Novak Djokovic: “I Never Felt I Was Enough” The Secret to Turning Your Self-Doubt Into HUGE Success (Use THIS Method Today!)

Novak Djokovic: “I Never Felt I Was Enough” The Secret to Turning Your Self-Doubt Into HUGE Success (Use THIS Method Today!)

On Purpose with Jay Shetty · 2025-08-25

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:

Novak Djokovic | Website

Novak Djokovic | Instagram

Novak Djokovic | Facebook

Novak Djokovic | X

Novak Djokovic | TikTok

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.

I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

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