My Sunday Reset

My Sunday Reset: How Preparation Fuels My Week On and Off the Ice
By Jenna Seibold

Hi everyone, I want to share some tips that will help slay the connection between nutrition, mindset, and performance.

Before stepping into coaching, I spent most of my life as an athlete. Through the thrill of victory and agony of defeat, I learned some important lessons that changed how I approach performance and life. The mental game and physical game go hand in hand. And without fueling your body, things can fall apart pretty quickly.

In college, my trainer used to repeat the same two questions over and over:

Did I eat enough? Did I eat clean?

He always emphasized that order. At the time, I did not fully understand why. That changed during my sophomore year when my season stretched from August through March. As college athletes, we burn more energy than we realize between practices, lifts, games, travel, classes, and daily life. Maintaining energy means putting more fuel in than what you are constantly burning out.

For most of my college career, I focused only on the first question. Was I eating enough? That works for a while. But eventually I experienced low energy, lack of motivation, and poor sleep. Those signs taught me that quantity alone is not enough. Quality matters too.

During my fifth year in collegiate hockey, I finally built habits I wish I had started much earlier. The biggest one was creating a designated reset day. In college, my reset day was Monday. Now that I have graduated, it is Sunday.

My Sunday Reset has become something I genuinely value because it sets the tone for my entire week. Now, my life is busy in a way similar to a college athlete. Working full time and also coaching, my day starts around 4:30 am and does not wrap up sometimes until after 8 pm. Between work, coaching responsibilities, workouts, and everyday stuff, preparation becomes essential.

I strongly believe in the idea that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Sunday is where I take back control of the week before it starts. Of course, there is cleaning, laundry, and small chores. But one of the most important parts of my reset is meal preparation.

Meal prep removes decision fatigue. It makes healthy choices easier when time and energy are low. It ensures I have options that support performance instead of grabbing whatever is convenient. And honestly, I enjoy it. There is something calming and centering about preparing meals, organizing the fridge, and knowing I’m set up for the week ahead.

As a former athlete and now a coach, I see how nutrition shows up in performance. Energy levels change. Focus changes. Mood changes. Recovery changes. Players do not always connect those dots immediately, but the connection is real.

When meals are prepared and nutritious eating is intentional, athletes tend to feel steadier physically and mentally. They recover faster and stay engaged longer. Confidence improves because their bodies feel supported instead of drained.

Preparation needs to be consistent for it to have the maximum impact. I try not to overcomplicate it. For me, Sunday prep might include:

· Cooking a few protein options
· Washing and cutting fruits and vegetables
· Preparing grab-and-go snacks
· Packing lunches for busy days
· Hydrating and planning grocery lists

These small actions make the rest of the week smoother. My Sunday resets are about more than just food. They create structure, calm, and confidence. These habits help me build discipline and trust in myself.

As a coach, I want athletes to understand that fueling is part of respecting their bodies and supporting their goals. As a former player, I know how much easier life feels when preparation is already done. The goal is readiness, not perfection. Because when the week gets busy, the best thing you can do is remove friction and make supportive choices easier. Some of the most meaningful moments in sports happen away from the scoreboard.

I remember one player telling me she finally felt like her body was working with her instead of against her. That moment had nothing to do with a stat sheet. It had everything to do with confidence, energy, and feeling prepared.

That is what preparation creates. It allows you to step into your week feeling steady, supported, and ready for whatever shows up. And for me, that feeling starts on Sunday.