Locker Room Power

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...

In Week Two of this conversation, Marcus Daniell turns the tables and puts David Sammel in the hot seat to talk about one of the most sensitive and misunderstood areas in sport: parenting young athletes . David shares decades of experience working with elite performers and junior players, breaking down the most common mistakes parents make, from guilt, pressure, and emotional blackmail to confusin...

In this powerful Week One conversation, David Sammel sits down with Olympic medallist and High Impact Athletes founder Marcus Daniell to explore what it really takes to perform when pressure is highest and how elite athletes translate that mindset into life and leadership beyond sport. Marcus shares his journey from growing up on a farm in New Zealand to winning on the world stage, the psychologic...

In this solo episode, David Sammel breaks down what elite performers do differently when pressure is highest and why clarity, not motivation, is the real competitive edge. Drawing on decades of experience with world-class athletes, Wimbledon champions, and Premier League organizations, David shows how top performers think, decide, and execute when it matters most and how the same principles apply...

In this episode, Adam Maddock interviews David Sammel on what truly separates elite performers from the rest. David explains why focus is often misunderstood, why great players obsess over their base level , and how consistency, not intensity, drives long-term success. A practical conversation for athletes, coaches, and high performers who want clarity, not clichés.

What does it really take to build a sustainable coaching career? Adam Maddock joins David Sammel to discuss his path through junior tennis, elite academies, and leadership roles, sharing honest insights about development, mentorship, and why most people underestimate the time required to grow. A grounded conversation for coaches, athletes, and leaders navigating transition and responsibility.

In this solo episode of Locker Room Power , David Sammel reflects on self-awareness, belief systems, and the quiet choices that shape our future. As the year closes and a new chapter begins, David explores why examining our beliefs isn’t optional it’s a responsibility. Drawing from life transitions, family, and decades of experience in high-performance environments, he shares why meaningful change...

In this episode of Locker Room Power, Barry Cowan turns the tables and interviews David Sammel on the mental realities of elite performance. David breaks down how top athletes manage pressure, why high performers live close to anxiety, and how confidence is built through resilience, endurance, and coping capacity. The conversation also explores what separates today’s great players, how stress can...