Billy Hansen

Harder Than I Thought, Easier Than I Feared: Sports, Anxiety, and the Power of Meditation Billy Hansen

"This book offers a rare deep dive into his own personal psyche and struggles as a young athlete growing into adulthood. Billy's openness and honesty provides us with well-lit pathways toward our own self-understanding. This is a fun read and a must read for those interested in mindfulness, psychology, or athletics." - Brady Bergeson, Head Coach of Regis University Men's Basketball

"A masterfully written story of triumph over the human condition as it relates to sports performance and the challenges of young adulthood. Billy provides an intimate and relatable account of his personal journey as a student athlete, his quest to find his place in the world and how meditation changed the direction of his life. A must read for athletes or anyone wanting to navigate the challenges of setting and meeting a goal." - Libby Edson, Founder of YoMind Mindfulness Education

From the Author:

As an athlete in my sophomore year of college, I found myself miserable. Two years later, as a senior, I enjoyed the most satisfying basketball season of my life. My path from depression and anxiety to joy and peak performance was somewhat unconventional. A therapist taught me to meditate, enabling me to face my problems instead of shrinking from them. By modifying my habits regarding drugs, partying and my phone, and reading meaningful books, I developed new attitudes toward both my sport and my life.

Since graduating, I've continued studying and practicing meditation, and now teach other athletes how to integrate mental training into their sports. I presently teach a course at Regis University called Mindfulness for Athletes, and I'm the meditation coach for the Regis Men's Basketball and Baseball teams. I've worked with athletes at all levels, from high school to the NBA.

This book, then, is about playing sports, overcoming anxiety, the practice of meditation, growing up, and discovering how to live well.