Exclusive interview with the current European Hurdle Youth Champion. Discussing the road to the Olympics and training and how music has helped him stay focused on his goals. Exclusive link to his playlist.
Sam Bennett, 18 years old born in Essex is the current European Youth Champion for hurdles. Dealing with family loss, ADHD and dyslexia, it hasn't been an easy road.
“I find it hard to focus. I need constant reminder of my goals and what i want to achieve. Gold medals on my wall are the perfect example. I know i can be the best.”
This is what went down when we spoke to Bennett.
What is your best and favourite event to compete in?
I am a 110m Hurdler and have been competing for Basildon AC for 3 years, in which i have been able to represent my club, county and country in a variety of disciplines. Starting from 100m to long jump and eventually growing to love hurdles. Hurdles has taken me across the globe to compete and win both the European Youth Championships representing Great British and the Commonwealth Youth Games for Team England.
How did you get into athletics? Who inspires you?
I first started athletics much like most athletes, introduced into the sport by school PE teachers. I am in fact dyslexic so I always struggled to enjoy academic subjects, but loved PE, so my PE teachers took me under their wings and provided me with the basics before passing me on into the hands of my first and only coach Steve Surety. From the first month under his wing, he led me to win my first English Schools Championships over the 80m hurdles and I have stuck with him ever since. My inspirations for life, not just athletics, are athletes like Dina Asher-Smith who are able to juggle a degree with competing at the highest level of the sport. Their productivity and time management is something I strive to achieve and try to implement in my everyday life.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
Facing a number of personal challenges along the way like family loss, I have adapted my learning style and included new techniques to turn what could be seen as negatives, into motivation. They drive me to succeed in the face of difficulty and give me a reason to work hard for the future.
How have you stayed in focus to your dreams?
I like to use past successes to push me towards an end goal, what the end goal is? I haven't decided yet, but every achievement is a step in the right direction, building me up and developing me into a high level athlete like those I look up to. Despite skeptics believing sport can be a distraction from academia, I use it for the opposite. My ultimate goal is to be fully successful in athletics, which achieving academic excellence also, and the balance between the two help me to remain level headed and focused on the long road ahead.
How has music influenced your athletic journey?
Music plays a huge role in maintaining a good clear head space. I pride myself on handling stressful, adrenhaline filled environments better than others and giving me the competitive edge on my competitors. I use my music to keep me calm before I warm up, around the competition arenas and use other music to get me pumped and ready to race. From travelling and training to competing, music is essential to my success.
Sam has put together a playlist for focusing and being the best. Amazing for workouts, revision, and general getting stuff done.
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