Episodi

  • Nearly Failed Out to Top 3 in the US (Team USA High Jump) — Dontavious Hill - Ep 12
    Feb 17 2026
    Nearly Failed Out to Top 3 in the US (Team USA High Jump) — Dontavious HillDontavious Hill is the definition of "persistence" as someone who engineered his own ascent. A 5-time All-American and 4-time SEC Silver Medalist at Auburn, and one of the Top 3 high jumpers in the United States. But his path was nearly cut short before it truly began.While breaking freshman records on the field, Dontavious was struggling in the classroom. He found himself crying over his textbooks, worried he wasn’t going to make it. In this episode, we explore the narrow margin between "failing out" and "flying high." We discuss the mental systems he used to study his way back into eligibility and the "Identity Shackle" that prevents most athletes from reaching elite heights.Inside the Episode:
    • The 1-Point Miracle: The story of the engineering exam that stood between Dontavious and his dreams.
    • The Identity Shackle: Why identifying as a "6-foot jumper" or a "failing student" is the most restrictive thing an athlete can do.
    • 4’8” to 7’5”: Deconstructing the physical and mental progression of a kid who rode the bench in every other sport because he "wasn't athletic."
    • The Professional "Void": What happens when the structure of Auburn University disappears and you have to navigate the life of a professional athlete as a one-man show.
    • Systems Over Motivation: How journaling, goal setting, and repetitive systems outperform "feeling good" every single time.
    The "Simple Win" Philosophy:"Your best is enough" — Dontavious HillConnect with Dontavious:
    • Instagram: @DontaviousHill
    • TikTok: @DontaviousHill3
    • YouTube: Dontavious Hill

    Connect with Sam Nott:
    • Resources: https://www.samnott.com
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    16 min
  • The Truth No Pro Tells You" (Pro Tennis + Injury Recovery) — Britney Chiu - Ep 11
    Feb 10 2026
    The Truth No Pro Tells You: (Pro Tennis + Injury Recovery) — Britney ChiuBritney Chiu’s life looks like an athlete's dream: professional tennis tournaments, high-speed serves, and a viral social media presence. But what happens when the highlights stop? After a 9-month injury sidelined her career, Britney was forced to confront the "Truth" that most professionals hide—the crushing loneliness of the tour, the struggle to remain positive when your body fails you, and the identity crisis that occurs when you are no longer "just an athlete."In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the professional circuit. Britney shares her journey through a grueling recovery, how she found purpose in the family bakery while she couldn't play, and why teaching the basics to others finally helped her master the "chess match" of elite tennis.Inside the Episode:
    • The Pro Lie: Britney breaks down the unglamorous reality of travel—going from hotel to court in a cycle of isolation that social media never shows.
    • Losing Your Identity: What happens when your sport is your entire world and an injury takes it away? Britney discusses the "darkness" of being sidelined for 9 months.
    • The Pressure of Positivity: A raw look at the internal war of creating "inspirational" content while feeling lost behind the scenes.
    • The Bakery Pivot: How stepping into her family’s business helped her rediscover a sense of self-worth outside of a tennis ranking.
    • Tennis as Chess: Why coaching others allowed her to finally understand the strategy of her own game and return to the court as a smarter player.
    The "Simple Win" Philosophy:"Simple wins are like small goals. We always think about the big dreams and getting to the top, but those small wins are what actually build the path to get there." — Britney ChiuConnect with Britney:
    • Instagram: @BritneyChiu04
    • TikTok: @BritneyChiu04
    • YouTube: Britney Chiu
    Connect with Sam Nott:
    • Resources: https://www.samnott.com
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    14 min
  • Winning the Mental War (D1 Brown University + Vietnam National Champ) – Gabriel Thai - Ep 10
    Feb 3 2026
    Winning the Mental WarGabriel Thai put in the blood, sweat, and tears for a grueling gap year, only to be told by his dream school that he wasn’t good enough to walk onto the team. Most athletes would have hung up the spikes right then. Instead, Gabriel doubled down on a belief in himself, sent a Hail Mary to the Ivy League, and took control of his career.In this conversation, Gabriel deconstructs the specific challenges he faced—from training in Vietnam to the "mental war" of proving he belongs in the Ivy League. We explore the relentless grind that took him from a "last-place" fear to becoming a two-time National Champion and a Division I standout at Brown University. This is a masterclass in letting passion drive you forward when the world tells you to quit.Inside the Episode:
    • The Duke Rejection: Gabriel opens up about the "devastating" moment he was cut and how he navigated the feeling that his hard work had been for nothing.

