Tim Grover

written by JOSH GESSNER | The Athletter

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Good morning to all new and old readers! Here’s today’s edition of TheAthletter, exploring stories, ideas, and frameworks to be the best athlete you can be —and how you can apply them to your career.

Today, we’re exploring the coach behind Michael Jordan. He taught him a concept that made him so great… And I’ve seen it apply in every sport, especially baseball.

If you enjoy this, forward it along to a friend who might too.

What you’ll learn:

What made Jordan so great

How you can apply this to your own career

P.S. Send me feedback on how I can improve. I want to be worthy of your time. I respond to every email.

This is Tim Grover.

The man behind Michael Jordan's legacy.

He taught Jordan a concept that made him the greatest of all time...

Here's that concept:

There are 3 types of athletes:

1) Coolers

2) Closers

3) Cleaners

Grover taught Jordan to be a 'Cleaner'.

1) Coolers

The average players.

They follow the game plan and do well when everything is easy.

But the moment things get tough, they crumble.

2) Closers

These are high-performers.

They can perform when the pressure is on:

But they need everything to be set up perfectly for them to succeed.

3) Cleaners

A Cleaner actively seeks pressure and thrives in it.

They don’t just meet the standard—they are the standard.

Everyone else is trying to keep up.

How did Grover turn Jordan into a Cleaner?

He taught him 5 Lessons:

Lesson #1): Relentless Work Ethic.

Outwork everyone.

Jordan didn’t just show up early to practice - he became first in and last out.

He made Jordan practice harder, train longer, and never settle.

He instilled this through Post-Game Training Sessions:

Post-Game Training Sessions:

While most players hit the showers after a game:

Jordan hit the gym.

That’s how he got ahead - by training while others weren't.

Lesson #2): Physical conditioning

In the 1990 offseason:

Jordan trained his body for the physicality of the Detroit Pistons.

Enter: The legendary "Breakfast Club."

The goal? To build a body that could withstand anything.

So every morning at 5 a.m:

Jordan and some teammates would workout before practice even started.

A Cleaner must be in peak condition, both mentally and physically.

Lesson #3): Perform under pressure

The big difference between a Closer and a Cleaner?

How they handle pressure.

Closers can do well, but they need everything just right.

Cleaners seek pressure, and dominate it.

His game-winning shot in the 1998 NBA Finals - wasn’t by accident.

It came by training to perform under pressure.

One way Grover trained this was through 'Fatigue Training':

Fatigue Training:

Grover put Jordan through exhaustive training...

Then put him in pressure, game situation environments and demanded excellence.

Jordan learned to perform when his body and mind were ready to give up.

Lesson #4): Win at all costs

Jordan had a singular focus:

Winning.

He demanded the best from himself, his teammates, and even his coaches...

To give them the best chance of winning.

Under Jordan's leadership:

The Bulls became a dynasty, winning six NBA championships.

It wasn’t talent alone - Jordan’s relentless focus on winning made it happen.

Lesson #5): Embrace your Dark Side.

The "dark side" is using inner struggles, fears, and desires as fuel for success.

Jordan mastered it.

He used every inner demon:

Fear, anger, frustration - and channeled them into pure fuel.

If someone doubted him - it was gasoline.

He didn’t fear failure: he turned that fear into focus.

He didn’t care about being liked or playing it safe.

The only thing that mattered?

Winning.

Becoming a Cleaner is a life-long process.

5 Lessons to be a Cleaner:

1) Outwork Everyone.

2) Peak Physical Condition.

3) Thrive under Pressure.

4) Win.

5) Embrace your Dark Side.

For those of you that are Baseball Players:

Becoming a cleaner is highly applicable to baseball players.

My friend Travis Bazzana embodied being a cleaner after reading about it...

And became the #1 overall pick in the MLB this year.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you: 

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2. My Best Thoughts: My past blogs. My very best thoughts.

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