Podcast appearances and mentions of ben fanelli

In this episode of Curious Conversations, we're joined by someone truly inspiring—Ben Fanelli. You might remember him as the former captain of the Kitchener Rangers or the OHL player who defied the odds, returning to the ice stronger than ever after a traumatic brain injury. But there's so much more to Ben than just hockey.Now a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Heroic Minds, Ben is changing the way we think about mental health. His message? Embrace the journey. We're not just the sum of what happens to us—we're the heroes of our own stories. This conversation is packed with wisdom for teenagers wondering what's next after sports or other big commitments, insights into mental health, and tips for embracing life's challenges as opportunities to grow. Oh, and yes, we got his Stanley Cup prediction too. What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The guys welcome on friend of the show Steve McAllister to discuss some local sports, the sports betting and broadcasting scene, and the ongoing embarrassment of Hockey Canada.Then, Ryan sits down with former OHLer and Kitchener Rangers captain, Ben Fanelli, who's Heroic Minds mental health platform has partnered with the GOJHL to provide mental health tools to players and staff.Brought to you by Coolbet, and in part by the Listowel Squash Courts and See the Game.Subscribe on Youtube and all the best podcast apps!Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Wix_x4--bclMBXhtRV3dAApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/instigating-with-clarkey-and-drury/id1590566419Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZlDWiSNbMs1O0mKW3zoHr

I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Fanelli of Heroic Minds. He shared the story of his traumatic brain injury he sustained while while he was playing for the Kitchener Rangers. After 2 years of extensive rehab and testing he was cleared to play again. When he returned, he was named captain in Kitchener. Following his recovery he founded Headstrong, Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness. Later on he founded Heroic Minds, an organization that takes science, philosophy and ancient wisdom and applies them in to modern day context and uses. We touched on the mentality it takes to be a hero, psychology, the power of the human brain and more

Ben Fanelli is a former Canadian hockey player who had dreams of playing in the National Hockey League until his career took a scary turn after sustaining a serious head injury.  After moving on from hockey, Ben has utilized his knowledge and experience to help create a shift in the approach to wellness and performance through the creation of the brand Heroic Minds.Connect with Ben:Website | HereInstagram | HereTwitter | HereHandbook of Psycotherapy & Behaviour Change | HereConnect with EPOCH:Shop Our Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate | HereA percentage of proceeds from sales will go to Youth Mental Health CanadaInstagram | @live.epochWebsite | www.yourepoch.com

Mike Farwell and Chris Pope have been around the Ontario Hockey League for more years than they care to count, and even after all these years, they can't resist riding the bus and broadcasting from every rink. With every trip to every rink comes the chance to tell another story. We invite you along on Farwell and Pope's adventures as they tell stories from every market in the Ontario Hockey League, from a behind-the-scenes perspective you won't get anywhere else. They're on the bus, in the hotels, and in the media rooms with the coaches, scouts, officials, players, and other characters that keep us coming back to this game week after week. Like you, Farwell and Pope are passionate about the OHL today. But they also know today's league has been decades in the making. Pop in those ear buds and join Farwell and Pope for the stories that shaped the game, and the antics that are still part of it today. Who knows? You might even hear something you haven't heard before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While chasing his NHL dream Ben sustained a serious head injury that almost took his life. After the injury, Ben pushed the envelope training for two years. Defying the odds he returned to continue chasing his NHL dream as Captain of the Kitchener Rangers. After a stint in professional hockey, Ben decided to chase something new, something bigger than hockey, something he calls Heroic Minds. Today, Ben is the host of the Heroic Minds Podcast, a Motivational Speaker, a Behavioural Health and Performance Consultant, and Founder of Heroic Apparel.    You can find Ben here. Ben’s Instagram here. Check out Ben’s Podcast “Heroic Minds” here.   Join our Curious Competitor Podcast Facebook Page. Follow Connor’s Instagram or Twitter Visit our YouTube for additional content Donate here to support our Podcast! 

