After playing more than 750 games in the NHL, Brooks Laich discovered something unexpected: the end of one dream can become the beginning of an even better life.
In this episode, Brooks shares the lessons learned from professional hockey, navigating identity shifts, embracing adventure, finding purpose beyond achievement, becoming a father, and building World Playground. This conversation is for anyone stepping into a new season of life and wondering if their best days might still be ahead. If you enjoy conversations like this, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Your support helps us keep the show going and allows ALLSMITH to continue creating meaningful conversations around fitness, wellness, adventure, and intentional living.
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In This Episode:
• Growing up in Saskatchewan and chasing the NHL dream • The sacrifices required to become a professional athlete • The highs and lows of a 750+ game NHL career • Transitioning away from professional sports • Finding identity beyond achievement • CrossFit and rediscovering movement • Relationships, growth, and becoming a father • Building World Playground and pursuing adventure • Why life got better after the NHL
Key Takeaways:
• Your identity is bigger than your profession. • One chapter ending creates space for another to begin. • Success isn’t something you achieve—it’s something you design. • Adventure creates perspective. • Presence and relationships are the true markers of a beautiful life. • Your best years may still be ahead of you.
Favorite Quotes:
“The end of one dream often creates room for an even better one.”
“You don’t have to stay attached to an identity you’ve outgrown.”
“Sometimes your second act becomes your best one.”
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction 03:10 – Growing up in Saskatchewan 09:00 – Chasing the NHL dream 18:15 – Life inside professional hockey 31:20 – The highs and lows of the NHL 42:30 – Retiring and rediscovering purpose 53:10 – CrossFit and a new relationship with fitness 1:04:45 – Relationships, growth, and fatherhood 1:15:30 – Building World Playground 1:23:10 – Why life got better after the NHL 1:28:40 – Final thoughts and closing questions
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Connect with Brooks:
Instagram: @brookslaich World Playground: @worldplayground
Remember: Fitness is the vessel. Life is the destination.
If this conversation encouraged you to embrace your next chapter, hit subscribe and join us each week as we explore what it means to build a beautiful, intentional life.
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