NBA legend Chris Paul knows a thing or two about pressure—he's faced it on the court for nearly two decades. But according to a recent appearance on Dr. Mark Hyman's podcast, the point guard reveals that the most challenging stress he's faced has nothing to do with basketball. In fact, Paul says the worst gut issues of his career didn't come from what he ate, but from what he thought: stress itself.

"You can become stressed just by thinking about being stressed," Paul explains. It's a cycle he knows well—a "stress loop" that can spiral quickly. When he feels that familiar tension building, he doesn't push through it. Instead, he takes deliberate steps to reset: surrounding himself with family, stepping away from work to slow down, and calming his nervous system before it gets out of control.

Paul's key insight? Stop trying to be everything for everybody. "That's what runs you ragged," he says. Most people, he notes, are stuck in a cycle of being stressed about being stressed, and their cortisol levels pay the price. The real culprit behind gut health problems, he emphasizes, is rarely on your plate—it's in your mindset.

For athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, Paul's advice is a powerful reminder: recovery isn't just about physical rest. It's about mental reset, too. Whether you're gearing up for a big game or just trying to stay active, managing stress is as important as any workout or diet plan. After all, a calm mind supports a healthy body—and that's a winning strategy in any arena.