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#509: George Mumford, Mindfulness Coach to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, on Awareness, Compassionate Action, The Dizziness of Freedom, and More

whatshot 102 snips

Apr 15, 2021

Guest

George Mumford

George Mumford, a globally recognized mindfulness coach known for mentoring legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, shares profound insights on personal transformation through mindfulness. He discusses the importance of awareness and compassionate action, especially in high-pressure sports. George delves into the 'dizziness of freedom,' emphasizing how embracing discomfort can foster growth. He highlights powerful literature that shapes leadership, and reflects on his journey from addiction to sobriety, showcasing mindfulness as a tool for remarkable change.

01:20:53

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ANECDOTE

Jordan's Practice Intensity

Mumford observed Jordan practicing with the intensity of someone trying to make the team.
This drive stemmed from being cut in high school, fueling Jordan's commitment to excellence.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Track Marks and Security Clearance

Mumford confirmed the quote about having security clearance and track marks was accurate.
This reflects his past struggles with addiction while working at GTE Sylvania.

insights

INSIGHT

Addiction Origins

Mumford's addiction stemmed from pain medication for injuries and emotional pain relief.
It evolved into a dependence intertwined with lifestyle and identity.

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Mindfulness and Transformation

04:53 • 22min

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The Transformative Power of Literature and Spirituality

26:46 • 2min

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Influential Books for Leadership and Mindfulness

29:11 • 4min

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Mindfulness in the Game

33:00 • 16min

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Embracing the Dizziness of Freedom: Navigating Growth and Uncertainty

48:44 • 4min

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Breaking Barriers: Personal Growth Through Mindfulness

52:53 • 21min

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Mindfulness and Innovation in Fitness

01:14:10 • 7min

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#632

• Mentioned in 51 episodes

The Road Less Traveled

M. Scott Peck

In this book, M. Scott Peck uses his experience as a psychiatrist to guide readers through the challenges of life. He argues that life is inherently difficult and that spiritual growth and self-awareness can only be achieved by confronting and overcoming these difficulties. The book is divided into four parts, focusing on discipline, love, spiritual growth, and the concept of grace. Peck emphasizes the importance of discipline in delaying gratification, accepting responsibility, dedicating oneself to truth, and balancing conflicting factors. He also discusses the myths and realities of love and how it supports spiritual evolution. The book highlights that avoiding problems leads to decreased growth and increased suffering, while facing them can lead to greater self-knowledge and inner peace.

#1196

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Zen mind, beginner's mind

Shunryū Suzuki

In 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind', Shunryu Suzuki explores the core principles of Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of 'shoshin' or 'beginner’s mind'. This mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, and open to all possibilities. The book discusses various aspects of Zen practice, including zazen (sitting meditation), breathing techniques, and the importance of maintaining a non-dualistic and compassionate mindset. Suzuki uses simple language and everyday examples to illustrate how to apply Zen principles in daily life, emphasizing the need to approach each experience with freshness and openness, rather than preconceptions or a sense of achievement.

• Mentioned in 683 episodes

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.

#10809

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

On Becoming a Leader

Warren Bennis

In 'On Becoming a Leader,' Warren Bennis delves into the qualities that define leadership, the people who exemplify it, and the strategies that anyone can apply to achieve it. The book emphasizes that true leaders are not born but made, and they are characterized by their ability to engage others, create and share a vision, accept uncertainty, take bold risks, and maintain integrity. Bennis also stresses the importance of self-awareness, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt and innovate. This classic work serves as a guide for aspiring leaders in a world marked by turbulence and uncertainty.

#4801

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The mindful athlete

George Mumford

In 'The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance', George Mumford explores the intersection of mindfulness and athletic performance, offering insights into how mental preparation can enhance physical performance. The book provides practical mindfulness techniques and strategies for overcoming obstacles, applicable both in sports and everyday life. Mumford shares his experiences working with elite athletes, illustrating the transformative power of mindfulness in achieving peak performance.

#10428

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Love is Letting Go of Fear

Gerald G. Jampolsky

#16447

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Three Laws of Performance

Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life

Dave Logan

Steve Zaffron

This book presents three universal laws that govern human behavior and performance. It explains how perceptions, language, and future-based language can be used to transform results and achieve breakthrough performances. The authors provide practical examples and strategies for applying these laws at both organizational and personal levels.

#61929

The meaning of anxiety

rollo may

In 'The Meaning of Anxiety', Rollo May challenges the idea that mental health is about living without anxiety, instead arguing that anxiety is essential to being human. He explores how anxiety can relieve boredom, sharpen sensibilities, and produce tension necessary for human existence. May also discusses how anxiety can lead to intelligence, creativity, and originality, guiding readers towards positive ways of dealing with it.

George Mumford, Mindfulness Coach to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, on Awareness, Compassionate Action, The Dizziness of Freedom, and More | Brought to you by Tonal smart home gym, LinkedIn Jobs recruitment platform with 700M+ users, and Eight Sleep’s Pod Pro Cover sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating More on all three below.

George Mumford (@gtmumford) is a globally recognized speaker, teacher, and coach. Since 1989, he’s been honing his gentle but groundbreaking mindfulness techniques with people from locker rooms to board rooms, Yale to jail.

While at the University of Massachusetts, where he roomed with future Hall of Famer Julius Erving, injuries forced George out of basketball and eventually into an addiction to pain medication and drugs. With the help of meditation and mindfulness, he got clean and made it his mission to teach and work with others.

Michael Jordan credits George with transforming his on-court leadership, helping the Bulls to six NBA championships. George has also worked with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and countless other NBA players, as well as Olympians, executives, and artists.

George believes everyone has a masterpiece within. His book The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance — both memoir and instruction guide — can show you how to access it.

George also has The Mindful Athlete Course, which can be found at GeorgeMumford.com.

Please enjoy!

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