Sloane Stephens on Mental Toughness, Entrepreneurship, and Life Beyond Tennis

Navigating Life's Transitions and Pressures

• 🎂 Sloane Stephens reflects on turning 32, noting the increased decision-making and life stage expectations that come with being in her 30s, contrasting it with her unique path as a professional athlete.
• 🌍 She emphasizes the importance of having something to look forward to, like her planned trip to Machu Picchu with friends, especially during short off-seasons.
• 🧘‍♀️ Maintaining balance while traveling extensively involves focusing on controllables, prioritizing self-care, and being unafraid to pivot when needs change, a skill honed through the unpredictable nature of professional tennis.

Mental Fortitude and Personal Identity

• 🧠 Despite appearing calm on the court, Sloane describes herself as neutral and even-keeled during matches, a stark contrast to her more expressive personality off the court.
• 🛡️ Growing up in the spotlight has led her to be guarded on social media, protecting her personal life from constant judgment and criticism.
• 🏆 Mental toughness is viewed not as something found later, but as an inherent quality that needs to be tapped into for competition, emphasizing a preference for sportsmanship over gamesmanship.

Proactive Life Planning and Entrepreneurship

• 🥚 Sloane shares her experience with egg freezing, undergoing the procedure twice to gain options for her future reproductive timeline, highlighting the importance of being proactive.
• 🚀 She advocates for taking action and making proactive steps towards personal goals, likening it to rowing in the same direction and removing those who hold you back.
• 💖 The launch of her self-care brand, Doc & Glo, is a deeply personal venture named after her grandparents, aiming to provide luxury body care at accessible prices.

The Philosophy of Doc & Glo

• 👵🏽 Doc & Glo was inspired by her grandparents' emphasis on self-care and well-being, with a focus on simple, often fragrance-free products.
• 💡 The brand aims to help people remember to prioritize self-care, offering products that can be used at home, making it an accessible part of daily life.
• 📈 Despite the challenges of entrepreneurship, Sloane is proud of the brand's growth, securing retail partnerships and expanding its product line, viewing it as an exciting new chapter beyond her tennis career.