Crushing the Day - An interview with Courtside Les

Can you give us a quick overview / summary of your athletic background and what lead you to tennis?

I started playing tennis at four years old in Russia — my parents played, and a coach quickly noticed my interest and put a racket in my hand. Within six months I was already competing in local tournaments. I played competitively through my teens, but retired at 14 due to an elbow injury and also because the sport took a toll on my mental health. I was very competitive and would often lose my composure on the court, which made the game feel overwhelming at times.

Later, I moved abroad — to Australia, the UK, and eventually California — where I played number one for Foothill College and ranked among the top in the state. Instead of continuing at university level, I coached at Eagle Fustar Academy, which gave me a different perspective on the game. Though I stepped away for a few years to focus on my career, I came back during COVID, and now in Atlanta it’s once again a huge part of my life. I train with a coach, play several times a week, and approach tennis with a much healthier mindset. It’s still my toughest love, but it’s also my greatest teacher.

How long have you been competing and what are some of your top accomplishments in your sport?

I’ve been competing since I was four years old. Growing up in Siberia, I was consistently ranked in the top 1–6 in my age divisions and won several local tournaments. Later, at Foothill College in California, I played number one on the team, earned All-American honors in doubles, and helped rebuild the program into a serious, competitive team that drew in new talent and momentum. More recently, I’ve competed in ALTA in Atlanta, where my team won the championship.

But honestly, my biggest accomplishment through tennis has been the opportunities it’s opened for me. The sport shaped my education, my career path, and my network. Tennis didn’t just give me titles — it gave me the life I have today.

What are some of the key aspects of your health and wellness routine as a competitive athlete (diet, fitness priorities, supplements, etc…)

For me, health and wellness start with routine and recovery. I’m usually up at 5 AM and on the tennis court by 6, and I make sure to stay active at least four to five times a week — whether that’s training, gym, or even just walking. Recovery is just as important: I see a chiropractor regularly, get massages, and have PT on call when needed.

Diet-wise, I’ve been pescatarian since I was 16, I don’t eat fast food, I don’t really drink alcohol, and I try to keep my meals clean and balanced. I’m not big on supplements, but I never skip the basics — like drinking a gallon of water a day. Sleep, sunlight, and structure are really the foundation of my energy and performance.

Can you describe how you like to use ATHLETHC mints?

My days are honestly jam-packed - between tennis, my podcast, social media, and a corporate job, I’m constantly switching gears and needing different types of energy to keep up. That’s why having all three ATHLETHC Mints has been such a game changer for me.

If I’m heading into a workout or a lesson, I’ll grab a Power Mint - that cinnamon hit wakes me up, and it gives me the stamina to push through, even if it’s a late session after a long day.

When I can’t mentally lock in on the tennis court or I feel myself losing composure, I’ll take a Flow Mint. It helps me reset my focus so I can stay calm and play with a clear head. Off the court, I also use it when I need to be creative or dialed in - like editing for hours or recording back-to-back podcast episodes. It just keeps me sharp and steady when I need it most.

And then there are those days when I completely push my body - maybe I worked out in the morning and then played tennis at night - or when I’m overwhelmed and stressed from trying to do it all. That’s when I reach for the Rebound Mint. It really helps with muscle soreness, but it also calms me down and gives me that reset I need to keep moving.

For me, each formula fits a different part of my lifestyle - and with everything I’ve got on my plate, that balance is exactly what keeps me going

What benefits do you tend to notice from microdosing with our performance THC mints?

With the performance THC mints, the biggest benefit I notice is how they help me stay balanced in different ways depending on the formula.

With the Flow Mint, I feel a shift in both my mind and body — I get more creative energy, more ideas, and I’m able to let things come naturally instead of forcing them. On the tennis court especially, it helps me stop overthinking and overusing my body. Normally I’ll push 110% and tense up, but Flow reminds me that my body already knows what to do. It calms me down, grounds me, and lets my game flow the way it’s supposed to.

With the Power Mint, the difference is stamina. I notice I can keep going longer and with more consistency — it’s like an extra gear that carries me through tough workouts or long matches, especially when it’s very hot and humid outside. 

And with the Rebound Mint, it’s that deep sense of calm. My brain usually runs a million miles an hour with ideas and everything I have going on, and Rebound slows it down. It helps me relax, reset, and actually feel present instead of scattered.

Each one gives me something different, but together they’ve made a huge impact on how I focus, perform, and recover.

What is your favorite formula and flavor?

I love my Flow formula! 

What do you like most about our mints?

What I like most about the mints is how they fit perfectly into my lifestyle. With everything I juggle — tennis, a podcast, social media, and a corporate job — I need different types of support throughout the day. The mints give me exactly that. They help me lock in and stop overthinking when I’m on the court, give me stamina when I need to push harder, and help me calm down and reset when my brain is running a million miles an hour. It’s that balance of clarity, energy, and recovery all in one that makes them such a game changer for me.

Where can readers find / follow you online and do you have any major events coming up that you want to let everyone know about?

Please follow me on all social media platforms as @CourtsideLes and please subscribe to my podcast @TalkLesShow (available in video format on Youtube & Spotify , audio format on all other podcasting platforms)