Just Ingredients

JI ATHLETES: From a Mental Health Break to Fueling a Grand Slam Comeback w/ Amanda Anisimova

Just Ingredients

Show Notes

In the coming months, you're going to see some really exciting collaborations coming to Just Ingredients. We're partnering with world-class athletes who understand that when performance matters, ingredients matter — and there is no better place to start than with Amanda Anisimova. Amanda has been so open about her mental health journey, including her decision to step away from professional tennis in 2023 at the height of her career. That kind of vulnerability is rare in the professional athlete space, where the pressure to push through no matter what often runs so deep. I appreciate how honestly she talks about that season of her life, and I think this conversation is going to mean a lot to anyone who's ever felt like they needed permission to stop and take care of themselves first. This episode is coming out right before the US Open, and we are cheering Amanda on every step of the way!

Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from our conversation:

1. Stepping away can be the strongest move you make. Amanda opens up about walking away from tennis in 2023 for her mental health, and what that journey looked like for her.

2. Rest looks different than we think. She shares what genuine rest looked like during her break, and the changes she made during that season that she still holds onto today.

3. Coming back on her own terms. Amanda talks about what made her feel ready to return to the court, and how she manages pressure differently now.

4. Fueling a body built for the world stage. From what "clean ingredients" means to her as a professional athlete to the routines she leans on most for training and recovery, Amanda gets real about what it actually takes behind the scenes.

5. Redefining success. She opens up about her support system, what she'd tell a young athlete, life on tour, and how her definition of success has changed since her comeback.

Share this episode with your favorite tennis fan!

Bio of the guest:

Amanda Anisimova is a professional tennis player and one of the top-ranked women in the sport today. After stepping away from the tour in 2023 to prioritize her mental health, Amanda made a powerful return — reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025 and climbing into the world's top 10. Known for her powerful, aggressive playing style, Amanda has become just as respected for her honesty about burnout, rest, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career at the highest level of professional sports.

Connect with Amanda Anisimova

Instagram: @amandaanisimova

Looking for more Just Ingredients content?

Instagram Stories: @just.ingredients

Podcast Instagram: @just.ingredients.podcast

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Just.Ingredients

Facebook Community: Join our group

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from Just Ingredients

Oct 19, 2026

It was such a joy to have Ashleigh back on the show. Her story inspires me every time I hear it. She was told she wouldn't live past her teenage years, and she refused to accept that. In this conversation, she opens up about her first and second health journeys that brought her to a place of real surrender, and how she chose to rewire again. I loved how she explained the brain in such a simple, practical way, and how beautifully she ties neuroscience and faith together. I think this episode will give you a lot of hope.

Oct 12, 2026

This episode was such a fun change of pace. Instead of a doctor or scientist, I sat down with three health and wellness friends, Wasim, Jazz, and Amanda, who flew in from across the country to be here. Each of them shared how they got started, and I learned things I never knew, like the accident that completely changed Jazz’s path. We talked about what drives us crazy in the health world, how to sort through all the noise, and what you can stop stressing about.

Oct 5, 2026

This conversation is one I truly believe can change lives. Dr. Stephanie Culler helped me see that a baby's gut bacteria are one of the most overlooked pieces of their health. The first 1,000 days of life shape so much more than I ever realized. What struck me most is that so few parents, and even pediatricians, are hearing about this research. I walked away wishing every pediatrician could hear it, and every mom too. Share this one with all your friends with littles!

Sep 28, 2026

I loved having two of my internet friends here in Utah to record this episode! Hunter and Jasyra's stories reminded me so much of how I got started on Instagram. None of us set out to become "health influencers." We each just wanted to share what had helped us on our own health journeys. They both started out struggling with their own health, and they used those struggles as the push to learn, make changes, and share what they found with all of us. This episode is a good reminder that everyone starts in a different place., what matters is that you start. I loved this conversation and learned so much more about both of them than I knew before. I know you'll walk away feeling encouraged instead of overwhelmed.

Sep 21, 2026

I feel like Heidi and I have lived parallel lives — there were so many moments in this conversation where I found myself nodding along, thinking "that's exactly how it happened for me too." We have so many similarities in our stories, and some really interesting connections along the way. I'm so grateful for her vulnerability in sharing her story with us — she's just so real and relatable. If you're looking for a little inspiration to take your next step, or you're standing at the very beginning of your own health journey, Heidi's wisdom is exactly what you need to hear.

See all episodes →