Meet Nátán Vértes, a passionate professional ice hockey player who’s played in Hungary, Finland and the U.S.A., has just been featured on Forbes Hungary’s 30/30 List and who demands excellence of himself both on and off the ice. He’s on a mission to inspire others and spread awareness of mental health.

Nátán’s love affair with hockey started at a young age. Displaying a special talent, he began working with a coach (Árpad Kercsó) from the age of six. What followed was a whirlwind of teams and places, from the Budapest Stars, Zalaegerszeg and Székesfehérvár to Finland.

At that point, he was still under 18.

We asked Nátán some questions about his life and successes to date and uncovered some surprising facts…

1. He already has a burger named after him in South Dakota.

Spotted by an American coach when he was playing a match against the U.S. with the Hungarian U18 national team, Nátán was whisked away to South Dakota. There he played for the Aberdeen Wings and won a full scholarship to the University of Alaska where he started studying psychology–a subject that would become another life passion.

Nátán thinks back fondly on his time spent here, calling it the best three years of his life. While playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), he formed a close bond with the fans.

“Thousands of people attended every game we played,” Nátán explains. “They loved and accepted me, and I always tried to reciprocate that. After each game, my teammates and I would regularly go to a restaurant where the owner was a hockey fan, and I was his favourite player. I always asked for peanut butter in my hamburger–he liked it so much that he put it on the menu as the 'Vertes Burger.' So, anyone visiting South Dakota, be sure to try my burger!”

Sidenote: we completely endorse this level of love for peanut butter. It just goes with everything, okay?

2. He lives by the mantra: “Did I get better today?”

Last year Nátán returned home. He started playing with the Hungarian national team and was selected as the best rookie player. He’s also continuing his studies at ELTE (Eötvös Loránd University) in Budapest.

When asked about the secrets behind his success, Nátán had this to say:

“I believe there is no 'secret' to my success. I consider myself an authentic person. Whatever I do, I always do it with my whole heart. I am always honest with myself and others. On my mirror in the bathroom there's a note with a question I ask myself: Did I get better today? In the evenings, I can look in the mirror and know that I did everything that day to become better.” 

3. He’s as comfortable modelling clothes as he is ready to rumble on the ice.

Although Nátán considers himself primarily a hockey player (and one not averse to a bit of rough and tumble on the ice), Nátán explains how fashion, design and art are also very close to his heart.

“For me, my appearance, style, and the clothes I wear are a means of self-expression. I also enjoy painting, reading, going to the theatre or cinema. I draw inspiration from anything that impacts me.”

When it comes to athletes shining off the field, David Beckham, the man and the brand, is certainly a name that springs to mind.

“I find it inspiring when athletes, in addition to their successful sports careers, dare to showcase other aspects of their personalities, whether it be in fashion, film, or any form of art.” Nátán continues. “David Beckham, alongside his football career, built his own brand; Hector Bellerin's fashion sense and appearance are phenomenal, and Lucas Braathen, besides skiing, also DJs or walks the runways during fashion week.”

Similarly, Nátán also aspires to being “more than an athlete”.

4. He appeared in a commercial filmed by Flatpack Films last year.

Yes, it’s true! We had the great pleasure of working with Nátán last year which he (thankfully) tells us he thoroughly enjoyed.

Nátán comments, “I hope there will be more opportunities to participate in various roles in similar projects."

5. He’s launched a mental health project called “Minden OK” (Everything’s okay). 

This multifaceted young man’s other passion is psychology. That’s spurred him on to launch “Minden OK” as part of his mission to quash the stigma surrounding mental health. Nátán hopes to help others by sharing useful advice that helped him during challenging times.

We asked him how hockey had inspired him in this endeavour.

“My life revolves around hockey. It's a constant in my life that overrides any hardships,” explains Nátán. “When I'm on the ice, I can be completely in the flow, and nothing else matters but the present moment. Through hockey, I've formed lifelong friendships, travelled to places I've only seen in movies, learned what it's like to win, and how to lose with dignity.”

Nátán has worked closely with a sports psychologist since childhood, who has played a key role, according to Nátán, in him becoming not only a better player, but also a better person. He also sparked Nátán’s interest in psychology, as a subject and possible career in the future.

We’ll sign off with this lovely, heartfelt message from Nátán:

“I want to inspire others to dare to be themselves and pursue their dreams.”

Good luck, @natanvertes

Sources:

Forbes List 30/30