Brady Leavold’s journey from professional hockey to overcoming addiction and adversity has inspired hundreds of thousands worldwide. Today, he works with current NHL players and elite prospects on skill development, bringing a unique perspective that blends high-performance coaching with powerful life lessons. As a keynote speaker, Brady shares his raw and authentic story of resilience, recovery, and hope—empowering athletes, organizations, and communities to embrace vulnerability, break the stigma around mental health, and unlock their full potential. His ability to connect with audiences—from NHL locker rooms to schools and corporate stages—creates lasting impact and drives real change.
Brady Leavold has quickly become one of Canada’s most requested keynote speakers and a leading voice for mental health in the hockey community. A retired professional hockey player, Brady’s journey has been defined by resilience, accountability, and the power of second chances.
Like many athletes, his struggles began long before his professional career. Early childhood trauma and the pressures of the game led him down a dark path. After being prescribed OxyContin, addiction took hold, and Brady lost everything. He eventually found himself homeless on Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside, and after nearly a year on the streets, behind bars—a place he never imagined he would be.
For over a decade, Brady battled addiction, surviving multiple overdoses and suicide attempts that nearly ended his story. But in February 2020, he found the strength to change his life. By recovering out loud, he has inspired thousands across Canada and beyond to speak up, seek help, and believe in their ability to overcome adversity.
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Since then, Brady has shared his story on stages across the country, from schools and arenas to corporate boardrooms and NHL locker rooms. He has spoken to thousands, helping to break the stigma around mental health and substance use while empowering others to take ownership of their choices. Today, Brady proudly calls Muskoka home, where he is raising his family and giving back through Muskoka Hockey, working with some of the world’s best players and brightest young prospects. As both a coach and mentor, he blends elite skill development with life lessons, showing athletes how to succeed not only on the ice but in life.Brady is also the founder of Puck Support, a movement dedicated to honoring hockey players who have lost their lives to addiction and mental health struggles, while supporting those still fighting today. What started as a clothing line featuring powerful messages like “Mental Health Over Hockey” has grown into a registered nonprofit organization—the Puck Support Network—focused on awareness, education, and direct support for athletes and families. Thousands across North America now wear Puck Support apparel, sparking conversations in arenas, schools, and workplaces about mental health and resilience in sport.Through his podcast, Hockey 2 Hell and Back, his coaching, and his advocacy work with Puck Support, Brady continues to use hockey as a platform to drive change. His story is one of struggle, resilience, and hope—a reminder that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to rise. Once you hear his story, you will never forget it.