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From Jordan to Kobe: The Keys to a Championship Mindset with Mindfulness Coach George Mumford

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Jun 16, 2025

Guest

George Mumford

George Mumford, known as “The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,” has transformed the careers of basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. In this engaging discussion, George reveals how dark moments can spark profound transformation and the vital role of mindfulness in achieving peak performance. He emphasizes that true strength stems from self-awareness and service, while also sharing insights on turning challenges into opportunities for personal growth. George's wisdom will inspire anyone striving for excellence, whether in sports or everyday life.

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insights

INSIGHT

Transformation Through Inner Turning

Dark and chaotic moments can open doors to deep transformation.
Growth comes from turning inward rather than pushing harder externally.

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ANECDOTE

Facing Doubt During 2010 Lakers Finals

During Lakers 2010 finals, George faced inner doubt but observed it without judgment.
He focused on serving and let the feelings speak to him, enabling healing and creativity.

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ANECDOTE

Kobe's Flow and Tenacity

Kobe Bryant embodied effortless flow and learned to embrace challenges as opportunities.
He creatively met obstacles with heart and tenacity, never quitting or backing away.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Mindfulness and Transformation

01:39 • 11min

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Unlocking Self-Discovery Through Mindful Awareness

12:34 • 6min

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Navigating Self-Doubt in High Pressure

18:17 • 9min

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Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: A Mindful Approach to Success

27:35 • 5min

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Embracing Discomfort for Growth

32:14 • 11min

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The Power of Nutrition and Rest for Optimal Performance

43:20 • 4min

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Mastering the Championship Mindset

46:53 • 11min

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Clarity, Consistency, and Team Dynamics

57:43 • 7min

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Building Cohesion Through Core Values

01:04:39 • 16min

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Journey of Resilience and Aspiration

01:21:00 • 4min

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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.

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Unlocked

Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success

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In 'Unlocked: Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success', George Mumford shares his expertise in mindfulness and performance psychology. He offers strategies for unleashing innate strengths, finding flow, and achieving enduring success. Drawing from his experiences with top athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Mumford provides insights into overcoming challenges and realizing one's full potential.

What can we learn from the same person who helped unlock greatness in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson? The answer is: a lot.

Meet George Mumford — the mindfulness coach behind some of the most legendary names in sport. Known as “The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,” George has worked with elite NBA players, Olympic athletes, world-class artists, and top-tier CEOs to help them master their inner game.

This timeless episode from the Finding Mastery vault is as relevant today as ever. In a world filled with chaos, distraction, and performance pressure, George reminds us that our greatest growth comes not from pushing harder — but from turning inward.

In this conversation, George shares:

How dark moments can become doorways to deep transformation
Why vulnerability and mindfulness are powerful tools for performance
How to embrace the masterpiece within
What he learned from working directly with Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and MJ
Why real strength starts with self-awareness and service

Whether you're a coach, athlete, creative, or simply trying to live more intentionally — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

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