Interview Key Points

This interview features a conversation between Jay Shetty and Novak Djokovic. Here's a breakdown of the key topics and points discussed:

Introduction and Podcast Success

Jay Shetty welcomes Novak Djokovic back to his podcast, "On Purpose," highlighting the podcast's significant reach with 500 million views per month. He expresses gratitude to Djokovic for believing in the podcast's mission early on and for being featured in its second episode.

• Podcast Reach: The "On Purpose" podcast has achieved 500 million views per month.
• Guest's Early Support: Novak Djokovic was an early supporter of the podcast, appearing in its second episode.
• Gratitude and Connection: Shetty expresses deep gratitude to Djokovic for his belief and support.

The Journey to Becoming Novak Djokovic

Djokovic reflects on what it has taken to achieve his level of success, emphasizing the crucial role of internal work and a holistic approach to preparation and recovery.

• Internal Work and Holistic Approach: Success required significant dedication to internal practices and a multidisciplinary approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Early Influences: Djokovic was guided by influential figures from a young age who introduced him to self-care and holistic concepts.
• "Tennis Mother" Influence: His "tennis mother" instilled concepts like classical music, journaling, visualization, and a deeper understanding of tennis beyond just playing the game.
• Visual Learning and Adaptability: He possesses a photogenic memory and visual learning style, which aided in analyzing and adapting techniques from other great players.
• Beyond Tennis: He sees tennis as a platform for personal evolution into a better human being.
• Spiritual and Religious Openness: While proud of his Christian faith, he is open to learning from other religions and spirituality as a whole.
• Self-Discovery Through Sport: Tennis has been a vehicle for self-discovery and self-care.
• Ongoing Personal Growth: Despite his achievements, Djokovic acknowledges the continuous need for personal growth and learning in the realms of spirituality and mental health.
• The Ego Trap: He recognizes how ego can be detrimental and the importance of finding balance.
• Acceptance of Continuous Learning: He understands that past mastery doesn't guarantee future success and that challenges require ongoing adaptation.
• Embracing the Journey: He views life's challenges as a beautiful journey to embrace, even during difficult times.

The Battlefield of Life and Self-Awareness

The conversation touches upon the idea that life is a continuous "battlefield" where one's best and worst selves are revealed, emphasizing the importance of confronting weaknesses for growth.

• Life as a Battlefield: Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, life is viewed as a constant arena for self-discovery.
• Confronting Weaknesses: Experiencing the worst aspects of oneself serves as a reminder to continue working on personal growth.
• Spiritual Growth Requires Challenge: To achieve spiritual growth, one needs environments that highlight both strengths and weaknesses.
• Avoiding Ego and Despair: Focusing solely on strengths leads to ego, while focusing solely on weaknesses leads to despair.

Responsibility and Internal Control

Djokovic stresses the importance of taking personal responsibility for outcomes, rather than blaming external factors.

• Taking Responsibility: He immediately identifies mistakes and takes responsibility rather than blaming coaches or others.
• Control Over One's Life: He emphasizes that individuals are in control of their own lives and actions.

The Value of Boredom and Mindfulness

The discussion highlights the often-underrated benefits of boredom and the ability to manage one's thoughts without constant distraction.

• Creativity in Boredom: Djokovic wishes for his children to be comfortable with boredom, as it fosters creativity and self-reflection.
• Managing Thoughts: Boredom provides an opportunity to manage thoughts and address suppressed emotions.
• Universal Negative Thoughts: He believes even individuals dedicated to spiritual practices experience negative thoughts, the key being the ability to manage them.

AI and Digital Tools

A brief mention of AI and the specific AI assistant "Claude" is made, highlighting its empathetic and intelligent qualities.

• AI Assistant "Claude": Introduced as an empathetic and intelligent AI, developed by Anthropic.

Achieving Goals and the Feeling of "Not Enough"

Djokovic discusses his career achievements, his ongoing desire to do more, and the deep-seated feeling of inadequacy stemming from his early life.

• Achieved and Still Aspiring: He has achieved and surpassed his initial goals but still desires to do more.
• Motivation from a Good Place: This drive comes from purpose, passion, and a desire to inspire others.
• The "Not Enough" Feeling: A core internal struggle stems from early life experiences, particularly with his father, and a persistent feeling of not being good enough.
• Emotional Impact: This feeling is deeply ingrained and can surface emotionally.
• Testing Limits: A significant motivator is the desire to test his mental and physical limits.
• Evolution of Training and Care: Modern athletic care has evolved, allowing athletes to maintain high performance for longer.
• Curiosity About Limits: He is curious about how far he can push his physical and mental boundaries.
• Limits as Constructs: He believes limits are often self-imposed mental constructs.
• Environmental Influence: The environment plays a crucial role in habit formation and personal transformation.
• Social Beings: Despite the desire for independence, humans are social beings who need community support.
• Navigating Societal Norms: Making healthy choices can be challenging when they diverge from societal norms.
• Constant Reinvention: He sees his journey as a process of constant self-reinvention.
• Achieving Dreams and Setting New Goals: He achieved his childhood dreams and then set new, ambitious goals, highlighting the importance of goal-oriented thinking.
• Clarity and Purpose: Goal-oriented mindsets provide clarity, peace of mind, and a calm heart.
• Constructive Criticism: He values both supportive and critical feedback from those around him.
• Developing Thick Skin: The journey involves learning to rise from setbacks and develop resilience.
• Not Fully Satisfied, Yet Proud: While driven by a desire for more, he acknowledges pride and satisfaction in his achievements.
• Expanding His Platform: He aims to use his active career as a platform to advocate for other causes beyond tennis.

