Meet Courtney King

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney King.

Courtney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started teaching hockey skating technique because I was a broke actor with no practical skills and asked myself…what can I possibly do to make money other than make lattes? The only thing I was really confident in was that I knew how to skate.

I am the only child of a single parent and my mom and lived with my grandparents. When I was about 9, we got cable TV. My mom and I stayed up late meandering through the unknown realms of seemingly endless channels, we happened upon an ice hockey game. The Los Angeles Kings were playing the New York Rangers. That night, Bernie Nicholls got a hat trick, Kelly Hrudey got a shutout and I was hooked. I turned to my mom and said, “That’s what I want to do.” And bless her, she made it happen.

When I was growing up, there weren’t exactly legions of girls playing ice hockey. There was one other girl in the club for which I played. My mom decided that the best way to keep me competitive in the world of hockey which was dominated by boys much bigger than me was to get me the best power skating training available. I trained with Tom Hughes Hockey Inc., and he made me a lean mean skating machine. I played full contact boys hockey until I aged out and I also was selected to play for Cal Selects, an elite girls’ select team composed of players from all over California.

I was on track to play college hockey but anxiety and self-doubt got the better of me. Once I stopped playing high-level hockey, I didn’t know who I was. I drifted for some years and ended up going back to my first love, acting.

Which brings us to the broke actor part. I went to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, learned a ton, had a blast, and walked away with a mountain of debt. After figuring out I wasn’t going to be walking out of school right onto Broadway, I had to figure out how to pay the bills. I was talking to my cousin, who is much smarter than me, and he asked, “What is something you’re good at that you could teach? Sing? Acting?” My immediate answer was, “I can teach skating.”

Once again, I found myself as the tiny female in a male-dominated world but I have succeeded in carving out a niche for myself. I say that I am in the business of empowering people, and I happen to use ice hockey. Through my business, Courtney King Hockey LLC, I am able to guide players of all ages to improve their skating while building their confidence and self-esteem. I think every day about how I am the luckiest person in the world because I have a job that I go to every day that is having a positive impact on people.

Because I largely work for myself and set my own schedule, I have also been able to keep my performing life going. I recently formed a production company, A King’s Legacy Productions LLC, and am working on producing a film about John McNamara, an FDNY firefighter who died of 9/11 related cancer. It’s a film that tells the story of one in hopes that it will bring attention to the story of many who have suffered due to 9/11 related illnesses. I feel truly blessed to be the steward of such a story that will hopefully help so many people.

All and all, I’ve had my ups and downs, but I feel so blessed and fortunate to be doing work that truly is making an impact, even if on a small scale.

Has it been a smooth road?
I am recovering codependent so I have had to overcome everything that comes with that. Anxiety, depression, massive savior complex. By the grace of God, I’m in the best headspace of my life which is what is allowing me to do the work I’m doing now.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I specialize in hockey skating technique. I try to guide my clients to be skilled, efficient skaters. I am known for keeping learning fun and positive, and for helping players keep a positive mindset through their development. I am most proud of that my company is known for its integrity, quality, and fun. I think everyone teaching skating brings a different flavor to what they do. I am not right for everyone. Nor is any coach. I think if there’s something that sets me apart, it’s my willingness to embrace people that could be seen as my competition. I believe there’s room for everyone and we succeed through supporting each other.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA because it has the Kings and we can basically reach every kind of terrain in about an hour: beach, desert, mountains. What I like least about my city is the traffic.

Contact Info:

• Website: courtneykinghockey.com
• Instagram: @CourtneyKingHockey and @ckproductions45

Image Credit:
Marv Keller, David Levy

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.