Locker Room Power

In Part 2 of his conversation with Ron Cox, David Sammel takes the hot seat as Ron turns the questions toward leadership, mindset, and high performance. They explore what separates talented individuals from true leaders, why leading by example matters, and how self-talk, confidence, and clarity influence performance both on the field and in the boardroom. David shares why great competitors can sti...

In Part 1 of this conversation, David Sammel speaks with Ron Cox about his remarkable journey through adversity, resilience, and leadership. Ron shares how being raised by his grandparents shaped his values, how battling a rare illness led him to Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits , and how his experiences inspired his books, Me and My Best Friend: 30 Stories over 30 Years (2024) and Unbroken: From Bullied...

In this solo episode, David Sammel explores why nerves are not something high performers need to eliminate. After 35 years of working with elite athletes, CEOs, and other high performers, David has seen that even the best performers get nervous before moments that matter. The difference isn’t how nervous you feel - it’s what you believe those nerves mean. David explains how to reframe nerves as a...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Jonathan Cave flips the mic and puts David Sammel in the hot seat with a series of deep and unexpected questions. David opens up about his deepest fear, what he would change about his past, the lessons he learned through his coaching journey, and the impact of losing his father. He also shares what he would want his descendants to remember and the three words he hop...

In Part 1 of this conversation, David Sammel speaks with Jonathan Cave about his journey from a successful legal career to discovering the importance of inner alignment, fulfillment, and peace. Jonathan shares what he learned from working with high-performing entrepreneurs, why external success doesn’t always lead to internal fulfillment, and how high achievers can reconnect with themselves. They...

In this solo episode, David Sammel explores why imposter syndrome often appears just as you’re stepping up, achieving more, and entering a new level of performance. Rather than seeing self-doubt as proof that you don’t belong, David explains why it can actually be a sign that you’re growing. He shares five practical steps to manage imposter syndrome — from auditing the evidence and speaking your d...

In Part 2 of this conversation, the tables are turned as Phyllis Borenstein interviews David Sammel about the lessons he's learned from decades of coaching elite athletes and navigating high-pressure environments. David reflects on career-defining moments, the opportunities he wishes he’d pursued, and why growth often comes from embracing uncertainty rather than avoiding it. Together, they exp...

In Part 1 of this conversation, David sits down with South Florida real estate expert Phyllis Borenstein to explore what it takes to build a career that lasts. Drawing on decades of experience, Phyllis shares how relationships, consistency, and a passion for helping people have been the foundation of her success in an ever-changing industry. Together, they discuss overcoming self-doubt, building c...

In this solo episode, David Sammel explores one of the most overlooked challenges of leadership and high performance: losing access to your best thinking when pressure hits. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience coaching professional athletes and leaders, David explains why clarity isn't something you find in the moment—it’s something you prepare for long before the pressure arrives. Usi...

In Part 2 of their conversation, Navid Nazemian turns the tables and puts David Sammel in the hot seat to explore the mindset, habits, and decision-making processes that separate sustained high performers from those who struggle to maintain success. Drawing on decades of experience coaching elite athletes, including Olympians, David shares why decisive action often matters more than perfect decisi...

Part 1 of David’s conversation with Navid Nazemian explores leadership, pressure, resilience, and the mindset required to navigate major life and career transitions. From leaving Iran at 13 years old to building a global executive career, Navid shares the defining experiences that shaped his approach to growth, adaptability, and high performance. David and Navid also discuss emotional control unde...

In this solo episode, David Sammel reflects on the reality of growth, change, and stepping into discomfort — both personally and professionally. Nearly six months after moving from the UK to Florida after 46 years, David shares the emotional side of starting over and why meaningful transitions often take longer and feel harder than we expect. He also opens up about exciting new chapters ahead: lau...

In this solo episode, David Sammel explores why confidence often becomes more fragile as we improve. Through relatable examples and practical insight, he explains how high performers can become trapped by perfectionism and lose sight of how far they’ve already come. David shares a powerful mindset shift: instead of focusing on what’s missing, learn to build on the success you’ve already created. T...

