Have you ever doubted yourself?
Has self-doubt ever held you back?
Today, Jay welcomes back tennis legend Novak Djokovic for a deep and vulnerable conversation about what it truly takes to master both the external and internal journey to success. Novak reflects on the practices instilled in him from childhood: visualization, journaling, meditation, and even listening to classical music, that became the foundation of his holistic approach to self-care and peak performance. He shares how these early lessons influenced his career and his outlook on growth, spirituality, and resilience, helping him see tennis not just as a sport but as a path to becoming a better person.
Together, Jay and Novak explore the hidden battles that come with chasing greatness, including the pressure of expectation, the tension between ego and humility, and the deep-rooted feelings of not being enough that fueled Novak’s drive from a young age. Novak opens up about the struggles of injury, criticism, and hostile environments, and how he learned to transform those moments into opportunities for growth. He emphasizes that even at the height of his career, the real work is internal, practicing surrender, emotional regulation, and presence; reminding us that success is as much about mastering the mind as it is about winning titles.
In this interview, you’ll learn:
How to Build Mental Strength Like a Champion
How to Turn Pain Into Purpose
How to Practice Surrender and Let Go
How to Use Visualization to Shape Your Future
How to Find Balance Between Ego and Humility
How to Recover From Setbacks With Resilience
How to Create Daily Habits for Inner Peace
Every challenge, setback, and victory is an opportunity to reflect, strengthen your resilience, and tap into the strength you already have. Remember, real success isn’t just about achievements, it’s about how you live, how you grow, and the impact you leave behind.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
03:24 What It Really Takes to Achieve Success
06:40 How Tennis Taught Me to Evolve Off the Court
10:59 Even the Greatest Can Feel Inadequate
13:54 Wellness For Tennis Players
17:35 Setting New Goals After Reaching Peak Success
20:34 How Survival Shapes a Successful Mindset
28:51 The Power of Surrender and Letting Go
33:20 Emotions Are Necessary
38:06 Becoming the Legend You Once Admired
48:18 Living with Appreciation, Compassion, and Respect
51:10 How to Handle Failure with Grace
56:57 It’s Okay to Be Bored
01:00:31 Not All Distractions Are Bad
01:02:05 Protecting Your Mindset from Social Media
01:04:01 The Pressure on Men to Hide Vulnerability
01:08:29 Finding Unity Through Sports
01:12:58 The Greatest Life Lessons from Sports
01:16:00 Overcoming the Worst Injury of His Career
01:23:17 Why Injury Is Every Athlete’s Greatest Enemy
01:29:43 What’s Next for Novak?
01:44:52 Novak on Final Five
Episode Resources:
https://novakdjokovic.com/en/
https://www.instagram.com/djokernole/
https://www.facebook.com/djokovicofficial
https://x.com/DjokerNole
@djokernole
https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty
https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/
https://x.com/jayshetty
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/
https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast
http://jayshetty.me
