Meet Jeff Salzenstein | Success Coach And Professional Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Salzenstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, what do you attribute your success to?
I attribute a significant part of my success to my unwavering perseverance. It all started when I took up tennis at the age of five. By the time I was eight, I found myself on the court facing challenges, solving problems, losing points, games, and matches. These early experiences taught me the power of resilience and the ability to bounce back quickly. In tennis, you can’t dwell on mistakes; you have to be ready for the next point within seconds. That mindset became ingrained in me throughout my years as a junior player, college athlete, and a professional for 11 years. I became accustomed to facing losses, understanding that it’s an inherent part of the sport. If you can’t rebound swiftly, you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage.

As a player, I learned to cultivate extreme resilience. I also gained a valuable perspective on failure. While it may seem like a setback, I view it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and adjust. This mindset has been crucial in my journey. When things don’t go as planned or when I face challenges, I quickly shift my focus to what’s next and identify necessary adjustments. Successful people, in my opinion, embrace failure because it allows them to learn and make improvements. My playing career laid the foundation for these principles.

Upon transitioning to a coaching role, I found myself consistently guiding others on bouncing back. This theme continued as I ventured into entrepreneurship, building an online tennis instruction platform. The highs and lows, coupled with the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, presented numerous challenges. Later, transitioning into success coaching and speaking in my late 40s was another significant shift. I turned 50 last year, proving that it’s never too late for change. Embracing discomfort professionally and personally has been a driving force behind my growth and development of resilience.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a success coach, speaker, and trainer, I help CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams access their Zone of Excellence. This 3-step Zone methodology is an integrated approach to decrease chronic stress, cultivate extreme resilience, and optimize performance and health so high achievers can become the best leaders they can be.

I help clients by asking thought provoking questions, listening deeply, sharing perspectives, and guiding them to access their Zone of Excellence by installing proven daily fundamentals leading to a deeper sense of fulfillment, purpose, and success in their personal and professional lives. I empower leaders and teams to take full responsibility for their performance and health as they take the next step in your leadership journey. This approach creates a positive ripple effect throughout an organization, with families, and with everyone else that these high achieving leaders come in contact with.

I share my “life in the trenches” experiences as a Stanford All-American and national champion, former top 100 world ranked tennis player, and a success coach to CEO’s, executives, entrepreneurs, and elite athletes.

The day after my 1997 2nd round U.S. Open night match with world #2 Micheal Chang, I found myself in a midtown Manhattan hotel suite. Sitting across from me was Jeff Schwartz, the super agent for Pete Sampras, who was the greatest player of all time before Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic came along.

I signed an agreement with Jeff and his agency, IMG, and my pro career was about to take off like a rocket ship. Until disaster struck. In an off season training session, I felt a sharp pain in the front of my ankle.It took 8 months to figure out what was wrong before I finally had surgery, and 6 months later, in my first pro tennis match after rehabbing my ankle, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my knee that led to knee surgery. My body was falling apart by the age of 25. Riddled with self defeating thoughts, anxiety, and worry, I seriously considered quitting. Would I ever be able to come back to the pro tour again, and more importantly, what did I really want with my career and with my life?

After A LOT of soul searching about my pro tennis future, I made a DECISION.. To become OBSESSED with all things high performance.I was obsessed with discovering how I could access my zone of excellence by optimizing my physical, mental, and emotional health. I was curious to find out how I could improve my performance and results if I took better care of myself. What would I need to change physically, mentally, and emotionally? Who would I need to become to achieve my goals? How would I need to lead myself?

