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Michael Jordan’s Meditation Coach: The #1 Mental Skill That Made MJ and Kobe Unstoppable

The Line with Dr Kristen Holmes

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George Mumford is the mindfulness and meditation coach behind some of the greatest athletes in basketball history: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and so many others. He worked alongside Phil Jackson to build some of the most dominant NBA dynasties in the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

Now, in this revealing conversation with Dr. Kristen Holmes, George unpacks how his personal journey gave him the insight to help the most elite basketball players become legends. In this episode, he shares:

•What addiction taught George about adversity and struggle
•Why Phil Jackson thought the Chicago Bulls needed mindfulness
•The unseen dynamics between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
•How elite athletes enter “flow” under extreme pressure
• What he learned from building championship teams with Phil Jackson
• The truth about Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s relationship
• The mindset that allowed Kobe to score 81 points in a single game
•The 4 traits shared by all NBA legends
•Simple ways anyone can begin their own mindfulness practice

This episode is a rare look inside the mental frameworks that powered some of the greatest teams of all time and a guide for anyone to apply those same principles to live a more mindful, better life.

Aligned by Dr Kristen Holmes is now available for pre-order. Science-backed, experience-shaped daily practices to help you show up as your best self. https://linkly.link/2l2e8

Follow us here:
Instagram: theline.show
Instagram: drkristenholmes

Follow George here:
https://georgemumford.com/
Instagram: george.mumford

Learn more about his incredible books here:
https://georgemumford.com/books/?kuid...

00:00 - Intro
02:08 - Growing Up with 12 Siblings
04:09 - Injuries and George's Battle With Drug Addiction
09:54 - Overcoming Hurdles in Life and Sports
13:57 - From Functioning Addict to Working in the NBA
16:49 - How George Introduced Mindfulness to the Chicago Bulls
20:26 - Inside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's Dynamic
26:39 - The Chicago Bulls Without Michael Jordan
31:33 - How Coaches Can Help Their Athletes Get Into Flow
36:04 - Michael Jordan Under Pressure: How He Entered Flow
41:16 - Shopify Ad
42:21 - WHOOP Ad
43:22 - Phil Jackson’s Coaching Philosophy for Championship Teams
47:03 - Building a New Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty
49:54 - The Truth About Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's Relationship
53:00 - How Athletes Can Use Mindfulness Like Kobe Bryant
55:43 - How Kobe Bryant Scored 81 Points in One Game
57:33 - The Traits All NBA Legend Shares
01:01:43 - How Anyone Can Get Started With Mindfulness
01:05:55 - Priming Your Mind for a Positive Outlook
01:08:13 - The Importance of a Daily Gratitude Practice
01:11:48 -How Anyone Can Step Over Their Own Line
01:18:32- Kristen Breaks Down the Conversation

Sponsored by:
Shopify - http://Shopify.com/Kristen
WHOOP - https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/SCIENCE/

SYNC ID:
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MB01N6BQNLWMARP
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20 Comments

@eloyyynas 9 months ago

You can tell MJ listened to this man A LOT, his tone and rythm when he speaks sounds just like Mikes in 90s interviews.

@TheFirewallFeast 8 months ago

Had a mentor tell me that being at the top of your game requires that you operate like a superstar in any field of endeavor - this message definitely resonates

@Calisthenicscarlyle 9 months ago

Meditation is everything. Sinks you back into the eternal self instead of identifying as the avatar

@JayAyers 9 months ago

While listening to this, I though "Wait, I know this guy!"

I bought his book a year ago (The Mindful Athlete) and never read it. No time like the present.

@ElonBomani 9 months ago

WHY AM I JUST HEARING ABOUT THIS MEDITATION GOAT???? OMG💯💯💯💯🙏🏾🙏🏾

@tiberiusmorris4401 9 months ago

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen I ove the content.

@MrVaypour 9 months ago

The fact that this interviewer asked, "How do you operationalize that?" This question alone warrants my subscription!

@YUNGFYRE 8 months ago

This was astounding. Such a fluid conversation. Absolutely loved every second. Kudos- earned a sub

@KatieDennison-y6s 9 months ago

Another super interesting conversation!! Kristen absolutely smashing these 🏀👏

@masudsaeedi123 9 months ago

He looks like a mix between ronnie coleman and denzel washington

@Johnakus 9 months ago

This is a great book. I bought this book last year or so and it kinda just sat alongside other newer books I had bought at the time. During a rough time in my life I had the urge to read this book and it sort of centered me in a way that I really needed. There are some real gems and lessons in this book that had a way of opening up my mind more to living in a sort of meditative, focused, and driven way. I really appreciate his analogies and how he shares his life lessons. We're all very fortunate to have someone that has worked side by side with some of the greatest achievers in athletic history.. share what he's learned with the entire world. What he wants to teach is very positive and uplifting. Thank you 💯

@jjmedinaa7 8 months ago

what a testimony , when he take 2 hours to take bus and walk to his jobs, God is good,. God bless you
george

@Rob-e7n 9 months ago

The greatest scam your gurus ever told you was the "power of positivity". Happiness is not determined by your thoughts, it's determined by the baseline of your central nervous system. The body keeps the score. You'll never experience happiness without your senses, if you suffer anxiety you'll know exactly what I am saying.

@truthbetold4178 9 months ago

Thank you for having this AMAZING man, George Mumford, on your show to share, teach, and motivate us. This interview was wonderful...he dropped so many pearls for us to pick up.
Thank you, Dr Kristen and Mr Mumford! ❣️🙏🏾💫

@GBAthletics 8 months ago

Thank you I really appreciate you for having George on the show. I like to Sub your channel!

@lisasims3970 8 months ago

He was great. Loved hearing abt flow

@cultur3feed206 8 months ago

Super dope guys and gals

@yannababi 9 months ago (edited)

This was Sooooo good! Thank you Mr. Mumford for all of your wisdom. This is my first time seeing this podcast or hearing of him, and what a treat! I am buying his book! The host also had wonderful insight to share and very much enhanced the conversation. Thank you both 😊

@lordshiva4732 9 months ago

I rarely watch podcasts these days but this showed up in my recommendations and I was hooked... just ordered his book as well, thank you for providing such great content!

@jermainethe1ne 9 months ago

Yes! I love this. I need his book. Focus on your mind. Focus on your breathe. Focus on your healing, growing, self respect and always be yourself. 💯🔥💪🏽🫡