On episode 29 we have on the podcast we have Ben Fanelli.  Ben grew up in Canada, as a young boy he began chasing down his dream of joining the NHL, he sustained a very serious, life threatening brain injury that shifted his life dreams and pursuits.  He shifted his focus from hockey to his new passion of creating Heroic Minds.  Through this platform Ben has created a podcast, apparel brand and speaks & teaches to audiences ranging from college students to sports teams to Fortune 500 companies.  Ben’s message centers on helping people see their dreams and goals and breaking down the barriers that are created to get there. You are for sure going to want to lean in and not miss hearing Ben’s story as she highlights her passions of Heroic Minds and Behavioural Health & Performance Consultant. #BenFanelli #HeroicMinds #HeroicMindsPodcast #HeroicMindsApparel #BehavioralHealth #PerformanceConsultant #Hockey #NHL #BrainInjurySurvivor #NoWrongTurns #Podcast #Storytelling #StoryAndPassion #TellYourStory #ShareYourStory #LeatherGoods #CountryBearComp #BookClub #MeandWhiteSupremacy #LaylaFSaad #UncomfortableConversationswithaBlackMan #EmmanuelAcho Quotes:     “Our success is my success”     “When we improve together and help each other out then ultimately we as individuals are stronger as well.”     “This isn’t a roadblock, this is an opportunity.” Follow Ben...     Instagram & Twitter            @HeroicMinds_   https://www.instagram.com/heroicminds_/            @HeroicApparel_  https://www.instagram.com/heroicapparel_/     Website                            https://www.heroicminds.live/      Apparel Website               https://www.heroicminds.live/new-products  Follow No Wrong Turns Instagram @nowrongturnspod https://www.instagram.com/nowrongturnspod Facebook @nowrongturnspod https://www.facebook.com/NoWrongTurnsPod   Our January selection will be Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho.  If you are interested in joining the conversation our next book club meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:30pm Chicago time.  DM us on our social medias @nowrongturnspod or email us at nowrongturnspod@gmail.com. Get Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho https://amzn.to/2IOcxXK  Highly Recommended Book: Get Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad on Amazon: https://amzn.to/36GhfPo PODCAST RECOMMENDATION  Hey Listeners!  Some of you may have heard a big of my story on how I started this podcast.  During my day job I get to listen to podcasts all day long.  The ones I really enjoy are ones that encompass someone’s story and their passion(s).  Since I am an avid podcast listener I wanted to start sharing podcasts and podcast episodes that I have enjoyed and that I think you will enjoy as well. This week I want to share with you episode #333 from Jamie Ivey’s podcast called The Happy Hour.  In this episode Jamie has a psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and host of the popular podcast, Typology....have you guessed who it is yet?  Ian Morgan Cron, author of the best-selling book, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery.  I have heard several episodes and interviews with Ian Morgan Cron explaining different aspects of the enneagram, this episode is different because Ian highlights several ideas that surround his life’s work.  One idea that I enjoyed from the podcast was when he talked about the importance of taking a sacred pause when emotions are high.  Using a sacred pause to evaluate what is going on within myself before responding whether that be in person or online.   Ian said, “You are the mountain not the weather.”  Meaning when it comes to feelings you are the mountain and your feelings are the wind and the weather.   He highlighted the idea that feelings don’t need to hold on for a long time, he suggested that we keep it for when we do and let go of it when we need to.   Link Below:https://jamieivey.com/hh333/   SPONSOR AD This week in our sponsor spot is me, Audrey and the No Wrong Turns pod.  We have been working on getting our guest roster ready for you in our year two of the podcast.   We are still in the process of reaching out to possible new guests and need your help!  Who do you want to have on the podcast?  Or do you have a story and passion that you want to share with us? If this invitation is grabbing you and you want to hear more about what it could be like to be a guest on the pod sharing reach out to us on our social medias @nowrongturnspod or email us at nowrongturnpod@gmail.com.  Reaching out just means you want to hear more, no obligation to share your story if it ends up not being your thing.   Thanks sharing this first year podcasting with me and the No Wrong Turns pod!  Music Credits:WholesomeMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Wholesome" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Ben Fanelli has had quite a journey. Formerly a major junior hockey player with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, Ben was poised to become a professional athlete. But in the early stages of his career, Ben was the recipient of a terrible hit that fractured his skull in 3 places. Doctors said he would never play again, but after a year of rehabilitating, Ben returned to the OHL and finished his final 2 seasons with the Rangers. Ben's amazing story of resilience carried on to his work in founding Heroic Minds, a program where he carries on the message of a "Hero's Narrative"  and storytelling to change the perspective on mental health. This episode dives into the power of storytelling, which begins with the one of Ben Fanelli.

