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Episode 75: March 2024 Q&A and Case Study

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

Release Date: 04/11/2024

Episode 96: High school curling athlete summer guide

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

What should high school curlers actually be doing during the off-season? In this episode, I share my own journey from a high school curler who wanted bigger takeout weight and better sweeping, to spending countless hours in the gym following random hockey programs I found online. While some of that training helped, there are also a lot of things I wish someone had taught me sooner. If I could go back and do it all again, I'd focus less on chasing workouts and more on building a foundation that would improve both my curling performance and my long-term athletic development. In this episode,...

Episode 95: The 5 Elements Every Curler's Offseason Program Needs

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

What should curlers actually be doing in the offseason? With so much conflicting fitness advice online, it can be hard to know what matters most. In this episode, I break down the five essential elements that every curler's offseason training program should include to improve performance, reduce injury risk, and prepare for a stronger season on the ice. From assessments and strength training to conditioning, mobility, and long-term planning, you'll learn what separates a curling-specific program from a generic fitness routine. Whether you're training independently, following a program, or...

Episode 94: Q&A on Training, Competing & Curling Through Pregnancy

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

In this episode, I’m diving into a side of curling we don’t talk about enough: training and competing during pregnancy. Over the past few years, we’ve seen more curlers stay on the ice while pregnant, which has raised a lot of important questions around training, performance, recovery, and support. This episode was inspired by a series of thoughtful questions from , and I wanted to expand on those conversations here in a way that could help athletes, coaches, teammates, and parents better understand what this process can look like. I share: • How training and curling adapt throughout...

Episode 93: Why most curlers plateau (and how to fix it)

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

Most curlers don’t plateau because they’ve hit their limit, they plateau because their training isn’t set up to move them forward. In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes I see in the offseason, from lack of structure and progression to doing too much too soon and not connecting training to curling performance. You’ll learn what actually works: a clear plan, progression over time, and training that evolves with your season. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just guessing with your workouts, this will give you direction. We’re also heading into an assessment week starting...

Episode 92: March 2026 Month in Review

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

March 2026 Recap: Offseason Shift, Fundamentals & Where to Start This month’s recap is all about the limbo season when we start to wrap up the competitive season and step into the offseason with intention. In this episode, I’m sharing what the shift has looked like on my end, from finishing up on-ice sessions to leaning back into running and rebuilding my aerobic base (with a big focus on nasal breathing and honest reflection around where my fitness is at right now). We’ll also get into what this time of year actually means for curlers. The offseason isn’t about doing nothing or...

Episode 91: February 2026 Month in Review

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

February 2026 Recap: Certification, TV Curling & What’s Next This is the first episode in a new monthly format; a short and sweet recap of what’s been happening behind the scenes in my world and inside Empowered Performance. In this February review, I’m walking you through a big professional milestone (getting officially certified as a ), a much-needed family golf and beach vacation, and how my brain is already shifting toward offseason planning for curlers. I’m also sharing what’s happening inside the right now: what we’ve been focusing on during this in-season block, and...

Episode 90: How to actually improve balance in your delivery

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

Most curlers are chasing better balance, but many are chasing the wrong thing. In this episode, we break down what real balance looks like in the curling delivery and why it has far less to do with wobble-free broomless slides than you might think. We talk about: • Why poor balance drains your physical and mental energy • The hidden alignment issues that affect accuracy and weight control • Why I don’t recommend sliding without a broom as a drill • The key joints that need mobility and strength for a stable slide • How setup in the hack dictates everything that follows • The role...

Episode 89: Holiday Survival Guide

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

Worried about losing progress over the holidays? You’re not alone — but time off the ice doesn’t have to set you back. In this episode, we break down a simple Holiday Survival Guide to help you use the break to rest, reset, and return to the ice feeling stronger and more focused. We’ll cover how to: • Reframe time off as productive recovery • Reduce curling-specific imbalances • Approach holiday eating without guilt • Stay mentally sharp with quick, anywhere visualization work If you want support staying active and balanced during the holiday stretch, you’ll also hear...

Episode 88: Mental Health Meets High Performance with Sarah Wilkes

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by World Champion curler, mom, and Registered Psychotherapist Sarah Wilkes, who brings a rare and valuable dual perspective to the world of sport — one from the ice, and one from the therapist’s chair. Currently playing lead on the #1 ranked team in the world and fresh off a World Championship win, Sarah’s path hasn’t been a straight line. We explore the emotional intensity she’s carried since her early days, the influence of her multi-sport background, and the tools she’s developed to stay grounded, curious, and consistently high-performing. We also...

Episode 87: Val Sweeting on Mastering the Mind with Hypnosis

The Empowered Performance for Curlers Podcast

In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-class athlete and certified hypnotist Val Sweeting. We talk about how hypnosis supported her during the intense bubble season, what shifted when she stepped away from it, and how she eventually found her way back—this time as a certified hypnotist. Now, she’s helping other athletes do the inner work through her new program, Unleashed. Val shares how her training and mindset have evolved over the years, how she balances chasing big goals with being a mom and mentor, and what it really takes to build mental resilience at the elite level. We explore...

More Episodes

In this episode I answer questions such as:

What are the best off ice exercises for sweeping training?
What are some important tips for skips in the off ice season?
How do I set goals for next year when I don’t have any big events?
Does using a stabilizer make it harder for me to switch to a broom?
And more.

This months case study outlines helps a curler who struggles with hitting the broom; they always slide to the right of the target.ow

You can watch this episode on Youtube HERE. If you’ve got a question or case study example you can fill this out HERE.

Some other great episodes to check out:

Episode 48: Sassy hips and energy leaks
Episodes 40, 41 and 42: Free brushing intervals for you and your team
Episode 28: Using performance gap analysis for dictating offseason training

To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance

All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at

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