168 – Samuel Mullur – Sam’s Rise Through Mindset, Mentors & the Mental Game

Summary:

Meet Sam, a 27-year-old poker player, shared his journey from gaming to poker, highlighting his meteoric rise from casual play to high-stakes tournaments. He emphasized the importance of networking and mentorship, noting a pivotal realization that collaboration accelerated his growth. Sam discussed overcoming a significant downswing by maintaining good bankroll management and leveraging small victories. He credited his mental strength, developed through meditation, gratitude practices, and mental coaching, as crucial to his success. Sam also underscored the value of a positive mindset and enjoying the journey, rather than focusing solely on results.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

[1:30] Sam’s Introduction and Background

• Sam shares that he has been playing poker for about five years and was previously a passionate gamer who realized he wasn’t good enough to make a living from it.
• He discovered poker through a friend’s tournament and realized it was more about game theory and competition than just luck, leading him to focus on poker full-time.

[3:43] Sam’s Early Poker Journey and Realizations

• Sam initially tried to consume as much content as possible and didn’t have poker friends, which slowed his progress.
• He realized the importance of finding similarly skilled or better players to regularly talk to and provide value to, which accelerated his growth.
• Sam mentions meeting experienced players like Fedor, who helped him understand the importance of having better peers and mentors.

[5:38] The Importance of Networking in Poker

• The importance of creating a network in poker, noting that many players are individualistic and neglect this aspect.
• Sam discusses the value of providing value to others and being a likable person to attract good energy and friends in the poker community.
• He advises finding people on a similar level and being open-minded at events to build a supportive group.

[12:06] Challenges and Overcoming Them

• Speaker 1 asks Sam about difficult moments in his career, and Sam shares his experience of living with his parents and playing alone, which was mentally challenging.
• Sam describes a significant downswing where he lost 700 binds but managed to maintain his bankroll due to good bankroll management.
• He mentions small victories, like moving out of his parents’ apartment and meeting experienced players, which helped him stay motivated.
• Sam frames his mindset as focusing on process victories rather than just results, which helped him stay positive during tough times.

[14:54] The Role of the Mental Game in Poker

• Sam shares that he started reading books on spirituality and meditation, which helped him understand his mind better and not identify with negative thoughts.
• He recommends the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, which taught him to have a bird’s eye perspective on his thoughts.
• Sam emphasizes the importance of meditation and mental coaching, which helped him feel better and perform better in poker.

[22:14] Sam’s Performance Routines

• He starts his day with gratitude and breathwork exercises, which help him feel better and more present.
• Sam mentions the importance of movement, cold showers, and ice baths, which he has been doing for years to stay sharp and reduce brain fog.
• He uses personalized Hypno sessions and MP3s from his coach Stephen Baker to get into a performance state before playing live and online.

[27:50] The Benefits of a Positive Mindset

• Sam shares that gratitude and feeling present have had a significant impact on his life and poker performance.
• He mentions that having a positive perspective helps him see the best in people and situations, which translates to better decisions at the poker table.
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Wrap up—Thanks For Checking Out This Episode Of The Mindset Advantage Podcast!

Key Learning Points: 

1. Collaboration and mentorship accelerate growth
2. Mental strength and Routine are crucial for sustained performance
3. Focus on the journey, not just the results

Contact/Resources

Check out Sam’s Instagram 

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