For anyone meeting you for the first time — who are you?
“I’m Samantha Ensign. I’m 19, I’m a recurve archer, and I’ve been shooting for eight years. I train full-time as a resident athlete in the UNC USOPC program — archery isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my job. I’ve been to Olympic trials, competed internationally for Team USA, and won gold at the 2024 Lancaster Classic.”
How did you get into archery?
“I got into archery by breaking my leg back in 2017. When I was stuck on the sofa I watched the Disney movie Brave, and from there got hooked on archery.”
What does training look like for you right now?
“Team lifts Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings — squats, bench, deadlift, conditioning — plus solo sessions on top. It’s a lot, but this is what it takes.”
Why did you start Real Talk On The Field?
“Because the best conversations in sports don’t happen in press conferences — they happen off the record, between athletes. I wanted a home for real talks with real athletes, across every sport. Not just archery.”
What’s next for you?
“Indoor season, then the 2027 outdoor schedule — it kicks off in France in January. The work doesn’t stop.”
