The Zone does not have to be an elusive mystical state that magically appears out of nowhere.

How I learned the Power of accessing the Zone – The Flow state of mind

The Zone is that special place where complete clarity, power, and skill come together instantly and can be accessed when needed.

When I was training in Style (skydiving gymnastics at 200 m.p.h. with only 26 seconds of airtime) as a World Champion on the U.S. Parachute Team, it took extreme concentration with training 365 days a year. 

I had to train to have a single-pointed focus to perform each move precisely. 

Precise moves at 200 mph can only be automatic—there is no time to think about it.

My training involved perfecting each move until I could perform it without thought. I learned that you cannot think and debate while simultaneously performing the ultimate of anything. 

After years and several thousand jumps on my training journey, I began to enter the Zone, a place where focus became very concentrated and I was in pure flow.

Eventually, a state of “no mind” developed within the focus. My actions became automatic, and I began to perform perfect movements in those precious seconds of freefall time. 

I learned to simultaneously train my internal energy and body (mind/body). When you practice with the intent of the mind working with the internal energy of the body, you will start to develop “flow.”

Essentially, it is about managing your energy and making it coherent.  You are moving as efficiently as possible—mind and body together.

After you reach this stage, you can start building more power or technique into your movement.  But, once you start thinking about power and technique, you set yourself up to lose it.

This is where the elusiveness of staying in the zone comes from. I believe entering the zone is a process—a formula, so to speak—of knowing the alchemy of bringing the inner mind and body power together.

Here are some steps to contemplate:

Step 1

Set up a training foundation that includes yoga, internal martial arts, and meditation. This will train your energy and focus from the inside out.
Each one of these practices takes time and commitment.

Step 2

Train the intent. Meditate on your intent. My coach had me stare into a candle every evening for hours, just meditating on the Intent.  Focus and Energy come from intent, and this focus turns into power to perfect your technique.


Step 3

Become mindful of bringing your mind, body, energy, and power together so you are one coherent body and mind working together. (You cannot perform as a bunch of scattered pieces in any sport or business.)


Step 4

Start practicing the critical techniques of your sport separately. This takes time, but it will help you reach the point where you can drop your mind, enter the Zone, and be in pure flow.

Honing your Energy and Spirit

Part of the alchemy I worked with involved turning my adrenaline (from falling at 200 mph) into Qi (energy). Then, I refined the energy into spirit—this is an internal martial arts skill. It’s about working from the inside out.

You must have a finely tuned “spirit” to achieve the highest level in sports or business. 

When you cultivate and refine your training foundation within a meditative state, you’ll create more energy and focus. The power will come when your mind settles, and you can keep up with the movement. Then, you drop the thinking and let the pure flow take over. 

You are in the Zone!