What do you do when the life you've built for nearly two decades suddenly hits a dead end? Last week, my special guest Brittany Lucic and I started a conversation that was as real as it gets, and today, we're finishing it. We're diving into that "reckoning" moment: the kind of raw, seven-hour talk that happens when you're days away from a divorce and finally decide to lay everything on the table.

Today, Brittany opens up about the side of this league that never makes the highlights. We're talking about the physical and mental toll of being the "villain," the secret injuries players carry just to keep their spot on the roster, and the terrifying reality of navigating a family crisis under a microscope.

But more than the hockey of it all, this is a story about what happens when you stop waiting for someone else to change and start doing the work for yourself. From finding a sense of peace in the Scottish highlands to learning how to lead with grace instead of resentment, Brittany's perspective is the breath of fresh air we all need. Settle in, because this conclusion is one that's going to stay with you.

I want to give a big thanks to Brittany for sharing such a personal story, and you can follow her journey further, @brittanylucic, on Instagram. If her story resonates or inspires you we'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode of the podcast!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• The raw reality of the 7-hour reckoning that occurred days before a finalized divorce and how it changed the trajectory of their family's future

• How to navigate heavy conversations around rehab and addiction with children so they feel supported without carrying the weight of adult issues

• A rare look at the invisible physical toll of the game and the story of Milan playing through a broken leg just to protect his career and trade value

• Why Brittany chooses to lead with empathy instead of anger when facing public slander and the damaged humans behind digital harassment

• Milan's evolution from denial to advocacy and how he now works behind the scenes to help other players navigate the stigma of mental health

• Defining the mission of Reclaimed Grace and why Brittany believes a partnership can only survive if both people are committed to individual growth

• Finding peace through the move to Scotland and the magic of seeing her children attend the same school as their great-grandparents

• Understanding the gentle soul behind the grit and why you can't judge the human by the character they play on the ice

LINKS:

Brittany's Website/The Reclaimed Grace Journey

Her Instagram

Milan's Hockey Profile

How do you navigate the most public, high-pressure seasons of your life when the private reality is falling apart behind the scenes? Today, I'm sitting down with Brittany Lucic for a conversation that, trust me, is as raw and unfiltered as it gets.

We're pulling back the curtain on nearly two decades in the NHL. Brittany is refreshingly honest about the reality of marriage under the spotlight, the complex dynamics of family trauma, and the moment she realized that "playing the game" meant she had to stop performing for others and start showing up for herself.

Whether you've struggled to find your footing in a new city or are navigating your own season of heavy transition, this conversation is the breath of fresh air every hockey group chat needs.

Next time, you won't want to miss the conclusion of my chat with Brittany, where we pick up right where we left off to discuss the path toward healing, reconciliation, and what happens when you finally decide to walk your own way. Grab your drink, settle in, and get ready for a conversation that will stay with you long after it's over!

Did something in this conversation I had with Brittany resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• The ruthless evolution of NHL WAG culture and why Brittany made it a non-negotiable mission to foster an inclusive community for new wives and girlfriends

• An honest look at the "big bad" Bruins era in Boston and the intense, high-pressure reality of navigating the city as a young, college-aged partner

• How Brittany and Milan managed the extreme public scrutiny and safety concerns during the 2011 Stanley Cup run in Vancouver

• Brittany opens up about the devastating loss of Milan's father and the subsequent struggle to navigate grief while raising three children

• Why she believes you cannot wait for a community to find you and the importance of being an active support for the other women in the league

• A behind-the-scenes look at the invisible pressures of professional sports

• How Brittany navigated the media bombardment during her most difficult season and the decision to prioritize her children's well-being above all else

• Her powerful perspective on why she refused to adopt a victim mentality, choosing instead to focus on accountability, Al-Anon, and personal growth

• What inspired the launch of Reclaimed Grace and why Brittany is so passionate about helping women find their identity beyond their partner's career

• The vital importance of showing up for your own life and why Brittany believes the truth will always set you free
  
  

LINKS:

Brittany's Website/The Reclaimed Grace Journey

Her Instagram

Milan's Hockey Profile

How do you handle the "midlife unraveling" when your body, your family, and your identity all seem to be shifting at the exact same time? Today, I'm sitting down with my long-time friend Petra Boumedienne for a conversation that is an absolute masterclass in resilience and self-discovery.

