What should high school curlers actually be doing during the off-season? In this episode, I share my own journey from a high school curler who wanted bigger takeout weight and better sweeping, to spending countless hours in the gym following random hockey programs I found online. While some of that training helped, there are also a lot of things I wish someone had taught me sooner. If I could go back and do it all again, I'd focus less on chasing workouts and more on building a foundation that would improve both my curling performance and my long-term athletic development. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why aerobic fitness matters more for curlers than most athletes realize • The strength training fundamentals every young curler should master • Why consistency beats intensity every time • The biggest mistakes I see high school curlers make during the summer • How to balance strength training, cardio, brushing work, mobility, and other sports • Why learning to train properly now can benefit you long after your curling career ends Whether you're a high school athlete, parent, or coach, this episode will help you build a smarter roadmap for the off-season and make the most of the opportunities summer provides. Mentioned in this Episode High School Curling Athlete Program (see below) Dryland brushing setup Free workouts Connect with Coach Steph If you're looking for a structured plan instead of trying to piece everything together yourself, check out the High School Curling Athlete Program (2 months or 3 months) or the EP Lab for step-by-step guidance throughout the off-season. Remember: you don't need to do everything this summer. Focus on getting a little stronger, a little fitter, a little more mobile, a little better at brushing, and a little more consistent each week. Those small improvements add up. Oldies but goodies Episode 53: 56 habits elite athletes demonstrate in the offseason Episode 74: Elements of a curling specific offseason training program Episode 15: Effort over outcome To stay as up-to-date as possible, make sure to join the Empowered Performance newsletter and to follow me on Instagram at @empoweredperformance All mentioned resources are available in the show notes on my website at www.empoweredperformance.ca/podcast