At Raise Your Elevation, we sponsor activities and encourage a healthy lifestyle so you can live your highest-performance life. We engage at all points of well-being, including mental strength, nutrition, physical wellness, and a healthy spirituality.

 

We are passionate about this because we know that the physical, mental, and spiritual elements of life all contribute to overall wellness and success. Whenever you see a checkbox below, ask yourself if this may be an area you can elevate in your life.

 

We believe that everyone can find something physical they enjoy doing. For some it's a simple walk every day, for others it's a recreational pickleball league, and for some it's highly competitive such as running a marathon or playing college / pro sports. In all cases it should be something that makes the time pass in a way that feels fun and exhilarating. We sponsor events and athletes at all of these levels.

 

Success - It's about the whole person

 

When we examine the success stories of happy and successful people across various fields, we usually find that their achievements stem not just from specialized knowledge or skills in one area, but from a balanced approach that harmonizes all of these dimensions simultaneously. This integrated approach recognizes that our mental clarity affects our physical capabilities, our physical health influences our mental resilience, and our spiritual grounding provides the purpose and Inspiration that drives both.

For the average person—whether a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, a professional navigating work stress, or a retiree seeking to maintain vitality—this integration offers a path to not just surviving—but thriving.

 

The Mental Dimension

Mental wellness forms the foundation of all achievement. Without mental clarity, focus, grit and resilience; our physical capabilities remain underutilized and spiritual insights go unrecognized.

Developing mental wellness involves:

☐ Mindfulness practices that strengthen attention and awareness, such as a 10-minute breathing meditations

☐ Stress management techniques that prevent burnout, such as taking breaks during the day to do something fun, even only if for 5-minutes when busy

☐ Cognitive training that optimizes decision-making and problem-solving, potentially  even using a problem-solving video game like Tetris

☐ Emotional regulation that channels feelings productively, such as praying out loud and handing your problems faithfully to God, or reading a good book that helps you pivot to more positive outlooks about life

 

The Physical Dimension

Physical wellness provides the vessel through which all other dimensions express themselves. A well-functioning body supplies energy for mental tasks and creates the biochemical environment conducive to emotional balance and spiritual awareness.

Key aspects of physical wellness include:

☐ Good Nutrition for optimal fuel that promotes top cellular function (consider juicing)

☐ Movement that maintains musculoskeletal health, sweating out of toxins, and better bloodflow

☐ Recovery that allows for repair and adaptation

☐ Sleep that consolidates learning and restores energy

 

The Spiritual Dimension

Spiritual wellness—often the most overlooked dimension—provides the why behind our what and how. It encompasses our values, our sense of purpose, and our connection to something larger than ourselves. Without this dimension, even the most physically fit and mentally sharp individuals may find themselves questioning the point of their efforts.

Additionally, our connection with God adds a powerful element when dealing with stress and anxiety that may come with competitive sports.

Spiritual wellness practices include:

☐ Connection with God, church community, and nature.

☐ Reflection on personal values and life purpose, just taking time to think and jot down anything that comes up which may feel like something to come back to later

☐ Gratitude for life's gifts and opportunities, with journaling can be powerful

☐ Service and Generosity individually and within missions and small-groups for causes beyond oneself

 

A Template for Integrated Wellness

 

A recent wellness study showed that Tennis / Pickleball are some of the most popular sports which integrated each of these areas of wellness. When it comes to tennis, few individuals exemplify the power of integrated wellness better than multi-Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. His unprecedented success—spanning 24 Grand Slam titles and counting—stems not just from superior physical abilities alone, but from an incredibly effective approach that harmonizes mental, physical, and spiritual practices. And it's something we can all learn from, no matter where we are in our own pursuits in sport or life.

 

Mental Mastery

Djokovic dedicates significant time to his mental training, working to incorporate mindfulness into his routine. As he explained, "I stopped thinking too much about what could happen and relied on my mental strength to think the best thoughts at the right time." This mental clarity allows Novak to perform well under pressure in ways that confound his opponents.

In a 2023 interview, Djokovic shared insights into his mental preparation: "I believe half of the mental work you need to put in is done before you even set foot on the court. If you fail to prepare, it's going to be a much more difficult mountain to climb and succeed on the court." This is most certainly a metaphor for life.

Novak's mental routine includes:

☐ Conscious Breathing:
Practice calming breathing techniques, especially during stress, such as box breathing (4 counts inhale, hold 4 counts, exhale 4 counts, hold 4 counts).

☐ Mindfulness & Meditation:
Set aside at least 15 minutes daily for meditation or mindfulness exercises, focusing on present-moment awareness.

☐ Visualization:
Regularly visualize successful performances, outcomes, and positive interactions to mentally rehearse success.

☐ Acceptance & Letting Go:
Practice accepting thoughts and emotions without judgment. Allow yourself to feel and release, rather than resisting.

Djokovic acknowledges the reality of inner turmoil, saying, "I might appear locked in but trust me sometimes there's a storm inside..." Yet he has developed techniques to manage this inner experience, noting, "Conscious breathing is a big part, especially in the moments when you're under tension."

Physical Excellence

Djokovic's physical transformation began in 2010 when he met with Dr. Igor Cetojevic, who diagnosed him with gluten and dairy sensitivities. After adapting to a gluten-free diet for just two weeks, the results were immediate—better sleep, more energy, and a lightness on his feet that transformed his performance.

