# 129: Character Over Talent: Brad May on Grit, Goals, and Integrity

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast-6619974/129-character-over-talent-brad-may-on-grit-goals-and-integrity
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast-6619974/129-character-over-talent-brad-may-on-grit-goals-and-integrity.md
Podcast: [The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast-6619974)
Published: 2026-03-04T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com
Audio file: https://pdcn.co/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/09a61c5a-a503-44f3-983f-4bf7e10a8de6.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast-6619974/episodes/129-character-over-talent-brad-may-on-grit-goals-and-integrity
Duration seconds: 3941

## Resource

In this episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, former NHL veteran Brad May joins Dwayne for candid conversation about leadership, grit, and longevity — on and off the ice. Brad reflects on his 19-year NHL career, what separated players who made it from those who didn’t, and why mental fortitude mattered more than raw talent. From locker room lessons and team dynamics to integrity in business and life, Brad shares the foundational principles that shaped his journey: set achievable goals, outwork the competition, do the right thing — even when no one is watching. He speaks openly about fear, discipline, evolving training methods, investing in himself, and the power of speaking goals into existence. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or chasing a dream, this conversation is a masterclass in character, culture, and consistency. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Opening: The power of achievable goals and how success begets success 2:10 - Amazing Race experience: A month of uninterrupted father-daughter bonding 8:13 - Ken May's integrity story: Choosing ethics over extra commission in real estate 13:36 - Playing 1,041 NHL games: The 5% club and what it takes to last 19 years 14:47 - The Miracle on Ice: Herb Brooks' leadership and the power of divide and conquer 21:36 - Training evolution: What Brad wishes he knew then vs. what athletes know now 27:54 - Nathan McKinnon's training: Heavy lifting before games to wake up the nervous system 33:28 - Building championship teams: The right mix of leaders, followers, convicts, and dreamers 39:04 - Locker room lesson: When Pat LaFontaine taught Brad about playing smart vs. playing hard 49:35 - The power of manifestation: Speaking your goals into existence 58:13 - "You can't get blood from a rock": Brad's mental fortitude su…

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