What happens when the game you love becomes one of the hardest places to navigate your mental health?

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Tuss sits down with Nolan Boyd, former junior hockey goaltender and Lead Goaltending Instructor at Armour Goaltending in Toronto, to talk about the struggles that can happen behind the scenes in sports.

Nolan grew up loving hockey. From getting his first set of goalie equipment as a young kid to representing his province and pursuing junior hockey, the game was a huge part of his life. But when things didn’t unfold the way he had hoped, the pressure, disappointment, and challenges away from the rink began to take a toll. He found himself struggling in silence, unsure how to ask for help while trying to maintain the image others expected of him.

Nolan opens up about the difficult years that followed, the moment he realized something needed to change, and the decision to share his mental health story publicly. That decision led to his Saves for Life campaign, which raised more than $6,000 for a suicide prevention center through donations for every save he made during the season.

Today, Nolan is using his experience to help create a healthier culture in hockey and provide young athletes with a safe place to grow, learn, and talk about what they’re going through.

In this honest conversation, Chuck and Nolan explore the pressure athletes face, the importance of speaking up, and why asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. They also discuss vulnerability, finding purpose through difficult experiences, and the difference one conversation can make when someone feels alone.

Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or someone navigating your own mental health journey, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to struggle in silence. You are allowed to ask for help, and you don’t have to walk through the hard parts of life alone.

Always in your corner,

Chuck