20 Best Books For Athletes To Read (2026 Update)

In the perfect mile, neal bascomb, the new york times bestselling author of faster, presenst the riveting, true story of the three world-class athletes who individually became the first runners to break the four-minute mile.there was a time when running the mile in four minutes was believed to be beyond the limits of human foot speed, and in all of sport it was the elusive holy grail. in 1952, after suffering defeat at the helsinki olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier. roger bannister was a young english medical student who epitomized the ideal of the amateur — still driven not just by winning but by the nobility of the pursuit. john landy was the privileged son of a genteel australian family, who as a boy preferred butterfly collecting to running but who trained relentlessly in an almost spiritual attempt to shape his body to this singular task. then there was wes santee, the swaggering american, a kansas farm boy and natural athlete who believed he was just plain better than everybody else.spanning three continents and defying the odds, their collective quest captivated the world and stole headlines from the korean war, the atomic race, and such legendary figures as edmund hillary, willie mays, native dancer, and ben hogan. in the tradition of seabiscuit and chariots of fire, neal bascomb delivers a breathtaking story of unlikely heroes and leaves us with a lasting portrait of the twilight years of the golden age of sport.

Athletes have a passion for sports that makes them unique, viewing life through a competitive lens. the desire to compete and their drive for success can mean seeing friends, family, church, and school as distractions. usually the first to be sacrificed is their spiritual life. and yet, god does not intend for athletes to go it alone. heart of an athlete is spiritual training for the competitor, 120 devotions written specifically for athletes of every level. it goes straight to the issues that matter most to athletes, such as identity, fear, trust, and recognition. this athletic devotional encourages readers to spend regular, short, and meaningful time in god's word to help them become true competitors for christ.

Even among the most elite performers, certain athletes stand out as a cut above the rest, able to outperform in clutch, game-deciding moments. these athletes prove that raw athletic ability doesn't necessarily translate to a superior on-field experience—its the mental game that matters most. sports participation—from the recreational to the collegiate division i level—is at an all-time high. while the caliber of their games may differ, athletes at every level have one thing in common: the desire to excel. in the champion's mind, sports psychologist jim afremow, phd, offers the same advice he uses with olympians, heisman trophy winners, and professional athletes, including: – how to get in a "zone," thrive on a team, and stay humble – how to progress within a sport and sustain long-term excellence – customizable pre-performance routines to hit full power when the gun goes off or the puck is droppedwith hundreds of useful tips, breakthrough science, and cutting-edge workouts from the world's top trainers, the champion's mind will help you shape your body to ensure a longer, healthier, happier lifetime.

The new york times bestseller – with a new afterword added to the paperback – from the author of range: why generalists triumph in a specialized world. in high school, i wondered whether the jamaican americans who made our track team so successful might carry some special speed gene from their tiny island. in college, i ran against kenyans, and wondered whether endurance genes might have traveled with them from east africa. at the same time, i began to notice that a training group on my team could consist of five men who run next to one another, stride for stride, day after day, and nonetheless turn out five entirely different runners. how could this be? the one who made it look so easy. he was the starting quarterback and shortstop; she was the all-state point guard and high-jumper. naturals. or were they? the debate is as old as physical competition. are stars like usain bolt, michael phelps, and serena williams genetic freaks put on earth to dominate their respective sports? or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training? the truth is far messier than a simple dichotomy between nature and nurture. in the decade since the sequencing of the human genome, researchers have slowly begun to uncover how the relationship between biological endowments and a competitor's training environment affects athleticism. sports scientists have gradually entered the era of modern genetic research. in this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success, sports illustrated senior writer david epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving this great riddle. he investigates the so-called 10,000-hour rule to uncover whether rigorous and consistent practice from a young age is the only route to athletic excellence. along the way, epstein dispels many of our perceptions about why top athletes excel. this subject necessarily involves digging deep into sensitive topics like race and gender. through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the arctic circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.

