How do you find your footing in a foreign country after falling in love with a professional hockey player, living a life you swore you'd never live? And what happens when a secret teenage fling is rekindled a decade later with a persistent DM? I am so excited to chat with Tori O'Connor, wife of undrafted European veteran Ryan O'Connor, as she gets raw and real about her journey from an independent tech sales career to embracing the "two lives" of a European hockey wife and mom.

Tori opens up about the shock of expectations versus reality in German hockey towns, the lonely days of working remote Eastern hours from Europe, and the savage intensity of European fans. Plus, you'll hear Tori's unbelievable, 5-hour natural birth story in a German hospital that involved a "sunny side up" flip, two black eyes, and an umbilical cord scare, all while her husband was texting the coach about Sunday's game!

This episode is about realizing that sometimes, the biggest wins are just finding your support system when you're thousands of miles from home. I am so honored that Tori joined me and was so open to share her experiences with us, and I can't wait for you to hear the unfiltered truth of sacrifice, surprise, and finding pride in a life you never planned.

Did something in this conversation I had with Tori resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod, and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode!

Just some of the highlights you'll hear:

• The incredible story of how an undrafted player's career can lead to incredible success across the globe

• Tori and Ryan's secret college relationship and what happened when couple reconnected much later through social media

• What it's like to balance a full-time tech sales job remotely with the European hockey life, and some of the challenges Tori faces in this role

• Tips for successfully navigating a late-term international flight while pregnant, plus the surprisingly common side effect of a 9-hour flight

• How Tori's natural birth in Germany resulted in a five-hour pushing marathon, a "sunny side up" baby flip, and two black eyes

• The crucial post-birth support system she received in Germany that is non-existent in Canada

• What fan passion really looks like in Europe and a few of the crazy stories that demonstrates their enthusiasm for the game

• Why you might look back on the professional athlete life after it's over and realize your identity as a hockey wife became something you learned to be proud of