Page 34 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 92

34 Issue #92 September 2020 www.sportsenergynews.com

In The derived from cannabis (marijuana) selling banned products to players.

to help with pain management This all began on December 18,
without the psychoactive ingredient 2018, and an email circulated to
ZONE THC, therefore providing a plant- the entire organization detailing
based pain reliever. Guys began to the reason for the suspension and
approach me because I was educated investigation. No one was allowed
on the topic and they perceived to contact me, and I felt the deepest
me to be a safe person to talk to. I sense of abandonment, like I was
always wanted to be a coach for placed on a deserted island.
Own Your Career the player instead of coaching for received the call that confirmed the
It was Christmas Eve when I
the organization. That is probably

because of how I felt as a player investigation results—they weren’t
With Justin Roethlingshoefer of training, nutrition, and recovery. when I played hockey. It wasn’t easy

Brett Bartholomew talks about to find a coach who cared about you able to find any incriminating

y young obsession with hockey buy-in, coaching, and leadership. evidence regarding the accusations.
Mand starting out uneducated as a person. I didn’t want to be like However, they were still going to
It’s more than looking after a player that. I tried to make the players feel
about basic training and nutrition when they walk into the room, but like they were part of something, that part ways with me. I lost my job over
fundamentals inspired me to read rather seeing them as a person and that whole situation. I wasn’t even
and research. I attended university to caring about them deeply, and that I cared about them and genuinely on an island anymore; I was cast out
wanted the best for them.
earn degrees that established me as includes their mental, emotional, and to sea in a boat without an oar or a
a strength and conditioning coach. I Players deal with pain constantly, sail. At least that is how it felt going
spiritual well-being. I witnessed the
had a quick ascension up the ranks toll it took on the players balancing and when they came to me for into the New Year of 2019.
of my profession, culminating in family, daily pain, pressures of the information about CBD products, Our career provides our livelihood
employment with the Anaheim season, relationships amongst the I really wanted to educate them. A and the means for food, shelter, and
Ducks and their minor league team. team, addictions, and other issues lot of the players were already using the clothing we need. Seventy years
I thought I had everything I could CBD products without knowing
that can cripple even the strongest ago, our means of making a living
want in a career by the age of 27. person. I saw the way the guys their properties and obtaining it from was often passed down from one
places that they knew nothing about.
It’s a funny thing when you reach struggled with addictions, whether it generation to another. Your father
your goal. Where do you go after was painkillers or other prescription They saw or heard someone was was a farmer, so you inherited the
that? Most people work hard at meds, over-the-counter medications, using it and getting good results, so farm; your dad was a cabinet maker,
they wanted to do the same thing -
maintaining where they are. Some or alcohol and drugs. For some so you learned the trade. This still
decide to look for a new challenge, players, unfortunately, it was all the that happens so much in sports. If does happen today. For young
something works for one player,
to move onto something else. I above. ten others want to jump on the people who don’t follow their own
admire that type of person. He or To the outside world, I was aspirations or don’t take advantage
she is satisfied with what they have bandwagon. Besides teaching them of education, they only know what

excelling. Inside, I was so conflicted. what CBD products were and why

achieved and aren’t afraid to set out I certainly didn’t feel fulfilled. I felt they grow up with. You know that

on another quest. It could be in the they worked, I felt it was important to when you finish high school you will
I lacked purpose, and I didn’t like advise players to look for companies
same profession, but with a new the revolving door of relationships that did third-party testing on the go to work in the local industry. If
company or starting their own. Others with the players. I wanted to do the business thrives, that’s where
make a complete change and pursue products to make sure they were safe you work for the next 40 years.
more but was not allowed. I felt and effective.
something altogether different from as if I was selling myself, and that Then there are those who go
the professional success they’ve This did not go over well with
those I did serve were served short. after what they want and pursue
enjoyed. But I didn’t know how to change the team management group. They their passion. With college more
Then there are those who are my circumstances because hockey asked me if I understood the drug accessible, despite the expense,
forced to make a change because of was my comfort zone, provided my policies of the NHL league. I told young men and women can train for
circumstances. They have no choice. livelihood, and was all I had ever them I absolutely did. Then they the career they want, or create the
asked me if I had been administering
That was me. aspired towards. career they believe in. My short but
and distributing CBD and banned intense career arc illustrates this. For
I enjoyed working with the players What happened next changed substances to the players. I replied
and my fellow coaches. I was the trajectory of my career and was an emphatic “NO” and explained I many people, their career isn’t what
building relationships with players, ultimately a blessing in disguise. was educating them on what was out they do, but who they are.
but guys were constantly coming Because of the charity work I was there, what was banned and was not. Have you ever found yourself
and going from the team. There had involved with through Athletes for in a room of strangers for a social
Team management placed me on
to be more to what I was doing. I Care in my Florida business, players official suspension and conducted occasion? What would be one of

wanted to make a real difference in began to ask me about CBD products. the most common opening lines to
their lives beyond the simple aspect These are topical creams or oils an investigation. They accused me
of profiting from distributing and Continued on page 35