Jay Shetty Podcast

Aryna Sabalenka: “If You Heard My Self-Talk, You’d Think Something’s Wrong With Me”

How do you usually handle self-doubt? How do you find your confidence again? Today, Jay welcomes two-time U.S. Open Champion Aryna Sabalenka just days after her incredible victory. Aryna opens up about what it truly feels like to lift the trophy again, not only as a moment of triumph, but as a deep release after seasons of heartbreak and near misses. She reflects on the sting of falling short in Grand Slam finals and the heavy weight of being labeled the favorite, sharing how those setbacks forced her to grow into a calmer, more emotionally balanced competitor. Aryna’s honesty about pain, pressure, and resilience gives a rare glimpse into the mindset of a true champion. The conversation dives deep into the mental battles that shape elite performances. Aryna opens up about her relationship with nerves, the self-talk that carries her through the grind of a Grand Slam, and the inner dialogue she’s learned to trust. Rather than resisting fear or doubt, she has learned to accept them, turning vulnerability into strength. Aryna also highlights the critical role of gratitude, choosing to see the pressure of competition as a privilege rather than a burden. Through stories of her father’s encouragement and his lasting influence, Aryna illustrates how her drive is not only for personal success, but also to honor his legacy. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Use Self-Talk to Stay Focused How to Celebrate Your Wins Without Guilt How to Balance Pressure With Gratitude How to Keep Showing Up When It’s Hard How to Surround Yourself With the Right People How to Build Confidence Step by Step Success isn’t only about reaching the finish line, it’s about the discipline of showing up, the courage to keep going when it’s difficult, and the willingness to celebrate even the small wins along the way. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:28 How Does It Feel To Win… Again? 02:18 Toughest Moments Up to This Point 03:54 Lessons Learned From Defeat 05:52 Preparing for the Pressure 07:54 Inside the Mind of a Champion 11:20 What is The Hardest Part of Being at the Top? 12:57 The Importance of Celebration 19:10 How Did You Find Tennis? 21:08 What Inspires You? 24:12 A Champion’s Morning Routine 28:15 Balancing Work and Personal Life 29:16 Fighting for Equality in Sports 31:32 The Role of Fashion in Confidence 33:11 Turning Grief Into Strength 37:34 How Do You Define Love? 39:31 Why Discipline Defines Success 41:00 Have You Ever Wanted to Give Up? 43:30 The Purpose of Hard Challenges 45:19 Unique Rituals and Habits 47:26 Who is Your Toughest Opponent? 49:21 The Power of Having the Right People by Your Side 55:19 Favorite Sports Beyond Tennis 56:25 Mastering Your Time 58:45 The Value of Rest and Recovery 59:39 Battle of the Sexes 01:02:43 Aryna on Final Five Episode Resources: https://www.youtube.com/@ArynaSabalenka https://www.instagram.com/arynasabalenka/ https://www.facebook.com/arynasabalenka/ https://www.tiktok.com/@aryna.sabalenka 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

JSJay Shettyhost

Sep 10, 2025·1h 12m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1

   US Open win aftermath: why this title feels like the first

   Jay meets Aryna just 48 hours after her US Open win, with the trophy in the room. Aryna explains why winning again feels uniquely emotional and relieving after a difficult season.

2. 2

   Processing painful finals losses without reliving them on tape

   Aryna opens up about how losing in a final hits differently and how she protects her mental health afterward. She avoids rewatching painful matches and relies on her team for technical feedback while she handles the emotional lessons.

3. 3

   Who she turns to first: team, partner, then family

   The conversation shifts to support systems and what she seeks immediately after wins or losses. Aryna emphasizes the shared nature of individual success—she runs to the team first because she feels the win belongs to all of them.

4. 4

   Pressure prep: the busy week before a Slam and the nonstop inner dialogue

   Aryna breaks down how Grand Slams are preceded by intense obligations—training plus dinners, sponsor events, and interviews. She explains the constant self-talk required to stay steady through weeks of uncertainty and pressure.

5. 5

   Inside a champion’s self-talk: accept nerves instead of fighting them

   Aryna and Jay explore how she handles doubt and nerves without trying to eliminate them. Her core strategy is acceptance—normalizing the feelings and focusing on fighting through them rather than resisting them.

6. 6

   Celebration as performance fuel: savoring wins and self-validation

   Aryna defends celebration as a necessary part of the process, especially after struggle. She talks about celebrating with the team while also practicing internal validation by telling herself she’s proud—because only she knows what it took.

7. 7

   Origins and identity: dad’s influence, early tennis, and avoiding comparison culture

   Aryna shares childhood stories that shaped her personality—especially her father’s humor and positivity. She explains how she discovered tennis by chance, why she didn’t have an idol growing up, and how less social media helped her define herself.

8. 8

   Game-day habits and mindset tools: routines, sleep, and taking ownership

   Aryna details her tournament routines and how recovery shapes performance. She also explains her evolution with sports psychology—learning tools, then stepping away to take responsibility and build emotional control independently.

9. 9

   Balancing fierce on-court intensity with a joyful off-court life

   Aryna clarifies the difference between “Aryna on court” and who she is privately. She believes balance—work plus joy—makes it easier to focus and fight when it matters.

10. 10

    Equality in sport and why women’s tennis is surging

    Aryna speaks about pay equity and her approach to the broader debate. She focuses on representing the women’s game well, credits pioneers like Billie Jean King, and notes growing excitement around women’s tennis—partly through culture and fashion.

11. 11

    Fashion as confidence: styling, experimentation, and performance energy

    Aryna explains how fashion boosts her confidence on court and helps expand tennis’s cultural reach. She shares how working with a stylist shaped her taste and how she draws inspiration (and indulges in shopping).

12. 12

    Turning grief into motivation: losing her father and finding strength through practice

    Aryna reflects on her father’s sudden passing and the emotional void it created, especially because he understood her competitive struggles. She describes how training became her only mental refuge and how she reframed grief into purpose and legacy.

13. 13

    Love, discipline, and the “don’t quit” lesson: breakthroughs come when you want to stop

    They discuss love as acceptance and curiosity, then pivot to Aryna’s definition of success as discipline—showing up even when you don’t want to. Aryna shares her near-quitting moment during a serving crisis and how pushing through led to her first Slam.

14. 14

    Match rituals, toughest opponents, and building the right team

    Aryna shares small rituals that keep her grounded, from a consistent tournament breakfast to ball-selection habits. She explains why the biggest opponent is herself, identifies her toughest physical matchups, and stresses that the right people are the foundation of elite performance.

15. 15

    Time, rest, and what’s next: celebrating now, then rebuilding for the season

    Aryna talks about celebrating intentionally before returning to training, and why recovery is a performance priority rather than a distraction. She also shares her interest in other sports and how she studies movement and focus across disciplines.

16. 16

    Battle of the Sexes revival, then ‘Final Five’ rapid reflections

    Aryna previews a playful ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match concept and talks friendly trash about beating Nick Kyrgios, including format adjustments. The episode closes with the Final Five: her best advice from her dad, matches that changed her life, what people misread about her, and her wish for a world that solves conflict through conversation.