The man known as Ash Barty’s “mindset coach” teaches his clients to redefine their idea of success that comes from within – rather than money, fame, or sporting glory.
Ben Crowe has worked with a range of leading sports stars, corporate executives, and others and was credited by Barty for helping her become the number one in the world.
Barty retired from professional tennis earlier this year at 25 after winning an elusive grand slam at home for the first time at the Australian Open.
Crowe said Barty could distinguish herself from her successes and failures on the field.
“To Ash’s credit, she dared to go in-house and understand her story, and along the way, she was able to separate her self-esteem from whether she’s winning or losing a game of tennis,” he told host Leigh Sales at 7:30 am on Wednesday.
“She realizes tennis is what she does, but it’s not who she is.”
Camera IconAsh Barty’s mindset coach said he was able to distinguish himself from successes and failures on the field. Photo by Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr. Crowe said he strives to change people’s perspectives to see their worth and understand that things beyond their control can prevent them from achieving their goals.
“You still want to have these goals and dreams, and that can be extrinsic goals and dreams, like winning a grand final or winning Wimbledon and so on,” he said.
“And you want to pursue those goals and dreams as hard as possible with the gifts you’ve been given on this planet.
“But you don’t care if you achieve those goals and dreams because there are so many things you cannot control.”
When explaining her decision to retire at the top level, Barty said that after winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open, she felt she had accomplished everything she set out to do.
“Success for me is knowing I gave absolutely everything I can,” Barty said.
Camera IconBarty’s career ended on a high but was filled with ups and downs. Photo: Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia
“I no longer have the physical dri, thehe emotional ne, ed and everything it takes to challenge myself at the top level.
“I think I just know that I’m absolutely… I’m up. I know physically that I have nothing left to give, and that is success for me.”
By contrast, Serena Williams, the most accomplished tennis player of all time on the court, crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round on Wednesday at the age of 40.
Williams is chasing a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam title.
“I’m playing for Grand Slams now,” Williams told American talk show host Stephen Colbert ahead of this year’s Australian Open.
“I’m delighted to still have the opportunity to compete at this level. It’s an opportunity… every time I win a Grand Slam, it means the world to me.”
Camera IconAsh Van Barty was always seen putting personal relationships at the center of her journey. David Caird Credit: News Corp Australia
For Mr. Crowe, money, materialism, business, social status, and the desire for recognition are the five extrinsic motivations that sabotage many people today.
He said the desire for recognition manifested itself as a constant concern and obsession with what other people think of you rather than what you feel about yourself.
“As humans, we’re really good at saying what we’re not — ‘not good enough, smart enough, loved enough — and we’re kind of bad at saying what we are,’ Mr. Crowe said.
“We have this reptilian brain with a negative bias. It’s like Velcro for negative and Teflon for positive.”
He said success could look like getting out of your comfort zone, realizing personal potential, helping others, being part of a team, or finding purpose and meaning in your efforts.
“From that perspective, you can still pursue your goals and dreams and separate them from expectations,” he said.
“Because we’re getting the two mixed up, causing so much distraction these days.”