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Sam Thomas

@sam_thomas_dh

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🎙️ Podcast Host
🧢 That wears many Different Hats
🧢 Helping the World to see Success Differently

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After nearly 9 years, on Friday it finally happened.... ⚽❤️

I laced up my boots and played my first competitive 11-a-side football match!

Earlier this year, during a podcast with the amazing @pauljukes.jukebox @outta_puff_daddys , we talked about seeking joy. I told him I was starting a vets team because football had always brought me so much joy. And I’d missed it.

Two years ago, just after my knee operation, I watched my father-in-law play for England Over 70s in the Veterans World Cup. I was inspired.

Football has always been magical to me. Not just the game, but the camaraderie, togetherness and sense of belonging. It’s bigger than football.

When I started Saltdean Tigers Vets, I told the lads I had three goals:

⚽ I LOVE football ❤️

⚽ Bring together a great bunch of lads

⚽ Go out and ENJOY every game

As we get older, who knows how many games we have left? 😊

Of course, winning is great. But sport is so often judged purely on results.

Despite losing our first FIVE games, we’d already achieved all three goals.

After every match, we’re in the bar together, having a beer (or a zero for me 😊), laughing, joking, alot of banter.

To me, that’s SUCCESS. We’re already winning.

Friday was no different. Except this time, we actually WON on the pitch too! The cherry on top! 🍰

No, I didn’t score the hat-trick I’d promised everyone (despite FOUR one-on-ones... no comment 🤣).

But I played nearly 45 minutes of competitive football with a great bunch of lads.

And THAT was pure JOY! ❤️

It reminded me of a brilliant quote:

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”

So this week, ask yourself...

What did you used to LOVE playing that you no longer do?

GO PLAY. SEEK JOY.

Trust me, it’ll light you up! 💡

As for me, the last 48 hours have involved LOTS of stretching and ice baths! 😂

And the last 9 years? Months of physio, training, setbacks, pulled muscles, broken shoulders... the list goes on!

But WOW, was it worth the wait!

I think the picture below says it all. 📸❤️

Success isn’t always about winning or what we achieve.

Sometimes it’s simply about doing something you LOVE.

#Tigers #Success #SeekJoy by @sam_thomas_dh

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17

20 days ago

For most of my life, I thought success was something I had to achieve to prove I was enough.

I was wrong.

This Suicide Prevention Month, I wanted to share something personal.

My story. My journey. And why I’ve made it my mission to help the world see success differently.

Because the stories we tell ourselves about success matter.

The pressure to achieve. To provide. To appear strong. To have everything figured out.

And the feeling that, somehow, whatever we do, it’s never quite enough.

I’ve spent years exploring what success really means. And what I’ve discovered has completely changed the way I see my life.

Now I want to help change the definition the next generation grows up with.

Because every child deserves to grow up believing they are already enough.

And every adult deserves to be reminded of it. ❤️

This month, reach out to someone. Ask how they really are. And make time to listen.

Three words. One question. Could save a life.

YOU ALRIGHT MATE? 🫶

If you’d like to hear more about my story, join us next Monday 5th October as I take to the TedX Worthing stage and stand on the famous red dot 🔴

#SuicidePreventionMonth #YouAlrightMate #RedefiningSuccess #MensMentalHealth #YouAreEnough by @sam_thomas_dh

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19 days ago

Today is World 🌍 Suicide Prevention Day and the theme is

“Changing the Narrative on Suicide”

As I look through my feed, I see so many truly incredible people and organisations, doing such great work to help change the narrative,

I see so many people using their own stories, lived experience or pain to try and make a difference, try and make change, and yet the statistics are still so staggering.

BUT

I truly believe that together we can make a difference,

That together we can make change

And that is what gives me hope.

But is starts with all of us, not just the organisations that’s focus is on suicide prevention, but as my incredible friend Rose Rowkins shared on our podcast episode, suicide prevention is everyone’s business.

So what can you do?