In episode #100 the boys have a huge milestone episode featuring clips from some of their favourite interviews throughout the first 100 episodes!! In this list includes: Boyd Devereaux, Ben Fanelli, Jeff LoVecchio, Eliezer Sherbatov, Nick Spaling, Justin Pogge, Jonathan Blum, Brandt & Graeme Clarke, Chase Stillman, and Brennan Othmann. Tune in for a great episode as the boys listen back on some of their favourite clips. Thank you for all the support throughout the first 100, cheers to another 100! #ChumpTalk

Join us as we talk to former Kitchener Rangers captain Ben Fanelli.   Ben talks about his life changing injury, he new ventures, and some stories of playing in the OHL in the past.   You won't want to miss out on this show.

The interview with Ben Fanelli of Heroic Minds and the Kitchener Rangers. Ben's social: @heroicminds_

Another episode, another great guest! Ben Fanelli, former Kitchener Rangers Captain, becomes an official friend of the show. Ben joined the boys to talk about his venture, Heroic Minds. It is an organization that takes science, philosophy, and ancient wisdom and applies them into the modern day context so you can live a better, higher performing life. But, before the boys chatted with Ben, the NHL released their Phase 3 and Phase 4 outline of their Return to Play as well as the CBA Outline. 20,000 tests for the first ten days league wide. 52 members from each organization are allowed in the 'bubble’. But, can people go in and out of the bubble? Big, spicy meatballs for sure. Do the boys think it's going to pan out? The boys are then graced by Ben's presence. Ben also speaks to the benefits of Yoga, his relationships with coaches in Waterloo, as well as his relationship with Steve Spott (then coach of the Kitchener Rangers). Ben also talks about the significance of the advice that Mike Van Ryn (former NHLer) gave him about pursuing goals post-hockey career. The trio then return to discuss the NHL's 'Integrity of Play' aspect in the RTP plan and Oskar Lindblom being cancer-free! A lot of discussions and debates, but one thing's for sure - hockey is coming back one way or another! *Jagr Salute* Follow Ben on all social platforms: @heroicminds_ http://www.heroicminds.live/podcast http://www.heroicminds.live/ Listen to us on: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faceoff-hockey-podcast/id1494966703?uo=4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3l3mZWiyEGLzGRxpPt26H4 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMjA4YWJmOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Anchor: https://anchor.fm/face-off-hockey-pod Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/faceoff Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1494966703/faceoff RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/faceoff-GEqQO4 Like, rate and subscribe to our YouTube channel - FaceOff Hockey Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faceoffpuckpod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FaceOffPuckPod @WriterGiovanni @The__Cack @Mike_Lasko

On this episode of Mind Sweep, we bring on Ben Fanelli. Ben comes on to share his story on how a life-altering hit he took in hockey led him on a path of helping others with personal growth and development.Ben talks about the importance of having a balanced life and not just "Ben the hockey player" and gives out tips on how to get out of your own way.