After the 2 surgeries, I started over. I went to my first yoga class…and rebuilt a body that was out of balance. I ate organic food before it was considered cool. I became more aware of my negative, stinky thinking and my self-sabotaging limiting beliefs that you’ll hear about late. I started processing pent up emotions like anger, fear, frustration, and worry that were hurting my performances in big matches. I added breathwork, meditation, and other emotional regulation techniques to my routine. I also worked with top experts in the areas of biomechanics, injury prevention, nutrition, sports psychology, and spirituality. I made rest and recovery a major focus of my training program and integrated it into a healthy lifestyle. By applying high performance strategies consistently. I broke the top 100 in the world for the first time at the age of 30, but despite playing my best tennis ever in my 30’s. The pro tennis tour was a total grind physically, mentally, and emotionally.

At 34 years old and eleven years into my pro tennis career, I was burned out and stressed out from all the heartbreaking losses and setbacks, but none of my tennis setbacks matched the stress and fear that I experienced on December 30th, 2007.

I was visiting my father, stepmother, and 3 siblings in Orlando, Florida. I remember walking into my brother’s bedroom that morning. He was a high school senior at the time. Sprawled out on the floor….passed out…a white foamy substance dribbling out of his mouth. My brother, Erik, was overtaken by a cocktail of drugs. He had been chained down by his addictions, destructive habits, fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs. Trapped in the prison of HIS mind, Erik was his own worst enemy, and when I saw my brother lying helplessly on his bedroom floor…

I made the decision to go “All-In” to support his recovery from addiction. In that moment, my professional tennis career ended. In that moment, I found my true calling as a coach and mentor. In that moment, I felt a deeper sense of fulfillment by helping others.

After abruptly retiring from pro tennis to help my brother, I moved back to Denver and started coaching tennis players of all ages and ability levels teaching them the basic fundamentals of the game. I also created an online tennis instruction platform helping millions of players around the world learn the basic FUNDAMENTALS of tennis, and for the last 7 years I’ve worked with CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams as a success coach and now speaker helping them access their Zone of Excellence.

Most leaders feel the grind in their business and in their lives. When I work with successful, high achievers they open up to me. They tell me that they’re either feeling anxious, disconnected, distracted and unfocused, lacking purpose and direction, overwhelmed with their to-do list, physically out of shape, struggling with work-life balance, or suffering from imposter syndrome. All of this leads to more chronic stress negatively impacting our thinking, emotions, and behaviors whether we realize it or not and this puts a glass ceiling on individual and organizational performance and results.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A Week in Denver:

Days 1-3: Culinary Bliss
Start with a Wholesome Breakfast at Just Be Kitchen:
Kick off your mornings at Just Be Kitchen, a spot I absolutely love for its healthy and delicious offerings. From avocado toast to gluten-free pancakes, it’s a breakfast haven.

Dine with a View at Linger:
Linger, located in a former mortuary, is my go-to for globally inspired dishes and panoramic city views from its rooftop lounge. Trust me; it’s an experience you won’t forget.

Taco Heaven at Ina Mas Cantina:
For the love of tacos, head to Una Mas Cantina on Pearl Street. The variety of tacos is mind-blowing, and the lively Mexican-inspired atmosphere adds an extra punch.

Chill at the Farmers Market on Pearl Street:
Take a casual stroll through the Farmers Market on Pearl Street. Engage with local vendors, sample fresh produce, and soak in the vibrant community spirit.

Days 4-5: Dive into the City
Explore the Capitol:
Get a taste of Colorado’s history by exploring the Capitol. The neoclassical architecture is impressive, and the guided tours offer fascinating insights.

Sports Fanatic Drive-By:
Even if there’s no game, drive by Denver’s iconic sporting venues – Coors Field, Pepsi Center, and Empower Field at Mile High. The energy around these places is infectious.

Street Art Galore at RiNo:
Head to the River North (RiNo) Art District for a visual treat. Colorful murals and innovative street art decorate the walls, and you’ll find quirky boutiques and galleries showcasing local talent.

Days 6-7: Embrace Nature
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Magic:
You can’t miss the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Take a guided tour, check out the Visitor Center, or, if you’re lucky, catch a live performance amidst the breathtaking rock formations.

