EP139: Unlocking Mental Performance in Basketball with Jon Giesbrecht (Part 1)

In this episode, George is joined by Jon Giesbrecht, founder of Play Free Basketball, Director of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Bandits, and author of Free Your Mind: Overthinking Athletes. Jon shares how mindfulness and emotional regulation can transform both coaches and players. He explains how to bridge the gap between basketball coaching and mental performance, build player awareness through breathwork, and use journaling as a tool for self-discovery and growth.

Chapters:
00:00 – Jon’s journey from coaching to mindfulness and mental performance

02:00 – How Alex Sarama influenced his shift toward holistic coaching

03:30 – Developing personal identity as a coach & embracing growth

05:00 – Integrating psychology and spirituality into coaching

07:00 – Why self-awareness is key to helping athletes thrive

08:30 – The connection between mental state, perception, and performance

10:00 – Tools for mindfulness: breathing, awareness, and regulation

14:00 – The pendulation principle: balancing stress and relaxation

17:00 – Inside the Free Your Mind Journal: nervous system mastery & growth mindset

21:00 – Building emotional regulation into team culture and daily routines

26:00 – Practical techniques for grounding athletes before practice or games

30:00 – How touch, safety, and co-regulation impact team connection

32:00 – Why mental performance is essential for modern basketball

34:00 – Transformative Tip 

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