Petra and I go back nearly 18 years, and in that time, she has navigated 19 different organizations across her husband Josef's 15-year pro career. But as she refreshingly shares today, her journey didn't end when the skates were hung up. We dig deep into her transition from "hockey wife" to functional medicine expert and author, exploring the often invisible side of health that most doctors completely miss.

​​Whether you are navigating an empty nest, struggling to find your energy again, or just trying to remember who you are outside of the rink, this episode is the deep dive you've been waiting for. This isn't just a talk about hormones; it's a look at how we reclaim our power in a season of life that often tries to take it away. I'm so excited for you to hear Petra's perspective, so let's get into it!

Did something in this conversation I had with Petra resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Why Petra believes moving through seven countries by age seven built a unique sense of human closeness and adaptability in her boys

• An inside look at why looking for the root cause is the key to navigating perimenopause and why conventional medicine often fails women in midlife

• The reasons that stabilizing your blood sugar is the single most important action you can take to stop the afternoon crashes and midnight sweats

• Petra reveals the hormonal shifts men experience (especially retiring athletes) and why we need to start talking about their loss of confidence and testosterone

• Why she refuses to accept the idea that it's finally "her turn" now that Josef has retired, and her advice for finding your own lane in this lifestyle

• What inspired Petra to write a novel where the transition of midlife is actually a character, making the science of our bodies finally feel relatable and human

• The non-negotiable lifestyle habits she uses to maintain high performance while raising three elite athletes

• A powerful perspective on why you should never perform for others' expectations and the importance of staying true to your own interests, no matter where the game takes you

LINKS:

Petra's Book, What I Didn't Know I Needed: A novel about perimenopause, change, and coming home to yourself

Petra's Website & Instagram

Josef's Player Profile

How do you build a future that's bigger than the game while you're still living in the thick of a contract year? Today, I'm sitting down with the incredible Madison Marshall, and she is pull-no-punches honest about what it really takes to thrive as an import partner in a new country.

We're talking about the transition from hockey wife to business owner with the launch of The Hockey House MN, and why Madison believes preparing for the next chapter is the most productive thing a couple can do for their current season. From building community and inclusivity with all of the wives/girlfriends (regardless of what stage of life they're in) to the logistical chaos of explaining a career with no permanent zip code to family back home, Madison shares the strategic roadmap for staying level-headed when the highs are high and the lows are subterranean.

If you've ever felt like an outcast in a new city or wondered how to turn a passion project into a community staple, Madison is here to show you the way. Grab a beer and settle in, because this conversation is the breath of fresh air every hockey group chat needs!

Did something in this conversation I had with Madison resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Why you can't wait for a community to find you and how being an active villager is the only way to build a real support system

• The origin story of how Madison and Ben turned a supply and demand gap in the Twin Cities into an elite, small-group training brand

• A look into the unwritten rules of game night etiquette and why Madison believes leading with an open invite is the only way to ensure no one feels like an outcast

• A relatable breakdown of the specific stress of a season where everything counts and nobody has a plan

• The ways in which Ben helps bring Madison back to center when the lifestyle feels overwhelming

• An honest conversation on why maintaining relationships with friends and family back home is something you have to actively work on and prioritize

• The honest admission Madison has about being more ritual-focused than the guy on the ice

• What she's doing to smash the stigma around retirement and why she is a huge advocate for preparing for the next chapter now

• The expert-level strategy used by Madison for making a temporary apartment in Germany feel like a permanent home

• Some of the non-negotiable food items and comforts she hauls overseas to keep homesickness at bay

LINKS:

Madison's TikTok, YouTube & Instagram

The Hockey House's Website

Ben's Hockey Profile

12: Vibes, Vision & Living Fully : How Catie McDonald Built a Life Through Hockey

11: Unsupervised : No Game Plan (My Solo Episode)

How do you go from a viral TikTok about losing your job to a thriving remote career in Germany? Today, I'm sitting down with the absolute breath of fresh air that is Catie McDonald, and she's giving us the real, unfiltered look at life as an import partner.

We're diving into the logistical nightmare of moving a 70lb Labradoodle across Europe and why Catie is the self-proclaimed "saleswoman" for the hidden gem of Slovenia. From the middle-child luck of double-income households to the hilarious reality of being the spare human to a dog who only has eyes for her hockey-dad husband, Catie is a masterclass in making the most of every zip code.

