our latest collection of amazing books for athletes. enjoy!
let’s face it: athletes don’t always have great reputations when it comes to making it to the books.
You are reading: Motivational books for athletes
This bias persists even though several studies show that athletes have higher gpas than non-athletes.
a University of Kansas study even found that athletes had higher graduation rates, better school attendance, lower dropout rates, and higher scores on assessment tests.
So what should these athletes be reading that isn’t part of the school curriculum?
Or better yet, why should athletes read books designed to improve them?
Most athletes have a host of coaches, trainers, and even therapists working to make them elite.
why look for even more information?
The answer is simple.
Truly competitive athletes will stop at nothing to be among the elite, and even the best coaches can’t know everything.
Most coaches and trainers approach their athletes from a very specific perspective.
Some coaches are very technical, some coaches are dedicated to drill work, and some are trying to push themselves to the limit.
Very few coaches and trainers know anything about nutrition or the mental aspect of performance.
Even if you are lucky enough to have a coach or trainer who knows about these things, chances are they come from a very specific philosophy that may or may not suit your individual needs.
If you’re a competitive athlete and you’re not reading this information and learning what might work best for you personally to improve, guess what?
your competition is.
If you’re a recreational athlete and you don’t care that much about the competition, you still need to do your proverbial homework to ensure you’re in good shape, not getting hurt, and upping your mental game.
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so let’s take a look at some amazing books for athletes and why they encourage exceptional development.
inspirational books for athletes on mindset and life
1. the talent code by daniel coyle
Have you ever heard of myelination? I don’t think so
however, this process has a lot to do with how we develop the skills necessary to become an elite athlete or basically to be good at anything.
the talent code describes the process by which people become “prodigies” (spoiler alert: it involves thousands upon thousands of hours of correct repetition).
daniel coyle breaks down this complex process into something that is easy to understand.
I request that the parents of the athletes I consult read this book so that they understand what we are trying to achieve.
Athletes will leave this book feeling like they can do anything if they put in the effort.
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It’s inspiring in a very realistic way. There are no shortcuts here.
You have to do the work to be great.
2. thrive by brendan brazier
Would you like to know the secrets of an ironman triathlete? this is the book for you.
brendan brazier has smoked the competition in ironman’s, and is also the founder of vega sports performance products.
That’s a pretty impressive resume. even finishing an ironman is an exhausting task and brazier did it as a career for a long time.
That means I was training about 40 hours a week.
This book personally changed my perspective on nutrition and many other things.
You’ll learn how Brendan went from someone he thought of as an “average” athlete to a polished professional.
explains how to use clean eating to ensure maximum performance and recovery.
also features a host of foods you may not have heard of, but are extremely helpful due to their ability to help you perform and recover.
Since reading this book and following its principles, I have stopped feeling drained and sore.
Now I’m also a fan of vega for life. in fact, this is one of the best books for athletes.
3. when the past is always present by dr. ronald ruden
As a certified hypnotist and havening practitioner, I work with many athletes who physically do everything they’re supposed to do, but can’t break through the mental barriers to go to the next level.
as tori nyberg would say, “we train our bodies every day, but when was the last time you trained your mind?”
This is ultimately a very important point. I’m a proactive person, so I think you should destroy any little gremlins that might be hiding in your sports locker by doing some sheltering or hypnosis sooner rather than later.
but of course sometimes it’s hard to convince others of that.
then this doctor, who is the founder of havening, will explain some ways the mind works and how to get it back on track.
In over 16 years of working with athletes, I’ve found that it’s those who are mentally tough who really make it to the next level.
don’t wait!
4. unleash your true athletic potential by julianne soviero
Okay, I’m the author, but I can’t think of a more important book for all athletes.
The information it contains comes from being a lifelong athlete, certified personal trainer, hypnotist, havening practitioner, and someone who is addicted to continuing education.
I have followed some of the best coaches, athletes, social workers and physical therapists in the world for the last decade.
I became obsessed with ways to improve athletic performance after an injury nearly destroyed my pitching career, and the information in the book reflects that.
Not only that, but it’s the only book for athletes I know of that breaks down all the components of performing at your best, rather than just focusing on one small part.
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addresses nutrition, training, injury prevention, optimal recovery, hydration, the mental component of performance, and much more.
is a guide for all athletes at all levels to maximize their performance.
If you’re enjoying this article, be sure to check out our collection of the best motivational books for personal development.
5. Water Ski Wonder Girl: A Journey of Perseverance by Shellie Blum
shellie blum, the world’s first freestyle water ski ramp jumper, has endured her share of tough setbacks.
In this inspiring book, she takes you through her journey of perseverance.
Whether you’re a water skier or not, you’re sure to enjoy this inspiring true story.
6. The Quest for Resilience: Harnessing the Unprecedented Power of Strength and Resilience, by Jennifer Pharr Davis
In “The Quest for Endurance,” Jennifer Davis reveals what it takes to maximize endurance and harness the power of strength and resilience.
also documents his remarkable achievements in the fields of endurance hiking, backpacking, and trail running.
7. building indestructible athletes: the little things that make athletes great! by donny mateaki
donny mateaki is an athlete who played soccer, basketball, and track and field.
in “building indestructible athletes”, teaches how to improve athletic performance, hip and shoulder mobility.
The book seeks to help athletes discover how to reduce the risk of injury.
8. unthinkable, by scott rigsby
scott rigsby is an inspiration to many people around the world.
Despite losing both legs at age 18 and battling depression and addiction, he became the first double-legged amputee to cross the finish line in the ironman triathlon.
“Unthinkable” is an account of his extraordinary journey.
9. functional training, by juan carlos “jc” santana
In “Functional Training,” author Juan Carlos Santana presents his revolutionary approach to training and conditioning methods that will help you take your performance to the next level.
The book is designed to help you achieve optimal results no matter what your sport.
10. running with raven: the incredible story of one man, his passion, and the community he inspired, by laura lee huttenbach
Inspired by robert “raven” kraft, a racing legend, this book explores the stories of the dozens of people who came to race with raven and changed their lives.
Anyone will be inspired by Raven’s story of perseverance, understanding, and courage.
11. fast track triathlete: balancing a great life with great performance in long duration triathlon, by matt dixon msc
Written by elite triathlon coach Matt Dixon, this book offers an effective, laser-focused approach to training, recovery, strength, and mobility.
Designed for the busy professional, the book will guide you on how to create a successful recipe for sport and performance in life.
12. champion mindset: achieving excellence in sports and in life, by allistair mccaw
In “Champion Mindset,” Allistair McCaw, a world-renowned sports performance and mindset coach, teaches the mindset, habits, and discipline of a champion.
The book will help you learn to think, act, look, prepare, communicate, compete, engage and live like a champion.
Which of these books for athletes would you read first?
what are you waiting for? With the holidays fast approaching, you know you’re getting tons of Amazon gift cards.
Bring out your inner nerd and start reading these books for athletes.
I guarantee you’ll learn things about maximizing your potential at any level.
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