A nursing student has notched his determination to succeed up a gear after a global TV show pushed him to the limit.

Sam Nutter, a third year trainee nurse, is a “phenomenal student who always puts others first”, say his lecturers. But a lack of confidence held Sam back until he appeared on MTV MADE — a self-improvement reality TV show which pairs young people with experts in their field to help them achieve their goals.

Sam entered the challenge with trepidation — he had no idea what he was going to be asked to do. And being hurled down a hill inside a giant plastic ball — zorbing — was just a taste of things to come. He was about to be put through a series of extreme sporting challenges designed to test his courage and boost his confidence.

Step one: learning a skill. Sam spent three days driving a Formula One simulator and a go-kart in Weston-super-Mare.

Step two: practice, practice, practice. Sam, who had a reputation for being a bit of a Sunday driver, soon got a taste for speed. But the stakes were raised when he was flown to Spain to “play with four new Volkswagen Sciroccos” on an empty race track.

Step three: pedal to the metal. Sam flew to Sweden to meet Ronny Wechselberger, a star of Formula 3 and the man behind the wheel in the Bourne film trilogy. Sam also learnt how to race on ice and had a go at dog sledging.

“The experience has been amazing and completely blew me away!” said Sam. “This was a once in a lifetime chance and I am so lucky they picked me. I am now less reserved, have more self-confidence and try to tackle any challenges head on. It has also inspired me to travel and I hope to do this after university.

“I had no idea what I would be doing ahead of the filming and the few clues I was given just added to my nerves as I like to know what is happening at all times,” he continued.

“I just had to learn to go with whatever was happening and try to enjoy it. I knew it was to do with driving but your mind always suggests the worst, I even imagined at one point that I would be asked to drive a car off a cliff, attached to a bungee rope. This only added to my anxiety, although in the end it was fantastic.”

Helen Laverty, lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University and Sam’s personal tutor, says the experience has given Sam the confidence to achieve his full potential.

She said: “Sam has always gone the extra mile, seen the best in people and has a can do perspective, skills which will all help him when he does qualify. But since the show he has grown in stature, with this new-found self belief, the sky’s the limit for Sam.

Helen added: “Having watched some of the clips from the show, it is a good job that he made it back OK. If he hadn’t I think the Nursing and Midwifery Council would have struck me off for letting him take part!”

MADE with Sam Nutter was broadcast on MTV on 25 April.