The 50 Books That Built Us

The 50 Books That Built Us

The reading list behind high-capacity, high-character humans

Our team has  collaborated and put together a list of some of the (mostly) non-fiction category books that have made the biggest impact on us.

We train our bodies on purpose.

We sharpen our thoughts the same way.

This is the reading list that has shaped how we coach, lead, think, and live. These books have influenced our philosophy, our programming, and our belief that fitness is about more than performance, it’s about becoming better humans.

If you want to build capacity and character, here are some GREAT resources to start with.

Start Here (The Foundation)

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
   Takeaway: Build a life around principles, not reactions. Personal responsibility is the starting point for effectiveness.
2. How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie
   Takeaway: Relationships are leverage. Learn to genuinely understand and value others.
3. Mindset – Carol Dweck
   Takeaway: Talent doesn’t determine success — belief about growth does.
4. The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday
   Takeaway: One page a day of timeless wisdom on discipline, perspective, and resilience.
5. Arete – Brian Johnson
   Takeaway: Practical philosophy for becoming your best self through daily action.

Human Behavior & Psychology

6. The Comfort Crisis – Michael Easter
   Takeaway: Modern comfort is weakening us. Voluntary hardship rebuilds strength and purpose.
7. Grit – Angela Duckworth
   Takeaway: Long-term passion and perseverance beat raw talent.
8. Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
   Takeaway: A sweeping view of humanity that reshapes how you see progress and culture.
9. 4,000 Weeks – Oliver Burkeman
   Takeaway: You don’t have time for everything. Focus on what actually matters.
10. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
    Takeaway: Wealth, happiness, and leverage are built on clarity and judgment.
11. Atomic Habits – James Clear
    Takeaway: Small habits compound. Identity drives behavior.
12. Essentialism – Greg McKeown
    Takeaway: Do fewer things, better. Eliminate the trivial many.
13. Deep Work – Cal Newport
    Takeaway: Focus is rare and valuable. Protect it.
14. Principles – Ray Dalio
    Takeaway: Clear principles remove emotional decision-making.

Mindset & Mental Performance

15. The Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan Holiday
    Takeaway: The challenge is the path forward — not the thing blocking it.
16. The Talent Code – Daniel Coyle
    Takeaway: Skill is built through deep, deliberate practice — not genetics alone.
17. The Champion’s Mind – Jim Afremow
    Takeaway: Mental skills separate good athletes from great ones.
18. How Champions Think – Bob Rotella
    Takeaway: Confidence is built through preparation and perspective.
19. The Inner Game of Tennis – W. Timothy Gallwey
    Takeaway: The biggest opponent is internal chatter.
20. The Mountain is You - Brianna West
    Takeaway: Self-sabotage is often self-protection. Growth requires honest inner work.
21. The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
    Takeaway: Resistance is the enemy. Professionals show up anyway.
22. Chop Wood, Carry Water – Joshua Medcalf
    Takeaway: Master the mundane. Success is built in the boring reps.
23. The Art of Resilience – Ross Edgley
    Takeaway: The body and mind can endure more than you think.

Philosophy, Purpose & Fulfillment

24. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
    Takeaway: Meaning, not comfort, sustains you through suffering.
25. The Antidote – Oliver Burkeman
    Takeaway: Stop chasing positivity. Embrace reality.
26. Solve for Happy – Mo Gawdat
    Takeaway: Happiness is a solvable equation rooted in perspective.
27. Atlas of the Heart - Brené Brown
    Takeaway: Naming emotions clearly increases courage, connection, and leadership.
28. The Untethered Soul – Michael Singer
    Takeaway: You are not your thoughts.
29. The Book of Joy
    Takeaway: Joy is cultivated through perspective and service.
30. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
    Takeaway: Choose what deserves your energy.
31. Think Like a Monk – Jay Shetty
    Takeaway: Discipline and detachment create peace.
32. A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle
    Takeaway: Ego is the root of suffering.
33. Build the Life You Want – Arthur Brooks
    Takeaway: Happiness is built intentionally.
34. The Warrior Poet Way – John Lovell
    Takeaway: Strength and virtue belong together.
35. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson
    Takeaway: Chase what scares you.
36. Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman
    Takeaway: Accept your limitations and live meaningfully within them.
37. Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
    Takeaway: Control your response. That’s always yours.
38. The Artisan Soul
    Takeaway: Excellence is spiritual craftsmanship.
39. Maktub – Paulo Coelho
    Takeaway: Short reflections that sharpen awareness.

Leadership & Connection

40. Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek
    Takeaway: Leadership is sacrifice and service.
41. The Culture Code – Daniel Coyle
    Takeaway: Strong teams are built through safety and shared purpose.
42. Tribe – Sebastian Junger
    Takeaway: Humans are wired for belonging.
43. How to Know a Person – David Brooks
    Takeaway: Deep attention builds meaningful connection.
44. Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara
    Takeaway: Go beyond expectations — always.
45. Let My People Go Surfing – Yvon Chouinard
    Takeaway: Build something aligned with your values.

Health & Longevity

46. Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
    Takeaway: Sleep is foundational to performance, health, and longevity.
47. Breath – James Nestor
    Takeaway: How you breathe shapes how you live.
48. In Defense of Food – Michael Pollan
    Takeaway: Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
49. Lifespan – David Sinclair
    Takeaway: Aging is a process we can influence.
50. The Biology of Belief – Bruce Lipton
    Takeaway: Beliefs influence biology more than you think.

Bonus:

‍The Word of Dog – Mark Rowlands
Takeaway: A Philosopher reflects on what animals can teach about living fully.

Why This List Matters

You don't have to agree with every word from every author to takeaway some extremely valuable, applicable things that can help you achieve high levels of success while making high levels of impact. Combine training your mind with training your body and you become a high-capacity, high-character human who does good in the world.

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