Two things I learned this week: on the one hand, a tennis icon Serena Williams She is actually Prince Harry’s best friend. And two, Prince Harry has like… a real job, and a good one too! The Duke of Sussex serves as Chief Impact Officer of the company BetterUp, an organization that provides mental health services and employee coaching for staff.
Last Thursday, the San Francisco-based company hosted a panel discussion with CEO Alexi Robichaux and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams. Williams spoke to the audience about exhaustion, limits and losses, despite having given it her all.
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“It’s hard. I’m a terrible loser,” Williams said. “When it comes to losing, I even hate that word,” he said. “Because for me, if I have a loss, I actually learn a lot from it. Some of my best growth It came from a loss.”
“Even when I’m investing in a company, I really want to know about their losses,” Williams continued. “If you started a company before, how did it go? … Where did you fail? Because if everything was so good and so clean and so easy, then that doesn’t even build character, you know?
Harry then imparted some wisdom suitable for all ages.
“If you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, even 50s, and you think you’ve got it figured out, then bad things will happen,” he said.
Harry, who joined the company in March 2021, is passionate about BetterUp’s mission.
“I firmly believe that focusing and prioritizing our mental fitness unlocks potential and opportunity that we never knew we had within us,” he said.
“Being in tune with your mind and having a support structure around you are critical to finding your own version of peak performance,” added the Duke. “What I have learned in my own life is the power to transform pain into purpose.”
Lately, we have learned of two terrible tragedies related to the death by suicide of two of our brightest stars; former Miss United States, Cheslie KrystY Ian Alexander Jr.., businessman and son of actress Regina King. It seems that we never really know how deeply people hurt, even when they are close to us.
Harry and Williams share a close friendship that includes the Duke’s wife, Meghan Markle. Williams credits Harry with helping her find the mental health coach she works with to this day.
“I know I joke around a lot, but Harry is actually one of my coaches,” Williams shared with a laugh. “Every time I see him he is always solving all the problems in my life so I give that to his BetterUp coach he helped me so thank you!”