This dietary shift proved transformative: "By changing his diet in 2011 he achieved the best possible results!"

His physical wellness regimen includes:

☐ Balanced Training Routine:
Incorporate strength training, endurance exercises (like running, cycling, swimming), and flexibility training (stretching, mobility routines).

☐ Nutrition & Fuel:
Prioritize nutrient-dense foods, emphasizing quality proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

☐ Hydration Strategy:
Drink ample water throughout the day. Start your mornings intentionally with warm water and fresh lemon to aid digestion and hydration.

☐ Rest & Recovery:
Prioritize sleep and recovery days to maximize your body's adaptation, healing, and injury prevention.

Beyond traditional training, Djokovic incorporates diverse movement practices: deep breathing and meditation help increase his breathing capacity and improves his stamina and endurance, while Tai Chi, an internal Chinese martial art practiced for self-defense and health, helps increase his flexibility, balance and agility.

 

Spiritual Foundation

Djokovic is a devout Christian who consistently demonstrates his faith both on and off the court. He wears a silver cross necklace during matches, often kissing it or making it visible after important victories. Following his 2024 Olympic semifinal win, he kissed his cross necklace during a television interview and said, "I pray to God that everything will be alright."

His faith is central to his identity. When receiving the Order of Saint Sava in 2011—the highest honor bestowed by the Serbian Orthodox Church—Djokovic stated: "This is the most important title of my life, because before being an athlete, I am a Christian." This prestigious recognition was given for his generosity and dedication to his faith.

Djokovic's spiritual practices extend beyond traditional religious observances to include:

☐ Prayer & Centering:
Include prayer or quiet contemplation before significant events or matches, grounding yourself spiritually.

☐ Daily Reflection & Conscience Check:
Take time each day to reflect, assessing your actions, decisions, challenges, and areas of growth or improvement.

☐ Mind-Body-Spirit Practices:
Integrate yoga, Tai Chi, or other mindful movement practices that connect and balance your mental, physical, and spiritual energies.

☐ Family & Community Connection:
Actively maintain family connections and relationships that offer you meaningful support, strength, and perspective.

☐ Gratitude Ritual:
Practice intentional gratitude daily, acknowledging the good in your life to cultivate positivity and resilience.

Despite his incredible achievements, Novak's faith has been a source of courage and strength throughout his career. As Djokovic himself expressed after winning Olympic gold in 2024: "God gave me this and I'm very grateful because I believe everything in life happens for a reason. I've tried to use my life's calling to carry my cross honorably and represent my country and my family."

 

Applying the Template: From Elite to Everyday

 

While not everyone can or even wants to achieve Djokovic's level of success, his integrated approach offers a template applicable to individuals at all levels. For each level, the basis for level prior also applies and becomes progressively more specialized:

 

Level 1: e.g., Parents and Professionals

The busy parent or working professional can adapt Djokovic's principles by:

☐ Starting the day with five minutes of prayer, mindfulness and gratitude practice. Simply praying the "our Father" each morning can be extremely powerful.

☐ Incorporating simple nutritional upgrades like adding one additional fruit or vegetable to one meal per day

☐ Taking short movement breaks throughout the day, such as a walk around the block.

☐ Creating bedtime rituals that honor the importance of recovery, which may be getting to bed 30 minutes earlier, and not being on a device during that final 15 minutes.

☐ Scheduling regular connection time with loved ones to maintain those relationships.

 

Level 2: e.g., Retirees and Weekend Warriors

Those in later life stages or pursuing recreational athletics might:

☐ Develop pre-competition mental routines that are consistently repeated

☐ Experiment with anti-inflammatory nutritional approaches, less sugar and starch.

☐ Prioritize mobility and flexibility training alongside strength work, which can be taking a break for 10 minutes to stretch 3-days per week.

☐ Implement strategic recovery days between training sessions, cold showers or yoga.

☐ Find some community through group activities or clubs

 

Level 3: e.g., High-Performers Seeking Breakthroughs

Individuals aiming for significant personal bests might consider:

☐ Working with mental skills coaches to develop customized mindfulness and visualization practices—with accountability

☐ Consulting with nutrition professionals to identify potential sensitivities or optimization opportunities

☐ Incorporating complementary movement practices like yoga or tai chi

☐ Establishing consistent sleep and recovery protocols—add one hour of sleep per night, or a nap if possible

☐ Clarifying the deeper purpose behind why you do what you do, and how your success can give you a platform to benefit the world.

The Undisputed Healthy Lifestyle 😎

 

While each individual's implementation will differ, the fundamental principle remains indisputable: integration of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness creates results far greater than the sum of their parts. As Djokovic's journey demonstrates, addressing each dimension doesn't just improve that specific area—it creates an upward spiral where improvements in one domain catalyze progress in others.

The path to integrated wellness isn't about perfection, but progress. By taking inspiration from Djokovic's approach while adapting it to individual circumstances, everyone from the busy parent to the aspiring competitive athlete can experience new levels of health, performance, and fulfillment.

In a world that often pushes for specialization, the true champions of life—like Djokovic on the tennis court—remind us that our greatest potential emerges when we honor all dimensions of our humanity. The integration of mind, body, and spirit isn't just a pathway to better tennis; it's the foundation for a life well-lived.