My Most Frequently Taught Techniques for Peak Readiness
These are three go-to methods I share most often with elite athletes and high performers to maintain a calm, centered, and fully prepared state. They work well because they are designed to bridge mind, body, and breath for consistent excellence under pressure.
The Water Trick
The “water trick” is a simple reset technique where you take a mouthful of cool or room‑temperature water, hold it in your mouth while noticing the temperature change, then swallow, repeating if needed. It matters because it offers a quick, discreet way to reset the mind, body, and nervous system after a "mistake" during play or whenever you need a fast mental/physical reset.
Brain Balancing Breath
Brain balancing breath (alternate nostril breathing) is a simple technique where you use your fingers to alternately close each nostril while breathing in and out, which helps synchronize the brain’s two hemispheres. It matters because it supports athletes (and others) in balancing their thoughts and instincts, so they can both think clearly and respond instinctively under pressure.
Ready & Steady Breath
The Ready and Steady (eight-stroke) breath is a technique where you inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth in multiple short, equal strokes to create a state of “active calm.” It matters because it helps athletes stay actively engaged while also steadying their skills, preventing them from becoming either overly hyped or too relaxed to perform at their best.
What to do when the "Honeymoon Period" is over
November is often the roughest month in junior hockey: scoring droughts, getting scratched, relationship blowups, and players quietly wanting to quit.
In this 55-minute parent webinar, holistic performance coach Jen Wheaton (current coach for dozens of Professional, Junior Hockey and NCAA players) explains why this crash happens every single year, why it’s normal and necessary, and gives you the exact tools and phrases that actually help.
Delivered November 17, 2025
Presented to parents of OHL players