Hi Business Athlete Nation,
Retired NHL hockey player JP Vigier joined Dale Weise for After the Buzzer, our special Live in the Lab segment where we meet with athletes who have transitioned to Next.
Who is JP Vigier?
Why should you care about this interview?
Relatable Journey: JP Vigier's narrative is not just about a professional athlete; it's a story of personal growth, challenges, and transitions that many can relate to. His journey from a small-town kid to playing in the NHL, and later transitioning to coaching and business, is inspiring and offers insights into adapting to life's changes.
Behind-the-Scenes of Professional Sports: For sports enthusiasts and aspiring athletes, JP's experiences provide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional hockey. His account of navigating the complexities of the sport, including the pressures of constantly proving oneself and dealing with the business aspect of professional leagues, is both enlightening and candid.
Life Lessons and Insights: JP's reflections on his career and life after hockey are filled with valuable lessons. He talks about the importance of hard work, adaptability, and enjoying the journey, lessons that are applicable to various fields beyond sports.
Transition from Sports to Business: His transition from an athlete to a business owner and skills coach is particularly relevant in today's world, where career changes are increasingly common. His story can motivate those contemplating or undergoing similar transitions.
Human Connection and Leadership: JP discusses the importance of building connections and creating a supportive environment, both in sports and business. His approach to leadership and team-building, treating his staff with the same camaraderie as in a sports team, offers valuable insights for anyone in a leadership role.
Emotional Honesty: JP's honesty about the emotional challenges of professional sports, including the stress and uncertainty he faced, adds depth to his story. This vulnerability makes his narrative more powerful and engaging.
Inspiration and Motivation: Finally, JP's story is a source of inspiration. Whether you are a sports fan, an aspiring athlete, or someone facing career challenges, his journey demonstrates resilience, dedication, and the ability to adapt and thrive in different environments.
“There are two things you can control: how hard you work, and how much effort you put into it.”
— JP Vigier
Most pro athletes who make it to the big leagues plan for it. They plan their lives around the dream and put in everything to make it happen.
JP Vigier’s story is a little different.
He simply loved hockey. For him, it had always been an outlet to live in the moment.
So, his professional career in the NHL came unexpectedly. According to JP, he had a naive outlook on the game right up until the moment he joined the NHL.
Toward the end of his college career, his coach advised him to get an agent because some NHL teams were interested in having him. He ended up signing with the Atlanta Thrashers, marking the unconventional beginning of his NHL career.
Other Highlights from our time with JP
Despite his love of the game, JP’s never felt comfortable in his own skin as an NHL player. He always felt like he had something to prove and often questioned whether he was good enough to be a league player.
“The National Hockey League is a business. That’s as rudely and as nicely as I can say it.” —JP Vigier
When it was time to stop:
After a 25-year career, JP decided with his wife that it was time to stop playing. Difficult as the transition was, he made a powerful point when Dale asked him about the struggle of knowing you still have what it takes to play while your family pulls you the other way:
“It’s the best of both worlds. You want to play and have your family support you because without one, there isn’t the other.”
— JP Vigier
Figuring out Next:
While trying to figure out his Next, JP tried his hand at coaching young players and eventually realized he had a passion for teaching them what he had learned as a professional hockey player. These days, he’s a Baplete running his own business as a hockey skills coach.
“It’s crazy. It’s exciting. It’s nerve wracking. And you figure it out as you go,” JP said about transitioning from pro sports to his Next.
— JP Vigier
Episode #55 | JP Vigier | Content Collection:
This is the show broken up into a series of digestible BAPL Blocks. Little blocks of insipriation, Each block represents the number of minutes it will take you to consume the block.
Enjoy the JP Vigier Collection: The FarmBoy
Who is JP Vigier?
~ Dale Weise
Take me through your junior days
~ Dale Weise
Did you always feel like you had something to prove?
~ Dale Weise
Where do you find your “dressing room” today?
~ Dale Weise
You can connect directly with JP here.
Until next time, Business Athlete Nation.
I’m Keith
Live in the Lab presents After the Buzzer with Dale Weise | Episode #55 | JP Vigier