I am sharing my CTA again, there maybe a # today but the message remains the same everyday..

Pick up your 📱 phone right NOW!

📲 Check in on someone and ask “You Alright Mate?”

📲 Send someone a message and tell them you see them and you’re proud of them

📲 Finally just send a message and tell someone you love ❤️them

You don’t have to fix someone or solve everything for them

You can just simply let them know you care and that you see them

You never know that one of those messages might land just at the moment someone needs to hear it.

And if you don’t know what to say if someone does tell you they are struggling

“Often the best answer is just to listen”

“You Alright Mate?”

1️⃣ Question

3️⃣ Words

🫶 Could Save a life

Finally if you reading this and are struggling right now,

Know that you are not alone

Know that this is a moment in time and ‘This too shall pass’

Know that your existence in this world is enough..

YOU are enough

🫶 ❤️

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #YAM #YouAlrightMate? #CheckinChallenge

If you or someone you know needs urgent support, Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123, Shout by texting SHOUT to 85258, NHS 111 can provide urgent health advice, and call 999 if someone is in immediate danger. by @sam_thomas_dh

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8

a month ago

It’s been just over a month since the book launch, and I don’t think I need to say much. This video just about says it all.

200 people in one room. Family. School friends. Old teachers. Old work friends, new work friends. Leaders in the council, in business, in education. Directors of big organisations.

All there to back me and this little mission I’m on.

Since then, the posts, pictures and messages about the book have been brilliant. It was a night I’ll never forget.

Truth is, I’ve had a few battles with anxiety, OCD and low moods since, which is why this has taken a while to get out. But that’s exactly why I keep doing what I’m doing. It’s all part of the journey, and the light is always closer than it seems.

Both books are available on Amazon, or if you’re in Leeds or Sheffield, come and grab a copy! Thank you to everyone who’s played their part.

So much love for you, my mate, Sam Thomas! ❤️ taken in Sheffield by @sam_thomas_dh

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1

a day ago

Five years ago, I hit record on my laptop.. ⏺️

Sitting in my loft on Zoom with my good friend Bradley Hatchett, recording my first ever podcast 🎙️

I didn’t know it then, but that conversation would change the trajectory of my life..

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of incredible people. Teachers, entrepreneurs, Olympic Champions, World Cup winners, millionaires and people like you and me..

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Different People

👫 Different Lives

🗣️ Different definitions of Success

After a few months away from recording conversations, this week I was finally back in my happy place..

Brown Bear Studios with my good friend Matt Cheney, kicking off a new series with two incredible humans making a difference in this world 🌏

Ryan Parke and Toby Gorniak MBE.

It reminded me just how important these conversations are.

Firstly to me. They’ve been my education. Hundreds of hours of wisdom, stories and life lessons.

But more importantly, to those listening..

Because if one conversation..

Helps one person feel less alone..

One person feel seen and heard..

Or gives one person hope..

Then THAT is success ❤️

It also got me thinking..

Imagine if I’d never hit record that day.

If I’d never just started.

I wouldn’t have discovered what was possible.

I wouldn’t be building a movement or launching a charity.

I wouldn’t be creating the change I want to see in the world 🌏

Or sharing the message I now believe so deeply..

❤️ Your Success is yours to define

🩵 You don’t need to prove your worth

💛 You are already enough

So I wanted to say THANK YOU 🙏

To every guest, every listener, every like, comment and share. To everyone behind the scenes, our sponsors and everyone who’s supported this journey.

And to anyone who’s listened and started a conversation about what success means to them..

From the bottom of my heart ❤️ Thank you.

I really hope you’ll join me on Monday 16th November as we celebrate another milestone and share what this exciting next chapter holds..

🎟️ Book your ticket 🔗 in Bio

I’d absolutely love to see you there..

Happy Friday 🫶 by @sam_thomas_dh

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3

a day ago

Do you want to know what building a movement really looks like?

This time last week I was just getting ready to stand on the famous red dot 🔴 to deliver my first Ted Talk at TEDxWorthing.

