How to Get Ahead of Burnout, According to Venus Williams

Venus Williams stays ready. While some wait for problems to arise, the iconic tennis champion maintains a winning mindset year-round (and it shows). Still, her approach to health and fitness is decidedly balanced, and even relatable at times. When speaking about her wellness routine, she talks about trying new things, feeling inspired after the Paris Olympics, and having fun at the gym — even if she's training for a professional tennis tournament. Because for Williams, wellness is a constant commitment — and it's not all about physical strength.

"[I] definitely prioritize self-care all the time, and also preventative care," Williams says in an interview with PS, discussing her partnership with Downy Rinse & Refresh. "People are talking about self-care and what happens when you get to burnout, but it's kind of recognizing what to do before you get there." Thankfully, preventative self care doesn't always require a massive change or time commitment. According to Williams, avoiding burnout can be as simple as drinking enough water, eating right, taking time for yourself, and even eliminating sugar, which she says has "helped me so much" in the last few months. "I like to be busy and to have a lot on my plate, but at the same time, I need to also figure out moments for myself," she says.

When it comes to her workouts, Williams has her preferences just like everyone else. "I'm not a huge fan of cardio, but the weights are a lot of fun," she admits. That said, she isn't afraid to switch up her fitness regimen every now and then. "One thing that I'm wanting to do is get in the pool," she tells PS. "I really want to [start] swimming longer distance, especially after the Olympics. I'm so inspired."

Another way she's making her workouts fun? Dance. "I'm a dancer in my heart. Not a good one, but a dancer," she jokes. Still, even if you take the girl off the tennis court, the competitive mindset is hard to shake. "In class I'm trying to be . . . not the worst. Like at least better than one person," she laughs. "I have this tennis mentality, so I go in, I'm like, 'I beat someone!' — and I have a friend who's a choreographer — she's like, 'It's not even about that,' and I'm like, 'Oh, sorry.'"

No matter what workout she chooses, though, the tenniscore look seems to follow. When asked about the athleisure trend recently revamped by stars like Zendaya (tennis ball heels, anyone?), Sydney Sweeney, and Hailey Bieber, Williams lights up. "Tenniscore has been going for so long, and I hope it never goes away," she says. "It hasn't really disappeared, and of course I'm a huge proponent of that." Consider this your sign to finally buy that tennis skirt you've been eyeing.

Whether it's tenniscore or a new workout class, Williams encourages people to do what it takes to prioritize wellness. Building good habits every day, she says, is better than waiting around for issues to arrive. "When you take care of yourself and you maintain your relationship with yourself, with your work, with the people around you, you start to make decisions for your wellness immediately," she says. Learning how to have fun and say yes to new experiences is an important part of that. "We work hard, but it should be a good time," Williams says.

"Win, lose, or draw. Even if you've lost, you should be able to look back and say, 'I learned something. I had a nice time on that journey. I grew.'"

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.