The NHL is celebrating women in hockey, and every week this season, NHL.com will highlight a woman from each of the 32 teams. Today, a look at Ottawa Senators certified mental performance consultant Natalie Durand-Bush:
Name: Natalie Durand-Bush
Job title: Certified Mental Performance Consultant
Education: Ph.D. Education, University of Ottawa, 2000; M.A. Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, 1995; B.Sc. Kinanthropology, University of Ottawa, 1993
Years of hockey experience: As a mental performance specialist for 28 years, I have helped many hockey players and coaches enrich their performance and well-being on and off the ice. Also, both my son and daughter played competitive hockey so I spent many years cheering them on and working with their teams to develop excellent mental skills and team dynamics. Although I didn't have access to girls' competitive hockey programs while growing up in a rural northern Ontario community, I always enjoyed putting my skates on and playing pond hockey with my family! Some of my best memories are watching Hockey Night in Canada with my dad.
Describe your job in 2-3 sentences:
Through ongoing dialogue, assessments, and observations, I help individuals, teams, and organizations increase their awareness of what they need to perform at their best, reach their full potential, and live their best life. I provide a fun and safe environment in which people can be curious, challenge themselves, and develop important mental, life, and self-regulation skills to achieve their performance and well-being goals. I aim to strengthen relationships, culture, and resilience to maximize people's ability to function, communicate, and support one another, particularly in the face of adversity.
What motivates you to keep pushing and be successful?
What motivates me is knowing I can make a positive difference in other people's life; being a lifelong learner; believing that there is good in every person and situation no matter how difficult it is; making every moment count because life is short; finding opportunities for growth and gratitude every single day.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement to date?
The creation of the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS) in 2018, a registered charity supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes, performing artists, coaches, and staff. As a national Centre, the CCMHS is known for offering collaborative, safe, and sport-informed mental health care and resources designed to help individuals achieve their performance goals while preserving their well-being.
How would your closest friends describe you?
I asked two of my closest friends this question and here is what they responded: (1) loving, thoughtful, smart, funny; passionate about my job and family; supportive of everyone in good and tough times; awesome ability to understand and connect with others; (2) generous and always putting others first; funny and goofy; over achiever in every aspect of my life, especially when it comes to work but always prioritizing family and friends; the backbone and the one who brings everyone together.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Bali
What's your favorite book?
"In Pursuit of Excellence"
One thing you can't live without?
Coffee
Do you collect anything?
Plants
What is your hobby outside of work?
Gardening
