For the last 11 years, Stephen Volek has been a strength and conditioning coach who has worked with hundreds of athletes across all levels of sport, from youth and high school ages all the way up to professional hockey in the AHL and NHL. He has always had a strong growth mindset and continues to want to learn and develop as a practitioner, the way he hopes to develop the athletes he works with. When asked about what he loves about his profession, “I love building relationships with the athletes I work with. Getting to know them and their story, finding out what motivates them, and how I can help them improve and reach their performance goals. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing the athletes I work with succeed, whether that is hitting a new PR on a lift that they have been chasing or seeing them step onto the ice for their first NHL game. I love playing a small part in their journey as an athlete and a person.”