Recommended Reading List

Reading over the years has become one of my favorite things to do. I still prefer to read a physical book over anything digital or audio. I’m not sure if it’s holding the book or the ability to make notes, but physical seems my best retention tool. Reading helps to make you a more interesting person, and in a world of bite-size clips of information, a book forces you to slow down. This list will be of books that have helped to shape my view as a coach, business owner, parent, and spouse. 

Training‍

Never Let Go - Dan John

I read this book each year and have new takeaways. Dan’s humor and simplicity always bring me back to a middle ground away from complexity. 

Facts and Fallacies of Fitness - Mel Siff

This looks at every belief in health and fitness and points out the truth or fiction behind each of the commonly held beliefs. It’s interesting to see how many of these have come, left, and come back in the 30+ years since the book was published. 

Science of Sports Training - Thomas Kurz

To me, this is the best book on training information, and the one I can always reference when I need to check on information. 

531 Forever - Jim Wendler

This expands on his original book 531, but gives a ton of training ideas for people to shift in and out of throughout the year. Much like Dan John, Jim’s approach is simple and effective. 

Secrets of Successful Program Design: A How-To Guide for Busy Fitness Professionals - Alywn Cosgrove and Craig Rasmussen

Creating training for regular people and removing complexity. One of the best books I’ve read on program design, regardless of population. 

Coaching

Behave - Robert Sapolsky

This looks at human behavior and helps us to understand the root of why people do what they do. 

Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness - Dawn Clifford and Laura Curtis

Nutrition is really simple on paper and incredibly complex to put into practice. This book gives an excellent framework for discussions around nutritional habits. 

How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie 

Some of the strategies are dated and manipulative, but the core of the book is a great resource for anyone working with people. 

Unreasonable Hospitality - Will Guidara

Coaching is hospitality, and treating your coaching like a Michelin-rated restaurant will change your view of what you do. 

Life

Man’s Search for Meaning of Life - Viktor Frankl

This has become my favorite book. It wasn’t what I expected when I purchased it, and I’m glad it wasn’t. In all times, people need purpose. 

Through Sand and Snow - Charlie Walker

Charlie details his multi-year bike ride through Europe, Asia, and Africa. In a world of rigid plans and schedules, it was a reminder that exploration and curiosity are essential for life. 

Daily Stoic - Ryan Holiday

Daily wisdom from Stoic philosophy. This helped me shift a lot in my thinking and how I react to many situations. 

The Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto Musashi

Louie Simmons would constantly reference this book; and when I finally read it, I told him I didn’t like it, and he laughed. I reread it a few more times, and it now has some of the principles I strive to live by. 

Ikagi - Hector Garcia and Frances Miralles

This book was another one that shifted a lot of my way of thinking after much time of not wanting to read it. Biggest takeaway: Find what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you’re good at. 

Financial

The Millionaire Next Door - Thomas Stanley and William Danko

This shows how regular people become wealthy and the traps they avoid. 

The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel

Money is like nutrition in that a lot of it is behavioral, and this book explores why we do certain things with our finances. 

The Simple Path to Wealth - JL Collins

This book helps create clarity in personal finance for those who don’t like complex hands-on strategies. 

The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: A Millionaire’s Guide to Building Automated Wealth - Brennan Schlagbaum

A step-by-step guide to reduce stress and anxiety over financial freedom. 

All of these books helped me at some point in my life, and many of them continue to be a reference for me. As coaches, we need to have multiple skills because of the constant dynamics of our job. If you have any books that helped you, please send them our way.