TESTIMONIALS

Endorsements of THE MENTAL ATHLETE

Here is a book that cooks on all burners. Peak performance coach Kay Porter offers strategies and processes that activate mind, body and spirit in ways that are bound to bring one to levels of performance previously only imagined. This is a wonderful addition to current work in extending human capacities.

---Jean Houston, Ph.D.
Author, A Passion for the Possible

This is the best book I've ever seen on the mental game. Every athlete should have it in their library - and use it to achieve their goals.

---Mariah Burton Nelson
Author, We Are All Athletes

Dr. Porter,

I bought your book, The Mental Athlete, at the AAASP conference in Philly this year. I spoke to you briefly about your book and the conference I am in charge of planning for this summer. I have to say that your book is at the top of my list of favorites! The content, organization of the main topics, the flow of your writing, and the incorporation of worksheets and activities makes the book an engaging page-turner. That's not a quality I find with most non-fiction books! I liked your reference to the mind, body, spirit connection. I think that balancing and aligning the mind, body, and spirit is essential to living a life of fulfillment and flow. Life is a gift, but it seems like we all need help opening the box. I have been an athlete all of my life and I have been working with athletes and coaches in the counseling and performance enhancement realm as part of my fieldwork while in graduate school.

It always amazes me at how complacent some athletes are with their practice and competition regimen. I was always looking for the extra, but legal, edge when I was competing. I was really into meditation and relaxation techniques, goal setting, and visualization. Back to your book... I really enjoyed your section on women in athletics. You have a lot of insight into the psyche of the female athlete. I also enjoyed the section on youth sport. I really liked the way you advocated the use of mental skill techniques in other areas of life. When I was introduced to the idea of transferable skills in athletes, I always thought that sport psychology professionals should include mental training techniques as transferable skills. You have. Thank you.

Sincerely, M.M.

Dear Dr. Porter

We've never spoken before or exchanged conversation via email, yet you've made the single biggest impact in my life recently. Since reading your book last summer I have begun a journey of discovering who I am at the core; and beyond that... What I want to become. First of all let me tell you a little background so I can describe to you the impact you've had upon my personal, social, and professional life.

Im a 22 year old male who has finally realized the true values in life one should work towards and be grateful for. Over the past Hockey season I signed with a major junior A caliber hockey league. But it was only with the help of your book and the dedication I put forth to follow it that I could have realized my potential. After my last year, which was a successful one I look forward to the next, and every game on from that. Your book not only put sport into perspective but life as well. I've become a more confident social individual from that of a stay at home, shy guy. My relationships with my friends and family have become deeper and more meaningful, as I've learned to embrace those around me I love.

I wanted to let you know that you've changed my life significantly and I appreciate the advice though your book that you gave me. You may not know me and I hardly know you but on some level I love you for the postive impact you've had upon my life. I know that if I ever had any situational problem that I needed advice on, you would be the perfect candidate.

If there is any other literature that you have written I would love to know about it so that I may read it. Take you time in responding, and with deep appreciation I thank you again for writing a book that truly has touched and in some way sculpted who I've became so far on this journey we call life.

Best Regards, F.D.

Review of THE MENTAL ATHLETE

The Sport Psychologist, 2004, 18, 356-357 (excerpts)

The balance of mind, body, spirit and emotions is emphasized throughout Kay Porter's second edition of The Mental Athlete. In this 210 page book, the connection between mental, emotional, and physical competencies is highlighted and elaborated upon by including the spiritual side of athletic training. Spiritual, in this sense, does not imply daily conversations with higher beings, but rather a knowing of one's inner self. It's more of a who you are and what do you want out of sport and life's approach.

The emphasis on self awareness in this book is very well developed. The sections on being ready to change, assuming responsibility, and believing in yourself were definitely our favorite parts of this book. These seem to be areas that are sometimes overlooked in other sport psychology trade books. . There are other areas in the book that are related to developing one's self awareness in important key areas such as learning about one's values, facing fears, and managing anger (included in the trouble-shooting section). The inclusion of these topics really drives home the point that participation in sport coincides with experiencing life and that being all you can be doesn't just apply to one's identity as an athlete.

