openingtheplaybook
- Jul 21
- 2 min read

Episode 5: Dr. Amy Saltzman

Updated: Aug 5

Dr. Amy Saltzman on Mindfulness Training and the Power of Meditation

Today Holistic Physician and Mindfulness Coach Dr. Amy Saltzman joins the podcast to discuss the growing popularity of meditation among athletes and its benefits.

Dr. Amy says she’s practiced being mindful before it was even a thing, as she’s a former gymnast. She says mindfulness training supports you being in the moment, paying attention to the here and now, with kindness and curiosity, which allows you to choose your behavior. It’s a way to recognize your emotions without letting them be in charge of you.

For athletes, being in the moment is key, as it prevents them from dwelling on a mistake or being worried about the future. Mindfulness and meditation is something that a few past podcast guests have talked about implementing into their training, as it helps calm their brains. It’s also something that has gained traction since the start of COVID-19 and the release of the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance.

Dr. Amy is also the author of a number of books including A Still Quiet Place for Athletes: Mindfulness Skills for Achieving Performance and Finding Flow in Sports and Life and in today’s episode, she gives her tips on how to become more present in the moment, which she says will help you in all aspects of your life.

We also talk about:

• Mindfulness and meditation • Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson & Lance Armstrong

• Being in the moment

• Mindfulness and COVID-19

• How to start meditation

Quote:

“Athletes train their bodies all the time, but we also know that a lot of outcome of sport isn’t due to a difference in physical or tactical ability, so it comes down to how we can respond mentally and emotionally to a given circumstance.”

- Dr. Amy Saltzman, Holistic Physician & Mindfulness Coach

Resources:

Book: A Still Quiet Place for Athletes: Mindfulness Skills for Achieving Performance and Finding Flow in Sports and Life

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Quiet-Place-Athletes-Mindfulness/dp/1684030218/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10MI12VDWU2XK&dchild=1&keywords=a+still+quiet+place+for+athletes&qid=1595009245&sprefix=a+still%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-1

Course: 4 week online course beginning July 28th, 2020, open to anyone wishing to enhance their performance in sports and in life.

COVID discount 75% off = $50 USD

http://www.stillquietplace.com/still-quiet-place-athletes/

Guest Info – Dr. Amy Saltzman

Twitter: @stillquietplace

Website: www.stillquietplace.com

LinkedIn: Amy Saltzman

Host Info – Christina Heydanus