I’m a Flames fan.
That sentence used to carry a sharp edge, especially in a house full of Oilers fans. The rivalry runs deep — it’s pride, it’s history, it’s part of who you are in Alberta. For years, I’ve wore that red like armor, especially during playoff season. But this year, something shifted. This year, I’ve got an Oilers flag on my car. This year, I lost a bet with my kids, and now I’m wearing Leon Draisaitl’s #29 jersey every game day.
And I’m proud to wear it, not because I’ve jumped ship, but because I’ve come to see that this isn’t just about hockey anymore.
This is about something much bigger: self-esteem, community, mindset, and the art of getting back up when life knocks the wind out of you.
Last year, the Oilers got punched in the gut. Everyone could feel it. That playoff run, all that hope, momentum, and heart, ended in heartbreak. For a moment, it felt like the story had already been written: a team that almost had it, but couldn’t quite seal the deal.
And that could’ve been the end.
But it wasn’t.
The Oiler’s didn’t crumble. They chose to come back. And not just come back, they came back better. With grit, with clarity, with something deeper than talent. They rebuilt their mindset. They got back to work, not because they knew they'd win, but because they believed they could.
That choice, to rise instead of retreat, well that is everything! That’s self-esteem. That’s growth. That’s the mindset that separates those who fade out from those who become legends.
And watching it unfold, right here in Alberta, has been nothing short of inspiring.
Because let’s be honest: we’ve all been there. We’ve all had those moments where we fell short, where we gave it everything we had and still came up empty handed. We’ve all questioned our worth after a loss, be it in work, love, parenting, or something deep and personal no one else even sees.
But the Oilers this year? They’re a living, skating example of what it means to not let failure define you. To own your past but refuse to live in it. To stand tall in front of that echo of defeat and say, Not today. I’m not done.
That’s the kind of self-esteem we need more of, the kind that’s not built on wins, but on persistence. On self-respect. On showing up even when it hurts. On being proud of the work, not just the results.
And the ripple effect is real.
My kids are watching this team, really watching! Not just the goals and saves, but the way these guys carry themselves. The discipline. The fire. The brotherhood. They’re learning that confidence doesn’t mean never losing. It means never quitting. It means believing in your ability to grow through it, to keep showing up, to come back stronger, smarter, and more grounded than before.
That’s why I’ve got the flag on my car. That’s why I’ll keep wearing 29’s jersey during this Stanly Cup final. Not just because the Oilers might bring the Cup home, but because they’ve already brought something deeper to my family, our community and this province: a reminder that the human spirit is capable of incredible things when it refuses to be shaken by failure.
So tonight, I’ll be cheering loud. As a Flames fan. As a parent. As someone who knows what it’s like to rebuild from the inside out.
Because this run? It’s not just about the Cup.
It’s about who you become when you go for it anyway.
P.S. If you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, I could use a little of that ‘get-back-up-and-go-again’ energy in my own life…” well, good news: I’m not just a Flames fan in Oilers gear. I’m also a mindset coach. If you’re ready to rebuild from the inside out, on the ice, at work, or in life, feel free to reach out. I promise I won’t make you wear a rival’s jersey. (Unless it works.)
Cheers,
Coach Jo <3
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