Similar to other literature on psychological skills training, this book contains the basics, including mental log keeping, goal-setting, self-talk/affirmations, relaxation and imagery; Porter refers to these as the Five Simple Tools. For each tool, there are mental trainers and self-tests for athletes to assess their current status as well as exercises designed to give them direction in future pursuits. If readers take the time to complete the mental trainers, they wil be able to personalize the book in such a way that they should feel as though the book was written just for them.

The use of imagery was a dominant theme throughout the book. Several imagery scripts were included that emphasized not only physical performance, but also psychological factors such as feeling confident, focused, in control, and being relaxed. These scripts were written for sports ranging from running to football, and Porter also included visualizations for specific positions within a sport. It seems impossible that a reader wouldn't be able to identify with one of these scripts, but if they don't, then Porter included a 10-step method for writing one's own visualization script. The emphasis of imagery was developed further by including imagery scripts for additonal uses, such as dealing with anger, fear, letting go, healing, pain control, passion and vitality, etc.

The majority of the book was written for and would appeal to athletes. There are areas in the chapter on mental training for specific needs where the book seemed to be geared more toward a coaching audience. The information presented was excellent, and its noteworthy that Porter included topics such as being female; however, this switch in focus disrupted the flow of the book.

The Mental Athlete will apply to a broad audience. It includes not only what you would expect to see in a sport psychology trade book, but also topics that seem to be rarely addressed in other mental training books. As a result, this book would make a great read for athletes, and especially those who are willing to try unconventional techniques (psychoneuroimmunology anyone?!). The book will probably have a limited role in scholarly application, except perhaps as a supplemental reading for an applied sport psychology course, but that audience wasn't whom the book was written for anyway! Thank you, Kay Porter, for sharing with us your personable and unique approach to inner training for peak performance.

Reviewed by Sandra E. Short and Michael S. Silbernagel, Department of PEXS, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58201

Endorsements of Spirited Walkers Marthon Group

Kay, you're a terrific coach; I like your professional approach to communicating, encouraging, facilitating, training, educating, and being available for leadership and questions, etc. Thank you for a wonderful experience! L.M.

I'm so thankful for the lasting friendships I have made through walking with your group! A year later, two things stand out for me as highlights. The accomplishment of such a huge goal and the self confidence that has brought me to other areas of my life, and the friendships I made. Thank you!!!! J.S.

Kay, I want to again thank you for the last eight months. Your upbeat attitude, training knowledge, encouragement, and confidence that we could do the marathon are what made it possible for me to commit and follow through with my commitment. Participating in and completing the Portland Marathon was an incredible experience for me. My emotions continue to run high when I reflect back on this time. W.N.

I wanted a challenge; a goal to work towards. Something that I could be proud of the rest of my life. I now hope to participate each year! The high points of participating in this program were completing the marathon; meeting many new people who all shared a common goal. The monthly meetings were always something I looked forward to. Thank you!!!!

You are an amazing woman. You have accomplilshed many great things but remain very down to earth and humble. Thank you again for everything - you're awesome! I hope to work with you again soon! My commitment to the Spirited Walkers will continue for many years to come. K.C.

Dearest Kay, I keep thinking I will have time to write you a true thank you note for all you've done for me these past nine months. Much like a birthing coach I couldn't have done the marathon without you. I feel incredibly blessed to have taken this journey with you Kay. I think you are completely awesome and I love your holistic outlook to exercise that acknowledges all parts of our being. I felt so free to have my experience and not be locked into time goals, etc...I truly look forward to building our friendship and sharing many more foot steps together.

With love, deep appreciation and gratitude, N.C.

My purpose for joining the group was to have a goal that was just mine, just for me. Seemed that my professional and personal life was directed to fulfilling goals for others, and that my own personal wants were always superceded by what I felt should be done first. I never had the goal of doing the marathon. My goal was just to do something for me, even if that meant a walk outside, one day at a time. Second, I wanted to meet people who liked to be active and be outdoors. There were so many high points for me. One joyful high point of my participation in this program was finding something I really loved to do that I was actually good at. That totally surprised me. More importantly for me was forming some friendships with people that I am looking forward to continuing to share. I was so amazed by people in the group, their strengths and inspiration. Kay, you really brought people together with your attitude and method of teaching, maybe modelling of your processing. I would like you to know how much I respect you for your time and sharing of your experience. It was your attitude to this whole journey that made each of us grow in ways we never dreamed. You kept us believing in the possibility of our actually finishing the marathon, yet never were so attached to us completing it that we couldn't alter our course, freely. I always felt each of us could go our own speed, our own distance, our own direction, choose our own goals, and you were with us all the way. For me, that was your gift to us as Spirited Walkers. Thank you so much for this incredible journey. T.S.

