They say mindset is everything. But when life gets stressful or busy, it can be easy to fall into unproductive or even downright harmful thought patterns. This is why it’s important to have some tools to use when this happens.
During a panel appearance at the 2026 SHE Media Co-Lab @ SXSW on March 14, Gabby Reece, entrepreneur and former professional volleyball player, shared how she shifts her mindset during times of stress and overwhelm.
“I do come from an athlete’s mindset which is ‘OK, this is not working so what do I need to change?’” she explained. “Because doing the same thing over and over, or being willing to burn myself out, I’m not willing at any cost… I’m willing to work hard for periods of time, but I’m not willing to make my whole life be something I’m just trying to get through because I don’t understand the point of that.”
Part of how she makes these changes when they arise is by asking herself a question first posed to her by her husband, legendary surfer Laird Hamilton.
“Sometimes he’ll say to me, ‘Is this what we’re doing with our lives? We’re answering emails? and I’m like ‘Ugh’” she recalled. “It’s also about understanding: ‘What do I really want?’ ‘What makes me feel good?’ and ‘How do I set up my life to do that?’”
Reframing her mindset this way helps Reece tune out the noise and what doesn’t matter so she can focus on what does matter, like her family and businesses. “I know it’s going to be hard work, but it’s work I’m willing to do because I know it’s feeding back into me,” she said.