Commitment To: Transformation. Part Two of a Conversation with Riley Stillman.

Last week we talked to Riley about being committed to commitment, the practice of staying present, and being true to yourself. In this second half of the conversation, Riley shares how he navigated numerous transitions and how he mastered his inner game. 

Johan Martinez-Khalilian: Up until then you weren’t having it. You had defined yourself as a defender only. You weren’t interested in scoring points. 

Riley Stillman: Yeah, I just couldn’t see it. 

Johan: Then when I saw that glimmer in your eye. I asked you again, do you want to work on this part of your game? 

Riley: I said, hell yeah, let’s do it. 

Johan: What changed? What made you say to yourself, I want to work on this part of my game that maybe I've ignored or avoided or been afraid of looking at before?

Riley: I just felt more free to experiment and grow. If I’m going to get better I need to be willing to stretch myself and transform my game in ways that help me get back to the NHL and stay there for good. I have the opportunity to level up so trying something different and adding this other element is going to do nothing but help me. I just felt like it was right and chose to embrace it. Let's go for it. I'm ready for the challenge.

"If I’m going to get better I need to be willing to stretch myself and transform my game in ways that help me get back to the NHL and stay there for good."

Johan: Do you remember what the actual commitment was? 

Riley: I sure do. I committed to scoring two points a week. 

Johan: Yup, you're like, I'm gonna score 2 points a week. When you stepped into that commitment I was so excited about what we're going to experience on this path. What happened after the first week of having that commitment on the board? 

Riley: I didn’t hit it the first week. Had some opportunities but didn’t make it happen.  We went back to the drawing board and went back to practice. Then we got into the games the next weekend and we missed again. I had opportunities where I hit the post or things I couldn’t control what happened but it didn't go in. But I was like, it's coming. I could feel I was close. Then it happened, I was able to follow through with my commitment and I scored the two points I committed to scoring.

Johan: Literally, it took you a month to go from, “That’s not who I am” to “Oh, look what I just did!” You stayed committed. You stayed in the gap. We stayed curious. We figured out where we needed to work and put the mental reps in, we nailed down new practices, new habits, new mindsets, and then that thing that you weren't willing to even attempt in the past you had just accomplished in a month. 

Riley: It felt damn good, too. I wasn’t willing to cheat myself or the game. 

Johan: Yes. 

Riley: So when you have that behind you, there's confidence in that. When I stayed in that pocket that's when things became exciting for me in a new way.

Johan: It’s just a testament to who you are.  Most people who go through what you've gone through would want to play it extra safe. They could start to think think I have to make sure I make no mistakes and never do anything wrong, I have to be perfect, because if I'm not, maybe I won't get back to the  NHL.

You didn’t do that. You chose a different road.  You chose to experiment more, you chose to be more creative, think outside of the box, and take new risks. You stepped out of your comfort zone and as a result, you found new parts of yourself, parts of yourself you never knew were there. You did experience a high level of transformation. 

"You chose a different road. You chose to experiment more, you chose to be more creative, think outside of the box, and take new risks. You stepped out of your comfort zone and as a result, you found new parts of yourself, parts of yourself you never knew were there."

Riley: Big time. I think the idea of sticking with the status quo wasn’t going to get me to where I want to be. So, I took a step outside of the box to grow, and following through with that commitment was super rewarding. 

Johan: You score your points and what happens next? 

Riley: Then I get injured. In the Friday night game, I tear my ACL, and my meniscus on both sides and have another set of tightening from a ligament to my femur.  So, another challenge. 

Johan: Another challenge. 

Riley: And we’re working through all that right now. I’m rehabbing and preparing myself for free agency in July. I can't change the ACL. It happened. I had surgery and feel grateful for my Doctor Bob Marks in New York, he worked his magic. Now I focus on day-to-day and the things in my control. I get to heal and stay committed to the things I'm committed to on a day-to-day basis to be ready for free agency. 

Johan: Committed to commitment. 

Riley: That's my mindset. It's just focusing on commitments and what I can do to get better mentally and physically.  

Johan:  And now, as you look forward to the future, what are you most excited about?

Riley: I get to be detailed about who I am and who I want to be and make decisions for the long term of my career. I’m excited about getting back to 100% healthy and being back in the league better than ever. 

"I get to be detailed about who I am and who I want to be and make decisions for the long term of my career. I’m excited about getting back to 100% healthy and being back in the league better than ever."

Johan: We're going after 1,000 games plus right? 

Riley: That's one of the goals!  

Johan: Let's make that happen. It's been such a privilege and an honor to walk alongside you this whole time.  It’s been amazing to create this brotherhood we now have. You’ve spent time in our home and you’ve become a part of the family, and my daughter asks for you all the time, “Where’s Riley?!”

Riley: My girl Ísla! 

Johan: What matters most to me is the relationship. I get to do this work with people that I love, like you, a class act and one of the best humans around. 

Riley: I appreciate that. And to have the opportunity to work with you through all these ups and downs. I feel like there's no way I could have done it and got through without you, I need you to know that. I love you and your family, and being a part of that. I think that's the important thing, doing it with someone that you’re aligned with and you have that connection with.

Johan: You’re gonna make a grown man cry. Did you ever think that you would be going through all the ups and downs when we first decided to work together?

Riley: No. Never. You can’t ever know any of it. 

Johan: I hear you. 

Riley: I’m so glad I was ready for it all, though.

Johan: I don't know why I just thought about this. But have you ever thought how things would have turned out if we hadn’t started working together?

Riley: To be honest, I haven't gone there because I can’t even imagine it. I don't even want to think about that so don’t ask me to get curious about that. 

Johan: I see what you did there. 

Riley: How about you? Have you thought about it? 

Johan: I just literally had the thought for the first time as we were talking. Maybe I’ve seen too many parallel universe movies… 

Riley: Marvel will do that to you. 

Johan: Or, Everything Everywhere All At Once. That’s my jam. Although, I can get down with the Loki series. 

Riley: Yeah. The timeline. 

Johan: Right. We're in Loki's timeline. Marvel should be paying us for this portion of the interview. Shameless plug. 

Riley: I’m glad we’re in this timeline doing the work together. Wouldn’t have it any other way.