"George helped me understand the art of mindfulness. To be neither distracted or focused, rigid or flexible, passive or aggressive. I learned just to be."-- Kobe Bryant , 5-time NBA champion, Los Angeles Lakers "George has ''Mumfied'' the teams I''ve coached over the past 20 years. He has a style of mindfulness that goes beyond ''just sitting/breathing'' to focusing while in action. For anyone needing to perform at the highest level, this book is for you."-- Phil Jackson , 13-time NBA champion, President of the New York Knicks "The one thing that Shaquille O''Neal and Kobe Bryant could agree upon was that George Mumford was their secret weapon, the trusted advisor who brought clarity to their competitive minds. I know this because they told me personally.

Mumford''s The Mindful Athlete brings to the reader the special insight that the world''s greatest athletes--from Michael Jordan to Scottie Pippen, from Shaq to Kobe--came to treasure. I, too, agree with them. Listening to George Mumford made me a better writer, a better thinker. Mumford has a gift, and now, he''s sharing it in this special book. It''s a treasure."-- Roland Lazenby , Michael Jordan, The Life "George Mumford's insight into mindful performance has helped many word-class athletes reach their true and full potential. This engaging book will help you to lower your stress level and raise the bar in your own game and life."-- Jim Afremow, PhD , The Champion's Mind "Full of wisdom and heart, both a moving story and powerful practices from a very fine teacher.

George Mumford shows how to find freedom in a game fully played and a life well lived."-- Jack Kornfield , A Path with Heart "George Mumford has written a fantastic book--inspiring, funny, and insightful. I''m amongst the people who have urged George for years to write a book, and I couldn''t be happier for him, and all of us who get to read it and reread it. Qualities like mindfulness, concentration, trust and the forging of a team spirit really come alive."-- Sharon Salzberg , Real Happiness and Real Happiness at Work "George steadily kept me mentally ready for games; building my self-confidence and keeping me calm and relaxed via self-talk exercises and weekly meetings"-- Reggie Jackson , point guard for the Detroit Pistons "Proper mental preparation can be the difference between average and good or very good and great. George is able to help make that difference."-- Al Skinner, Jr. , former coach of Boston College Eagles basketball, 1997-2010 "Working with George in my college years was a turning point in my career as an athlete and in my life.

Our many discussions, his advice, and his support helped me become confident in myself. Because of him, I am the player and person that I am today."-- Laura Georges , France women's international soccer team George's "wisdom on being a mindful athlete stems from the core of who and what mindfulness looks like in its greatest form. The Mindful Athlete will change what it means to be an athlete forever!"-- Steven Haile y, former point guard for the Boston College Eagles "George has been able to help me think about the sport of basketball from a different perspective. He has shown me everything isn''t physical; a lot of it is mental, including self-talk. Being able to use self-talk as a self- motivation aid is something I put into practice everyday."-- Wayne Selden , Kansas University sophomore and NBA prospect "George has helped me realize the mental side of athletics is just as, if not more important, than the physical aspect of the game. By focusing on the mental aspect of the game, it will help improve my physical result.

"-- Zach Auguste , Notre Dame Junior and NBA prospect "Understanding why I was doing something, how to achieve that goal, and approaching the task from a clear, stable mental, emotional, and physical standpoint is what George helped me to achieve. This provided purity in the process, whether outcomes are good or bad, and enabled me to accept the outcomes knowing that I put my mind, body, and soul into achieving my goal."-- Kyle Casey , former co-captain of Harvard Crimson Basketball "Working with George has allowed me to develop mindfulness, of my body, and my surroundings that has not only improved my play on the field but helped me develop as a person and uncover the characteristics that I want to be and express in my life."¬ Max Breiter , high school soccer player "I told George once it seems like playing goalie is all mental, he laughed and said everything is mental. Teaching me how to play the mental game, George has helped me unlock conscious performance."-- Henry Donnellan , high school lacrosse player.