Play Free Podcast

Here's a short talk with Jon to help you zoom out with your perspective on your basketball career.

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In this episode of the Play Free Podcast, Jon Giesbrecht guides listeners through a meditation designed specifically for athletes. The meditation focuses on breathing techniques, visualization, and the importance of embodying positive feelings to enhance performance. Giesbrecht emphasizes the significance of setting intentions and using affirmations to build confidence and trust in one's abilities.

keywordsmeditation, athletes, visualization, breathing techniques, positive mindset, performance, sports psychology, self-affirmation, mental training, focus, basketball

In this meditation Jon provides a simple framework that players can use not only during the game, but in day to day life - Learning to tune into specific sensations brings more calm, peace and happiness in basketball.

In this episode of the Play Free Podcast, Jon addresses the common question of how to control thoughts and emotions. He shares personal experiences and insights on the importance of self-compassion and grounding techniques to manage intrusive thoughts. The conversation emphasizes the significance of connecting with the body and regulating emotions to foster mental well-being and confidence.

In this engaging conversation, Mitch Creek shares his journey as a professional athlete, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, meditation, and personal growth. He discusses the challenges of maintaining identity beyond sports, the significance of honest conversations, and the need for financial literacy among athletes. Mitch highlights the power of vulnerability and the necessity of building connections for mental performance. He concludes with practical advice for aspiring professionals on budgeting, protecting assets, and exploring new opportunities.

Chapters

01:15 The Journey into Meditation

06:21 The Reality of Professional Sports

10:36 Understanding Roles and Sacrifices in Team Dynamics

15:53 The Importance of a Full Circle Athlete

18:11 Self-Discovery Through Adversity

25:16 The Power of Honest Conversations

36:44 Conclusion and Reflections on Growth

37:09 The Power of Release and Learning

45:34 Embracing Vulnerability and Trying New Things

59:42 Financial Awareness and Organization for Athletes

01:14:19 Practical Tips for Financial Management

keywords Mitch Creek, meditation, professional sports, self-awareness, financial literacy, personal growth, mental performance, athlete mindset, team dynamics, honest conversations, play free basketball

Jon Giesbrecht discusses the journey of personal growth and confidence building, emphasizing the importance of commitment and routine. He outlines the three levels of confidence, the challenges faced in maintaining a stable mindset, and the significance of developing mental frameworks. Giesbrecht encourages listeners to commit to daily practices that foster growth and accountability, ultimately leading to supreme confidence and personal success.

Chapters

00:00 Building Confidence: An Introduction

01:08 Understanding the Levels of Confidence

04:42 The Role of Mental Frameworks

05:55 The Journey to Supreme Confidence

07:05 Commitment to Process: A Challenge for Growth

keywords: confidence, personal growth, commitment, mental frameworks, journaling, self-improvement, coaching, athlete mindset, manifestation, discipline

In this meditation session, Jon guides athletes through the "Composed Pro" Meditation, focusing on developing confidence and emotional regulation. The meditation emphasizes recognizing physiological signals, visualizing a protective soldier, and learning to detach from emotions to enhance performance. The session encourages self-awareness and the use of breath as an anchor to ground oneself in the present moment.

Want to get connected with Play Free Basketball - Follow us on Instagram @playfreebball.

Andy Bass

Introduction: Andy details his journey from developing yips as a pitcher to earning his doctorate in motor behavior, where he discovered his passion for helping athletes overcome mental blocks. He landed his first job in mental skills coaching with the Pirates after they recognized his unique ability to relate to players' experiences.

Validating emotions and importance of listening: Andy emphasizes the critical importance of validating an athlete's emotions to make them feel heard and understood, which allows them to process what they're feeling and become more receptive. He stresses coaches must listen without judgment and avoid dismissing how an athlete feels.

Finding flow and managing expectations: Andy explains the dimensions that can help athletes enter a state of flow, such as balancing challenge and skills. He advises setting process-oriented goals within one's control to manage expectations, rather than outcome-focused goals that rely on external factors.

Goal setting with athletes: Andy details the SMART framework for goal-setting - making goals specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. He works with athletes using questioning to help them establish process-focused goals within their control that will lead to performance and outcome goals.

Pushing athletes while respecting boundaries: Andy notes the importance of reading an athlete's comfort level when providing mental skills support. For newcomers or veterans, he looks for organic ways like overhearing conversations to demonstrate his willingness to help without forcing it. Directly asking questions can also help push some athletes.

Addressing weaknesses as a coach: Andy admits to being too non-confrontational and focused on avoiding disruption. He's working on being more assertive while also modeling vulnerability through sharing his own mental health struggles. He aims to learn alongside athletes rather than position himself as the sole expert.

Overcoming slumps: Andy encourages athletes to talk through struggles and use techniques like differential learning in practice. He advises shifting focus to controllable process goals like defense rather than uncontrollable outcomes, and helping others to shift the mindset away from solely results.

Want to get connected with Play Free Basketball - Follow us on Instagram @playfreebball.

KYLE JULIUS PODCAST NOTES:

Establishing Identity

Kyle establishes his coaching identity is built on valuing hard work, honesty and developing players. He faces criticism as some players love while others hate his demanding approach.

⁠Building Relationships Through Honesty

Kyle emphasizes building trust with players through honest, weekly conversations about expectations and performance. Players don't always share honestly due to fear, requiring alternative communication channels.

Developing Players Through Hard Work

Kyle's passion is player development, grinding alongside them daily. Success comes when most players share his work ethic; otherwise friction arises from misaligned motivations.

Reflecting on Mistakes to Improve

Facing failure, Kyle deeply self-reflects, identifying relational errors and emotional inconsistencies. He resolves to improve communication and maintain composure through adversity.

Maintaining Consistency While Adapting

Kyle tailors his identity to new contexts but remains authentic to core values. Experience teaches fluidity within structure; he gives players space amid intensity to optimize growth.

Leading Through Authenticity and Experience

Kyle doubles-down on proven beliefs while integrating new perspectives. A leader emerges from challenges by earning others' trust over time through consistency and honesty.

Recruiting the Right Fit for Success

Prioritizing character over talent, Kyle learns to select self-motivated players aligned with his vision. Their shared work ethic and honesty cultivate the trust enabling championship caliber teamwork.

On this episode, Jon interviews friend Tyler Harvey.

Tyler Jordan Harvey is an American professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Eastern Washington Eagles, where he led Division I in scoring as a junior. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic.

You can follow Tyler on his Instagram @hoopersparadise1.

If you are interested in our becoming a pro client or learning how to Play Free apply or purchase our journal through Instagram (@playfreebball) or email Jon through [email protected].