Recommendations

The Way of Baseball: Finding Stillness at 95mph – by Shawn Green

This book is a fascinating read for any player aspiring to succeed at the next level. Shawn Green shares his journey through the ups and downs of Major League Baseball, including doubts, hard work, friendships, setbacks, and successes. He delves into the mental side of the game, explaining how he transformed hitting into a form of meditation. By finding stillness amidst the chaos, he learned to truly connect with his swing and block out negative thoughts. This exploration of mindfulness and focus is invaluable for athletes looking to enhance their performance.

The Art of Learning – by Josh Waitzkin

In ‘The Art of Learning,’ Josh Waitzkin shares his journey from becoming the youngest Grandmaster in chess to winning a world championship in Tai Chi. This book transformed my perspective on failure, illustrating how Waitzkin turned every mistake and loss into a valuable learning experience. As athletes, especially hitters, the ability to learn and adjust quickly without being overwhelmed by failure is crucial. Waitzkin’s insights helped me re-frame failure as an opportunity for growth, When you take this approach, your mental game takes a giant leap forward. 

The Inner Game of Tennis – by Timothy Gallwey

This book explores the mental game of tennis, focusing on the concept of two selves. Self 1 is the ego, constantly comparing you to others and criticizing your performance, while Self 2 is the instinctive self that simply acts. If Self 2 were always in charge, achieving a state of ‘being in the Zone’ would come naturally. Athletes often find these two selves in conflict, with Self 1 dominating and creating doubt and overthinking. Tim Gallwey guides athletes across all sports on how to quiet Self 1, allowing their natural athleticism to flourish free from comparisons and mental barriers. This is a must-read for any athlete who struggles with letting their mind interfere with their performance.

Mindfulness in Plain English – Bhante Gunaratana

It may seem unusual to include a book about meditation here without direct references to sports, but as athletes progress to higher levels, their thoughts can become more complex and chaotic, and the pressures they face in both sport and life increase. Meditation offers a way to clear those thoughts and find stillness, which can be beneficial not only in life but also on the field. Being able to return to your breath and stay present during high-pressure moments can give you an edge over players who are nervous and overwhelmed. I know I played with a lot of fear growing up, and meditation would have helped in those situations. This is one of the best and simplest books on meditation I have read, providing a great starting point for anyone interested in taking that first step.

The Mindful Athlete – by George Mumford

“George Mumford worked with championship NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as legendary athletes like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. His role was to help players enhance their mental game at the highest level of sports. Mumford taught them about meditation and the importance of maintaining a clear mind, as a clouded mindset can lead to poor performance. When athletes are fully present and enjoying the process of competition, they can achieve a state of flow, often referred to as being ‘in the zone.’ This state allows for incredible displays of athleticism and performance. Overall, the book emphasizes how mindfulness can transform not only athletic performance but also the athletes’ approach to their sport and life.

Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable – by Tim Grover

This book serves as a gut check for any athlete seeking to understand the work ethic of the top one percent. Tim Grover, who trained legends like Michael Jordan and D’wayne Wade, shares his experiences working with the best athletes in the world and what truly separates them from the rest. Grover introduces concepts like ‘cleaners,’ ‘closers,’ and ‘coolers’ to illustrate different levels of commitment and performance. Just when you think you’re working hard, this book puts things into perspective, showing what it really means to give your all in your sport. If you’re willing to embrace the challenge, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of relentless dedication and what it takes to reach the highest levels of achievement.

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