World Champion John John Florence On The Mindset of Elite Sport, Walking Away At His Peak & Why True Mastery Begins With Surrender

John John Florence reveals that his competition mindset centers on letting go and allowing himself to surf naturally rather than focusing on beating others. He explains that his best heats come when he stops overthinking and simply enjoys the process, sometimes losing yet feeling fulfilled by the pure joy of surfing.

He discusses the internal battle between tension and flow, admitting that the hardest part is trusting his muscle memory and instincts over analytical thinking. A technique he uses is simplifying his approach during heats by focusing on doing the easiest maneuver first, like a cutback, which helps him relax and let the rest of the wave unfold.

John John notes that mastering the mental game involves accepting nerves and pressure instead of resisting them, allowing these feelings to come through and then gently acknowledging and releasing them. His journey from struggling with competition anxiety to embracing presence exemplifies that true mastery begins by surrendering control and adapting to the unpredictable nature of surfing and life.

• Simplify actions under pressure by focusing on the easiest move to start with.
• Let the rest of the performance flow naturally once you begin.

• John John Florence shared his experience at the high-pressure world championship heat at Lower Trestles.
• He embraced the crowd and nerves, leading to a relaxed mindset and a better performance.