Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast
Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast with hosts Jeff Lerg and Chris Palmer, is a space for athletes, parents, and coaches to see the depths of hockey and the mental hurdles that come with it.
Jeff Lerg has extensive experience as a former player and current coach that propels his knowledge and life advice. Jeff has reached the ultimate pinnacle of what it means to be a successful D1 Collegiate Athlete. Playing at Michigan State University, he has won countless awards and accolades displaying his success. Also, a former professional goalie for 10+ years across the U.S. and Europe, he has had first-hand experience reaching his own goals and helping others achieve theirs.
Chris Palmer, M.A. in Psychology, is a Hockey Mental Performance Coach who trains individuals, coaches, and teams from house leagues to Pro and Amateur in the US, Europe and Canada. He trains “heart, head, and guts,” with a proven process that helps clients maximize mental toughness and motivation to develop a grinding and intense compete level. As a former NCAA runner, x2 All-American, and Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris brings a great deal of knowledge in athletics and the mental performance space to positively impact the lives of athletes all over the world.
Dialed & Driven Mentality Podcast
The Best Find a Way, the Rest Find Out: Building a No-Excuses Mentality
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Welcome to Episode 70 of the Dialed and Driven Mentality Podcast!
“The Best Find a Way, the Rest Find Out: Building a No-Excuses Mentality”
In this episode, Jeff Lerg, Chris Palmer, and Natalie Ferenc break down one of the core principles of the Dialed and Driven mentality: no excuses.
Every athlete says they want to do whatever it takes. They start the season, the offseason, or a new training program with big goals and big intentions. But somewhere along the way, something slips. A workout gets missed. The effort drops. The focus fades. And while there may always be a reason, the hard truth is this: at the highest level, it comes down to one simple scale—done or not done.
So what does it actually mean to build a no-excuses mentality?
We dive into the difference between having a reason and making an excuse, why the best athletes point thumbs instead of fingers, and how taking full ownership of your development can completely change your path.
Episode Highlights:
• What “no excuses” really means in sports and life
• Why the highest level leaves no room for “I almost did it”
• How to point thumbs, not fingers, when things get tough
• Why excuses keep athletes stuck while ownership creates growth
• Why mental toughness is built one small decision at a time
• How athletes can push past the moment they think they’re done
• Why your standard becomes your identity
• How to ignore social media, recruiting noise, and comparison
• Why development and visibility matter more than hype
• How parents can support athletes without adding pressure
• Why the best find a way—and the rest find out
• Real examples of athletes choosing effort, ownership, and perseverance
AND SO MUCH MORE!
If you’ve ever caught yourself blaming the schedule, the coach, the team, the circumstances, or anything outside your control, this episode is a reminder to look inward first. Because success is not built on perfect conditions—it’s built by athletes who decide their standard and live up to it when things get hard.
No excuses. Find a way. Stay dialed. Stay driven.
📲 Connect With Us
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDialedandDrivenPodcast
🎙️ Listen On
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRwBFDkvYi56TdzIPMRge
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast/id1791139650
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1168059-6e38-4352-b3d5-c5fdbba6067f/dialed-driven-hockey-mentality-podcast