She also drops some serious knowledge on the non-sexy side of the business(like the one thing you must have in your contract) and why saying yes to uncomfortable social situations is the only way to build your village from scratch. We even bond over our shared illness of pre-game superstitions and the essential snacks we haul overseas just to feel a little bit of home.

If you're ready to stop playing it safe and start leaning into the beautiful mishaps of this lifestyle, this conversation is your roadmap. Grab a drink and settle in, because Catie is about to become your new favorite hockey sister!

Did something in this conversation I had with Catie resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Catie shares why she is the #1 advocate for the hidden gem of Slovenia and describes the magic of charcuterie on Budapest's Chain Bridge

• The surreal story of how a viral TikTok about losing her job actually landed Catie her current remote career in digital marketing

• A breakdown of the stress, high costs, and confusing paperwork involved in moving a "service dog" (who is actually a 70lb Labradoodle) across EU borders

• A look into the benefits of a double-income hockey household and the "middle-child luck" that allows Catie to thrive in sales while living in Germany

• What Catie and I think of pet loyalty and why the dogs always treat the "hockey dad" like a returning king while Mom is just the one who provides the snacks

• Why saying "yes" to uncomfortable social situations is the only way to build a support system from scratch as a hockey wife in a new city

• A relatable breakdown of the "illness" of hockey superstitions, from identical pre-game rituals to the wives accidentally eating heavy pre-game meals because they're "just there"

• Catie's super smart advice for new partners and what you absolutely have to consider about contracts in this professional hockey life we live

• Her honest admission about being a "vibes" girl who relies on the crowd's reaction to know when to be angry, especially in the different atmosphere of German hockey

• The essential comforts Catie hauls overseas, including American Advil, high-sugar granola, and the spice blends that keep homesickness at bay
  
  

LINKS:

Catie's TikTok & Instagram

Trevor's Hockey Profile

11: Unsupervised : No Game Plan (My Solo Episode)

What do you actually do when you've driven 39 hours across Europe only to realize you're locked inside a Wi-Fi-less apartment with a dog that needs to pee and a husband who has the only key? Why does it feel like a personal betrayal to leave a season seat in Scotland, and is the "coaching transition" really just a glorified lesson in instability? I'm flying solo this week with my very first Q&A episode to answer the messy, blunt, and as you'll hear, occasionally spicy questions you sent my way.

We're getting into the "milestone tax" of missing weddings back home, the absurdity of finding a fully staffed office in my supposed living room in Poland, and the Canadian survival kit I force my guests to smuggle through customs. I'm even addressing that one "See You Next Tuesday" DM because, let's be real, someone had to, and if you know me, I just had to respond.

This life is a beautiful, exhausting, zero-star disaster sometimes, and it's about time we talked about the parts that don't make the highlight reel. If you've ever felt like a stranger at your own family's dinner table or just want to know how we survive 18 moves, pull up a chair and settle in for this one!

I want to thank everybody who sent in questions, and as always, for listening and your support. If you like this style of episode, maybe I'll do another one and your question could be answered next time! If there are any other topics you would like to hear, or if you'd like to appear as a guest here, please don't hesitate to reach out to me and send me a little message on Instagram, @wereinonepod. We'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• The one specific mindset I've realized you have to adopt to survive the constant change after decades in this professional hockey lifestyle

• What I'd like others to understand about the "milestone tax" we pay every time a birthday or a retirement party happens without us back home

• A move we made that showed us the gold standard for how an organization should treat a family - and it changed my entire perspective on relocation

• I get real about whether constant moving actually hurts our kids or if it's secretly their biggest competitive advantage in life

• Why I'm calling out the unwritten rules about how coaches' wives are "supposed" to behave

• How on some days I'd give this life zero stars and a "do not recommend" warning, but there's one reward that keeps me from walking away

• Why leaving Scotland was so heartbreaking and felt like I was abandoning a family member

• The story of the time we were literally locked inside a temporary apartment for six hours with no phones, no Wi-Fi, and a dog that really needed to go out

• My "Canadian Survival Kit" and the three non-negotiables I make every visitor smuggle through customs for me

