The latest episode of the Talk Today podcast features a wide-ranging interview with professional hockey player, rapper and entrepreneur Josh Ho-Sang, including a vulnerable and personal discussion about mental health.
A first-round draft pick of the National Hockey League (NHL)’s New York Islanders in 2014, Ho-Sang joins podcast co-hosts Alex Salomie and Justin Dickie to discuss his hockey career, resilience and recovery, mindset, his new ventures into music and app development, and much more.
Find and listen to the episode now on your favourite podcast app, or watch the video version on CMHA Ontario’s YouTube channel. Make sure to like and subscribe, leave a comment, and share with a friend. (Content warning: references to suicide)
While the 28-year-old Ho-Sang has been open about his mental health in the past, he delves deeper into the ups and downs of his time as a pro, describing his feelings through times he faced public criticism, his lowest moments, how he overcame his darkest times, and what he does today to stay mentally grounded and balanced.
Known for his offence and playmaking ability on the ice, the Toronto, Ont. native simultaneously announced two new creative ventures back in March, with the release of his debut rap album SAME as well as pick-up sports matchmaking mobile app, PUP sports (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play).
Now in his eighth season in pro hockey, Ho-Sang also returned to the game with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades the same week his album and app were launched, following lengthy rehab for a hand injury sustained last season while playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
Ho-Sang appeared in 53 NHL games with the Islanders between 2017 and 2019, collecting seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. He spent six seasons in the Islanders’ organization, and also had stints with the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies, and with the Swedish Hockey League’s Örebro HK and Linköping HC. Prior to turning pro, Ho-Sang spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Niagara IceDogs and Windsor Spitfires.
The Talk Today podcast aims to spread mental health awareness in sports through conversations with athletes and others in the sports community who are passionate about mental health. Find the Talk Today podcast on your favourite podcast player here.
Talk Today is one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada. Launched by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the OHL in 2014, Talk Today promotes the mental health of young athletes and spreads awareness of mental health throughout communities nationwide. Partnerships include the Canadian Hockey League, Canadian Junior Hockey League, Taekwondo Canada and other sports organizations across Canada. Learn more at www.talktoday.ca.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 9-8-8 or visit www.988.ca. In cases of an emergency, call 9-11. Please take care when listening.