Episode 17

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Published on:

29th May 2025

Murphy Jensen: Tennis Legend’s Wild Ride Through Fame, Addiction & Recovery

This isn't just a tennis story—it’s a survival story. A redemption story. A story that could save someone’s life.

Murphy Jensen had it all. A French Open title. Worldwide fame. Magazine covers. The wild charisma of a rockstar on the tennis court known as Rock ‘n Roll duo with his older brother Luke. But while the world saw a champion, inside he was unraveling—battling panic attacks, addiction, and the crushing weight of never feeling "enough."

In this unforgettable episode of Fans First, host Jim Powell welcomes Murphy Jensen for a deeply honest and wide ranging conversation about what it really means to come back, not just in sports, but in life. Murphy shares how winning the French Open left him hollow, how addiction nearly destroyed him, and how an unexpected intervention and a second chance at life after collapsing on a tennis court led him to create WEConnect Health, a platform now helping millions in recovery.

This is Murphy like you’ve never heard him before—unfiltered, vulnerable, and overflowing with purpose. He doesn’t hold back. He talks about surviving the unspeakable, rebuilding from zero, and what it means to turn your pain into purpose. Whether you’ve battled your own darkness, love someone who has, or just want to understand how someone can lose everything and still rise, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • (00:00) Murphy’s dream of punting in the NFL
  • (03:55) Growing up on a backyard tennis court
  • (07:35) The brotherhood, battles & bond with Luke Jensen
  • (10:06) Winning the French Open—and what unraveled after
  • (15:28) Struggles with identity, addiction & panic attacks
  • (19:07) Murphy’s path to recovery & founding WEConnect
  • (30:27) Flatlining on a tennis court—and surviving
  • (35:00) His mission to prevent suicide and support recovery
  • (40:13) “Flip the Switch” Jensen’s NFL dream lives on
  • (44:00) “Ring the Bell” James Bush of Virginia Beach, Virginia 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Winning Isn’t Everything: Even a Grand Slam title can't fix inner turmoil if you're battling demons beneath the surface.
  • Recovery Is a Lifelong Practice: Murphy Jensen reveals how honesty, accountability, and connection saved his life.
  • Mental Health Support Must Be Accessible: WEConnect offers 24/7 access to support group meetings, coaching, and recovery tracking.
  • Every Life Is Worth Saving: From celebrity intervention to AED advocacy, Murphy is proving it’s never too late to rewrite your story.


ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Murphy Jensen is an investor/entrepreneur and former professional tennis player and French Open Champion. Currently Co Founder & EVP of Business Development for WEconnect Health Management.

WEconnect Health is an Mental Health/Addiction relapse prevention and real-time outcomes digital health platform, providing custom support and connection for those in recovery from Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Challenges.


Jensen works tirelessly to reduce the stigma of mental health/addiction, and to encourage and lead others with the disorder to receive proper care. His passion is to bring awareness to mental health/addiction and leave behind a legacy of helping others.


Jensen is also a former French Open Champion and served as Coach of the Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis. He has coached tennis superstars including Serena Williams Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Nick Kirigos, Leander Paes, Victoria Azarenka (2008), Francis Tiafoe and many more.


RESOURCE LINKS

WEConnect Health: https://www.weconnecthealth.io/

Murphy Jensen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murphyjensen/

Murphy Jensen Website: https://www.murphyjensen.com/

Transcript

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About the Podcast

Fans First a Sports Podcast
Welcome to "Fans First: A Sports Podcast," where your voice matters most! Hosted by the legendary Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Powell, this show puts fans at the heart of the conversation. We believe sports are more than just games—they’re a way of life, a source of passion, and a community that brings people together. That’s why "Fans First" is here to celebrate your insights, opinions, and love for the game like never before. Whether you’re cheering in the stands, shouting at the TV, or debating trades with friends, "Fans First" is your go-to destination for all things sports.


Each episode features fan-driven discussions, expert analysis, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Jim Powell brings his wealth of experience and storytelling prowess to every episode, guiding conversations that are as engaging as they are insightful. But this podcast isn’t just about the headlines—it’s about the stories that matter to you. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, from blockbuster trades to unforgettable moments in sports history, "Fans First" covers it all. We’re here to give you a platform to share your thoughts, ask tough questions, and connect with a community of fellow sports enthusiasts.


Join us each week as we explore the stories behind the scores, the emotions behind the plays, and the fans who make it all possible. Plus, don’t miss our special segments—“Flip the Switch,” where we suddenly turn the conversation in an unexpected new direction, and “Get Off My Lawn,” where fans can offer their spirited opinions about the hottest current topics in sports before the host gets his chance to react. So, tune in, speak up, and be part of the sports conversation that celebrates what makes the game great—you, the fan!


Bio: Jim Powell is an American radio and television sportscaster, previously employed with Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers (1996–2008) and Atlanta Braves (2009–2023). A native of Roswell, Georgia, Powell was educated at the University of Georgia. He began his baseball play-by-play career with the minor-league Columbia Mets (1987–89, 1993–94) and Charlotte Knights (1990–91, 1995), also calling games part-time for the Minnesota Twins in 1993–94 before being hired by the Brewers in 1996. Teaming with Bob Uecker, Powell called games for the Milwaukee Brewers Radio Network and was Uecker’s longest-tenured partner. Powell was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1998. In 2009, he began teaming with Don Sutton to call games on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network and continued his play-by-play role through 2023. In addition to his baseball work, Powell has called college football (for the University of South Carolina and CBS Radio) and college basketball (for Davidson College and South Carolina) at various points in his career. Powell was a National Merit Scholar and is MENSA-qualified. He was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2020.


Social Media Handles:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-powell-38715a5/
Website: Fansfirstpodcast.com

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