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

Jay Shettyhost

Sep 10, 20251h 12mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: September 10, 2025
Duration: 1h 12m
Channel: Jay Shetty Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

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

SPEAKERS

Jay Shetty
host
Host of the On Purpose podcast and author focused on wellbeing and personal growth.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Jay Shetty Podcast, featuring Jay Shetty, Aryna Sabalenka: “If You Heard My Self-Talk, You’d Think Something’s Wrong With Me” explores sabalenka on self-talk, loss, discipline, joy, and resilience under pressure Sabalenka describes winning the U.S. Open as relief after a season of painful final-round losses and heavy expectations, framing the title as proof of emotional growth.

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