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In this rare and deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Jeff Salzenstein — former top-100 tennis player turned executive performance coach — for a soulful exploration of identity, grief, resilience, and the emotional reckoning that comes when success is no longer the point.

Jeff opens up about the moment he knew it was time to leave tennis, the trauma that called him into coaching, and the recent experiences that are humbling him back into his body — and back into his heart. Together, we unpack what it means to be truly seen, the edges of emotional risk that no one talks about, and the surprising places the inner rebel shows up in midlife.

This one’s for the over-functioners, the fixers, the seekers, and the late bloomers. For anyone wondering if it’s too late to change your story — or be truly seen in the one you’re already living.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:42 Meet Jeff Selzen Stein

01:13 Tennis Career Highlights and Challenges

01:40 The Importance of Names and Identity

04:49 Inner Rebel and Personal Growth

07:41 The Role of Creativity in Tennis

11:25 Holistic Approach to Performance

19:31 Navigating Fear and Intuition

26:14 Transitioning from Tennis to Coaching

31:13 Helping My Brother's Transformation

31:57 From Alone to Community: A Journey of Accountability

32:52 Navigating Life Transitions and Embracing New Challenges

33:09 The Struggle with Community and the Lone Wolf Mentality

35:06 Exploring Relationships and the Desire for Family

36:57 The Importance of Self-Work and Vulnerability

43:30 Caring for My Father and Facing Personal Judgments

47:59 Reflecting on My Brother's Journey and Its Impact

53:01 The Pain of Unseen Relationships and the Path to Healing

56:14 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

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