In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️, Dr. Naser sits down with Mike Maresca, manual therapist for the Carolina Hurricanes, to discuss what it takes to support elite athletes behind the scenes. They explore the often overlooked role of support staff in the NHL and the mental skills required to operate in a high performance environment.

Dr. Naser and Mike discuss mental resilience, emotional regulation, confidence, and self trust when working closely with professional athletes throughout a demanding season. They also explore how routines evolve during training camp and the regular season, how support staff navigate mistakes and pressure, and the importance of psychological flexibility in professional sports.

Key topics include:
• Mental health and habits for support staff working with high performers
• Psychological flexibility and handling mistakes as part of the game
• Confidence, humility, and self trust in high performance roles
• Emotional regulation when supporting athletes and team environments
• How routines and mental preparation evolve throughout an NHL season
• Behind the scenes responsibilities that often go unnoticed
• Lessons learned from six seasons supporting NHL athletes

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and the importance of support staff in hockey
02:00 Mike Maresca’s background and role with the Carolina Hurricanes
03:50 Daily routines and balancing work with family life
04:55 Mental health and habit development
05:45 Psychological flexibility in high pressure environments
07:00 Learning from mistakes without self criticism
08:30 Mistakes vs part of the game in hockey
09:50 Confidence and humility in high performance
11:05 Emotional regulation strategies
13:00 Building self trust and confidence
14:00 Self awareness and trusting your abilities
15:50 Challenges and rewards of professional sports support roles
20:00 Mental readiness across six NHL seasons
22:00 Routine adjustments during training camp vs season
23:50 Misunderstandings about support staff contributions
26:00 Lessons learned and rewarding aspects of the role

This episode highlights the behind the scenes work that supports athletic excellence at the highest level. Whether you work in sports or other high performance environments, the conversation emphasizes resilience, emotional intelligence, and self trust.

Dr. Naser’s links:
https://linktr.ee/alicianaser
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Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@alicianaser
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/

Disclaimer: Guests appear in a personal capacity and participation does not imply endorsement or affiliation with any team, league, or employer. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and are for informational and discussion purposes only. Content is not intended as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance. Blades & Behavior™️ is produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All content is protected under U.S. and international copyright law.