The Root of "Not Being Enough" and Early Life Challenges

Djokovic delves into the origins of his feeling of inadequacy, tracing it back to his childhood experiences during wartime and poverty in Serbia.

• Fueling Motivation: The feeling of "not being enough" can be a powerful motivating factor.
• Childhood Hardship: His early life was marked by war, sanctions, poverty, and the need to mature quickly as the eldest son.
• Father's Financial Strain: A pivotal moment was realizing his family's financial struggles, forcing him to take on responsibility at a young age.
• Survival as a Motivator: The need for his family's survival became a powerful driver for success.
• Father's Pressure and Sacrifice: His father's intense pressure, stemming from immense financial sacrifices and borrowing money from criminal elements, created a sense of obligation and fear of failure.
• No Tennis Tradition: Serbia lacked a tennis tradition, making his chosen sport even more challenging and expensive for his family.
• Eternal Indebtedness to Father: He feels eternally indebted to his father for his unwavering support and sacrifices.
• Divine Intervention: He believes in a higher power that intervened during difficult moments.
• Faith and Belief: His faith in God and spiritual forces is a significant aspect of his life.
• Unexplained Victories: He acknowledges winning matches under circumstances that seem inexplicable, attributing it partly to divine help.
• Wimbledon 2019 Final: He recounts winning a challenging Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, highlighting moments of struggle and a sense of higher power intervening.

Connection to a Higher Power and Consistent Practice

Djokovic describes his practices for connecting with a higher power, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort.

• Consistent Practice: Prayer, mindfulness, meditation, conscious breathing, and visualization are key components.
• Personalized Formulas: He has developed his own set of practices that adapt to his needs and circumstances.
• "Power of Surrendering and Letting Go": He is currently reading a book on this topic, finding it challenging but valuable due to his upbringing and personality.
• Daily Devotion: Dedicating time daily to mental and physical practices is essential.
• Holistic Well-being: He incorporates yoga, movement, Qigong, and traditional Chinese medicine practices.
• Willpower and Small Steps: The internet provides access to resources, but willpower and small, consistent steps are crucial for change.
• Societal Judgment: He acknowledges that deviating from societal norms can lead to judgment from others.
• Accepting Imperfection: It's okay not to feel okay, and accepting that solutions aren't always immediate is a humane approach.
• Dispelling the "Positive Thoughts Only" Myth: He rejects the idea that one should only have positive thoughts, emphasizing the management of negative ones.
• The Zen Buddhist Analogy: He shares a story of a Zen Buddhist teacher who, despite having many challenging thoughts, doesn't dwell on them for long.
• The Brain as a Muscle: He views the brain, like any other muscle, as requiring practice and training.
• Connecting with the True Self: Daily practice is necessary to connect with one's true self amidst societal conditioning.
• The Power of Nature: Spending time in nature is a powerful, often underestimated, practice for healing and rejuvenation.
• Uphill Walks: He finds uphill walks particularly beneficial for presence and mental clarity.

Athlete's Mind and Navigating Rivalries

The conversation explores the unique mindset of athletes, the evolution of rivalries, and the transition from a challenger to a legend.

• Athlete's Mind Toolkit: The extreme experiences of athletes create a versatile toolkit for mental resilience.
• From New Kid to Legend: He describes the mental shift from being a young player idolizing legends to becoming a legend himself.
• Idolizing Pete Sampras: His childhood idol was Pete Sampras, admired for his demeanor and clutch performance.
• Rivalry with Federer and Nadal: He reflects on the intense rivalries with Federer and Nadal, which pushed him to evolve.
• Nutritional Transformation: A significant shift occurred with the elimination of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, leading to improved mental clarity and recovery.
• Learning from Losses: Inspired by Kobe Bryant, he analyzes losses to identify areas for improvement.
• The Flip Side: Playing Younger Generations: He acknowledges the shift in facing new generations of players and the departure of his long-time rivals.
• Sharing Experience: He feels a responsibility to share his experience with younger players.
• Tennis Locker Room Dynamics: Unlike other sports, the tennis locker room fosters a more direct, sometimes tense, interaction between rivals.
• Asking for Advice: While direct requests for advice on beating him are rare, he's open to answering questions through team members.
• Appreciation and Respect: He emphasizes that appreciation, compassion, and respect are more eternal than achievements.

The Meaning of Loss and Emotional Regulation

Djokovic discusses his current perspective on losing, the importance of processing emotions, and the role of distraction.

