We sat down with Jeff Lovecchio to discuss the mindset that has shaped both his hockey career and his life: “Give More, Be More.”

From earning a spot in the Boston Bruins organization to building one of the most impactful player development programs in St. Louis, Jeff shares the lessons he’s learned through adversity, perseverance, and purpose.

Jeff opens up about battling injuries and concussions during his professional playing career, the decision to continue playing overseas, and the transition into life after hockey. He explains how those experiences ultimately led him to create GMT (Give More Training) and GMA, where he has now helped more than 3,400 athletes maximize their potential both on and off the ice.

A major focus of the conversation is Jeff’s powerful philosophy: “Be Where Your Feet Are.” He breaks down how staying fully present helped him navigate the highs and lows of professional hockey, grow successful businesses, and create meaningful relationships along the way.

We also dive into:

Why Jeff started his own training business
The true meaning behind “Give More, Be More.”
How presence impacts athletic development and leadership
Lessons learned from professional hockey and entrepreneurship
Building culture and community through player development
Applying the “Be Where Your Feet Are” mindset to everyday life

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insight on growth, resilience, and maximizing your potential.

Bio

Jeff Lovecchio grew up playing hockey in St. Louis during a time when the city was not considered a serious competitor by top hockey markets. Through hard work, dedication, and self-discipline, he earned a Division I scholarship at Western Michigan University. Lovecchio notes that he achieved this despite not having the most innate ability, instead making up for a lack of natural skill with total commitment to maximizing his potential.

After three years at Western Michigan, Lovecchio signed with the Boston Bruins. While he did not appear in a regular-season NHL game, he played seven pre-season games for the Bruins and was on their roster for the playoffs. He spent three years with the Bruins' AHL team before being traded to the Florida Panthers, where he played for their AHL affiliate for a season and a half. Due to sustaining multiple concussions, Lovecchio decided to move his career overseas for the sake of his longevity. Over the next six years, he played in top leagues across Italy, Norway, Austria, and Asia. This experience living in diverse cultures was instrumental to his personal development, teaching him patience, leadership, and communication skills while navigating cultural and ideological barriers.

Three years into his professional playing career, Lovecchio founded an off-ice training company called RIPT Hockey, which has since transitioned into his full-time business, GMT (Give More Training). During the 2025/26 season, GMT expanded to operate training centers for five local youth organizations in St. Louis, serving over 3,400 players with a team of four coaches. As of 2026, over 34,000 people have used some form of his online training. Beyond training, Lovecchio frequently speaks to hockey families, which led to his career in public speaking for the general public, including his first keynote engagement for a nationwide company in 2025. Additionally, in 2025, he founded GMA (Give More Advising), a program for hockey players aged 14 and older; the initial spots sold out in 24 hours. Lovecchio operates under the philosophy of "Give More Be, you will Be More," and he is dedicated to helping others realize their potential.

This episode is proudly sponsored by

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Takeaways:

The episode emphasizes the importance of developing a strong work ethic in youth hockey, illustrating how dedication can significantly improve performance over time.
Listeners are encouraged to prioritize character development in young athletes rather than focusing solely on winning at a young age, fostering lifelong skills.
The podcast highlights the detrimental effects of over-professionalization in youth sports, urging parents and coaches to foster a balanced approach to athletic development.
A key message conveyed is that success is not merely about athletic skill, but also about the mindset, preparation, and resilience an athlete cultivates throughout their career.
The speakers discuss their belief that hockey should encompass both skill development and life lessons, helping players grow into well-rounded individuals.
Emphasis is placed on the necessity for players to embrace the present moment and focus on their current efforts rather than being preoccupied with past failures or future uncertainties.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy