In this episode of HEADCHECK Health Talks, host Eric VanderHelm is joined by former OHL player Ben Fanelli to share his remarkable journey from a near-fatal head injury to becoming a leading voice in athlete well-being. After rebuilding his life beyond hockey, Ben founded the Heroic Minds platform, pursued psychotherapy, and now supports players across major Canadian leagues as an Advisor of Player Well-Being. We explore resilience, identity, concussion recovery and how to build a healthier culture in youth sport. Ben opens up about the pressures young athletes face, the hidden emotional toll of injuries, and what it truly takes to become the hero of your own story.
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What is HEADCHECK Health Talks?
From the field to the boardroom: Expand your knowledge on how to put injury protocols into practice. Join host Eric VanderHelm (5+ years of experience collaborating with sports organizations) as he chats with leading concussion experts, researchers, medical professionals, administrators, sports executives, and more. Get expert insights, best practices, and real-world strategies to implement effective injury protocols, with a specific focus on concussions.
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