The Mindset Behind Longevity, Injury Recovery, & Elite Performance | John John Florence

What does it take to stay at the top of your sport for decades – physically and mentally? In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Kelly and Juliet Starrett sit down with three-time World Surfing Champion John John Florence to explore what it really means to play the long game. From recovering from multiple ACL tears to stepping away from competition at the peak of his career, John John shares the mindset shifts that helped him redefine success on his own terms. The conversation dives into everything from injury recovery and mental performance to fueling, training, and why learning to love the process matters far more than chasing outcomes. John John also opens up about trading the World Tour for life aboard a sailboat with his wife and son, where surfing remote waves, solving problems, and embracing adventure have become the next chapter of his journey. Whether you're an athlete, parent, or simply someone trying to build a more meaningful life, this episode is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, intentional living, and finding fulfillment beyond achievement. What You’ll Learn In This Episode -Why playing the long game leads to better performance, longevity, and fulfillment -How to recover mentally after setbacks, injuries, and unexpected detours -Why learning to love the process creates more sustainable success than chasing outcomes -The surprising nutrition and recovery changes that helped John John perform at his best -How family, adventure, and purpose can redefine success beyond competition Key Highlights 0:00 Intro & Episode Preview 0:40 Meet John John Florence 3:47 Intro to The Long Game 4:39 Post-Championship Depression & Loving the Process 7:25 When You Win Your First World Title 11:26 Where in the World: Sailing in Panama 12:01 The Vela Docuseries 14:21 Surfing Remote Waves & the Journey to Get There 16:43 Raising a Kid on a Boat & Problem Solving 20:49 ACL Injuries: The Mental Side of Serious Setbacks 25:52 Daily Routine, Breathwork, & Warmup Habits 35:15 The Warmup Ritual and Mind-Body Connection 39:30 Fueling: The Biggest Performance Gap 40:45 Comp-Day Nutrition & Gels in the Lineup 43:00 Deciding to Step Away from the Tour 47:44 Burnout, Back-to-Back ACLs, & Body Listening 54:37 Working with Mental Performance Coach Dr. Mike Gervais 1:00:16 Visualization & the 2024 Lowers World Title Clinch 1:03:27 How His Son Grounded Him Before the Final 1:04:16 Infinite Shelf: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss 1:05:26 What's Next: Waves, Boat Repairs, & Closing Thoughts Infinite Shelf Recommendation At the end of every episode, we ask our guests to add one thing to the Infinite Shelf — a book, film, album, show, or idea that’s shaped how they think, perform, or see the world. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss "Name of the Wind is an amazing book. I feel like it gives you a different perspective on living and life and the way you look at things. Even though it's fiction, it's one that has really stayed with me." – John John Florence Connect with John John Florence Instagram:   / john_john_florence   Facebook:   / johnjohnflorence   YouTube:    / jjf   Website: https://www.florencemarinex.com Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Momentous, a supplement brand known for NSF-Certified for Sport products, rigorous testing, and transparent sourcing. Kelly and Juliet share their own daily supplement routines – including protein, creatine, omega-3s, fiber, vitamin D, magnesium, and iron – and explain why quality and consistency matter. 👉 Use code TRS and save up to 35% on your first order: https://bit.ly/Live-Momentous This episode is sponsored by LMNT, a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix that supports hydration, energy, and performance. Kelly and Juliet challenge listeners to start each morning with water and LMNT before reaching for more coffee, highlighting how proper hydration can improve recovery, tissue health, and workouts. 👉 Grab yours (and get a free sample pack) here: https://bit.ly/Drink-LMNT #TheReadyStatePodcast #JohnJohnFlorence #AthleteMindset #SportsPerformance #Longevity About The Ready State: The Ready State provides athletes, coaches, and humans of all walks of life the tools to relieve pain, prevent injury, and improve physical performance. Subscribe to Mobility Coach for customized mobility coaching, tailored to your body and lifestyle. 👉 Start a 7-day FREE TRIAL today at https://bit.ly/MC-FreeTrial. Connect with The Ready State: Visit the The Ready State WEBSITE: http://thereadystate.com Follow The Ready State on INSTAGRAM:   / thereadystate   Like The Ready State on FACEBOOK:   / thereadystate   Follow The Ready State on TWITTER:   / thereadystate   Follow The Ready State on TIKTOK:   / the_readystate