Episode 8: Samantha Stewart on competition, mental fitness and developing a growth mindset

Dec 2, 2021

Samantha Stewart (BRSS'13, BA'14, MEd'19) moved to Fredericton in 2009 to study Recreation and Sport Studies, and during that time, began competing internationally as a member of Team Canada’s wrestling team. Since then, she’s become a ten-time national medalist, been named Most Outstanding Female Wrestler in Canada twice, was the Rio 2016 Olympic alternate, and recently won bronze at the 2021 Wrestling World Championships. Off the mats, Samantha’s completed 3 degrees at UNB: a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Studies, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology, and a Master of Education in Counselling; and is now a Licensed Counselling Therapist who combines her passion for helping others discover their purpose, achieve their aspirations, and reach their potential with her love, dedication to, and knowledge of elite sport in Canada. She’s an athlete ambassador with the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame and KidSport NB, and she’s a huge advocate for athlete mental health and getting women and girls active in sport. 

In this episode: 

• How Samantha got into wrestling at an early age 
• Breaking down big long-term goals into small, manageable steps 
• Sam’s experience in being persistent even in the face of failure 
• Her experience competing on the world stage 

• How to stay mentally fit in any situation 
• Practical ways to develop a growth mindset in order to succeed 

Links and resources: 

Sam’s website: https://www.samanthastewart.ca/ 

Sam’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-stewart53/ 

Thanks to: 

Our alumni host, Ian Smith: https://www.unb.ca/alumni/alumni-news/unb-alumni-podcast-hosts.html 

Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/beats-of-burden/1451387846 

Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance, Manulife, and MBNA Mastercard: https://www.unb.ca/alumni/benefitsandservices/index.html