• A frustrating situation when we discovered a fully functioning business operating inside what was supposed to be our living room

• Why the move to behind the bench is 100% less secure than being on the ice, and how we handle the pressure of knowing the coach is always the first to go

• You'll get to hear a hate message and the "spicy" DM I received from a troll (yes, I'm sharing the unintelligent question they asked and the exact response I sent back)

• A final reminder of why I'm so grateful for this amazing life that we choose to live
  
  

LINKS:

09: 23 Years of Hockey Life: Identity, New Beginnings, and Building a Family with Bianca Lajeunesse Aubin

What happens when the hockey "dream" is suddenly interrupted by a life-altering tragedy? How do you find the strength to heal when your world is moving cities every few months? My special guest today is the firecracker that is April McCallum, and her story is a masterclass in resilience.

From the heartbreaking moment her partner Jordan Cownie signed with her late father's favorite team to honor his legacy, to the "ringleader" energy she brings to every locker room, April isn't just along for the ride - she's driving the fun!

We're diving into the reality of pivoting from a thankless career to finding professional stability, the secret "sisterhood" of the UK hockey scene, and why she's making sure the women behind the players get their own trophies too. We even scheme about the ultimate post-season escape: an overdue girls' night in Budapest…

If you've ever felt lost in the shuffle of a partner's career or just need a reminder of the power of a supportive community, what are you waiting for? Hit play because this one with April is just what you've been waiting for!

Did something in this conversation I had with April resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• April shares the surreal story of meeting Jordan online and discovering their bizarrely intertwined roots between Glasgow and Milton Keynes

• A look into the unique structure of the EIHL and NIHL through her partner's career path and the distinction between "import" and "local" player dynamics

• How the Guildford Flames organization and April's "hockey sisters" provided a vital support system during her healing journey after the sudden loss of her father

• The way April and Jordan honored her father by returning to the Glasgow Clan arena and sitting in his season ticket seat

• April's 10-year journey in property management and her strategic shift into the software industry to build professional stability, all while living the hockey lifestyle

• Why she took on the role of the team organizer in Milton Keynes and some of the cool things she did to foster inclusivity

• A humorous breakdown of the common misconceptions about the lifestyle and why most wives are actually social butterflies who rarely know the final score of the game

• The logistical (and expensive!) challenges of moving dogs across Europe and the UK
  
  

LINKS:

Jordan's Hockey Profile

What happens when the "dream life" of a pro-hockey partner hits the reality of needing your own identity? Can you actually build something for yourself when your entire life is at the mercy of the next trade or a contract in Europe?

Today's episode is a bit longer, but trust me, you need every minute of the 23 years of stories my guest Bianca is sharing. She's lived the ultimate pivot, from the quiet (and sometimes lonely) grind of raising a family in Germany to the sheer grit it takes to launch a business in a country where you don't even speak the language.

We're getting into the real stuff: the power of the "hockey wife" survival sisterhood, the struggle to keep your own professional fire burning, and how to stay grounded when you're living without a permanent map.

If you've ever felt like you were living in the shadow of someone else's career and you're ready for a serious shot of ambition and truth, then hit play because we're going deep in this one.

Did something in this conversation I had with Bianca resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• Bianca's early transition into the hockey world and the unique perspective she gained while navigating her partner's career in Canada and abroad\

• The emotional (and logistical) reality of moving a young family across borders, including the specific challenges of settling into life in Germany

• A deep dive into Bianca's entrepreneurial journey and how she successfully balanced raising children while launching a business in a foreign country

• Some of the big ways that the "hockey wife" community serves as a vital support system for her

• The strategic ways Bianca pivoted her professional skills to adapt to the European market as she grows her own empire

• Her thoughts on navigating the language barrier and cultural shifts in local communities she's lived in with her family

• Bianca's insightful advice on managing the high-pressure "waiting game" of contract seasons and the uncertainty of professional sports life

• The evolution of her own personal brand and how she leveraged her unique experiences to inspire other women in similar transition periods

• A look at the long-term career planning required for life after hockey and the steps Bianca and her family are taking to prepare for the next chapter

• Reflections on the enduring strength of the "Canadian connection" and something that Bianca just can't live without when being away from Quebec
  
  

LINKS:

Bianca's Instagram

Brent's Hockey Profile