LSU’s Trenton Sandler: Overcoming Injury & How to Balance Content Creation with D1 Athletics

Summary: In this episode of Simple Wins, Sam Nott sits down with LSU middle-distance runner and content creator Trenton Sandler. With over 100k followers and a grueling SEC schedule, Trenton is living the modern student-athlete dream—but it didn't start that way.Trenton opens up about the "freshman mistake" that kept him sidelined with injuries for two years: the belief that you have to "empty the tank" every single day to belong. He details his transition from aspiring pro soccer player to D1 runner, the mental toll of recovering from injury, and the specific mindset shift that finally allowed him to stay healthy and hit a massive PR.If you are an athlete feeling the pressure to be perfect, or a creator trying to balance school and social media, this episode is your playbook for finding consistency in the chaos.Key Takeaways (Simple Wins):The 7/10 Rule: Why Trenton stopped giving 100% effort in every practice and how scaling back to 70% intensity actually led to his healthiest, fastest season yet.The Triage System: How to balance 17 credit hours, D1 training, and a viral social media account without burning out.Fueling for Tomorrow: The nutrition mistake young athletes make (skipping pre-practice fuel) and why eating before you run is an investment in tomorrow’s recovery.Quotes:"I was emptying the tank... I kind of felt like I didn't belong there yet, so I had to prove myself.""Consistency is key. If you read 10 pages a day, you'll get through a 300-page book in a month.""Don't just think about the outcome... think about the little things within the race. There's an Auburn guy up there? Go get him. That gives you that little simple win."Connect with Trenton:YouTube: Trenton SandlerInstagram: @trentonsandlerTikTok: @trentonsandler