The Tao of Sport

Reflecting on Purpose, Passion, and Growth from a Hotbed of High Performance

By: Duff Gibson

Narrated by: Duff Gibson

Duff Gibson has spent the better part of three decades in a hotbed of Olympic sport. As an athlete, Duff was a provincial champion speed skater, national champion, and national team member in bobsleighing, and then a world and Olympic gold medalist in the sport of skeleton. As a coach, he led six different athletes to podium finishes at a world level. Competing against, working with, and learning from numerous world-leading athletes and coaches has provided Duff a breadth and depth of experience few others have had.

Despite its mischaracterization in popular culture, the mental side of sport is perhaps the most significant aspect, and what very often makes the difference between success and failure, in particular at the highest level. The Tao of Sport explores the commonality amongst elite performers relating to purpose, passion, and growth, as a means to achieving high performance, or as a means to an end in itself.

An inspiring and informative listen for athletes and coaches of any level, as well as parents, teachers, and anyone helping others to become the best version of themselves.

The Tao of Sport will forever change your perspective on what it really takes to win.

©2021 Duff Gibson (P)2022 Duff Gibson

Critic reviews

"When I started Classroom Champions, it was because I wanted to have an impact and because I believe in the Olympic ideals. That came from my experiences as an athlete. Duff and I were both immersed in sport at a time and place that I think we’ll look back on as being very special. There was and is tremendous value in what we lived and learned. The Tao of Sport encapsulates that time and a value system that elevates everyone involved. It’s as much about character and personal growth as it is about high achievement and I loved reading every page." (Steve Mesler, Olympic gold medalist in bobsleigh and founder of Classroom Champions)

It’s the journey that will be most important!!!

Having missed competing in the Olympic Games by only .08 of a second myself this book reinforces the idea that even though it may seem like a life defining moment, in the end It’s just sport. It’s just a brief moment in time. The journey that got me to that moment is just as much, and to an extent, much more important than that actual moment of perceived failure. The book shows that one won’t be defined by that one moment in life.
I couldn’t agree more.
This book is a must read for anyone involved in sport. Athletes and parents alike.

A must read for athletes, coaches, and parents

Duff Gibson nails it. His insights and perspective are not only refreshing, but based on research and amazong life experiences told from the eyes of an Olympic champion, father, scientist, and sports fan. As an exercise scientist, I appreciated the relevance of his work and accuracy of his conclusions. As a aged-Ironman triathlete, I find myself reliving my past experiences through new eyes with new insight into what I did right and what could have led to different outcomes. But as a parent is where I really connected with Duff’s wisdom. How we can get our kids to participate in sports for the pure joy of the moment rather than through a pressure-pot of competitive misdirection is a message that every parent (and coach) needs to hear. The book is an awesome read and, for those inclined to listen, an awesome audiobook. I can’t wait for the sequel.

A must listen (or read) for parents with young athletes

I truly love everything about this book! As someone who was very fortunate to coach athletes competing against Duff during his sliding career, this book is a testament to the quality of Duff’s character as an athlete and an individual. His insights are equally applicable at both the elite and developmental spectrums of sport. I only wish he had written this book about 20 years earlier, as it would have made me a better coach when I was with the sliding sports!

Now, as a father of two young boys, I’ll keep The Tao of Sport on rotation as a reminder (to myself) to keep their own sporting ventures in perspective while trying to foster a “Love of the Game” atmosphere as they start to experience more organized sport. For my boys, I try to emphasize that “losses are lessons” and I hope that follows the same spirit in which Tao was written.

Thank you Duff for writing this great resource and also thank you the some of great memories your story brought back to mind.

Greg Sand
USA Skeleton 2003-2010

Amazing Book, A Must Read

I was fortunate enough to read this book at a time in my life where I needed clarity in certain things for business. I picked this book up on the recommendation of a friend and it's outstanding. Clearly written, well researched and the author uses a lot of personal references from the highest levels of sport that really translates well into overall lessons that transcend sport. I particularly got a lot out of the section on growth mindset than includes research from famed psychologist Carol Dweck. Super applicable and helpful for me in business and life. I highly recommend this book!

Great Read for any athlete!

Duff was one of my fiercest competitors in the sport of Skeleton. He always conducted himself with class. To get a glimpse into the mind set and work ethic that helped make him so successful has been eye opening. The Tao of sport has so many great lessons that can help athletes of any level become better athletes!