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

“When you go get interviewed, if they tell you you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, you say, ‘Thank you,’ and you just smile. And if they tell you you’re the biggest choke artist of all time, you just thank them and smile.”
— George Mumford

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 a memoir and an instruction guide—can show you how to access it.

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

Please enjoy!

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The transcript of this episode can be found here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

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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

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What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SCROLL BELOW FOR LINKS AND SHOW NOTES…

Want to hear my first interview with Jack Kornfield who introduced me to George? Listen to this episode, in which we discuss hang gliding, monk training in Thailand, unpleasant mystical experiences, the difference between compassion and empathy, lovingkindness meditation, and more.

#300: Jack Kornfield — Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy in the Present

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with George Mumford:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

SHOW NOTES

George describes how his mind and body reacted on a spiritual level the first time he witnessed Michael Jordan practicing for the very first time. [06:46]
What most impressed George about the intensity Michael Jordan brought to the court even during an everyday practice session? [09:23]
George shares what it was like to have “a security clearance on [his] badge and track marks on [his] forearm” as he held down an FBI-scrutinized position while struggling with heroin addiction. [11:52]
Where did George’s path to addiction begin, and what led to his sobriety? [15:01]
How did mindfulness enter George’s life, and what helped him remain sober in the interim? [20:58]
Books that George found particularly useful during this time. [26:45]
Books that George has recommended and gifted most often. [29:10]
After becoming sober and cultivating greater awareness, how did George connect with the world of elite sports? [31:49]
What value did Phil Jackson see in bringing George’s skill set to the Chicago Bulls, and had he tried to impart this value in other ways prior to George’s involvement? [34:20]
How has George helped the players in his care manage the distractions of constant public scrutiny? [39:12]
How has George approached helping players who have wildly different personalities and preferences? [43:28]
Counterintuitive advice from George that Kobe always remembered, and a general formula for remembering that the most direct way to achieve something isn’t always the most efficacious. [46:59]
What does George mean when he refers to “the dizziness of freedom?” [48:44]
Barrier breakthrough versus the improvement trap, and the moment “Mike” Jordan became “Michael” Jordan. [52:53]
George recalls another memorable breakthrough moment. [54:55]
Advice George Mumford of 2021 would give to the younger George Mumford who was just beginning to work with high-level athletes. [58:37]
How does George use the four As — awareness, acceptance, action, assessment — in the context of making adjustments to form in order to achieve something? [59:53]
How George used the four As to teach a class of people who didn’t speak his language, and a friend of his used the four As to rescue a prison class from descending into utter chaos. [1:05:00]
What is George most excited about these days? [1:09:17]
George’s ask to the audience and parting thoughts. [1:12:56]

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Chelsea

3 years ago

Really enjoyed this episode and the deep reminders of how much power we have to make our lives and situations mean whatever is most empowering if we choose to.

Thank you, George and Tim.

Oliver Johnson

beyond helpful. thank you for this.

Zach Davis

Great episode. I really appreciate how openly George spoke of his battles with addiction. Readily apparent that he is an enlightened spirit. Thank you for this interview.

Question unrelated to this episode:

Is there a blog or podcast that has any updated materials on your recommended diet, exercise, supplement protocol since the 4HB? I’ve heard you mention that you now focus on getting more of your nutrients from food vs. supplements- but I’m curious if that means you are totally supplement-free, if you’ve just scaled back, and/or updated what you take?

Thanks as always for the superb content.

Mika W Wyatt

This was an extremely timely podcast for me to listen to. On so many levels. With a son struggling with addiction, My desire learn to meditate. My desire to be able to handle volatile situations with family members. Myself considering a career change after 22 years. I took notes like crazy. Thank you George and Tim! I will pray and use the 4-A’s to possibly share this podcast with the people I love in hope they will listen and then apply in their life! I truly felt emotional at times. Again Thank you both

Jordan

I gained some good insights. Will listen to this again.

Pierre

2 years ago

Beautiful to see the journey through addiction and turning all those moments into strengths to help others. This episode gives a lot on context to The Last Dance also! Thank you 🙂