How to Stay MOTIVATED When You Keep LOSING - w/ Gold Medal Olympian Sir Ben Hunt-Davis
Imagine training every day for a decade… and still losing. Then figuring out one question that changes everything.
Olympic gold medallist Ben Hunt-Davis didn’t win because he trained harder, he’d been doing that for years and kept losing. He won because he and his crew started asking one question before every decision: Will it make the boat go faster?
In this conversation, Ben shares the messy reality of chasing big dreams. We talk about missing teams by one place, eating 7,000 calories a day, and why sacrifice isn’t always sacrifice if you’re doing what you love.
Then we jump into how that gold medal shaped his career as a performance coach, why bounce-back ability matters more than talent, and how to apply “filters” to shut out distractions in business and life.
3 Actionable Takeaways:
Ask better questions to unlock better results - ruthlessly align your decisions with your real goal
Build resilience by treating failures as fuel - treat setbacks as data, not drama
Identify and repeat your successes consciously - Start every review by shining a light on what worked.
Listen in and steal the mental frameworks that took Ben from last place… to Olympic champion.
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COMPETITION - 2 months of free coaching
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Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
00:00 Sir Ben Hunt-Davis
02:20 How did he get to the Olympics?
04:18 Work and being an olympian
06:33 Training regime
10:17 Making sacrifices?
11:50 Working with your peak
13:45 10,000 hour rule
15:43 Losing before becoming the best
16:09 Continuous growth = common sense
17:37 Will it make the boat go faster?
18:09 Have you ever applied your philosophy to your relationships
19:34 Did Ben feel that they deserved to win?
21:53 What if Ben and his team did not win
24:01 What was next for Ben after rowing
27:57 Biggest lessons as a coach?
29:25 Future of coaching
32:14 Bullshit filters
34:29 Biggest mistakes
38:00 Take Homes
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44:54
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44:54
Why You’ll Care About Completely Different Things in 5 Years
Ever look back at something you obsessed over… and now you can’t even remember why?
This episode’s about that gap. The gap between what you care about today and what future-you will actually give a damn about.
We’ll talk about puppies that can’t tell a cushion from a laptop, people who think their city is the center of the world, and why your 16-year-old self thought video games were the meaning of life. Turns out, value isn’t fixed. It drifts. Sometimes overnight. Sometimes over decades. The trick is spotting which things are worth fighting for and which will fade like old Instagram filters.
Three takeaways:
Audit your current priorities—80% probably don’t matter long-term.
Build habits around values, not just goals.
Get perspective by stepping outside your normal environment.
If you want to make better choices for the future you haven’t met yet—start here
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NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History & Future of Innovation
Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights.
Found on all major podcast players:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast
RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
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COMPETITION - 2 months of free coaching
Get mindset or business coaching from Sam. Enter the draw by simple subscribing to the new show and sending him an email.
UPGRADE to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
00:01 The Puppy's Perspective on Value
01:06 The Illusion of Shared Values
02:38 The Local vs. the Global
04:46 The Fickleness of Our Obsessions
06:44 The Value of Meditation and Perspective
09:45 Finding Humor in Our Obsessions
11:29 Escaping the Tyranny of "Reality"
13:08 The Illusion of Our Future Selves
14:51 The Changing Value of Money
16:44 The Temporary and Subjective Nature of Value
18:54 Identifying Your Enduring Values
20:46 Make Better Choices
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24:45
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24:45
How to Find Your Zone and Stay There - A Masterclass On Focus w/ John Lee Dumas
Feel like your focus constantly slips through your fingers? Like you’re juggling five projects but none are actually moving the needle? You’re not alone—distraction is the silent killer of progress.
In this episode, we break down how John Lee Dumas built a million-dollar podcast empire with one secret weapon: laser-sharp, relentless focus. Forget multitasking; mastery comes from saying no to everything except what truly matters. It’s like training a muscle—the more you exercise your focus, the stronger it gets. And yes, it requires cutting out noise, ignoring shiny distractions, and embracing the uncomfortable grind. This isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what counts.
Actionable takeaways:
Learn how to create a “focus bubble” that drowns out distractions.
Discover why “going all in” beats spreading yourself thin every time.
Simple mindset hacks to build focus like a pro and stick with it.
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NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History & Future of Innovation
Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights.
Found on all major podcast players:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast
RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
----
COMPETITION - 2 months of free coaching
Get mindset or business coaching from Sam. Enter the draw by simple subscribing to the new show and sending him an email.
UPGRADE to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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20:06
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20:06
The Art of Consistency: 10 Simple Rules for Real Growth
Everyone loves a good habit but what's the science that makes some work and others not so much?
Real growth isn’t about lightning bolts, but the quiet art of consistency.
In this episode, we zoom out to see habits not as chores, but as choices that shape our identities, day after day. Ancient stoics, modern neuroscientists, even a friend and his broken snack safe remind us: transformation is gentle, cumulative, and surprisingly within reach.
