“The More I Surrender, The More I WIN!” Murphy Jensen on Mental Health

Author: Shaun Boyce and Bobby Schindler
Published: Tue 11 Mar 2025
Episode Link: https://letsgotennis.com/atlanta-tennis-podcast/the-more-i-surrender-the-more-i-win-murphy-jensen-on-mental-health

Episode #24 Season 25: Shaun Boyce & Justin Yeo

Podcast: GoTennis! Podcast

Host: Shaun Boyce

Guests: Murphy Jensen & Justin Yeo

Powered by: Signature Tennis

Duration: 10 minutes

🎾 What This Episode Is Really About

In this eye-opening episode of the GoTennis! Podcast, we explore the complex and often overlooked issue of mental health in the world of competitive tennis. Host Shaun Boyce invites two powerful voices to the mic: Murphy Jensen, Grand Slam doubles champion turned mental health advocate, and Justin Yeo, a straight-talking veteran coach who doesn't mince words.

What begins with Justin’s blunt, old-school critique of today’s young players quickly evolves into a raw, thoughtful, and deeply human conversation. Murphy responds with personal stories that cut through the stigma—talking openly about childhood anxiety, emotional outbursts, panic attacks, and the heavy cost of performance pressure.

This episode isn’t just about tennis. It’s about what happens when identity, success, and mental health collide, and how we can do better as a sports culture to support athletes beyond their rankings.

💬 Topics Covered

The generational gap in how mental health is perceived in sports
Why athletes from any era can struggle, regardless of background
Murphy’s experience with ADHD, anxiety, and early emotional trauma
The emotional toll of early specialization and high expectations
How approval-seeking behavior can lead to dangerous paths
The role coaches, parents, and mentors play in shaping mental resilience
Why we need to create safer spaces for emotional expression in sports

🧠 Key Insights

This episode offers more than just anecdotes—it provides insights that challenge conventional thinking about what it means to be mentally tough:

Mental health isn't weakness—it's part of the athlete experience.
Success doesn't eliminate emotional pain—it often magnifies it.
Shame-based coaching and punishment leave lasting scars.
Compassionate leadership and emotional education are critical.
The true victory is building self-worth that isn’t tied to performance.

Murphy shares how, through personal recovery, he came to understand the difference between ego and authenticity—and why surrendering to the truth of your experience can be the most powerful move of all.