In this second part of the conversation, David and Millie Rajecki explore the mindset required to perform under pressure and keep improving at the highest level. Drawing from lessons inspired by Richard Krajicek, they break down why success isn’t about having a perfect game—but about building a winning “package” around your strengths, while learning to reframe failure, handle setbacks, and trust y...

She wasn't the chosen one. Nobody predicted she'd make it this far. Milly Rajecki went from barely playing singles in college to competing at Wimbledon two years in a row. In this episode of Locker Room Power, David Sammel sits down with Milly to unpack the brutal truth behind what it really takes to turn pro. 0:00 , The Hook: "It's a pretty brutal journey." 0:51 , Who is Mil...

Stop blaming your talent for your lack of results. Most high-performers are putting in the effort, but they’re missing the architecture to sustain it. The Transformation:In this solo episode, David Sammel pulls back the curtain on the 5 massive mistakes he’s been making and reveals the "Performance System" shift that separates elite athletes from everyone else. Whether you’re on the cour...

What is the one thing billionaires would pay millions for, but can never truly buy? In this second episode of the Locker Room Power (LRP) Podcast, David Sammel and Nick Hague (host of World's Greatest Business Thinkers ) dive into the mental architecture required to perform when the stakes are at their highest. Using the powerful story of a professional player facing Maria Sharapova at Wimbled...

Does being "comfortable in your own skin" give you a competitive edge? In this episode of the Locker Room Power Podcast, David Sammel and Nick Hague pull back the curtain on how to navigate the high-stakes world of professional tennis and global business. They discuss why being "comfortable in your own skin" is the ultimate competitive advantage and how a foundation of kindness...

Is your ambition actually killing your performance? Most high-performers believe that constant "hustle" is the path to winning. In reality, they are trapped in the Overdrive Zone, a state of high energy and high stress that feels like success until it leads to total depletion. In this solo episode, David Sammel introduces the Stress Energy Map , a psychological framework built over 35 ye...

What truly drives elite performance? In this episode of The Locker Room Power Podcast, Olympic Champion Hamish Kerr flips the microphone and interviews David Sammel about the mindset behind coaching, progress, and high performance. The conversation explores what truly motivates athletes and leaders and why progress, curiosity, and resilience matter more than quick success. David shares insights fr...

What separates an Olympic champion from everyone else? In this episode of The Locker Room Power Podcast, Olympic Gold Medalist Hamish Kerr shares the mindset that drives elite performance and why true competitors never stop pushing their limits. Hamish opens up about the famous Olympic high jump jump-off, the mental framework behind choosing to compete rather than share a gold medal, and the chara...

What actually happens when your mind won’t switch off before a big moment? In this solo episode, David Sammel breaks down a real situation with a player dealing with overwhelming pressure before competition and the simple mental framework that helped him reset, regain control, and perform. This isn’t theory. This is how high performers manage pressure in real time. If you’ve ever felt stuck in you...

What if the real problem isn’t time… but how you value your tasks? In this conversation, David Sammel breaks down a powerful shift in thinking that changes how you approach time, work, and productivity. Most people don’t struggle with time management; they struggle with respecting what needs to be done. Inside this episode, you’ll learn:Why curiosity is the foundation of growthThe hidden mistake t...

How do you turn a passion into a full-time career? In this episode of Locker Room Power, Melissa Maddock shares how her journey from competitive tennis and coaching led her to become a full-time social media creator, traveling the world to famous film locations. What started as posting Harry Potter filming locations during lockdown turned into millions of monthly views, partnerships with film stud...

What if everything you’ve been told about success and the music industry isn’t the full story? In this powerful rerun episode, X Factor winner Matt Cardle joins David Sammel for an honest conversation about fame, artistic freedom, and staying true to yourself in an industry driven by pressure and expectations. After winning The X Factor, Matt made the rare decision to walk away from the commercial...