Happy Canada Day! Today's special episode would have been completely dedicated to Canadian hockey achievements if it were not for all the news coming out of the NHL this week. To kick off the episode, it was Cack's birthday! He fills us in on how he spent the day and of course, he had a hockey card draft with around 300 cards. He shows the boys his favourite, as well as a relic from the ‘91-‘92 season! This year's Hockey Hall of Fame class was a good one. However, there were a few blemishes. Jarome Iginla, no doubt a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Marian Hossa? Maybe. Doug Wilson, about time. Kim St. Pierre, first female goalie inducted, yup. Ken Holland, I guess? Kevin Lowe? There were a few that think maybe and there are many that say no. Find out what the guys had to say on that controversial pick! Speaking of controversy, the NHL Draft Lottery took place and being on brand with the National Hockey League, of course it ends with a placeholder team securing the number one overall pick. But don't worry though, Gary Bettman reads The New York Times. 26 NHL players (so far) have tested positive for COVID-19. Hub Cities are still being debated. The NHLPA and NHL might now want to cancel their plans to return because of the CBA...oh boy, talk about a spicy meatball! Then the guys finally get around to their favourite Canadian hockey moments. From the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, many World Junior moments, to the 1972 Summit Series and 1987 Canada Cup, the boys relive it all and Mikey and the Cack FaceOff in a game of FaceUp! Some major announcements to end the episode off. An interview with former Kitchener Ranger and Captain, Ben Fanelli and the introduction of 'Listener of the Month' where YOU can join US in some puck talk! Get pucks deep and have a Happy Canada D’EH! Listen to us on: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faceoff-hockey-podcast/id1494966703?uo=4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3l3mZWiyEGLzGRxpPt26H4 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMjA4YWJmOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Anchor: https://anchor.fm/face-off-hockey-pod Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/faceoff Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1494966703/faceoff RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/faceoff-GEqQO4 Like, rate and subscribe our YouTube channel - FaceOff Hockey Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faceoffpuckpod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FaceOffPuckPod @WriterGiovanni @The__Cack @Mike_Lasko

Mike Lasko is back and oh boy did he have some spicy hot takes! Speaking of hot - his new house and soon to be (fingers crossed) new studio! Seems to never be a dull moment in the hockey world and the drama continues! The Oilers Entertainment Group proposal to the city of Edmonton leaked online. Are they a front-runner for a hub city for the NHL? Is Toronto still in the mix? What about Vancouver? Speaking of Toronto, Steve Simmons came under fire this week after releasing news that Auston Matthews tested positive for COVID-19. Should Simmons be stripped of his press pass? Is hockey twitter mad at the wrong person? Lets dive into these controversial waters and find out! Speaking of controversial waters - the Buffalo Freaking Sabres are at it again! The team has fired a lot more than their front office staff, all the way down to the I.T guy...only to hire him back...Ottawa 2.0? You be the judge. The NHL's official website released their Top 16 Centres In The Playoff Qualifier List. Did they get it right? Is it even worth debating over because it is too ambiguous? This episode is jam packed with debates, hot takes, passionate diatribes, and even wagers. On a more happy note, the boys are excited for their upcoming Canada Day episode where they will discuss the country's greatest achievements in International play and their upcoming interview with former Kitchener Ranger Captain, Ben Fanelli! A lot of great content is coming! Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms! Like, rate and subscribe our YouTube channel - FaceOff Hockey Podcast Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @faceoffpuckpod @WriterGiovanni @The__Cack @Mike_Lasko Email us at faceoffhockeypod@gmail.com

And then there were two! Just kidding, Mikey was too busy being an adult and moving into his new house (and potentially our new studio?) so, Gio and The Cack bring it back to the old days where the two talk shop! A lot again has happened this week! Gio talks about his appearance on the Slumpbuster Podcast Hockey Roundtable episode - how it was going well until the trivia portion of the eppy. Cack shares his despair about how it ended. Eichel protec, Eichel attac, but most importantly, he didn't want GM Botterill bac. The guys discuss how the Buffalo Sabres let go of their GM just three weeks after giving him a vote of confidence. We feel for you, Melody! Speaking of changing their tune, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau now is "open" to Canadian cities being potential hub cities for the NHL when they resume play. But is the NHL really going to send the Western Conference teams to the East and their Eastern Conference teams to the west? The Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes already have one confirmed COVID case each. What does this mean for the NHL to go full steam ahead in their plans for a mid-July start? The NHL released a Top-16 Goalie List on their official website. Who should have been on there, who was ranked too high, the boys debate and discuss. Jimothy Dolan finally released a statement on the events that have been taking place in the United States...three weeks later. Was it even good? Well, tune in and find out because...it's a head scratcher. Finally, we have had great luck with guests and we have another guest we are excited about - Ben Fanelli, former player of the Kitchener Rangers and now activist. We discuss Ben's impact of the game and tease his interview. A lot of excitement generating on the FaceOff Hockey Podcast! So pick up a stick, and get those pucks deep! Listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms! Like, rate and subscribe our YouTube channel - FaceOff Hockey Podcast Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @faceoffpuckpod @WriterGiovanni @The__Cack @Mike_Lasko Email us at faceoffhockeypod@gmail.com

