Brad Yetman - Counsellor & Speaker

Sometimes we get caught up in what already happened.

The mistake we wish we could take back.
The conversation we keep replaying.
The opportunity we wish we had handled differently.

It’s okay to look back. There’s often something there for us to learn.

But we don’t have to stay there.

Take what you can from the moment, give yourself some grace, and then bring your attention back to what’s in front of you.

**What can I do from here?**

You may not be able to change what happened, but you can still choose what comes next.

**Look back to learn. Look forward to act.**

Have a great Monday. 🧠

Wednesday Wisdom 🧠

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to deliver 8 presentations and speak with athletes about mental wellbeing, confidence, authenticity, and performance.

But some of the most meaningful moments don’t happen during the presentation.

They happen afterward.

The athlete who stays behind to ask a question.
The conversation that starts because there's a sense of safety created.
The realization that someone else has experienced the same thing.
The lightbulb moment of how a skill can help in sport and every day life.

Those conversations are a reminder that creating space to talk can be just as important as the information we share.

That’s what Wednesday Wisdom is about — sharing the lessons, conversations, and reminders that can help us navigate sport, work, and life a little better.

Most times the most important part of the conversation happens after the presentation.

Our feelings can be powerful.

Anxiety can make us want to avoid something.
Frustration can make us want to react.
Fear can make us want to step back.

And sometimes, those feelings are telling us something important.

But a feeling doesn't always have to make the decision for us.

We can acknowledge what we're feeling, get curious about where it comes from, and give ourselves space to choose how we want to respond.

That doesn't mean ignoring our emotions.

It means learning to feel and listen to them without letting them lead every time.

This week's Monday Mental Edge is a simple reminder:

❤️ **Feelings are information, not instructions.**

Pause.
Name it.
Get curious.
Choose your response.

What might change if you gave yourself a little more space between **what you feel** and **what you do**?

The conversation around mental wellbeing in sport is ever evolving and changing in today's world. has always made this a priority for their participants.

The last two weeks I had the opportunity to spend time with their participants to chat about authenticity, mental health, my experiences and mental skills that may help them perform their best-not only in hockey, but in life.

My goal isn't to deliver a motivational speech. It's to provide practical tools and perspectives that athletes can use and to help them build skills that they can use not just in sport, but everyday life.

Thank you to the Cleary Hockey program for once again giving me the opportunity to chat. Look forward to it every year!

Our minds are constantly creating thoughts.

Some encourage us.

Some challenge us.

Some help us move forward.

And some can leave us feeling stuck.

The interesting thing is that not every thought deserves the same amount of our attention.

Sometimes our first thought isn't our most helpful thought.

When we learn to pause, notice what's happening, and respond with curiosity instead of immediately reacting, we create space to make choices that align with who we want to be—not just how we feel in the moment.

That's a skill.

And like any skill, it can be practiced.

This week's Monday Mental Edge is a simple reminder:

💭 Notice your thoughts.

💙 Choose your response.

What's one thought you've caught yourself questioning or reframing lately?

It's easy to believe that we need the perfect plan, the perfect timing, or the perfect version of ourselves before we take action.

But chasing perfection often freezes us.

Progress looks different.

Progress is showing up even when things aren't "perfect".

It's learning from mistakes instead of fearing them.

It's recognizing that growth happens one step, one conversation, and one decision at a time.

Whether you're an athlete preparing for competition, a student starting something new, or simply trying to navigate everyday life, meaningful change rarely happens all at once.

It happens through small, consistent actions.

This week, ask yourself:

**What's one small step I can take today instead of waiting for perfect?**

Earlier this week, we talked about how confidence isn't something we have to wait for—it grows through action.

The same idea applies to asking for support.

So many of us grow up believing that counselling is only for the moments when life feels overwhelming. We tell ourselves we'll reach out if things get worse, or that someone else probably needs the support more than we do.

But what if we looked at mental wellbeing a little differently?

We don't wait until we're unhealthy to start looking after our physical health. We prepare for the moments that matter. We invest in ourselves because we know those habits help us navigate whatever comes next.

I believe our mental wellbeing deserves that same care.

Counselling isn't only about getting through life's most difficult moments. It can also be a space to slow down, reflect, better understand yourself, and develop the skills that help you navigate everyday life with greater confidence, resilience, and purpose.

You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support.

You don't have to have all the answers before reaching out.

Sometimes, choosing to invest in yourself is reason enough.

💙 What's one small way you take care of your mental wellbeing before life becomes overwhelming?

Confidence is something many of us are chasing.

We often think it arrives first—that one day we'll wake up feeling ready, certain, or fearless enough to take the next step.

But confidence rarely works that way.

More often, confidence grows through preparation, practice, and action. Every time we step outside our comfort zone, follow through on a commitment, or learn from an experience, we give ourselves evidence that we can handle what comes next.

That's why confidence is more within our control than we sometimes realize.

We can't control every outcome, but we can control the habits that build confidence:
✔️ Preparing with intention.
✔️ Practicing consistently.
✔️ Taking action, even when we're unsure.
✔️ Reflecting and learning from each experience.

Confidence isn't something you're born with. It's a skill that can be developed, strengthened, and trained over time.

This week's Mental Edge:
Don't wait to feel confident before taking the next step.

Take the step—and let confidence grow from there.

💬 What's one small action you'll take this week to build your confidence?

People sometimes ask me how I went from coaching hockey to becoming a counsellor.

The truth is, it wasn't really a change in purpose.

It was a change in environment.

As a coach, I had the privilege of working with athletes in high-performance environments. Every day, I saw how confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional regulation could influence performance when the pressure was highest.

But my belief in mental skills didn't come from coaching alone.

It also came from my own experience.

There was a time when I sat on the other side of the room—as a counselling client.

That experience gave me the opportunity to better understand myself, challenge unhelpful patterns, and develop practical skills that continue to shape both my personal life and my professional work.

It reminded me that asking for support isn't a weakness. It's often the beginning of growth.

Today, I have the privilege of bringing those experiences together.

Whether I'm working with athletes, professionals, parents, or anyone navigating life's challenges, my goal is the same:

To help people develop practical mental skills they can rely on—not just when life feels easy, but especially when life becomes difficult.

Because confidence can be built.
Resilience can be strengthened.
Mental skills can be learned.

And sometimes, the greatest growth begins when we're willing to ask for support.

💬 I'm curious—what's one lesson or skill that's helped you navigate a challenging season in your life?