The Fighter's Mind: Inside the Mental Game

The Fighter's Mind is an incredible look at the mental part of competition and life. Through the lens of combat sports, Sam Sheridan goes around the world in search of answers to various questions about how top personalities think about fighting. The book is laid out in the form of short sections about each of the people that Sam talks to. People like Dan Gable, Freddie Roach, Greg Jackson, Renzo Gracie, and Randy Couture answer Sheridan's excellent questions with thoughtful and insightful responses that are presented in such a way that you get a very good look at how they think about the fight game and what in their lives have made them reach that point.Sam also covers areas outside of fighting, but areas that are thematically related. He talks to David Horton about endurance running, and he talks to Josh Waitzkin about moving from chess to tai chi to jiu-jitsu. In each section, Sheridan lets the subject be as concise or explanatory as they need to be on the page. He interjects his own experience into the responses, always at the correct time and always with an astute bit to enhance what the passage is about.I'd say that this isn't just the best combat sports book I've read. This is the best sports book I've read. It's the best psychology book I've read. It is as thorough a meditation on the human passion for fighting and testing oneself as has ever been written. If you are at all interested in mixed martial arts, boxing, traditional martial arts, the human mind, or competition, you owe it to yourself to check this book out. As far as Sam Sheridan's catalogue of modern combat sports goes, I can definitely say that he is the A.J. Liebling of this generation.

This book was excellent, and in my opinion, very different than his first which was also great. Sheridan is obviously very intelligent and asks some of the great fighters the right questions. Sheridan is a deep thinker and really presses to get to the answer of what makes some fighters so much better than the rest. I think he was successful in finding the answer(s).Each of the fighters he spends time with gives a different answer and Sheridan adds a little of his own experience. The book is not the typical sports psychology--think positive stuff--although Sheridan does cover that. I think every reader will walk away with a different answer as to what will make him or her better in whatever they do. Marcello Garcia sums it up most simply in the book, but again every reader will get something different, so I won't spoil it here.Sheridan focuses on fighting, but touches on other competitive events so any competitive athlete will enjoy this book.

"The Fighter's Mind" is Sheridan's second foray into the field of MMA literature. His first book was unique and intriguing; his second book delivers on all accounts!Essentially, this book is a collection of interviews with some of the world's greatest fighters, coaches, and athletes. Sheridan asks, "Is it interesting to talk to artists about how they think about art? Is there anything to be learned?" By positing this question Sheridan is, in some ways, trying to justify his efforts in talking to athletes about what they do. Is there something to be learned from talking to these athletes? Is there something that could benefit us all? Sheridan concludes that there is, in fact, something tangible to be gained from talking about what goes on inside a fighter's mind.The book is interesting and beautifully writing. My favorite interview in the book is with Greg Jackson. The interview is fecund with knowledge and insight, not only into the sport of MMA, but also into the mind of one of MMA's greatest coaches: Greg Jackson. Jackson says, "Each problem [when training a fighter] is like jazz - each unique piece has to be pushed sometimes, pulled others. It's improvisational." The interview continues onto a discussion of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and eventually to the fiercest Mongol leader, Genghis Kahn.I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all athletes. This isn't just a book about MMA and boxing, this is a book about the human mind, and the untrodden limits that only few have ventured into.P.S. Sam, please stop bringing up the fact that you went to Harvard.Also check out:  A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of FightingA Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting

I was told about this book by my therapist who told me about this since I also have interest in martial arts like Jiujitsu and Muay Thai. A great read that contains a lot of great knowledge and information as well as stories about many different great fighters and what exactly goes on in their mind when they are preparing for or going into a fight. I liked certain parts that talked about flow as well as the quotes from the fighters and coaches he interviewed about how they train. Would recommend to anyone who is into martial arts or even sports psychology in general!

I am a huge MMA fan and haven't read Sam's first book (yet). But given all of the high praise for this book, I purchased the Kindle version before going on vacation. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I love how the book started with the insight of Dan Gable, wrestling's living legend, and went on to Jiu Jitsu great Marcelo Garcia, Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward, the always clutch Randy Couture, the wise beyond his years Greg Jackson, lightweight contender Kenny Florian, all time great Renzo Gracie, etc. etc. This book uncovers a lot about fighting but it also covers a lot about life. I like how Sam interviewed the still relatively young Josh Waitzkin and got loads of useful information about what it takes to be an all time chess great or a great marathon runner or a great fighter or anything else for that matter. Whatever your passion, I think this book has tons of value. I need to read this book over and over because there is so much great information that can apply to whatever you have a passion for. Great job Sam!

amazing to see how deep he dove into interviewing legends in many different disciplines

I just love Sam Sheridan's writing. He's a non-fiction author who writes like a fiction author. That alone does it for me. I often, when reading Sheridan's books, feel like I could go on just reading fighting and MMA literature and still end up smarter, more eloquent, etc. The content is pretty good, too. I particularly like the bits about Marcelo Garcia, Dan Gable and Renzo Gracie. There is some overlap with "The Fighter's Heart" but that in no way reduced my enjoyment of this book. Virgil and Andre Ward are interviewed again. I usually am not a fan of interview books but Sheridan uses the interviews mostly as part of a narrative and of stories he tells; it's quite a different experience from having interviews and interviewees "speak for themselves". It's definitely a good book - not just for fight and MMA fans.

Explica y te sumerge en su aventura a través de las artes marciales.

À conseiller

Great references of books and documentaries! Good insights and stories. Struggled at some parts...but worth it! Get to the end!