Chris Pronger is a husband, father, keynote speaker, soon-to-be author, NHL Hall of Famer, and Olympic Gold Medalist—an all-around quintessential midlife male. As an athlete and thought leader, he lives and leads by example as a husband, father, and provider. Known worldwide for his prowess on the ice as one of the best to ever play the game of hockey, Chris brings unapologetic, opinionated insights and experiences with a straightforward point of view that connects, inspires, and promotes discipline, accountability, hard work, grit, determination, and the character it takes to be a true leader and success—not just on the ice, but in life.
It was a pleasure and privilege to get to know Chris. I first met him at Dr. Gabriel Lyon’s Forever Strong event in Austin, Texas last year. This year’s event is in my hometown of Houston, Texas. Click the link here for a very special Midlife Male offer to attend.
That morning in Austin, I worked out alongside Chris. We chatted and got to know one another briefly, talking about our kids, our wives, his boys, my boys, his wife Lauren, my wife Kate. The relationship shifted from fan admiration to admiration as a man.
Chris was gracious enough to join our Inner Circle call last month, opening up to our guys who could ask him anything. He answered honestly and transparently, helping us see where the puck was going.
This is an important read from an important human being. Check out this week’s How I See It with Chris Pronger.
Chris Pronger: 15 Rules for Life After the NHL
When you win a Hart Trophy, a Norris Trophy, and hoist the Stanley Cup, people tend to listen when you speak. And when you do all that, then walk away from the game to focus on family, fitness, and a third act built around mentorship, business, and legacy… well, that’s the kind of guy we feature at Midlife Male.
We sat down with NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, and he did what Hall of Famers do—he showed up with humility, dropped wisdom, and gave our community a playbook worth studying. Below are 15 standout insights from our conversation, each one a guidepost for men who want to lead, grow, and thrive in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
1. On Leadership
“Standards set success; adversity’s the road; champions act the part early; drive demands everything.”
2. On Accountability
“Do what you say, earn trust; don’t, and you break it, tarnishing your reputation.”
3. On Parenting During & After the NHL
“Parenting from a phone’s tough; you need to be hands-on… Post-retirement, I wanted to be home more, invested in my family.”
4. On Discipline
“I lean on my playing days’ discipline—diet, training, protocols—sticking to that mostly, with flexibility.”
5. On Retirement Structure
“Retirement laxes discipline. I’m Type A—I need structure. Playing, it’s handed to you; after, you create it.”
6. On Financial Wisdom
“Athletes mess up treating contracts like lottery tickets, chasing 100x deals—unrealistic.”
7. On Investment Strategy
“I invest in people I trust—ideas don’t matter if I don’t trust you.”
8. On The Mindset of a Champion
“Behave like a champion before you are, especially when no one’s watching—details, habits, going beyond competitors.”
9. On Purpose Post-Career
“Strugglers lose purpose—identity tied to being a player. I wasn’t just a hockey player—more substance.”
10. On Standards
“Set standards. Live them daily. Work out. Eat right. Strengthen your mind. That’s the formula.”
11. On Adversity
“Adversity’s a gift. We see it as negative, but it’s a weapon for growth—iterate, learn, tweak on the fly.”
12. On Midlife & Fitness
“Fitness, diet, wellness—50’s the new 40, maybe 35. Decide what you want, buy in—invest in yourself.”
13. On Gratitude
“The rink was my sanctuary—three, four hours blocking noise. Some can’t handle that. I could. I’m grateful.”
14. On Legacy
“In 3.0, it’s impact and legacy—showing my kids hard work, giving back… helping others level up.”
15. On Fun & Passion
“Have fun. Smile, enjoy it—teammates, competing, work. If it’s a job, you’re doing the wrong thing.”
Chris is 50 and just entering what he calls his 3.0 phase. No matter where you are in life, there’s wisdom here: build your standards, lean into adversity, and always—always—keep your head up.
This is just a taste of the incredible one-hour conversation our Inner Circle members had with Chris. Want in? Join our Inner Circle today..
Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach.
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