In episode 4 my sponsors and I bring you former Kitchener Ranger, and current University of Waterloo Coach Ben Fanelli. We cover everything from his near fatal injury to what life is like after playing hockey, and his other ventures with his own podcast, and foundations he is apart of! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lightofsuccess/message

On this episode, Ryan is joined by Ben Fanelli. While pursuing his masters in Psychology. Ben is trying to tackle one of modern days biggest issues. The issue is that many people are living with subclinical issues that are stopping them from reaching their full potential. Ben believes the reason for his recovery was due to the support he had around him. This has motivated him to learn and share as much as he can about human resilience and the power of the mind. This is what drives him to jump out of bed every morning. Ben is excited by the opportunity to empower people to awaken the hero within.   In this Episode:  Obsession over hockey or ego Self defense mechanism  The importance of blunt, hard work  Being connected all the time, is it a good thing? The risk of deterioration of cognitive abilities Importance of having support groups Value of engaging in different conversations   Connect with Ben Fanelli

Ben Fanelli is a former OHL hockey player, currently an assistant coach at the University of Waterloo. He is the host of another podcast with similar visions of The Lifestyle Chase called Heroic Minds. He has a clothing brand called the Heroic Clothing Company. He also has the Empwr foundation which advocates for better awareness about concussions to advance treatment for the injury. High level professional athletes have partnered with him to make for a better future in sport. He wants to help others in ways that are empowering, and he loves the feeling of working through the obstacles life throws by peeling back the layers of the situation at hand. I hope you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend and give it a rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps The Lifestyle Chase grow!

In episode #41 the boys are honoured to have Ben Fanelli join the podcast to discuss Ben's life since his severe head injured that occurred in 2009 while playing with the OHL Kitchener Rangers. Ben shares many inspirational stories about his journey since and talks about what he is up to today. #ChumpTalk

Episode 27 is jam packed with the redemption story of Ben Fanelli. You do not want to miss his story as well as what he's up too now on this podcast. As well we talk about halloween fun facts and halloween traditions... Also, you don't want to miss what happened on our new hit segment, "This Day In History". That's all on this weeks edition of "The Bo Show"!

On July 17, 1989 Angie was sitting in a police interrogation room, her world crashed down as she listened to two detectives tell her that her husband had coordinated and carried out the murder of his father. Angie has lived out the heroes journey through and through. She has totally figured out how to stop living life in defence mode, how to totally rationalize mistakes to the point that they are simply mistakes and who cares, she has accepted her past with no need at all to change it, she has raised 3 children and has been re-married now for 25 years! Oh ya she also went back to school and graduated the same day as one of her daughters. Angie has decided to happen to life, instead of letting life happen to her. Angie on Instagram My email: Ben@heroicminds.live **Remember to tag me in a heroic story so I can share on my social media! @Ben_Fanelli_  &  #HeroicMinds

