In this episode of Behavior of Sport Podcast, Dr. Alicia Naser sits down with Will Morlock, Director of Athletic Performance for Michigan State University men’s hockey, to talk about what it really takes to train elite hockey players. From offseason development and on-ice speed work to athlete feedback, testing, and the balance between data and coaching intuition, this conversation breaks down the science and art of performance in a way that’s practical, thoughtful, and deeply grounded in real-world experience. Will shares his unusual path into performance coaching, including his background in soccer, his master’s degree in the UK, and the long road from unpaid internships to working with collegiate and national team athletes. He also explains how he approaches training differently depending on the athlete, why the ice matters more than the gym in hockey, and how he builds trust and buy-in through communication, flexibility, and individualized programming.

Takeaways

• Early morning workouts allow Will Morlock to spend time with his family before training athletes.
• The path to success in the sports industry involves sacrifice, delayed reinforcement, and a slow burn of experience and knowledge. Player development in hockey involves a comprehensive approach to physical training, including body composition, power, and speed. Mental resilience and competitive spirit are crucial for success in the sport.
• The use of technology and data in training programs should be balanced with the coach's experience and intuition, and athlete feedback is essential for program effectiveness.

Chapters

• 00:00 Balancing Personal Life and Training
• 03:12 Transition from Soccer to Hockey
• 09:05 Training Philosophy and Player Motivation
• 10:32 Educational Background and Career Path
• 17:06 Comparison of Sports Science Systems
• 20:15 Assessment and Training for Speed
• 39:59 Preparing for National Team or College Hockey Camp

Disclaimer: Guests appearing on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. The content contained in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical, psychological, or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

The conversation covers topics such as preparation and connection, daily routines and workouts, emotional intelligence in sports, disconnecting from emotions, emotional maturity in athletes, language and communication, pressure and goal setting, the brilliance of silence, the concept of goal setting, and understanding barriers to success. The conversation delves into the complexities of self-awareness, identity, and the role of external support in fostering self-awareness. It also explores the impact of criticism, beliefs, and superstitions on self-awareness and performance in high-performance settings.

Chapters

• 00:00 Preparation and Connection
• 01:10 Daily Routine and Workouts
• 03:05 Emotional Intelligence in Sports
• 05:06 Disconnecting from Emotions
• 07:02 Emotional Maturity in Athletes
• 09:23 Language and Communication
• 17:02 Pressure and Goal Setting
• 22:01 The Brilliance of Silence
• 25:03 The Concept of Goal Setting
• 29:20 Understanding Barriers to Success
• 29:25 Self-Awareness and Identity
• 31:00 Self-Reflection and External Support
• 33:00 Seeking External Perspective
• 35:59 Navigating Criticism and Beliefs
• 39:58 Superstition vs. Routine
• 54:20 The Psychology of Superstition and Routine
• 57:07 Understanding Positive and Negative Reinforcement
• 01:00:22 The Impact of Coaching Strategies on Performance
• 01:04:29 The Role of Superstition and Routine in Sports
• 01:05:51 Coaching Analogies and Their Impact
• 01:13:48 The Philosophy of the Game

https://www.instagram.com/doctoralicianaser/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianaser/

https://doctoralicianaser.com

Disclaimer: All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on Behavior of Sport podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this material without explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.

In this episode of The Behavior of Sport podcast, Dr. Naser sits down with Guilherme Von Cüpper, licensed FIFA agent and the Director of Berlin Sports Group.

Guilherme shares his extensive experience the within the global football industry. Discover how mental health is transforming from taboo to essential in high-performance sports and learn the importance of holistic athlete care.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and episode overview

00:05 - Guilherme's background and multifaceted roles in football

00:43 - The importance of holistic athlete development

01:34 - The rise of mental performance in football globally

02:52 - How clubs evaluate psychological resilience in scouting

03:25 - The impact of culture, language, and religion on athlete adaptation

04:22 - The mental health challenges faced by young athletes transitioning to international stage

05:45 - The stigma around discussing mental health in sports

06:17 - Personal stories of mental health struggles among top athletes like Thierry Henry

07:43 - The role of sports psychologists and personalized mental health support

10:02 - The future of athlete-agent relationships focusing on well-being

11:05 - The importance of comprehensive support including family and entourage

12:09 - The significance of words and cultural differences on mental health

13:04 - How tech innovations aid athlete adaptation and performance analysis

14:28 - The increasing importance of mental health evaluation during scouting

15:27 - Leading by example: leadership and team dynamics in sports

16:50 - The influence of cultural and religious backgrounds on athlete integration

17:41 - The role of language learning and technological tools in global sports

19:40 - The role of sports psychologists in addressing trauma and mental health issues

22:37 - Changing perceptions of mental health and performance in sports across generations

23:50 - Differentiating mental health and mental performance for athletes

26:11 - The darker side: mental health struggles like depression and suicidal thoughts among players

27:03 - The importance of safe mental health spaces and the role of sports psychologists

28:38 - The impact of social media and online abuse on young athletes

31:14 - Challenges faced by youth transitioning from local to international stages

33:00 - The importance of surround support: family, agents, and mentors

36:49 - Developing a balanced mindset and intrinsic motivation in young athletes

39:37 - The influence of social media, lifestyle, and generational shifts on athlete mentality

42:14 - Closing remarks: supporting women in football and evolving the sport’s mental health efforts

Connect with Guilherme van Cupper:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guilherme-von-cüpper-08579b51/

Dr. Nasers links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

Sign up for Dr. Naser's monthly newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/