It really was an experience I will never forget...

But I said it before... this is just the start of the journey and the real work is constantly happening,

Often not on stages

Not in front of hundreds of people

But in the background

📲 In every piece of content shared

🗣️ In every conversation

🎙️ In every podcast episode 🎙️

📓 In every masterclass

🏫 In every school

❓ In every time someone asks the question You Alright Mate?

Because this is the work and this is where the change can really happen..

On the night of the 100th episode back in February 2024 a guest asked me...

“You’ve reached a massive milestone, but what’s next?”

I replied... “This is just the beginning”

Little did I know at the time what the next chapter would really look like ...

Over the past 18 months I’ve NOT been building another business I’ve been building a movement.. A movement for real change

And I truly believe with all my heart ❤️ that this journey I am on, can really make change.

On Monday 16th November I will be sharing a very special podcast episode in a private screening at the amazing Falmer court.. Kindly sponsored by the amazing London Sperm Bank Brighton.

If you would like to join us to get a real taste of what You Alright Mate? is all about then grab a ticket 🎟️ below.. Trust me it will be a night to remember..

🔗 In Bio

Thanks to Sam Bradford Jamie Wanstall and the amazing team Praxima for filming today and all your support, orchestrated by my good friend Mark Fisher. I am truly grateful...

I’ll sign off this post as I do every Monday and ask you to do one thing for me...

Please check in on someone today and ask You Alright Mate? it really could save a life..

#YAM #YouAlrightMate? #TheNextChapter by @sam_thomas_dh

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5 days ago

REAL VOICES. REAL STORIES. REAL CHANGE. ❤️

Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme, Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change, resonates deeply with me.

Over the past few years, I’ve openly shared my struggles with mental health, feelings of failure, the pressure to be successful, and moments when I questioned whether I was enough.

It’s one reason I started the Different Hats Podcast nearly five years ago.

To create a space where people could take off their hats, put aside their titles, achievements and perceived success, and simply be human.

A space to be vulnerable, share struggles, darkest moments, but also hope and resilience.

I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling.

When we share our stories, we give others permission to share theirs.

Because somewhere, someone might be listening who is going through something similar.

👉 Someone who feels lost.

👉 Someone who feels like they’re failing.

👉 Someone who feels completely alone.

And perhaps hearing someone else’s story reminds them…

🫶 They’re not alone.

🫶 Things can get better.

🫶 There is hope.

🫶 They are enough.

That’s the power of lived experiences.

And why I started You Alright Mate?

Because real change starts with real conversations.

It’s also why standing on the TEDxWorthing stage 🔴 on Monday, sharing my lived experience, meant so much.

So today, as I encourage people to do every day, I have a simple ask…

🗣️ Reach out to someone. Ask “You Alright Mate?” And really listen.

🫂 Tell someone you’re proud of them. That you see them. That they matter.

❤️ Tell someone you love them.

Don’t assume they already know.

Because we never truly know what someone else is going through.

Sometimes the smallest gesture or simplest conversation can make the biggest difference.

Three words. One question. Could save a life.

Let’s keep sharing our stories, listening and showing up for one another.

Because every voice matters.

Every story matters.

And every single one of us matters. ❤️

You Alright Mate?

#WorldMentalHealthDay #YouAlrightMate #MentalHealthAwareness #YouAreEnough #RealVoicesRealChange by @sam_thomas_dh

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7 days ago

So on Monday night I did a little thing 🔴

Something that has pretty much been 47 years in the making.

Why??

Because I had an amazing opportunity to stand on the famous red dot in front of a theatre full of people and share my story.

My journey from childhood

My Mental health struggles

The amazing lessons I have learnt from hundreds of hours of conversations on my podcast

My Mission

My true belief that if we can reframe success early, we can help the next generation to know that success is not purely what they achieve but what they experience,

🔴 That they can be ambitious and still know they are enough

🔴 They can fail an exam without believing they are a failure

🔴 They can ask for help without believing they are weak

🔴 That can chase their dreams without using those achievements to prove their worth.