Ben Fanelli was in control of his own destiny. Drafted to the Kitchener Rangers, he was playing in the OHL as an under-ager at 16 years old, inching closer to his dream of playing in the NHL. In just his 7th OHL game, in October of 2009, Ben was on the receiving end of one of the most devastating hockey hits in recent memory. As a result of the hit, not only was his brain bleeding in multiple places, but his skull was fractured. He awoke in the hospital the day after the incident to doctors telling him he would never play again. An open book, Ben takes a trip back in time to discuss the hit, his rehabilitation, and ultimately his two year journey back to playing for Kitchener again during the 2011-12 season, even serving as captain during his final season. He credits his community and the Rangers organization for their critical roles in helping him return to sport after enduring the darkest days of his life. We have a very honest discussion regarding advances in concussion research, and Ben helps bridge the gap between the 'regular joe' and professional athletes in regards to returning to sport, seeking out self-help resources available, and even having conversation with ourselves regarding our physical and mental health. The conversation continues with Tyler opening up to Ben about his own struggles to find purpose in life after hockey, and how unprepared he was, like a lot of athletes are, for life after the game. The episode wraps up with Ben reflecting on his time as a Kitchener Ranger, speaking highly of former coaches Steve Spott and Mike Van Ryn, along with former teammates and friends such as Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan Murphy, Tobias Reider, John Gibson, and of course.... Ben's best pal and Winnipeg's own 'Golden Boy' Mark Scheifele! (The Scheifele stories are hilarious!) This is an episode you won't want to miss, as Ben's story is one that needs to be heard, whether you're the parent of a young athlete, an athlete struggling to recover, or someone transitioning out of the game. Ben Fanelli is the founder of 'EMPWR', "A charitable movement created to advance the recovery of concussion injuries. We exist to support people getting back to sport and back to themselves- faster, better, stronger." for more information, visit www.empwr.ca

Through podcast guests I’ve started to develop this idea of being shock-proof; composure amidst challenge. This doesn’t come from a set of skills but rather how we decide to live our lives. My best friend once told me we all have a pot representing what we can handle. And if we don’t deal with things that need attention, our pot can boil over… limiting what we can handle, limiting our composure in the face of challenge. We don’t have to be alone with our thoughts, we don’t have to have tough conversations, we don’t have to create things on our own anymore. It is so interesting that technology has given us so many great things but also so many crutches and distractions. We need to empty our pot. We need to do the difficult things, the new things, the exciting things. So when that road you are on takes a turn or you see a bump coming…  Your pot has room for challenge. You are in tune with yourself. You are shockproof. Send me and email: ben@heroicminds.live  

In this episode I bring to light something missing in the concussion conversation. Athletes may have to stop playing the sport they love one day… and that is okay. Athletes are never told this nor do they talk about it or plan for it. Once an athlete sustains a concussion they are expected to go against the grain and not play through injury which has been a habit developed from a young age. It is not “tough” to play through injury, it is habit. What is tough is accepting where you are, regardless of how terrible it may feel and acting in accordance. Athletes may have to second think their return to sport and make the tough decision of moving on from playing. You can live just as happy if not happier without sport. This needs to be talked about more to enable athletes to make this decision. It was conversations like this that helped me to accept where I was and the decision I needed to make. I can live without sport… I never believed I could.

129 : Defying The Odds, Captainship After Adversity & Forging a HeroicMind w/ Ben Fanelli Ben Fanelli is a Canadian hockey player who finished his career with the Kitchener Rangers. When Ben was 16 years old he woke up in the hospital and was told he was lucky to be alive, he’d never play sports again and may be a different person than he was before his injury suffered in a hockey game, which caused a skull fracture and 3 brain bleeds. Ben is now the founder & host of the HeroicMinds Podcastwhose Mission is to create a community of people that find comfort in uncommon ground, courage in difficulty and selflessness in struggle. People that ensure they are the hero of their own story. With a story and mission like this, how could I not get him on the podcast?! I had a blast talking with Ben because our stories and experiences are so similar. However, one way our stories differ is that Ben actually worked himself back to playing the sport he was told he'd never be able to play again. Many PCS sufferers ask me if I've posted any athlete stories who actually make a comeback to an elite level and I am happy to say this is one of those episodes. If you enjoy this interview, I have no doubt you will enjoy Ben's

