OK, as unprofessional as this is to say, I just can’t stop myself: Keith Mitchell is really cute. And ripped. And sincere.

Mitchell was known for much of his life as a football player, first for Texas A&M University, then for New Orleans, Houston and — what turned out to be fatefully — Jacksonville. That’s where he sustained the spinal contusion that ended his career and, as where, he says in this NFL film, “my journey truly began.”

He started practicing yoga in order to heal, and then turned yoga into his livelihood and his pulpit. He’s now a certified instructor and will give a talk and lead a class at The Yoga Movement at 7 p.m. Monday, November 10. Click here for more info. 

Meanwhile, a few tidbits snatched from Keith’s website:

“Unwilling to surrender to the plague of emotional depression and physical defeat I often observed among many NFL peers facing similar traumas, I began channeling my energy into the practice of YOGA AND MEDITATION for healing.”

“By surprise, I discovered these two daily practices not only helped me recover from injury, but also created a sense of liberation, self-awareness,  and fulfillment surpassing my love for football.”

(He really did say “SURPASSING MY LOVE FOR FOOTBALL.”)

Yoga and meditation, he says, are keys “to unlocking the mind, understanding self, living a life of purpose, and also developing authentic relationships with others.”

Wow. I am so taken by him, I must say. Even if you can’t make it on Monday to his class, at least read more about him here. And yes, I’m repeating myself with that link!