I was feeling the need to set a goal for myself as I am not a very goal orientated person and I wanted the experience of setting a mark in the sand and heading towards it with the thought that once I accomplished this goal I might venture into setting other goals in other parts of my life. I also wanted a commitment that would get me outdoors on a regular basis no matter what the weather might holdMy dream of hiking the entire Pacific Crest trail has been rekindled. I have experienced many high points during the past nine months. Making new friends whom I hope to stay connected to; starting my daily walks along the river in gratefulness for all my life holds and provides; capturing some alone time on the mid week walks which allowed for more self exploration; finding where I want to give up on myself and the firm realization that any negative self talk is completely useless and a waste of time and energy; and learning to acknowledge more fully how my sweet body will support my desires when I pay close attention to my needs and then provide them. I would like you to know how much I appreciate your training schedule which I think is skillfully set up. Even though I wasn't able to come along on the summer hikes I love that you gave us that option and I do hope to take you up on some of them next summer. That variation is quite nice. I feel that all the information you provided was very useful and the speakers you brought in to our meetings I found to be encouraging, informative and supportive. I also appreciate your connection to the shoe companies in town making it a bit easier to go in and ask for their help. (not to mention the discount was nice as well) I also appreciate your sharing of meditations and visualizations, to me they connect our total being into our walks. Your nutrition talks were invaluable to me and once I found the protein that worked for me I feel I became stronger and had better endurance than before using the powder. I was also grateful to have my physical trainer create gym workouts that complimented everything you were teaching. I believe my time in the gym helped me to be strong enough to hold good form throughout the marathon. N.C.

I walked 26.2 miles in 6 hours and 27 minutes! I started walking last Spring of 2004...mostly to lose weight! I did two half Marathons last summer. Coburg "Run in the Country" and "Pacific Crest Run" in Sunriver (I walked 13.1 in about 3 hours and 15 minutes). In February 2005 I joined the "Spirited Walkers" group led by Kay Porter, a trainer, author, teacher and much more! The group met once a month and she emailed walking schedules. As many as were able met weekly to walk together. I rarely could make that Sunday morning walk but I got my time in on other days of the week. The Portland Marathon was truly the best! We had perfect weather that day, Sunday Oct.9th, about 68 degrees, overcast and no rain. I never "hit the wall" I felt great up to the finish! Having my name "STEFANEE" on my bib encouraged spectators to cheer me on which was a great shot in the arm! There were so many distractions it was like a big party...from cheerleaders to belly dancers to live bands - everything from country to rock to gospel. Even accordions, bells and xylophones for entertainment! Then when you cross the finish line you are adorned with a "GOLD" metal, you're wrapped in a space blanket, offered water and sport drink, a CARB feast awaits you...a rose, a tree seedling and a pin of the state of Oregon commemorating the event, oh, and a really cool Coolmax Tshirt! I have lost about #20 lbs since I started walking...and NO DIETING...as well as I am no longer taking diabetic medication...I have more energy and feel so much better...I am not going to stop. I got up at 5:30 this morning to get back into my routine after taking a week off for recovery. The first couple of days after the marathon I was a little sore but nothing a little Ice/Heat and Ibuprofen couldn't relieve and I went to work the next day! If I can do this...anybody can!!! Thank you all for your support and friendship! S.F.

Even though I wasn't able to complete it, training for the marathon has done so much for helping me to believe in myself and what my body can do. I never dreamed I could walk those kinds of distances, and yet I did. Just knowing that has really helped me to not be afraid of trying other things, or of working with a trainer. My workouts have gotten better, my body has gotten stronger, and I have more focus on my exercise program. I feel like I am leading a very different life than I would have otherwise, because of the changes I have made in how I take care of myself. I have made a fundamental lifestyle change that may not have been as easy to make without my walking pals, and that is the biggest success of all! Whether I walk the marathon next year or not, being a Spirited Walker and getting to know you all has truly been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. E.M.

I really benefitted from Kay's training program. Not only was I ready for the Portland Marathon, but I really had a great time! Kay was always quick to respond to any questions or concerns. Her program was very reasonable for people of all levels. I'd highly recommend Spirited Walkers. M.S.