The next 90 days can change everything.
Every Monday is an opportunity.
An opportunity to start fresh.
An opportunity to reset your focus.
An opportunity to set the trajectory for where you're headed.
But this Monday is different.
Today is June 1st.
While the calendar might say summer officially begins later this month, let's be honest. Summer starts today.
School is ending.
The weather is warming up.
Pools are opening.
Vacations are being planned.
People are shifting into summer mode.
And for hockey players, that's exactly why today matters.
When I was a professional hockey player, June 1st was my official start date for offseason training.
Not June 15th.
Not after one more vacation.
Not after one more week of taking it easy.
June 1st.
Every year.
That meant three months of work.
June.
July.
August.
Three months to build strength.
Three months to improve my conditioning.
Three months to sharpen my skills.
Three months to become a better hockey player before the season arrived.
Think about how much can happen in three months.
A lot.
Three months can completely change your game.
Three months can change your confidence.
Three months can change your opportunities.
Three months can change your future.
That's why I want you to use today as a day of reflection.
Where do you want to be next season?
Where do you want to be by the end of August?
Where do you want to be five years from now?
Write it down.
Write down your short term goals.
Write down your long term goals.
Get specific.
The future version of yourself starts with the decisions you make today.
Even now, years removed from my playing career, June 1st still means something to me.
I'm not chasing the NHL anymore.
But I'm still chasing goals.
Getting in shape.
Losing weight.
Continuing my sobriety.
Building businesses.
Becoming a better husband, father, and man.
The goals change.
The principle doesn't.
Progress requires intention.
Progress requires sacrifice.
And June 1st has always reminded me of that.
I remember one summer shortly after signing my contract with the Ottawa Senators.
One of my buddies was getting married.
It was a destination wedding.
It was going to be a huge party.
And I knew exactly what would happen if I went.
My training started June 1st.
The wedding was June 8th.
I had a choice to make.
So I called my buddy and told him I wasn't coming.
Some people might think that sounds extreme.
Maybe it was.
But I knew what I wanted.
And I knew there was a price attached to it.
That's one of the lessons hockey teaches us.
Everybody wants the dream.
Not everybody wants the sacrifice.
As summer begins, a lot of people will choose comfort.
They'll sleep in.
They'll skip workouts.
They'll tell themselves they'll start tomorrow.
But you're not most people.
You're reading this because you care about getting better.
You care about your future.
You care about becoming the player you're capable of becoming.
So today, draw a line in the sand.
Decide what this summer is going to mean.
Decide what kind of player you're going to become.
Then get to work.
Three months from now, you'll either be glad you started today or wish you had.
The choice is yours.
Knuckles up,
Bobby Robins
P.S. One of my favorite things about summer training is getting outside. The rink isn't always available, but the driveway always is. Get out in the sunshine. Soak up some vitamin D. Grab your stick, your Wraparound and get to work on your hands. Keep your eyes up. Stay focused on the goal. Every rep you take this summer is another step toward becoming the player you want to be when the season arrives. The players who improve the most aren't waiting for September. They start today.
>>>Stock up on your Wraparounds for a savage summer of training.