We can challenge the myth that willpower is enough and find out what is.
Begin by rewiring your narrative—habits are identity, not just tasks.
Build change into your environment, not just your to-do list.
Give yourself permission to stumble, reflect, and keep moving forward.
----
NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History & Future of Innovation
Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights.
Found on all major podcast players:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast
RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
----
COMPETITION - 2 months of free coaching
Get mindset or business coaching from Sam. Enter the draw by simple subscribing to the new show and sending him an email.
UPGRADE to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
00:00 Balancing habits, self-improvement and life
03:06 #1 - Start with "Why"
07:22 #2 - Making the habit obvious
15:00 #3 - Create small and achievable steps
20:28 Midroll Acast Advert
20:43 #4 - Leveraging habit stacking
23:40 #5 - Self Reflection
27:38 #6 - Prioritize consistency
30:35 #7 - Make it enjoyable and reward yourself
36:11 #8 - Preparing for obstacles
40:07 #9 - Seeking Social Support
46:48 #10 - Be kind to yourself
50:13 Bonus Rule - Don't overwhelm yourself
53:12 Send off
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58:30
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58:30
The Surprising Psychology of Fire That Explains Gender Roles and Male Violence
Ever felt like you were wrestling with more than just a campfire? Me too. Turns out, controlling fire is a bit like trying to control your own mind; tricky, unpredictable, and full of surprises.
In this episode, we have an episode drop from Sam's new show "How to Change the World; The History and Future of Innovation".
We dive into the wild story of how humanity’s obsession with fire set us on the path to becoming who we are today. We’ll talk about global wildfires and backyard barbecues, and how both are woven into our DNA and even impact things like gender roles and male aggression.
If you’ve ever wondered why you crave campfire chats or why your brain loves new ideas, this one’s for you.
Takeaways:
Fire literally rewired our bodies and minds
Our social lives, from dinner with friends to group self-improvement, started around the fire.
Rethinking what you fear could be the key to your next breakthrough.
----
NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History & Future of Innovation
Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights.
Found on all major podcast players:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast
RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
----
COMPETITION - 2 months of free coaching
Get mindset or business coaching from Sam. Enter the draw by simple subscribing to the new show and sending him an email.
UPGRADE to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
00:00 Intro to the episode drop
03:57 The Role of Fire in Civilization
04:38 Fire's Impact on Predators and Prey
06:40 First Fire - 500 million years ago
10:05 Humans and fire - ~2 million years ago
12:17 The Discovery of Fire
13:48 When did we discover Fire
14:29 Stadium of Grandmothers
15:32 Fire's Influence on Human Biology
18:03 Fire and Human Digestion
20:52 Light and Campfires
23:02 Mealtimes
24:09 Fire's Role in Human Birth and Survival
26:00 Why Only Humans Mastered Fire
28:32 Fire, Social Structures & Gender Roles
33:52 Role Change in the Information Age
35:54 Fire's Role in Human Expansion - 70,000 years ago
36:21 Find the second half of the episode on the new show
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O Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
There are a lot of opinions on how to master your mind, but then there’s PSYCHOLOGY.
We’re all stuck with the brain we’re born with, but we aren’t stuck with how we use it.
Learn science-backed answers to make the most of your mind and your life.
CURIOUS?
Growth Mindset Psychology is the "self-help sceptic" podcast for the curious.
Whether you want to improve performance, navigate setbacks, or know who you are.
We find answers to the true science of self-improvement.
So put down the astrology chart and start working with your mind, instead of against it.
With over 8 million downloads and 60,000 monthly listeners, you’re invited to join.
PROCESS
Instead of telling you what to think, we discuss how thinking works.
Armed with a stack of science journals, textbooks and a boatload of curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of the mind.
Why? >>> Success is personal!
You might want to make the most of your neurodiverse strengths, start a business, or simply find more reasons to smile.
Hone your ability for independent thinking and growth with mental models to pursue your definition of success.
HOST
I’m Sam Webster Harris, a lifelong learner with ADHD, a raging curiosity, and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions.
After launching several businesses, travelling the world and nearly dying a few times I concluded that science and Psychology are where it’s at.
What actually makes people happy? What’s the best way to treat a brain? How can I get more done?
Studying the answers we find that changing behaviours requires building mindsets, mental models, and a healthy relationship with failure.
I run the show to help listeners enjoy nutritious content that feeds their minds (and I needed a legitimate excuse to cover for my reading addiction).
PREMIUM
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Support the show and access the AMA features and community Discord.
Growth Mindset Premium
ARCHIVE
Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum.
Past series:
— Psychology vs Stoicism
— Time Management for busy mortals
— Independence and knowing yourself
— Cognitive biases and rational thinking
— Psychology of connection
— Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets
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