“Success is living true to who you are, doing things that matter, with people that matter”

That’s it...

I got to deliver this message on Monday night and it genuinely feels like the start of an amazing new chapter...

But whatever the next chapter holds I will continually remind myself of something I shared with the audience

Your success is yours to define.

You don’t need to prove your worth.

You are already enough.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ to Toby Moore 🌏 Zoe-Beth Hobbs Sam French and the amazing TEDxWorthing team. To Antoinette Daniel the amazing host and of course the incredible cohort of inspirational legends I got to share the stage with Dan Thompson Sarah Hadwen Giulia Panozzo Emily Pybuss Charlotte Mason-Curl Natasha Edwards Toby Gorniak MBE. The whole experience from start to finish has been pretty life changing for me

Thank you to everyone that came to support me and has supported on this journey.

A new chapter awaits and this could not have been a better way to kick things off.

I’ll leave you with the same question I left the audience with on Monday night?

How Do You Define Success?

Other than my quote above - take a look at the first picture in the video, that for me is Success... ❤️ by @sam_thomas_dh

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10 days ago

Time to just enjoy the show

After months of writing ✍️ and rewriting scripts
Hours of listening 🎧 to my own voice
Hundreds of rehearsals into an empty room

The day has finally arrived…

Tonight I get to stand on the famous red dot 🔴 and delivery a Ted Talk 🗣️

If you had told the 10 year old me I’d one day be sharing a message to a room of people that could maybe change how they see the world 🌎 I would never have believed you

I don’t necessarily think the 40 year old me would have either

But these last few years have been a journey for me, one that actually feels like it’s just getting started, and what a way to mark that milestone than on the TedxWorthing stage

I want to say a huge thank you to Zoe Beth Sam French Toby Moore and the TedX Worthing team as well as my amazing cohort, who are just an incredible group of inspirational humans.

As for tonight…

Will I remember every line ?
Probably not ❌
Will I share a message that I’m truly passionate about with the hope it starts to make a difference?
Absolutely ❤️

Script is done ☑️
Final rehearsals done ☑️

Now it’s time to take a breath and just enjoy the show

Thank you to everyone that has got me to this point and believed in the You Alright Mate? Movement and the message I’m trying to share with the world 🌍

See you on the other side people.. 🔴

(It’s squeaky bum time 😬) by @sam_thomas_dh

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12 days ago

And that, as they say, is a wrap…. 🫶

Today I hang up my final hat 🧢 from the past.

After nearly a decade as custodian of Sussex Business Times, today I finally step away.

But this post isn’t actually about me…

It’s about a very special woman, Jackie Irving-Wilkinson, who now takes the reins at SBT.

I met Jackie nearly 12 years ago when I convinced her to enter a Domestic & General team into FirmBalls.

From there, she supported our charity tournament at the Amex and sponsored my first issue of SBT in 2017.

Whatever the ask, Jackie was always there.

Fast forward to 2020. During the pandemic, Jackie told me she’d been made redundant.

We met for a coffee ☕

I had no job description.
No defined role.

Just an invitation to help me build something special for the Sussex business community.

She said “YES”.

And for the next six years that became a recurring theme… 😂

“Jackie, can you just do this?”
“Are you okay to do that?”

Often things she’d never done before, but she kept saying YES, pushing herself outside her comfort zone, perhaps with the occasional nudge from me 😊

And today she takes over one of the most established business publications in the South East, alongside the business club.

I could not be prouder of her. ❤️

You deserve this opportunity and I can’t wait to watch you thrive.

Today we celebrated with a Top Table event at Hotel du Vin Brighton. It felt a little like the Last Supper 😂 but it was the perfect way to mark the moment.

And one word kept coming up…

Relationships. ❤️

Neither Jackie nor I could have imagined 12 years ago where ours would lead.

What a journey it’s been.

