In this episode of One Big Fire, John Kitchens and Al Stasek sit down with former NHL pro and elite mindset coach Jacob Newton. Jacob takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in a small California desert town to the professional hockey stage, and ultimately into the world of mindset coaching. He unpacks how a lack of mental preparation kept him from sustaining his NHL career, and how the realization that "million-dollar legs need a million-dollar mindset" transformed not just his life, but the lives of the high performers he now coaches.

This is a powerful conversation about performance anxiety, negative self-talk, resilience, and the habits that separate amateurs from true pros. Whether you're a real estate entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone looking to upgrade your daily performance, this conversation delivers mindset shifts you can use immediately.

• Jacob's unconventional journey from roller hockey in the desert to pro ice hockey.

• The sacrifices his family made to help him chase his dream.

• What it felt like to play in a packed NHL preseason game — and what happened next.

• Why being sent to the second Italian league was the mirror moment.

• The book that changed everything ("Mind Gym").

• Realizing he was the problem—and also the solution.

• The mental patterns that held him back.

• Why talent without mental stamina isn't enough.

• How he began to build mental muscle through breath work, daily routines, and gratitude.

• The biggest blocker: negative self-talk.

• Why 90% of our thoughts are the same every day—and 70% of them are negative.

• Tools to shift into presence, mental control, and clarity.

• The breathwork protocol that regulates anxiety and resets emotional control.

• Why forgiveness isn't for them, it's for you.

• Healing childhood wounds that silently control adult performance.

• The power of releasing resentment to unlock your next level.

• Why your first 20-30 minutes set the tone for your entire day.

• How to use gratitude, breathwork, and visualization to create powerful inner shifts.

• The "wind" that moves the storm: How breathing re-centers you in chaos.

• Mind Gym (book recommendation)

• Newton’s Mind coaching practice

• Headspace app (John’s recommendation for mindfulness)

"We don't forgive others for them—we forgive for us. So we can drop that weight and step into a better version of ourselves." - Jacob Newton

• Instagram: @newtonsmind55

• Facebook: Jacob Newton

• LinkedIn: Jacob Newton

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