📱NRL sensation and Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary recently shared a surprisingly relatable struggle: a constant battle with mobile phone addiction. This admission offers a candid glimpse into the personal life of a star known for his laser focus on the field, even as he faces an unexpected wave of criticism from fans.
The 27-year-old lynchpin, who has flawlessly guided the Panthers to four consecutive grand final victories, confessed that his relationship with his mobile device is an ongoing challenge. While his on-field concentration is legendary, Cleary admits that off the field, maintaining attention away from his screen is tough.
“I feel I am a better person, more present and my attention span is a lot better, when I stay off my mobile phone,” Cleary stated, acknowledging that this pervasive habit consumes not just him, but thousands of Australians.
The Dopamine Loop and the Digital Detox
Cleary identifies the core of the problem as the dopamine loop created by phone use. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that plays a major role in pleasure and reward-motivated behavior. The constant checking, scrolling, and notifications provide quick bursts of this ‘feel-good’ chemical, making the habit hard to break.
“It’s a constant battle,” he admitted. “You stay away from the phone for a little bit and that builds up a dopamine release, which is a chemical release in your brain. If I catch myself doing that then I will try and stay off my phone for a little bit.”
To combat this, the star has adopted a strategy he calls ‘phone fasting’, deliberately stepping away from the device to reset his focus and attention span. He has also turned to meditation as a tool to help break the cycle of being “consumed by a screen.”
Fan Criticism Amidst Kangaroos Success
This personal revelation comes at a particularly intense moment in Cleary’s career. He is currently in England, playing a key role as halfback for the Kangaroos, who recently secured a spectacular 3-0 whitewash in the Ashes series with a 30-8 victory at Headingley. This win marks the first Ashes whitewash in over 20 years.
However, despite the national team’s overwhelming success, Cleary has been the target of harsh criticism from some fans regarding his individual performances in the green and gold No. 7 jersey. The volleys of negativity, coupled with his personal battle for focus, highlight the immense pressure athletes face both in their professional and private lives.
Cleary’s honesty shines a light on an issue that has become universal. It’s a powerful reminder that even elite athletes, who appear to possess superhuman levels of discipline, share the same vulnerabilities and struggles as their fans when it comes to navigating the modern, screen-saturated world. His dedication to ‘phone fasting’ and meditation is a proactive approach, offering a valuable lesson to anyone looking to reclaim their focus from the tyranny of the mobile screen.