As for me, from an SBT standpoint…

That’s me over and out. 🫡

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and the magazine over the years.

Far too many people to tag, but from the bottom of my heart, I am truly grateful. ❤️🫶

Here’s to a new chapter for all of us…

Goodnight and God bless. 🫶🧢 by @sam_thomas_dh

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17 days ago

And so it begins….. ❤️

On Tuesday, Joel Lawton and I hosted the first ever You Alright Mate? Reset at the amazing Tottington Manor.

It was the Autumn Equinox, a time associated with letting go…

For me, that has been a theme over the past few months, and September sees me hang up the final hat 🧢 from my past as I step away from Sussex Business Times.

Letting go to embark on this new journey and go all in on my mission and purpose.

So Tuesday wasn’t just the first Reset. It felt hugely significant.

A flag in the ground.

A starting point for what’s next.

We were joined by some truly incredible humans Ashley Fabian, Terry Bower, Tim Jameson and Craig Sharp who fully embraced the experience.

They allowed themselves to pause, reflect and step away from the noise of daily life.

One attendee wrote:

“Today I’m fulfilled, relieved and unburdened only scratches the surface of my experience at You Alright Mate? Retreat. It was the total reset I needed and more.”

I left feeling energised and inspired, with a full cup.

Knowing this is the work that lights me up.

The work that fulfils me.

The work that has meaning and purpose.

When you create space for people to just be…

Not perform.

Not be ON.

It gives us an opportunity to open up, look at life through a different lens and maybe question how we measure and define success.

I’m so grateful to everyone who attended and trusted us with their most valuable commodity…

Their time. ⏳

At the start of the day I shared a word describing how I was feeling: apprehensive.

The truth is, this new chapter is uncertain.

But after Tuesday, I know with every beat of my heart ❤️ that this is the right path and what I’m meant to be doing.

Thank you to my better-looking twin brother Joel for being on this journey from the start, and to everyone who showed up and embraced what was a magical day.

This is just the beginning…

If you’d like to know more or get involved in the next Reset, DM me or join the You Alright Mate? waiting list.

Thanks, as always, for your support. 🫶 by @sam_thomas_dh

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23 days ago

“The journey is more important than the destination. If you enjoy the journey and the process, then the outcome will take care of itself” ~ Giles Palmer

This is one of my favourite quotes from nearly 150 podcast episodes from my good friend the inspirational Giles Palmer.

I use it in our success journal that each attendee will receive tomorrow as Joel Lawton and I host the first You Alright Mate? Reset day.

A day at the wonderful Tottington Manor - Terra Restaurant & Tasting Room where we will welcome a small group of incredible humans to pause, reflect and connect.

I shared in this weeks episode of the journal, in my post yesterday about the girls football, that we can get so caught up on the outcome.

And that, that is maybe the wrong measure of success.

When we first announced the reset, I think in my head I imagined maybe 10 people… hopefully 15… perhaps even 20.

We’ve got five.

And I could look at that number and tell myself:

“It hasn’t worked.”

“We didn’t sell enough places.”

“Maybe people aren’t interested.”

“Maybe we got something wrong.”

Because that’s often how we’ve been taught to measure success, isn’t it?

How many?
How much?
How big?
How fast?

But then I caught myself.

Because five people have chosen to give us something incredibly valuable.

Their time.

Five people have trusted Joel and me enough to spend a day with us.

To step away from their normal lives.

To pause.

To reflect.

To have conversations they perhaps don’t normally have.

And suddenly five doesn’t feel small at all.

It feels massive.

Because if just one of those five people hears something on tomorrow that they needed to hear…

If one conversation changes something…

If one person goes home seeing themselves, their relationships or their life slightly differently…

How do you put a number on that?

And actually, this whole mission has been built like that.

And this is part of the incredible journey I’m on.

Tomorrow feels like another amazing step forward on this mission and I can’t wait.

To finish and as it’s Monday how can I not ask

“You Alright Mate?” by @sam_thomas_dh

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a month ago