excellence, actually

The Sports Psychologist Who Taught MJ and Kobe How to "Manage the Moment"

12 snips
Sep 18, 2025
George Mumford, a renowned sports psychologist, has empowered legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant with mindfulness techniques. He shares insights on achieving a flow state and managing negative thoughts, dubbed the 'negative committee.' Mumford emphasizes the importance of awareness and acceptance when facing pain through his 4 A's framework. He discusses the balance between ego and humility, defining success as the progressive realization of meaningful goals. His inspiring approach highlights the humanity of elite athletes off the court, reminding us all to remain grounded.
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INSIGHT

Choice Between Stimulus And Response

  • You can create a choice between stimulus and response to gain self-efficacy.
  • That small space lets you respond instead of react and changes outcomes over time.
ANECDOTE

How Mumford Joined The Bulls

  • Phil Jackson invited George Mumford to help the Bulls when Michael Jordan initially retired.
  • Mumford then worked through multiple championships with the Bulls and later the Lakers.
ADVICE

Anchor Attention To The Body

  • Be where your body is by anchoring attention to present sensations.
  • Train sustained attention so you can bracket distractions and fully engage with the moment.
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