    • The Vietnam Gap Year: Why Gabriel credits his hardest, most "un-glamorous" training volume in Vietnam for building the mental floor he stands on today.
    • The "Delusional" Reset: How to "clear the mechanism" after a mistake by adopting a quiet, internal arrogance that you are the best person in the stadium.
    • Input vs. Outcome: A masterclass in shifting your focus from the scoreboard to the "boring" daily habits that guarantee long-term success.
    • The Side Quest: How Gabriel balances being a D1 athlete at Brown University with a passion for filmmaking and storytelling.
    The "Simple Win" Philosophy:"You can’t guarantee the outcome of anything, but you can 100% guarantee what you put into your work. Be input-driven, not outcome-obsessed."Gabriel ThaiConnect with Gabriel:
    • TikTok: @gabthai
    • Instagram: @gabthai
    Connect with Sam Nott:
    • Resources: https://www.samnott.com
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    19 min
  • The "Mutant" Blueprint: How to Build Pro-Level Habits (NHL Draft Pick) - Matt Ustaski
    Jan 27 2026

    Most athletes think the hard part is getting the call. The reality? Getting drafted is just one stepping stone along the journey.

    Today, we sit down with Matt Ustaski, a former NHL draft pick for the Winnipeg Jets with 7 years of professional experience across the NHL, AHL, and more. Matt reveals the "glitch" in the traditional athletic mindset and explains why he founded the Mutant Hockey Lab to help athletes evolve past raw talent.

    If you’ve ever felt like your performance was hitting a ceiling, this 17-minute masterclass on habits, mindset, and mental toughness is for you.

    Inside the Episode:
    • Talent vs. Habits: The "uncomfortable truth" about what it actually takes to stay in a pro locker room.
    • The Mutant Mindset: Why Matt advocates for habits like grounding, sunlight, and whole foods to outperform the "meathead" culture of traditional sports.
    • The Motivation Myth: Why leaning on motivation is a recipe for failure and how to replace it with "Simple Wins."

    Key Simple Wins:
    • "Talent gets you in the door, but habits keep you in the room."
    • The direct correlation between your off the ice habits and your scoreboard results.
    • Why playing multiple sports (baseball, track, volleyball) is the secret to avoiding elite-level burnout.

    Connect with Matt Ustaski:
    • Instagram: @mutanthockeylab
    • TikTok: @mutanthockeylab
    Connect with Sam Nott:
    • https://www.samnott.com
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    17 min
  • Stop Overthinking 2 L’s = 1 W | DI TSU Track Rob Hoop
    Jan 20 2026

    Rob Hoop is a D1 record-holding runner at Tennessee State University and a massive content creator. After being cut from his freshman basketball team, Rob pivoted to running and eventually broke multiple college records at TSU. He is an expert on trusting his instincts and going with the flow.

    Expect to learn:

    • The "2 L’s = 1 W" rule for handling failure
    • Why "measuring your shot" is actually why you are missing
    • Why Rob eats Chinese takeout the night before every record-breaking race
    • The truth about recruiting services like NCSA and why they might be a trap
    • How to clear your head by "beating" yourself up the morning after a loss
    • The Michael Jackson rule for creating viral content
    • And much more

    Connect with Rob:

    • Instagram: @Rob.Hoop
    • TikTok: @RobHoop
    • YouTube: RobHoop Running

    Connect with Sam:

    • Join the Simple Wins Community
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    16 min
  • Playing Hurt & Doing Whatever It Takes: Hutch Crociata Baseball Comeback
    Jan 13 2026

    Summary: In this episode of Simple. Wins., Sam Nott sits down with Capital University baseball player and content creator, Hutch Crociata. Hutch isn't your typical prospect—he’s undersized, a late bloomer, and a self-proclaimed "Team Bunter." But he has one thing that stats can't measure: Heart.

    Hutch opens up about his herniated disc that kept him out for six months and doing whatever it takes to help the team win.

