After a long delay due to COVID, the Tokyo Olympics have finally begun. And especially with sports like skateboarding and surfing making their Olympic debut, this will surely be a year to remember.
While not all of us possess the abilities of a world-class athlete, we do all have an Olympian of sorts inside us—someone who strives for greatness and doggedly pursues their goals. So if watching those runners and skateboarders leaves you feeling inspired, check out the seven remarkable books below to get in touch with your inner Olympian.
The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer
By Steven Kotler
Peak performance expert Steven Kotler decodes the secrets of those elite performers—athletes, artists, scientists, CEOs, and more—who have changed our definition of the possible, teaching us how we too can stretch far beyond our capabilities, making impossible dreams much more attainable for all of us. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas
By Alexi Pappas
Olympic athlete, actress, and filmmaker Alexi Pappas has accomplished much, but has also battled some fearsome inner demons. In this candid and moving memoir, Pappas shares what she’s learned about overcoming adversity and living the life you’ve always wanted. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
By James Nestor
Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance; rejuvenate internal organs; halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease; and even straighten scoliotic spines. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick
By Wendy Wood
University of Southern California psychologist Wendy Wood draws on three decades of original research to explain the fascinating science of how we form habits, and offers the key to unlocking our habitual mind in order to make the changes we seek. View on Amazon
Risk Forward: Embrace the Unknown and Unlock Your Hidden Genius
By Victoria Labalme
In this brief, easy-to-read, full color book “experience,” acclaimed keynote speaker and performance coach Victoria Labalme shares a series of strategies that are practical, reassuring, and radically freeing. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
By Ethan Kross
Psychologist Ethan Kross interweaves groundbreaking brain research with real-world case studies to explain how our inner voice shapes everything from athletic performance to interpersonal relationships. Chatter gives us the power to change the most important conversation we have each day: the one we have with ourselves. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning
By Tom Vanderbilt
When we’re kids, we constantly try new hobbies, sports, and activities. So why do we stop trying new things in adulthood? In Beginners, acclaimed journalist Tom Vanderbilt contends that you’re never too old to learn something new. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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