVF route and the steps that she took to get there What she wishes she knew about IVF before she started the process Advice on how to support someone through IVF and what NOT to say to someone experiencing infertility Finding success with IVF + how she told her partner (via long distance!) Her pregnancy + how the healthcare has been in Finland!   Follow the podcast on Instagram!  Be a guest on Breaking the Ice Get $15 off your Zoe Stroller!  Haley's First Episode on BTI Follow Haley on IG   Other BTI episodes on IVF: Her Journey with IVF with Sandra Szczechura Our Fertility Journey: Miscarriages, IVF and Surrogacy with Terra O'Reilly Never Give Up, a journey to motherhood with Jamie Machacek   Helpful Podcasts + Accounts to Follow! Podcast: The Egg Whisperer Show Accounts: @the.fertilitydietitian @infertilityschool  

Join me in this episode of real, authentic conversation with Laura Caggiula, wife of Drake Caggiula, who plays in the AHL for the Bakersfield Condors. If you're a mom or just curious about the challenges of motherhood in the hockey lifestyle with two children under two, this episode is just for you! Laura and I share our experiences of raising two children under two in an open and honest dialogue. Here are some highlights from our conversation The realities of motherhood and how to balance responsibilities Strategies for managing stress and self-care Our experiences with raising children in a fast-paced lifestyle The importance of community support and building a network  Nervous System Dysregulation Latching onto Schedules because it's the one thing we have control over Resentment  Hockey culture + how it shifts after having kids Game Day Routines with Two Under Two    Follow me on Instagram!  Be a Guest on BTI!  Support my Online Children's Shop! Shop my MUST HAVE baby items! Follow Laura on Instagram

Megan McIlvane, wife of Matt McIlvane, who is the head coach for the San Diego Gulls, joins me on the pod today for a much anticipated coach's wife episode!   In this episode we talk about SO much but to name a few:  Leaving her passion and career to move to Europe with her now husband Her take on whether coach's wives and player's wives should be friends The time commitment of a coach's wife A positive perspective on schedule of a hockey player The grey area of what the code is for including coach's wives How she would handle an iffy situation if one came about AND BEYOND MORE! This conversation was so much fun to have and I hope you all enjoy!   Megan sits on the board of directors for a non-profit called Megan's Mission, named after an unbelievable girl who fought childhood cancer fearlessly. They are 100% volunteer based and have raised over 2 million for more up to date treatments and cures for childhood cancers. The hockey community is so great and any support would be greatly appreciated! Click here! www.instagram.com/megansmission