Mastering the Art of Balanced Stress

Career Climbers / 23rd April 2025

Adrian Kelly

In the modern pursuit of success, stress is often seen as an unwelcome burden—an inevitable tax on our ambitions. Yet, rethinking stress as an ally rather than an adversary can transform our relationship with it and fuel exceptional performance. The story of US tennis player Mardy Fish exemplifies this perspective, illustrating that when properly managed, stress can be the engine that drives us to peak performance. Mismanaged, however, stress can also be a slippery slope to burnout.

Transformation

At first glance, Mardy Fish’s career seemed typical for a professional athlete. Early on, he was a talented player rising through the ranks, yet he hadn’t made a significant mark on the world stage. A decision late in his career, however, led to a transformation. He decided to defy expectations and give his tennis career one final push. A move that was intrinsically motivated by the knowledge that he could never rest easy in retirement, knowing he hadn’t truly pushed himself to the limit to see what he was capable of.

So, at the end of the 2008 season, he established a series of goals, including losing weight and reaching peak physical fitness. He reorganised his training team and began to work as hard as he could. All day, every day. He stopped drinking alcohol and went on a strict athlete’s diet. He started to get more sleep, sometimes going to bed as early as 7.30 pm. He stopped seeing friends. He was obsessed; every decision in his life involved tennis. The fitter he became, the longer he trained. He slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to speed up recovery from training. In two-and-half months, he lost 31lbs.

This transformation catapulted him from 123rd in world rankings to 7th in just two years; an incredible achievement. This rise wasn’t just about technical skills and fitness but a psychological metamorphosis—a shift in his approach to an edgier, more aggressive style. Fish became relentless, embodying a fierce drive to prove himself. However, this greater intensity brought other challenges that would ultimately destabilise his ability to maintain this success.

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