• Loss Still Hurts: Losing still significantly impacts him, with processing time varying from hours to days.
• Need for Solitude: Immediately after a loss, he requires solitude to process his emotions.
• Children as Exceptions: His children are allowed into his space during these times.
• Embracing Solitude and Boredom: He advocates for learning to enjoy solitude and boredom, which can foster creativity and self-management.
• Distractions as Pattern Interruptors: Distractions can be positive if they help break negative thought patterns and prevent spirals.
• Social Media Use After Loss: He admits to sometimes using social media to analyze matches, but quickly disengages if negative headlines arise.
• Changing State: The goal of distraction is to change one's emotional state and cool down before making decisions.
• Cold Showers: He uses cold showers as a physiological tool to calm his mind.
• Emotional Regulation: The process of cooling down and regaining control is essential for effective communication and decision-making.
• Caring and Vulnerability: He admires athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo who openly show their emotions, highlighting the pressure in men's sports to suppress vulnerability.
• Personal Shift on Emotions: He transitioned from suppressing emotions in his upbringing to embracing them, albeit with a need for careful management.
• Playing for Country: Losses in Olympic Games and Davis Cup are particularly difficult due to the heightened emotions of representing his country.
• Olympic Dreams: Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is a significant dream, highlighting the unique emotional weight of the event.

The Role of Sports in Society and Personal Growth

The discussion explores why sports are so popular, their role in instilling discipline, and the connection fans feel with athletes.

• Love for the Game: Most professional athletes play because they fell in love with their sport as children.
• Connecting Through Sport: Sports serve as a medium for people to connect with virtues like grit, battle, and resilience.
• Condensed Life Experiences: Matches can feel like condensed versions of everyday life, with its ups and downs.
• Emotional Release for Fans: Watching sports offers fans a temporary escape from their own problems and a chance to experience intense emotions.
• Positive Traits from Sport: Sport instills discipline, teamwork, timeliness, commitment, and a never-give-up spirit.
• Societal Norms vs. Healthy Habits: The societal tendency to conform to comfortable norms is contrasted with the importance of perseverance.
• The Kobe Bryant Story: Vanessa Bryant's story about Kobe playing injured for fans exemplifies the dedication athletes have.
• Overcoming Injuries: Djokovic details his past surgeries and the emotional toll they took, particularly the elbow surgery in 2017 and a meniscus tear in 2024.
• Proving Doubters Wrong: He finds motivation in challenging people's expectations and proving them wrong, even creating "enemies" in his mind to fuel his drive.
• Hostile Environments as Fuel: He learned to thrive in hostile environments, transforming negative energy into a source of motivation.
• "Creating Your Own Reality": He explains the concept of convincing oneself of a different reality, like hearing cheers for himself instead of his opponent.
• The Power of the Subconscious: He highlights the scientific understanding of the subconscious mind's dominance in daily life and its programmability.
• Taking Responsibility: He emphasizes taking responsibility for one's actions and internal processes.

Beyond Tennis: New Ventures and Philosophy

Djokovic discusses his post-tennis aspirations, his wellness brand "Scylla," and a unique "Regenesis Pod" project.

• Thinking Beyond Tennis: He has been preparing for life after tennis for many years, recognizing the need to channel his passion and adrenaline.
• Passion for Health and Wellness: His biggest passion outside of tennis is health, wellness, and well-being.
• Vision for a Healthier World: He envisions a world where more people prioritize self-care.
• The Importance of Hydration: Hydration is presented as a crucial and accessible first step towards a healthier lifestyle.
• "Scylla" Wellness Brand: He has co-founded a wellness brand called Scylla, with hydration being its first product, and plans for sleep, nootropic, and gut formulas.
• Commitment to Quality: The brand aims to use only the best quality ingredients.
• "Regenesis Pod": He is developing a multi-sensory recovery pod designed for airports and corporate wellness, incorporating various therapeutic technologies.
• "Quick Fix" for Modern Lifestyles: The pod aims to provide a restorative experience for busy individuals with limited time.
• Driving Force: Making a Mark: His motivations extend beyond personal achievement to making a positive impact and leaving a legacy.
• Authenticity in Endorsements: He is selective about endorsements, only representing products and brands he genuinely believes in.
• Alignment with Philosophy: He prioritizes authenticity and alignment with his personal philosophy.

Final Five Questions

Djokovic answers Jay Shetty's rapid-fire questions.

• Best Advice: Live in the present moment, learn from the past, and work for the future.
• Worst Advice: Do 10 times worse to someone who does bad to you.
• Power of Partner Yelena: She is his rock, has seen his best and worst, challenged him, and is an integral part of his journey and success.
• Worst/Best Day on Court: Best: Winning Olympic gold for his country in 2024. Worst: Losing in the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• Toughest Opponent: Mentally: Himself. Physically: Rafael Nadal.
• One Law for the World: A law against destroying the planet, or a law promoting kindness and empathy towards others, believing that connection leads to better planetary care.