Building pathways to success: Olivia Muhn’s story of learning, leadership and resilience

For as long as she can remember, hockey has been a constant in Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School graduate Olivia Muhn’s life. A Burlington native, Muhn first stepped onto the ice at just four years old, following in the footsteps of her older brother. With a dad who “got her geared up and sent her out,” hockey quickly became more than a pastime, it became part of who she was.

But hockey was never Olivia’s only passion.

From Kilbride Public School to Hayden and eventually Yale University, Muhn’s journey has been defined not by choosing a single path, but by learning how to walk many at once. Alongside hockey, she played soccer, volleyball, flag football and ran track. Her days were a steady rhythm of school, training and community involvement — a juggling act that started early and never really stopped.

“The workload and work ethic has been a constant balance, even from elementary school,” she says. “School was always straight into other activities.”

At Hayden, that balance only intensified, but so did the support. While competing at an elite level in hockey, Muhn also pursued a rigorous academic stream, earning honour roll status while following a pre-med track.

“I learned and was empowered at Hayden to pursue a path that wasn’t singular in focus, but incorporated multiple goals I dreamed of achieving,” says Muhn. “All I ever received from staff and teachers was support to make both of them happen.”

Two dreams, one work ethic

From a young age, Muhn had her eyes on medicine. Her father is a doctor, and early exposure to the field sparked an interest that solidified in high school. The strength of Hayden’s science program played a critical role, so much so that she found herself well-prepared for the academic demands of Yale.

“The sciences at Hayden were incredible,” she says. “They covered concepts I later saw in first-year Yale courses.”

At the same time, hockey was reaching new heights. Muhn played both for Hayden’s school team and with the Burlington Barracudas, learning discipline, resilience and communication in ways the classroom alone could never teach.

Choosing Yale was a goal from her first day of Grade 9. The small class sizes, close-knit community and strong coaching staff mirrored what she loved about Hayden.

“It felt familiar,” she explains. “I knew I wanted to work in Canada eventually, but Yale had everything I was looking for.”

Adapting through adversity

Muhn’s high school experience, like many others, was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The final two years of her education were anything but traditional — online learning, limited training and a year and a half without competitive games during a crucial development period.

“It affected everything, from academics to training to hockey,” she says. “But it also taught me how to be a virtual learner.”

That silver lining proved invaluable. Today, Muhn is pursuing an online master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Medicine at the University of Ottawa while continuing her professional hockey training, often travelling to Boston and preparing for Olympic-level training opportunities in Korea. She is fluent in Korean and American Sign Language, further reflecting her commitment to communication and connection.

Her transition from high school to university life in a new country required adaptability, resilience and confidence — skills she credits to her time at Hayden.

Giving back and leading forward

Community has always been a pillar in Muhn’s life.

“My parents ingrained in us at a young age that if you have the resources, you help people. If you have the time, you help other people,” she says.

Through food drives, soup kitchens across the Halton region, mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and an upcoming initiative in Kenya, giving back has remained central to her identity.

That sense of responsibility also extended to her role as an athlete. Alongside her Barracudas teammates, Muhn co-founded an anti-bullying initiative aimed at young girls in the organization.

“We knew we had a platform,” she says. “There were so many young girls looking up to us. Bullying is everywhere — teams, schools, friend groups. We wanted to teach them why it’s important to speak up, how to prevent it and what to do if it’s happening to you.”

On being a role model, Muhn is characteristically humble.

“When I think about myself, I’m like, I’m just another person, why would they look up to me?” she says. “But knowing they do makes me want to have an even more positive impact.”

More than academics

For Muhn, success has never been about grades alone.

“Everything beyond academics shapes you into who you are as a person outside of work,” she says. “If you don’t know how to communicate or work with others, good marks won’t carry you very far.”

She encourages students to embrace the full experience — sports, community involvement, cocurriculars and relationships — because those moments build empathy, leadership and perspective.

“They care about grades when you apply,” she says, “but they care about who you are as a person even more.”

Looking ahead

Muhn’s ties to Hayden remain strong. She still keeps in touch with teachers who supported her journey and helped her balance ambition with well-being. She met her now fiancé in Grade 9 and began dating in Grade 12 after running track together — another reminder that some of life’s most meaningful moments happen outside the classroom.

With a master’s degree underway, professional hockey continuing, international training on the horizon and wedding planning ahead, Muhn knows there is still so much to look forward to.

Her advice is simple, but hard-earned:

“One step at a time. Be present, so you don’t miss the small, great things happening along the way.”

For Olivia Muhn, the best is not behind her — it’s still unfolding.