Phones are shaping today’s athletes - for better or worse.In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Coach Eric and Coach Andy tackle one of the most relevant topics in modern youth hockey: cell phone use. From sleep disruption and social media comparison to personal branding and digital discipline, this is a balanced conversation about how devices are influencing development on and off the ice.The episode opens with Olympic takeaways and a David vs. Goliath mindset story, before diving into how phones impact performance, confidence, team culture, recruiting, and mental health.Are phones ruining development? Or are they the greatest tool young athletes have ever had? The answer isn’t simple.Whether you're a player managing screen time, a parent navigating device rules, or a coach trying to build culture in a digital world, this episode will challenge how you think about technology and performance.Key Moments:0:00 – Olympics perspective & elite preparation9:42 – Intro to phone use + David vs Goliath mindset26:30 – Sleep destruction & performance drop32:45 – Social media comparison & identity38:40 – Getting in trouble online (real examples)39:20 – OHL teams check your social media40:20 – Snapchat issues & digital discipline49:10 – Unlimited access to information (for free)50:20 – Personal branding for young athletes52:00 – Connectivity in today’s hockey world54:20 – Phones, mental health & awarenessEpisode Themes:You can’t out-train poor sleepYour Instagram is your first interviewThe phone isn’t the problem, it’s how you use itComparison culture is quietly killing confidenceOne post can undo five years of workStay Connected: 🎥 Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube 📲 Follow us: @BuiltFromSteelSeriesPartner accounts: @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzoloThe Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. 🌐 Learn more at www.biosteel.com

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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