    If you are an undersized athlete, dealing with an injury, or just trying to find your role on a team, this episode is your blueprint for earning your spot through grit, hustle, and selfless play

    Key Takeaways (Simple Wins):

    • "Whatever the Team Needs": How Hutch went from swinging JV to a State Champion by embracing the role of doing whatever the team needs
    • The "Broken Back" Lesson: Why injuries are sometimes a blessing in disguise
    • Control the Controllables: From throwing bats as a kid to winning sportsmanship awards, Hutch breaks down the mental shift that saved his career

    Quotes:

    • "One day in physical therapy, I was like, 'Man, this team is too good. I gotta get out there. I gotta thug it out.'
    • "I was the opposite of that big kid growing up... I went from bunts to bombs."

    Connect with Hutch:

    • TikTok: @HutchCrociata
    • YouTube: Hutch Crociata
    • Instagram: @HutchCroHits

    Connect with Sam:

    • Newsletter: Join the Simple Wins Community
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    14 min
  • D1 Soccer, Faith, and Failure: Why Your Worth Isn't the Scoreboard
    Jan 6 2026

    In this episode of Simple. Wins., Sam Nott sits down with Keely Thomas, a Division I Goalkeeper at Long Island University, a nursing student, and a viral content creator. Keely doesn’t just talk about the highlights; she dives deep into the "ugly" side of elite sports that built her mental toughness.

    Keely opens up about surviving a brutal 13-game losing streak, the anxiety of waking up to 4 million views on a locker room video, and the "Grandma habits" that allow her to balance D1 soccer with one of the hardest majors in college.

    🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
    • The "Goldfish" Mindset: Why the secret to elite goalkeeping is a short memory and how to "delete" mistakes in 5 seconds.

    • The 13-Loss Turnaround: How Keely’s team went from a winless streak to #1 in the conference by learning the art of humility.

    • Building Mental Fitness: Why Keely believes you have to strengthen your mind before your body can truly hit peak performance.

    • The Transfer Portal Reality: Why Keely left Longwood for LIU and her advice for athletes who feel "stuck" in their current program.

    • Grandma Habits for Elite Results: Why a 7:30 PM bedtime and 4:30 AM wake-up call are Keely’s ultimate "Simple. Wins."


    🔗 Connect With Keely Thomas:
    • Instagram: @keely.thomassss
    • TikTok: @keely.thomass
    🔗 Connect With Sam Nott:
    • YouTube: @samnottofficial
    • Instagram: @samnottofficial

    TikTok:@samnottofficial

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    12 min
  • The Unfiltered D1 Football Journey: Injury, Mental Health, and Transfer Portal
    Dec 30 2025

    In this episode of Simple. Wins., Sam Nott sits down with Everett Rogers, a powerhouse Defensive Tackle at the University of Houston.

    This isn’t your typical sports interview; it’s a raw, unfiltered deep dive into the Division 1 Reality that the cameras don't show.

    Everett pulls back the curtain on the mental and physical toll of elite college athletics. He shares the staggering story of playing 8 games on a torn meniscus because he was ignored by trainers, a "toxic" coaching culture, his personal battle with depression, the transfer portal, and the academic turnaround that saw him go from a 1.7 GPA to a DI football player.

    Whether you are an aspiring athlete, a student-athlete in the thick of the grind, or anyone looking to build a high-performance mindset, Everett’s journey offers a masterclass in resilience, personal development, and the power of "No Opportunity Wasted."

    🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
    • The 1.7 GPA Turnaround: How Everett rebuilt his academic foundation to secure his D1 dream
    • The Injury Fumble: The brutal reality of playing through a torn meniscus and the frustration of getting a diagnosis
    • Mental Performance Under Pressure: Surviving a toxic coaching environment and the conversation that saved Everett’s life during his darkest moment
    • The Transfer Portal & NIL Truths: Why Everett turned down big money at another school to prioritize family and the right "scheme" at Houston
    • The "N.O.W." Framework: Breaking down the life philosophy of No Opportunity Wasted and how to apply it to your daily routine

    🔗 Connect With Everett Rogers:
    • Instagram: @3veritt_
    • TikTok: @3veritt_
    • YouTube: @3veritt_
    🔗 Connect With Sam Nott:
    • YouTube: @samnottofficial
    • Instagram: @samnottofficial
    • TikTok: @samnottofficial
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    16 min