In this episode of the Polestar Podcast by VELA Wealth, former NHL player, Andrew Ladd, discusses his transition from professional athlete to performance coach. Andrew shares details about his early introduction to hockey and the challenges he faced on his way to the NHL, and the triumphs, including being part of the team that won a Stanley Cup in his first year. Despite setbacks, Andrew persevered, overcoming serious injuries, and ultimately started the Ladd Foundation which focuses on helping young athletes prioritize mental health and find their voice in hockey. The primary initiative of the Ladd Foundation is 1616 which Andrew co-founded with his wife, Brandy, to support young athletes through sharing stories of veteran NHL players' experiences and providing mindset training and resilience. Andrew's experiences and insights make for an inspiring and impactful listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, mental health, and personal development.
Podcast Highlights:
· Listen to Andrew Ladd, a former NHL player and current performance coach, talk about his journey from childhood to the NHL.
· Discover how his competitive nature and ambition to win played a crucial part in his NHL success and continue to be one of the pillars that drives him forward to success today.
· Learn about his personal experience with injury and mental health struggles and how he overcame them while simultaneously making a difference for others in the sport.
· Andrew shares the impact the 1616 program has on young athletes and the impact it’s had on hundreds of teams.
· Discover how to overcome adversity, discomfort, and challenges with helpful performance advice.
About the Guest – Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd is a coach at Novus Global, bringing a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for unlocking the full potential of athletes both on and off the ice. As a retired professional hockey player and two-time Stanley Cup champion, his career serves as a testament to his deep understanding of the game and the resilience required for success.
Beyond his achievements in the hockey world, Andrew, alongside his wife Brandy, co-founded the Ladd Foundation and 1616, a holistic mental, physical, and social well-being experience tailored for youth hockey teams. This innovative initiative aims to foster healthy development among young athletes, emphasizing not only their skills on the ice but also their mental and social growth.
Andrew's journey from a successful playing career to coaching and philanthropy showcases his multifaceted approach to life. His leadership extends beyond the rink, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of hockey and making a positive impact on the lives of athletes through his coaching, foundation, and community initiatives.
About the Host – Kevin Parton
Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin diligently concentrates on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.