Skip to content

Jelena Dokic learns to Live Free (Part 2)

November 10, 2026 · 41 min

Show notes

What happens when you begin to let go of judgment, shame and stigma and finally start to Live Free? For tennis champion Jelena Dokic, reclaiming her life and voice through being vulnerable and owning her story has been the catalyst for freedom. In this in-depth interview, we talk about how her time coaching childrens' tennis helped her to learn how to pursue excellence and strive for growth without trying to hit the unreachable goal of perfectionism. We also discuss how this perfectionism mindset led her to an eating disorder and poor mental health and the importance of getting professional help. As detailed in her new book Live Free, this propelled an interest in helping others to find their self-worth, harness the power of vulnerability, and to lead with self-belief.


First, Read is hosted by Charle Malycon, and this episode's guest is Jelena Dokic.

To read more about Jelena's books, see our website: https://www.penguin.com.au/authors/jelena-dokic


Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle and Maia Longhurst. Additional research and scripting by Lydia Burgham. Theme song composed by Kieran Parker. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Olivia Mead.

All episodes of First Read

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.