From NHL Stardom to Brain Trauma: Ales Hemsky's Story of Hope | HeadRush Podcast

What happens when the cheering stops—but the brain injuries don't?Former NHL All-Star Ales Hemsky spent 16 seasons at the highest level of professional hockey, represented the Czech Republic on the world stage, and competed in a Stanley Cup Final.Behind that success was a different story.Repeated concussions. Memory problems. Vertigo. Depression. Addiction. Thoughts of giving up.In this deeply personal conversation, Ales shares what life looked like after hockey, the struggles few people saw, and the journey that helped him begin finding hope again.Former NHL star Ales Hemsky joins Paul Frase and Corey Berry for one of the most honest conversations ever featured on the HeadRush Podcast.After 16 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and Montreal Canadiens, plus representing the Czech Republic at the Olympics and World Championships, Ales achieved what many athletes only dream about.But repeated head impacts came with a cost.In this episode, Ales discusses:• Growing up in the Czech Republic and reaching the NHL• Playing in the Stanley Cup Final• Living through multiple concussions and post-concussion symptoms• Vertigo, memory loss, depression, addiction, and the difficult transition into retirement• How brain trauma affected his family and daily life• His experience searching for answers after traditional treatments fell short• Why hope matters for athletes, veterans, first responders, and anyone living with brain injuryThis conversation reminds us that brain trauma is often invisible—but no one has to face it alone.Special thanks to our sponsors:• Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation• Millennium Health Centers• Millennium Health Store• Paradise Behavioral Health – Brain Well Program• MC Wellness – Cristal Clark, MA, LPC-S• Ambio Life Sciences• Vielight, Inc. – Learn more about photobiomodulation (red light therapy) and save with discount code HEADRUSHVL➡️ Subscribe for more conversations bringing awareness, education, and hope to athletes, veterans, first responders, and families affected by brain trauma.