Viral NHL goalie interview puts the flow state in the spotlight

Calgary Flames goalie Devin Cooley’s postgame comments about entering flow during a strong performance against the Carolina Hurricanes have sparked a wider discussion about why the state matters beyond elite sports. Flow state speaker and author Laurie E. Smith says the moment shows flow is a human skill tied to creativity, well-being and everyday life.

Why it matters: - Devin Cooley’s comments gave a mainstream audience a clear example of flow state in action. - Laurie E. Smith says the public conversation should move beyond peak performance and focus on flow as a source of well-being, creativity and purpose. - Smith argues that flow is not reserved for athletes, musicians or other top performers. - Smith says children and everyday people also experience flow.

What happened: - Calgary Flames goalie Devin Cooley described flow state as a reason for his performance against the Carolina Hurricanes. - In an Oct. 24 Sportsnet interview, Cooley said, “Whatever my mind throws my way, I’m in a good state to handle.” - In an Oct. 23 article in The Athletic section of The New York Times, Cooley said, “It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s the biggest reason why I love to play.” - The comments quickly spread online and helped trigger broader interest in flow. - Laurie E. Smith, author of The Flow Habit: Creating Peace, Passion, Purpose & Everyday Miracles, responded by framing flow as a life skill, not just a performance tool.

The details: - Smith says flow is linked to creativity, emotional well-being, meaning and purpose. - Smith says many people want to feel happy, healthy, confident, creative and connected, and flow can help support those goals. - Smith says flow starts by making time for activities people love. - Smith says flow can show up while a writer brainstorms characters, an artist paints, a gardener tends flowers or children play. - Smith says cooking, dancing and meaningful conversation can also create flow. - Smith says her book offers research-backed tools and practical tips for bringing more flow into daily life. - Cooley said thinking too much can hurt performance and that he does best when he lets his unconscious mind take over. - Cooley said, “I have to let my unconscious brain do the work, because it reacts a lot quicker.” - Smith says trying to control everything with the conscious mind can block flow. - Smith says constant self-monitoring can interfere with flow. - Smith says feeling safe enough to let go is one of the most important conditions for flow. - Smith says judging yourself, comparing yourself with others and trying to figure everything out can make flow harder to access.

Between the lines: - The viral interview works as an easy entry point for a concept that is usually discussed in high-performance settings. - Smith is pushing a broader message: flow is not a rare peak state, but a repeatable human capacity. - The New York Times article showed that NHL goalies use different mental routines, including breathing and self-talk. - Cooley said smiling or chatting with teammates can sometimes interrupt his concentration. - Smith says that variation is the point: there is no single flow formula that works for everyone. - Smith says Cooley’s self-awareness shows the value of experimenting to learn what supports flow and what disrupts it.

What's next: - Smith says she keeps getting asked how to experience more flow. - Her advice is to experiment, pay attention to when people feel engaged and notice when that feeling fades. - Smith says recognizing small moments of flow and doing more of what works can help people build their own personal formula. - Smith is available for commentary on the flow state, overthinking, well-being, creativity and practical ways to boost flow. - Smith says her interest in flow was shaped in part by a life-threatening aviation incident aboard British Airways Flight 2069. - The Flow Habit has been translated into Swedish, Spanish and Chinese. - Interview requests and press materials are available by email at media@LaurieSmith.com or at more information.

The bottom line: - A viral hockey moment is being used to make a bigger case: flow is not just for elite performers, and it can matter in ordinary life too.