Rocky Mountain Retreat:
Escape to the majestic Rocky Mountains for a day. Whether it’s a scenic drive or a hiking adventure, the mountains offer a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle. Consider a side trip to Vail for that extra touch of alpine charm.

Biking and Hiking Extravaganza:
Rent bikes and explore the city’s extensive cycling trails or challenge yourself with a hike in the nearby foothills. The views are worth the effort, trust me.

Conclusion:
Denver’s got it all – from culinary delights to vibrant art scenes and the serenity of the Rockies. Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable week. Let the Mile-High City work its magic on you!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my Shoutout to my beloved brother, Erik, who tragically died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in January, 2024

My brother struggled deeply with addiction and I would like to bring awareness to the challenges so many people experience with this disease/disorder. I’m committed to helping people better deal with stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression.

At one point in his journey Erik served a 4-year prison term for armed robbery that the detectives labeled as a drug deal gone bad.

But Erik had been in prison LOOOONG before he was physically in prison. He had been chained down by his addictions, destructive habits, fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs. Trapped in the prison of his mind, Erik was his own worst enemy

Wearing a blue jumpsuit, Erik sat across from me inside the cafeteria, a sterile white, picnic table between us. Looking into his crystal clear brown eyes, I listened to his story of addiction, of his drug use and his drug dealing, of the pain and suffering that he experienced, and how he had hurt so many that loved him…

6 months earlier, Erik called me from the prison house phone and said…

“Jeff. I really want to change, but I have no idea how to do it.” So I sent him a book, Awaken the Giant Within, by Tony Robbins.

And Erik devoured it. He started to transform his body, mind, and soul. The prison yard became his sanctuary to create superhuman physical strength. Erik focused on getting good sleep each night. He changed his thought and word patterns…

Added breathwork, journaling, meditation, and prayer to his daily routine. Erik also discovered a hidden talent for public speaking that he didn’t know existed. Speaking in prison was perfect for him because his audience was fully captive.

When Erik was released from prison, he was full of gratitude and humility, determined to continue his growth and transformation. For the next 3 years, we were as close as two brothers could be. I was more than happy to play the role of big brother, coach, mentor, best friend, and biggest fan. Erik came out of nowhere to win a prestigious public speaking contest. Sharing his powerful message about how he went from a life in prison…to a life of purpose.

I was lucky to be right there with him smiling, cheering, and giving him a big bear hug after his victory…
This landed Erik a TEDx talk that launched his speaking and coaching business, but sadly…success came way too fast for Erik and we started to drift apart…

The stress and pressure of success began to overwhelm him.Once again ***The crippling power of addiction overtook Erik and his soul. Erik tragically died from an accidental fentanyl overdose a little over one year ago. The more time Erik spent in his head instead of in his heart. Seeking external validation from money, power, control, the next business deal, and other worldly things, the more his ego took over. We all can fall prey to this ego trap at some level focusing on external validation but this only creates more stress in our lives. My brother was an extreme example of what high achievers go through, and what they struggle with when it comes to stress and anxiety.

And when you look at the science, according to Dr. Bruce Lipton, a highly respected and renowned cell biologist says that
Stress is the cause of at least 95% of all illness and disease. The science shows us that too much stress for too long depletes your energy, dysregulates your nervous system, and compromises your immune system leading to sickness, and even disease down the road.

When my beloved brother, Erik, tragically died, I felt the stress and trauma in every cell of my body, but…I also knew that I could turn this stress into lessons I could learn and grow from.

My brother isn’t here anymore, but I’m still here. I’m alive and my heart’s beating. It’s not too late for me to carry on Erik’s legacy and to share his powerful message of growth and transformation.

I want people to remember how Erik transformed his body, mind, and soul in a maximum security prison…

I want people to remember that in a very short amount of time, Erik positively impacted so many people, including his brother.

Website: https://jeffsalzenstein.com

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