129 : Defying The Odds, Captainship After Adversity & Forging a HeroicMind w/ Ben Fanelli   Ben Fanelli is a Canadian hockey player who finished his career with the Kitchener Rangers. When Ben was 16 years old he woke up in the hospital and was told he was lucky to be alive, he’d never play sports again and may be a different person than he was before his injury suffered in a hockey game, which caused a skull fracture and 3 brain bleeds. Ben is now the founder & host of the HeroicMinds Podcastwhose Mission is to create a community of people that find comfort in uncommon ground, courage in difficulty and selflessness in struggle. People that ensure they are the hero of their own story.  With a story and mission like this, how could I not get him on the podcast?! I had a blast talking with Ben because our stories and experiences are so similar. However, one way our stories differ is that Ben actually worked himself back to playing the sport he was told he'd never be able to play again.  Many PCS sufferers ask me if I've posted any athlete stories who actually make a comeback to an elite level and I am happy to say this is one of those episodes. If you enjoy this interview, I have no doubt you will enjoy Ben's HeroicMinds Podcast, so check it out (no pun intended)!   Below are other topics of discussion Ben and I cover in this episode: Ben doesn’t remember anything from the injury, but retells to story he was given by family and friends. Thoughts after Ben's doctor said sports were going to be out of the question for the rest of his life. Dad's positive thinking that may have helped avoid brain surgery. The effects anti-seizure medication had on his recovery. Concussion symptoms Ben suffered from throughout his 2 year recovery. Pushing the envelope safely during recovery and the progression back to the ice. Mixing in balance drills and sudokus and other cognitive games into his recovery – Episode 17 w/ Tyler Belanger reference. What it was like going through PCS before people talked about concussions the way they do today. Ben's relentless pursuit of relief paying off. The decision to move back with his team and how that helped his recovery. Earning respect from the team while injured. The decision to pursue pro hockey again and his mother’s reservations. Hobbies and pursuits away from hockey while recovering. The difficulty in watching the team play without him. Importance of finding healthy distractions. What it was like getting back on the ice, becoming a captain and how his experience with adversity helped him captain the team. Ben's approach going back onto the ice. Retiring from hockey and life after – Advice for the transition. Discussion on the hit that nearly cost him his life and his career. Enforcer discussion and social media's role. Goals with the Heroic Minds Podcast – focus on mindset through adversity. Why striving for balance doesn’t change the world. WHERE CAN YOU CONNECT WITH BEN? INSTAGRAM | TWITTER WHERE CAN YOU FOLLOW HEROICMINDS? WEBSITE | ITUNES | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE Download Episode 129 : iTunes | Stitcher

My name is Ben Fanelli and what lead me to creating this podcast was waking up in a hospital with no idea where I was to the news that I was lucky to be alive, I will never play sports again and that my brain was bleeding in three places. This was a month after I took a huge step forward in reaching my dream of being a professional hockey player.  After a rollercoaster ride of recovery, I managed to return to the game two years later. I earned a try-out with the New York Rangers and was the captain my final season. Since then I counted my blessings and moved on from chasing my dream of playing in the NHL. What I learnt along the way is that; it is not the strongest or smartest that thrive in life, it is those with the ability to persist and perform through inherent adversity. This episode is about my story and what the future holds for HeroicMinds and the HeroicMinds Podcast.

If there’s a blueprint to recovery after a traumatic brain injury, Ben Fanelli is prototype. Eight years after suffering a fractured skull as a 16-year-old rookie in the Ontario Hockey League — an incident that left him hospitalized and at risk of needing brain surgery — the former Kitchener Ranger is happy, healthy, and showing … Continue reading Ben Fanelli: “It’s amazing what you can overcome with the right people around you” →

If there’s a blueprint to recovery after a traumatic brain injury, Ben Fanelli is prototype. Eight years after suffering a fractured skull as a 16-year-old rookie in the Ontario Hockey League — an incident that left him hospitalized and at risk of needing brain surgery — the former Kitchener Ranger is happy, healthy, and showing … Continue reading Ben Fanelli: “It’s amazing what you can overcome [with] the right people around you” →