Serena Williams urges women to trust their instincts after battling shocking health issues, ‘I knew something was wrong’

Serena Williams is opening up about her personal health struggles and encouraging women to take charge of their well-being—starting by trusting their instincts.

The tennis icon, who is now a Women’s Health Advisor for supplement brand Ritual, is using her platform to speak out about the importance of listening to your body, especially after experiencing a series of serious medical issues, including a pulmonary embolism following the birth of her first daughter, Olympia, in 2017.

“I want other women to know: you’re not alone,” Williams told People. “Your body is always talking to you. Listen to it. Trust it.”

Williams, 42, says that gut feeling has helped her on and off the court—from dominating tennis to surviving life-threatening complications during childbirth. After her emergency C-section, she developed blood clots in her lungs and says she had to fight to be taken seriously by medical staff.

“I knew something was wrong, but I had to fight to be believed,” she said. “Not everyone gets that chance. I’ve spent my whole life learning about my body—on the court, through pregnancy, through recovery. I’ve had to fight to be heard, even when I knew something was wrong.”

Most recently, Williams underwent treatment for a branchial cyst—another reminder, she says, of why listening to your body is critical.

Now, through her role at Ritual, Williams is encouraging women to take an active role in their health: asking questions, reading labels, and speaking up in doctor’s offices.

“This isn’t just about putting my name on something,” she said of the partnership. “It’s about helping women get the tools and trust they deserve. We deserve better than being told to just deal with the pain or exhaustion.”

She’s also thinking about how to pass these lessons on to her daughters, Olympia, 7, and Adira, 1.

“I want them to feel strong and confident in their bodies from a young age,” Williams said. “We talk about movement, rest, and how our bodies feel—not how they look. Health isn’t one-size-fits-all. I want them to feel empowered to listen to themselves.”

Ritual founder and CEO Katerina Schneider praised Williams’ commitment to women’s health, saying, “She’s an inspiration—not just as the GOAT athlete, but as a powerful mother, advocate, and voice for women everywhere.”

As part of the collaboration, Ritual is launching a “Serena’s Favorites” product line and will feature Williams in ongoing campaigns promoting body awareness and health education.

“I want to help normalize listening to your body,” Williams added. “Ask what something means, why it matters, what it’s doing to your body. Whether it’s a doctor or a product label—ask the questions. That’s how you stay in control.”

She added that taking a daily multivitamin is now part of how she sets her day: “I remember trying Ritual years ago because I actually needed it. And now, I get to help shape its future.”