It's not just about what happens on the court that counts, but what you do throughout every stage of your game. Because every decision you make, from training to nutrition, can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Professional U.S. tennis player Ben Shelton has already learned this firsthand. Now, he focuses on the factors he can control, leveraging #ThorneFor preparation, performance, and recovery just like he does in our latest campaign.

Who is Ben Shelton, you ask? If you’re not a tennis fan, he's one of the top-ranked American men’s tennis players and has been on the ATP Tour for about two years. But already, the 22-year-old has played on some of the biggest stages, reaching the semifinals at the 2023 U.S. Open and 2025 Australian Open.

In addition to his impressive track record, Shelton’s focus on fueling for performance makes him a natural choice to feature in our latest campaign. The new Thorne partner took some time to chat with our team and share how Thorne helps him optimize every aspect of his game.

Thorne: Thanks for taking the time, Ben! As one of the youngest American professional tennis players, how do you handle the pressure of proving yourself on the court?

Ben Shelton: For sure! I try not to focus on proving myself as much as I focus on improving my game. Pressure is always there, but as we say in tennis, pressure is a privilege. I channel that into my game by staying present, fighting for every point, and seizing the energy on the biggest stage.

Thorne: How has coming into a highly specialized, hyper-focused sport later than your peers changed your approach to tennis and success?

Ben Shelton: It’s given me a different perspective. Since I didn’t grow up playing junior tennis internationally or grinding on the pro tour as a teenager, I feel like I bring a fresh mentality and spirit to the game. I love the sport, but I also know there’s life outside of it, which helps me stay balanced and connected.

Thorne: How has the underdog mentality helped you succeed on and off the court?

Ben Shelton: I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder, whether it was proving that a college player could make waves on tour or showing that my aggressive, high-energy style could compete with the best. That underdog mindset allows me to work hard and never settle. Off the court, it helps me stay humble and motivated to keep pushing my limits.

Thorne: How did you first learn about our brand?

Ben Shelton: Through my performance coach who swore by the products. When consulting other athletes on tour, Thorne was the clear favorite of all tennis players looking for supplements or recovery products. The NSF Certified for Sport® lineup is huge for tennis.

I’m always looking for ways to optimize my performance, and Thorne kept coming up as the gold standard in clean, effective supplements. Once I tried them, I was hooked.

Thorne: There are so many other health and wellness companies you could rely on to support your game. What sets Thorne apart for you?

Ben Shelton: Quality and trust. In a sport where every little edge matters, I need to know exactly what I’m putting into my body. Thorne’s commitment to clean ingredients and science-backed NSF Certified for Sport® formulas gives me that confidence.

Thorne: How do you balance nutrition around your training and competition schedule, especially while traveling?

Ben Shelton: It’s all about planning. I try to eat whole foods whenever possible, but I also bring my own supplements and snacks so I’m never caught off guard. Hydration and timing meals around matches is key.

Thorne: How do you fuel for an average day?

Ben Shelton: It depends on the day because I'm constantly traveling, and sometimes my matches are really early or late. Here’s an example of what a regular practice day without travel looks like:

  • Breakfast: Eggs, avocado toast, and a smoothie with protein.
  • Pre-practice: Creatine and electrolytes.
  • Lunch: Lean protein, complex carbs, and veggies.
  • Afternoon: Snack, maybe a banana with peanut butter or a protein bar.
  • Dinner: Something hearty but clean, like salmon and quinoa.
  • Nighttime: Magnesium to wind down and recover.

Thorne: Our latest campaign features you alongside Thorne’s Creatine, Daily Electrolytes, and Magnesium Bisglycinate. Can you explain how these three products support every stage of your game?

Ben Shelton: Absolutely! No matter what stage of the game I’m in – preparation, performance, or recovery – Thorne helps me stay ahead of the competition by helping me fuel what’s next. Here’s how each one benefits me:

  • Thorne’s Creatine: Helps with strength and power, which is huge for my explosive game style. I need that extra edge in training to help me improve my speed and make tough shots.
  • Thorne’s Daily Electrolytes: Hydration is key, especially when I’m playing long, physical matches in the heat. I sweat a lot, and this helps me keep my energy up and my body functioning at its best.
  • Thorne’s Magnesium Bisglycinate: Recovery is just as important as training, and this helps me unwind, sleep better, and reset for the next day.

Thorne: We’ll wrap up on a fun one here! You’re known for your celebration moves. Where do you draw inspiration for these and what new moves are you planning?

Ben Shelton: A lot of it comes from football and basketball, those sports have so much swagger. I like to bring that energy to tennis. As for new moves… you’ll have to wait and see, but I might have something special cooked up for the next big win!

Thorne is thrilled to partner with Ben and excited to bring you more health and wellness content. You can follow him on Instagram and TikTok.

For more health and wellness content, stay tuned at Thorne’s Take 5 Daily blog and follow us on Instagram @thornehealth.