10 Best Books for Athletes

There are some books that are absolute must reads for athletes. I read these books after my career as a track athletes was over. I became an NCAA- All American and went to the 2012 Olympics and after I read these books I know would have accomplished more had I read them.

Some of these books are directed specifically to athletes, where as others are much more geared towards general life succcess, but the content transfers. These books will change your perspective on success, winnning and what it takes to be great.

Don’t make the mistake that many athletes make in only focusing on the physical. You want to prepare your mind with some books as well. The more you build up up your mind, the more of a student that you will be to your craft. Will be able to understand the game on an intellectual level. Reading will also help

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#10 – Endure

Endure is a book I personally wrote in 2014. I was coming off of one of the hardest few seasons of my life. I was struggling and losing my way as an athlete.

I decided to pull together a collection of the hardest things many different athletes had been through. I then took this collection of stories and add a few faith based stories on and lessons I had learned through out my life. When you finish Endure, you will be ready to run through any obstacle.

#9 – Eleven Rings

Phil Jackson is a legendary NBA Coach and in this book he gives you his keys to success. He won a total of 11 NBA championships working with players like Michael Jordan, Shaq, Kob Bryant and Scottie Pippen.  His list of accomplishments is unreal and his insight to winning this many times is a beautiful thing.

Step by step he covers his life from his upbringing through to his final NBA ring. He has interesting takes on leadership, managing egos, ownership and mindfulness. The book is one that anyone involved in sports can learn from.

#8 – Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

Arnold overcame so many set backs and became a huge success against all of the odds. He was told he would never move to America and he did and he became one of the greatest body builders of all time. He also overcame massive odds to be an entrepreneur, act, and become the governor of California.

Total Recall is about his entire life from the start. He was raised by stern parents and it helped to develop a rock solid mindset. He was not shaken by anything and  all athletes need to learn how to lock in on what they want from life like Arnold.

# 7 – The Champions Mind

A lot of being a great athlete is understanding the mindset that is required to succeed. Many people have the talent to do it but few have the mental attributes to go with it. Its one thing to learn from great athletes but its another to understand the science from a professional.

Its like the difference between getting health tips from a smart successful friend vs going to a doctor. You trust the information you’re getting much more.

#6 – The Magic of Thinking Big

The magic of thinking big is a great read for anyone with dreams. The entire purpose of the book is to get you to think even bigger about what you can accomplish. Its important that you do this because you never get more than you set out to get in life. If you think small then you will get even less. The book will get any athlete thinking about success on a much bigger level.

#5 – Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell explains why most NHL players are born in January and is known for making the 10,000 hour rule popular. The book is all about getting in your reps in order to be great. It moves you away from the ideas that success is about talent.

By the time you finish this book you will want to focus on getting started as early as possible at whatever you want to be great at. The book focuses much more on sciecne vs just listening to someone else’s experiences.

#4 – Genghis Khan

Sports are about domination! Any great athlete lives to take over. Their sole purpose is to dominate and make it clear that they are the threat that you should lose sleep over. Genghis Khan was one of the best at making people fear him without good reason.

Little has been known about him and he liked it that way because people relied on stories and myths to tell his story and much of the truth became embellished over time. Genghis Khan will have you feeling like there is nothing in this world that can stop you.

#3 – Grit

Not only does this book make bring some truth to light on success but it also makes you rethink how you practice. The author makes the case that success requires a bit of courage, hard work, persistence and resolve all mixed together. A gritty person does not jump from think to think, they stick with one thing no matter how hard it gets.

The second point she covers is how your practice must be intentional. Intentional practice involves working on things that you know you need work and getting immediate feedback as you practice. Intentional practice is not easy but great athletes master this.

#2 – Mind Gym

Mind Gym is one of the first books for athletes to really focus on the mindset. The author took secrets that were really reserved for pro athletes and simplified the concepts so even a high school athlete could understand what to do. Mind Gym ranks so highly because athlete can pick this book up and pull some good things from it.

#1 – Relentless

Tim Grover is known for training Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Dwayne Wade. These are three athletes who are known for having some of the craziest attitudes about winning and doing what it takes. When you read this book you will begin to understand more about why.

He is 100% honest about what success takes and how you as an athlete have to be honest with yourself. Too many athletes lie about their true motivations. The greats are honest with what drives them.

He covers so much stuff in this book that will just shock you but it will also make you think about what you’re willing to sacrifice. If you’re willing to put in a lot of work, this book can help you reach a new level.

Summary of Best Books for Athletes

10. Endure

9. Eleven Rings

8. Total Recall

7. The Champions Mind

6. The Magic of Thinking Big

5. Outliers

4. Genghis Khan

3. Grit

2. Mind Gym

1. Relentless