Venus Williams is responsible for her own story on her YouTube channel.

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out of duty is a lively discussion series with influencers from CEOs to celebrities. about life, work and the art of leisure

Venus Williams is a tennis royalty. She turned professional at age 14 and won seven Grand Slam singles titles, five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open. She also won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Today, at 43, she’s still playing. She is also responsible for her stories and shares her passions on her YouTube channel of the same name.

Her latest videos cover a range of topics. from tourism in the Netherlands On vacation it was rare to speak to the shark attack victim about his recovery and the injuries from the incident. And of course there is a lot of talk about tennis. From how to hit an overhead shot to her thoughts on playing at Wimbledon this year after playing in a limited streak tournament.

Williams spoke to The Globe and Mail about her YouTube channel why her sister Serena is the person she admires most and is passionate about her health care.

How would you describe the essence of your YouTube channel?

It’s about sports because that’s my life, and YouTube is a place where you can bring your personality to life. And it’s nice to see the real side of people. You can reach an unlimited audience. and whether it’s a sports audience or not I like to talk about motivation too. I really focus on health and wellness.

It seems like a great way for people to connect with you in a new way.

it really is And before I created any content on YouTube, I was used to telling my story to others. YouTube gave me the opportunity to tell my story the way I wanted to. And that makes it very powerful.

Are you excited to show people this side of yourself?

When I started, I was like, wow, this is an opportunity to tell my story the way I want. And I can go do whatever I want. i feel free And for the first time, I felt that it was my voice, not really. others are producers or writers.

What would your fans be surprised to know about you?

I sing karaoke a lot. I have a list of songs that I sing. And I try new songs all the time.

Are there any YouTube influencers you follow? Who are you a big fan of?

Dude Perfect, they’re having fun. I have a crazy experience Like this with them at the US Open, that was ridiculous and a really fun experience. They bring so much energy and Casey Neistat, I love him, I love his story. I like the way he tells stories. There are many creators But those are a few of my favorites.

What do you do to relax and unwind?

I love spending time with my family and my dog.

What kind of dog do you have?

He was a little Cuban dog called Havanese. His name was Harold. He doesn’t listen to me anymore. But let’s make peace Really, he just did what he wanted and I sorted it out.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

candy.

Which person do you admire the most?

My sister Serena, you are an amazing human being. incredible success It’s an incredible athlete.

What was one of the best lessons your parents taught you?

to put God first That adds balance to my life and gives me hope.

What is your passion besides tennis?

I’m really passionate about health. I’m so passionate about it, always learning, trying new things. I like to think I’d be passionate even if I wasn’t into sports. because my mother is And I’m obsessed with feeling good and take care of yourself And that is really my hobby. I can’t imagine a life in which I didn’t do that.

What habit would you most like to have?

emotional intelligence I am a very empathetic person. I can’t do things all the time, so you have to tell me.

This interview has been edited and condensed.