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 your ability to cope with challenges.

Meet my guest

Millie Rajecki is a rising British tennis player known for her resilience, self-awareness, and competitive mindset. With experience in both collegiate and professional tennis, she offers a grounded perspective on growth, handling pressure, and navigating the ups and downs of the sport.

🎙️ Locker Room Power with David Sammel

Mindset and leadership for high performers from an Olympic-level coach.

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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 Milly Rajecki? Her story from Nottingham to Wimbledon.2:19, How tennis shaped her as a person, not just a player.3:52, "You're a loser every week." The truth about pro tennis.5:01, The difference between analysing a loss and just dwelling on it.7:23, Winning streaks: the real secret to climbing the rankings.8:10, who inspired her to make the sacrifices necessary to go pro.10:28, Why she was never "the chosen one" and how she defied everyone.13:41, The summer that changed everything: 7am sessions in 35-degree heat.17:15, When should you invest in a full-time travel coach?19:31, David's advice for any 16-year-old who wants to play pro tennis.22:31, Milly's two superpowers on court.25:54, How she went from being fearful of pressure to thriving under it.28:07, CLIP MOMENT: Pressure points mean you are winning.🎙️ Locker Room Power with David SammelMindset and leadership for high performers from an Olympic-level coach.👇 Subscribe for weekly episodes that go inside the locker room.🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a drop.Connect with David:WEBSITE:INSTAGRAM:Millie RajeckiINSTAGRAM: #lockerroompower #tennispodcast #protennis #davidsammel #tennismindset #womentennis #tennismotivation #itftennis #wimbledon #mentaltoughness #tenniscoaching #athletemindset #collegetennis #tennislife #highperformancemindset #sportspodcast #tennisplayer #tennistraining #tenniscommunity

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 court or in the boardroom, learn why you need a plan before you need a player.Key Takeaways:The Talent Myth: Why 35 years in pro locker rooms proved that "not being good enough" is rarely the problem.Architecture vs. Effort: How to stop "improvising" under pressure and start executing a pre-planned system.Clarity Before Action: The exact framework David is using to overhaul his own performance standards.Timestamps:0:00, The Hook: "I’ve been doing this wrong."0:30, Why hard work alone fails.1:05, The job of a High-Performance Coach.4:49, The danger of "interesting discussions" vs. great content.6:17, CLIP MOMENT: You are running a performance system.7:23, The real gap: It’s almost always a system.Connect with David:WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM:

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 Wimbledon, Nick and David break down how to reframe nerves as a privilege and why "total belief" is the only thing that keeps you from cracking when your opponent is waiting for a weakness.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The Billionaire’s Dream: Why elite pressure is a reward for your hard work, not a threat to your success.

• The "Cracking" Point: How to maintain your composure when your opponent is actively looking for signs of doubt.

• The Enjoyment Factor: Why "doing things right" leads to better performance through genuine enjoyment.

• Mastering Response Time: How to take a breather and prevent impulsive reactions in the heat of the moment.

  Connect with David:WEBSITE:YOUTUBE:APPLE PODCAST:Nick Hague:WEBSITE:APPLE PODCAST:

  YOUTUBE:

  #DavidSammel #HighPerformance #BusinessStrategy #TennisCoaching #Networking #ProMindset #LockerRoomPower #Nickhague

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 can open doors that talent alone cannot.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The Networking Edge: How to build top-tier relationships by being open-minded and saying "yes" to the right opportunities.

• The Specialist Trap: Why acknowledging what you don't know is the key to hiring and working with the best in the world.

• Sportsmanship as a Strategy: Lessons from the top (like Roger Federer) on maintaining humility while dominating your field.

• Professional Longevity: How to transition from a sports-focused upbringing into a long-term, successful career in business.

About David Sammel: David is a high-performance coach and author of the SAML Method, helping top-tier athletes and leaders find clarity under pressure.

Connect with David:

WEBSITE:INSTAGRAM:

Nick Hague: WEBSITE:INSTAGRAM: APPLE PODCAST:

#NickLTP #DavidSammel #HighPerformance #BusinessStrategy #TennisCoaching #Networking #ProMindset #LockerRoomPower

You aren't lazy; you're just totally overloaded and in need of a reset. The secret to elite performance isn't just talent it’s your response time after things go wrong. Drawing from a story I've shared in locker rooms from London to Melbourne, I break down the "Two Wolves" that live inside every human. One is the positive wolf that carries calm, clarity, and confidence. It plays the long game and responds rather than reacts.

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Zone 2 is where your best work happens, and your best relationships occur. It is characterized by healthy energy and manageable stress, allowing you to stay alert, present, and in control of the variables that matter. You aren't overdoing it, but you aren't coasting either; you are moving with total clarity.

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They choose where they live mentally. Many ambitious people set up camp in the "Overdrive Zone": a state of high energy and high stress where you feel sharp and productive. The danger? You are constantly wired, and the reality is, you cannot out-hustle depletion forever.

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It’s rarely the person you want to show up. There is a war going on inside you every day, and 35 years of elite coaching has taught me how to win it.

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FULL AUDIO

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 years of coaching elite athletes. He reveals why "mental toughness" isn't about control, but about Response Time, how fast you can switch from the "Negative Wolf" back into the version of yourself that can handle the pressure.

Key Takeaways:

• The Four Zones: Why most people "drift" while champions "choose" where they live.

• The Overdrive Trap: Why you cannot out-hustle depletion forever.

• Which Wolf Wins?: The secret to feeding the habits that sustain elite performance under pressure.

• Mental Quicksand: How to use specific mental triggers to pull yourself out of emotional downward spirals.

About David Sammel: David is a high-performance coach and author of the SAML Method. His philosophy is simple: success comes from clarity of mind under pressure.

Chapters: 0:00 - Which Wolf Are You Feeding? 0:46 - The 4 Zones of the Stress Energy Map 1:30 - The Danger of the Overdrive Zone 3:42 - The Secret to Elite Response Time 4:30 - Building Habits Under Pressure

WEBSITE :INSTAGRAM :

#davidsammel #highperformance #mentaltoughness #stressmanagement #sportspsychology #championmindset #lockerroompower #samlmethod