Episode 38: 2026 Masters Field Hockey World Cup - Netherlands

What happens when a sports PT leaves home for his first Europe trip, works a World Cup, and gets forced to rethink how he sees time, stress, and success? Kurt Kessler’s first episode back from the Netherlands blends culture shock, field hockey, and a surprisingly powerful reminder: sometimes doing less reveals more. Kurt shares what it was like traveling with Team USA’s Masters Field Hockey program as part of the medical staff, from the chaos of Amsterdam bikes and canal tours to the very different rhythm of life in Rotterdam. He also opens up about the realities of international travel, sleep deprivation, parenting fatigue, and why a simple laundromat errand became a lesson in how American life trains us to chase efficiency at the expense of peace. You’ll hear about:Why Masters Field Hockey is one of the most underappreciated sports scenes in the worldHow Europe’s public transit, biking culture, and adult sports model compare with the U.S.The medical team setup at the World Cup and what Kurt learned from other PTs using dry needlingThe Anne Frank House, Rotterdam’s wartime history, and the emotional weight of visiting places shaped by conflictHow one small laundry problem turned into a bigger reflection on comparison, urgency, and contentmentKurt also talks through the silver medal finish, but the bigger story is the team itself - how a group of athletes grew closer, competed harder, and recognized the rare opportunity they had in front of them. That perspective gives this episode its real depth: it is not just a travel recap, it is a reset on what matters when life feels too full.Perfect for listeners who like thoughtful solo episodes that mix personal story, travel observations, sports medicine, and practical perspective. If you’ve ever felt rushed by your own life, this one will land.