Lawrence Duschenski reflects on growing up in Edmonton playing high-level youth soccer, where early success and strong friendships shaped his love for sports, though he eventually stepped away from club competition due to politics and pressure. He describes his athletic journey as largely social rather than intensely competitive, later developing a deep passion for basketball as a fan and coach despite not playing it at a high level himself. Duschenski highlights how youth sports have become increasingly professionalized, with early specialization, rankings, and financial barriers influencing development and opportunities. He emphasizes that while exposure and pathways have improved through social media and travel programs, qualities like mindset, teamwork, and character ultimately separate athletes who succeed at higher levels.

Duschenski also discusses the importance of coaching influences, noting how positive mentors helped shape his perspective on sports and personal development. He reflects on the balance between pushing young athletes to improve and allowing them to enjoy the game without excessive pressure. He points out that many kids today face burnout due to overtraining and unrealistic expectations from parents and organizations. Ultimately, he advocates for creating environments where athletes can develop skills while still maintaining a genuine love for the sport.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Lawrence Duschenski

Earth Water

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Simon Bennett joins the community for Episode 9. Simon is a high-performance expert and former NHL strength and conditioning leader who emphasizes holistic athlete development and entrepreneurship. He reflects on his early experiences in rural Alberta, where unstructured play like skating on the river shaped his love for sport and creativity. Simon highlights the value of playing multiple sports in youth, explaining that diverse skill development builds a stronger athletic foundation than early specialization. He also discusses the pressures of modern sport systems, noting the balance between development, exposure, and avoiding burnout. Throughout, he stresses the importance of communication, self-awareness, and strong values in both athletic development and parenting.

Bennett discusses his experience raising highly active, competitive children and emphasizes the importance of creating natural, pressure-free moments for communication rather than forcing structured conversations. He highlights that young athletes benefit from playing multiple sports early on, as it builds a broad range of physical and cognitive skills before specializing later. The conversation also explores parenting philosophy, stressing that each child is different and that support should be tailored to their individual needs and emotional state. Simon reflects on his own upbringing, noting how discipline, responsibility, and early work shaped his identity.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Simon Bennett

Earth Water

Bird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!

FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!

A new episode every 3 weeks on:

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Scott Fellnermayr shares his journey from a late-developing youth hockey player in West Kelowna to becoming the head coach of the NAIT Ooks men’s hockey team. He explains how perseverance, mentorship—especially from a junior coach who believed in him—and strong support from family and teammates helped him overcome setbacks like injuries and early struggles in minor hockey. Fellnermayr emphasizes the importance of balanced development in youth sports, encouraging kids to build skills, play multiple sports, and maintain enjoyment rather than specializing too early. As a coach, he focuses on building relationships with players through regular one-on-one meetings, understanding their lives outside hockey, and supporting both their athletic and academic growth.

Scott discusses the academic and personal support systems available to NAIT student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of resources like academic advisors, tutors, and maintaining a minimum GPA. He highlights how many athletes initially hesitate to seek help, but using available support ultimately improves learning, efficiency, and balance with their demanding schedules. The conversation also explores the role of one-on-one meetings between coaches and players, where discussions often extend beyond hockey to academics, team culture, and personal development. Fellnermayr stresses that strong team culture is built through mentorship from veteran players and open communication with the coaching staff.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Scott Fellnermayr

Earth Water

Bird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!

FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!

A new episode every 3 weeks on:

YouTube

Apple

Spotify

Amazon

Audible

Follow us on:

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X

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