Serena Williams credited Prince Harry for seemingly solving the tennis champion's problems during a virtual panel discussion about mental health.
Near the end of the event, Williams confessed that the Prince has been a close confidant of hers.
"I know I joke a lot, but Harry is actually one of my coaches," Williams said, according to HuffPost. "Whenever I see him, he's always solving all my life's problems, so I kind of give that to your BetterUp coach. It's kind of helped me. I'm like, 'Okay, I need some more problems to solve. When can I come over? 'Cause you just always figure it out for me.'"
Williams also added that setting boundaries was necessary for her to succeed as an athlete.
BetterUp, a company that offers mental health services and employee preparation, held a virtual panel on Thursday with CEO Alexi Robichaux, Williams and the Duke of Sussex. BetterUp's Feb. 3 Inner Work Day focused on "'fueling' personal and professional growth," Harper's Bazaar reports.
The Duke has operated as the chief impact officer for the company since March 2021 and touched upon topics such as burnout, setting healthy boundaries and dealing with disappointment during the virtual panel, according to HuffPost.
A much-needed reminder about the importance of boundaries from @serenawilliams during her Inner Work® Day session. ???? pic.twitter.com/wSLS93CCOI
— BetterUp (@BetterUp) February 3, 2022
Prince Harry, who discussed how the death of his mother affected his mental health, also said he has to remind himself to dedicate time to his well-being.
"The self-care is the first thing that drops away [when you are experiencing burnout]. I'm happy to admit that—as a husband, as a dad," Harry said, according to Harper's Bazaar, adding that he allocates 30 to 45 minutes every morning for alone time.
"Okay, one of the kids has gone to school. The other one's taking a nap. There's a break in our program. It's like, right, it's either for workout, take the dog for a walk, get out in nature, maybe meditate," he added.
peep harry slipping in "as a husband, as a dad" while talking about the importance of self-care and balancing that with other commitments #InnerWorkDay
pic.twitter.com/2Hi7oHNyPb— michelle (@ddarveyy) February 3, 2022
Harry's commitment to facilitating positive mental health conversations was the reason he joined the company, he said in an official statement.
"I firmly believe that focusing on and prioritizing our mental fitness unlocks potential and opportunity that we never knew we had inside of us," he said in a statement, according to HuffPost.
"Being attuned with your mind, and having a support structure around you, are critical to finding your own version of peak performance. What I've learned in my own life is the power of transforming pain into purpose," he added.
