ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026 NATIONAL ADVANCE COVERAGE: Atlanta empowerment author Jay Vinson’s ‘More Than A Game’ book is a massive must-read
Andre Johnson 
COACH OF CHAMPIONS
To his distinctly unique credit, Jay Vinson was already in the process of doing the legwork for his latest book, More Than A Game: Mental Excellence For Athletes & Leaders.
Then suddenly, God had strategically given him the green light to compose a life-altering written work that figures to enrich and impact lives for generations to come.
“God began placing this vision on my heart through years of coaching, mentoring, teaching, and working with student-athletes who were silently battling pressure, anxiety, identity struggles, and emotional challenges while trying to perform at a high level,” Vinson said. “As I continued working in athletics and education, I realized many athletes looked strong on the outside but were struggling internally. God showed me this book was needed as both a message of hope and a practical resource.”
As part of Making Headline News’ 2026 Essence Music Festival advance national coverage for “the party with a purpose” event July 3-5 in New Orleans, Vinson, an esteemed Atlanta-area faith leader, educator, and empowerment professional, emphasized, among other things, the “core reason” he assembled his latest book was centered in large part on giving student-athletes a voice and a framework for navigating the mental, emotional, and leadership pressures that often go unaddressed in sports culture.
BUY VINSON’S BOOK: https://www.jvathleteadvisory.com/
Vinson’s More Than A Game: Mental Excellence For Athletes & Leaders is available https://www.jvathleteadvisory.com/, Amazon, and where books are sold.
“Too often, we focus on physical performance while ignoring the mind, identity, and emotional health of the athlete,” Vinson told MHN. “I wanted to create something that helps athletes understand they are more than their sport.”
A fascinating, informative read that is comprised of 254 pages, Vinson’s More Than A Game: Mental Excellence For Athletes & Leaders, by all accounts, is widely regarded as more than a book.
“It’s a mindset,” said a spokesperson for Vinson’s More Than A Game: Mental Excellence For Athletes & Leaders via Amazon.com. “In today’s high-pressure sports world, talent alone is not enough. The athletes who succeed at the highest level are the ones who master their mindset, lead with purpose, and perform under pressure.”
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Interestingly enough, More Than A Game: Mental Excellence For Athletes & Leaders is designed especially for student-athletes, coaches, and leaders who are ready to develop the mental edge needed to succeed both on and off the field.
That’s not all.
Vinson’s More Than A Game vividly enlightens readers that the strongest athletes aren’t built by talent alone.
“They’re built by mindset, identity, and purpose,” said an Amazon spokesperson for Vinson’s latest book. “In today’s high-pressure sports culture shaped by performance expectations, social media visibility, NIL opportunities, and growing mental health challenges, athletes are carrying more weight than ever before. More Than A Game equips athletes, coaches, parents, and leaders with the mental and emotional tools needed not only to succeed in sport but to thrive beyond it.”
An Ed.D. candidate in Sport Leadership who serves as a mental wellness coach and college sport management instructor, Vinson’s More Than A Game blends what he describes as real-world coaching experience, athlete development research, and practical leadership strategies to help readers accomplish the following:
- Build identity beyond performance
- Develop mental resilience under pressure
- Navigate burnout, anxiety, and expectations
- Strengthen leadership, confidence, and focus and,
- Prepare for life during and after sport
Named Making Headline News Man of The Year for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year in 2025, Vinson made his authorship with the release of Stepping Into Greatness in 2020.
Consequently, he composed Moving Past Your Pain: Making the Journey Towards Your Destiny, his sophomore written work in 2023
Additional books, he said, are on the horizon.
“I plan to continue writing books focused on mental wellness, leadership, athlete development, faith, resilience, and purpose-driven living,” Vinson said. “My goal is to create resources that impact both the sports world and broader communities.”
When asked what divine message he’s aiming to send to his readers by way of his latest book, Vinson said:
“The divine message is that your identity is not defined by your performance, setbacks, statistics, or public perception. God created each person with purpose beyond the platform. Whether you’re winning or struggling, your life has value. This book encourages athletes, coaches, and leaders to prioritize mental wellness, purpose, resilience, and whole-person development.”
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For more information about Lithia Springs, Georgia Author/Businessman Jay Vinson of JV Athlete Advisory Services, to inquire about his books, a speaking engagement, interview requests or book signing, call 678.310.6381 or connect with him via Facebook: Jay Vinson Ministries; Instagram: IamJayVinson; Twitter and TikTok: JayVinson30; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnIyt6drIphy_8bR7YW3v0w, or his Stepping Into Greatness podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepping-into-greatness/id1546456782. Also, send email to JayVinsonMinistriesInc@gmail.com.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA, NFL, and NCAA sports from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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