Boca Raton, FL – December 16, 2014 – Boca resident, philanthropist, businesswoman and author, Barb Schmidt intends to transform how athletes achieve the level of stellar performance required to bring home championships, when she launches Zen Sports at the inaugural Boca Bowl on Tuesday, December 23 at the FAU stadium.
In addition to fostering peak performance, the Zen Sports program is designed to alleviate the negative stressors that prompted the NFL to adopt a new personal conduct policy last week. Responding to concerns about the stress athletes face – both positive and negative – Schmidt developed the Zen Sports curriculum to facilitate focus, master coping skills and develop leadership.
Zen Sports delivers a practical, easy path for athletes to manage the tremendous stress they’re under so they can perform at their absolute best: focused, energized and in control. Schmidt will share her expertise on mindfulness and meditation with both NCAA Division 1 teams competing in the Boca Bowl, so they can take the field with the most advantageous mindset.
Schmidt explains, “Meditation is really magical when coupled with exercise. When used this way, you connect to the deep source of energy within you. It boosts energy, improves endurance and helps you stay focused and ‘in the zone.” Schmidt will remind both teams of the success that the Super-Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks enjoyed when they incorporated meditation and yoga into their daily training.
Zen Sports is an educational initiative of Schmidt’s non-profit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, a key sponsor of the Boca Raton Bowl, and is based on the principles outlined in her international best-selling book The Practice: Simple Tools for Managing Stress, Finding Inner Peace, and Uncovering Happiness, as well as its companion, The Practice Sports Workbook. Schmidt is also working with the FAU sports organization to implement mindfulness training to their efforts to build a nationally ranked sports franchise. This effort extends the mission of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life which was created to fund speakers, teachers and projects that spread peace and love throughout the world.
At this year’s inaugural Boca Raton Bowl, Conference USA champions Marshall (12-1) will take on Mid-American Conference champs Northern Illinois (11-2) in what promises to be an exciting game as both teams compete to prove they belong in the big leagues. The FAU (Florida Atlantic University) stadium, with its 30,000 seats, plays host to the big game. ESPN will air the game for those who prefer to catch it from home.
About Barb Schmidt – Barb Schmidt is an international speaker, philanthropist, spiritual mentor, and best-selling author of The Practice. She has devoted more than 30 years to her studies with inspirational leaders such as Deepak Chopra, Thich Nhat Hanh, Scott Peck, Buddhist nun Tenzin Palmo, Thomas Merton scholar James Finley, and Marianne Williamson.
In 2001, Barb brought a larger community into discussions on peace initiatives with her partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s Peace Studies program. In addition to speaking globally, she offers workshops and classes on spiritual practices and hosts events with many notable speakers including the Dalai Lama, Dr. Jane Goodall, Caroline Myss, Dan Millman, Gabrielle Bernstein, Tara Stiles, and James Finley.
About Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life – Believing that “outer peace begins with inner peace,” in 2011, Barb founded Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life to further serve those who seek to live a meaningful, happy life, and to fulfill her passion to bring peace to the world. Through this nonprofit, she teaches The Practice—a three-part guide to practical spirituality in today’s modern, and often chaotic, world.
For more information, visit www.peacefulmindpeacefullife.org and www.barbschmidt.com
About the Boca Raton Bowl – The game will take place at 6pm on December 23, 2014 at the FAU stadium. The game will air on ESPN.