The secrets of superhuman performance never have the best sportspeople seemed so far removed from the rest of us, their prowess so unfathomable. so how are these extraordinary athletes made? the best reveals how the most incredible sportspeople in the world get to the top and stay there. it is a unique look at the path to sporting greatness; a story of origins, practice, genetics and psychology. packed with gripping personal stories and interviews with top athletes including trevor bauer, elena delle donne, pete sampras, joey votto, steph curry, kurt warner and premier league superstars marcus rashford and jamie carragher, it explains how the best athletes develop the extraordinary skills that allow them to perform remarkable feats under extreme pressure. the best uncovers startling truths of athletic greatness-including why younger siblings have more chance of becoming elite, which towns produce the most superstars, the role of informal play and the best time to be born in the school year. it goes inside the minds of champions to understand what makes them perform during high-octane competition, how to hit a baseball or tennis ball in under 0.5 seconds, the secrets of how the best train and what makes a great leader. the book appeals to all lovers of sport, anyone with an interest in psychology and excellence, the parents of budding athletes, and fans of books like freakonomics, outliers and range.

Whatever your biggest goals are in life, learning to think like an athlete is a game changer. if you ask research psychologist noel brick and bestselling fitness author and journalist scott douglas, the “dumb jock” stereotype is way out of bounds. modern advances in sports psychology confirm what fans have known all along: no world-class athlete—whether an olympic runner, swimmer, or cyclist, or a pro basketball, baseball, or football player—gets to the top without a strong mental game. champion competitors have unique ways of taking stock of a situation, self-motivating, and even thinking about time. cutting-edge discoveries (including those by dr. you don’t need to be facing a literal hurdle to use elite athletes’ tool kits of strategies: they can help you stick the landing at a job interview or get your thesis to the finish line. brick and douglas pair groundbreaking science with a highlight reel of instructive moments from across the sports realm to show how legendary marathoner meb keflezighi runs on self-talk and how making if-then plans at practice buoyed michael phelps to a gold medal at the olympics. wherever you are in your own ambitions—from the “middle muddle” to the final stretch—the genius of athletes will put you right in the zone.

A mental toughness playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches in sports, and in life, mental toughness matters-even more than raw talent and skill. but young athletes can't develop it, and master other vital aspects of the "inner game," on their own. coaches and parents play a vital role as well. in the mental training guide for elite athletes, david angeron speaks to all three audiences. he draws on his expertise as a sport psychology coach and his background as a college athlete and baseball scout to help readers overcome the fear, doubt, and negativity that derail players and teams.in this book you will learn: – the fundamentals of the "mental master method"- how personality type plays into athletic excellence- how to develop traits like work ethic, grit, and desire- why tools like visualization and imagery and deep breathing help "weaponize" pressure and supercharge your game- how positive energy can change the trajectory of a losing seasonin the mental training guide for elite athletes, angeron will teach you the routines and exercises that great athletes use to take their performance to the next level-whether "next level" for you means making the team for the first time, or moving up to varsity, or being offered your first professional contract. when you practice these regularly and incorporate them into your life, you will be able to set and exceed goals and eventually reach your true potential. packed with self-assessments, exercises, and engaging examples, this book is a must-read for athletes who want to transform their game- and coaches and parents who guide and support them on the journey.

The leading textbook in sport and exercise psychology is back in a revised seventh edition, and it again raises the bar with its engaging introduction to the field. foundations of sport and exercise psychology, seventh edition with web study guide, offers both students and new practitioners a comprehensive view of sport and exercise psychology, drawing connections between research and practice and capturing the excitement of the world of sport and exercise. internationally respected authors robert weinberg and daniel gould continue to gather and incorporate feedback from teachers and students with each edition, building a text that addresses emerging trends and remains relevant and up to date. in-depth learning aids have been refreshed, including chapter objectives and summaries, sidebars, key terms, key points, and discussion questions to help students think more critically about applying the material. other updates to the seventh edition include the following: – a new chapter on diversity and inclusion addressing topics related to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and disability – new content on popular and emerging areas such as grit, mindfulness, organizational sport psychology, and technology in sport psychology – additional modern-day practical examples and anecdotes to better illustrate concepts – updated references, including more contemporary sources foundations of sport and exercise psychology provides students with a unique learning experience–taking them on a journey through the field's origins, key concepts, research development, and career options available in the field. after this introduction to the field, the text shifts focus to personal factors that affect performance and behavior in sport, physical education, and exercise settings. it augments those concepts by factoring in situational circumstances that influence behavior, group interaction and processes, and the use of psychological techniques to help people perform more effectively. students will gain critical insights into the role psychological factors play in health and exercise and the psychological consequences of participation in sport and physical activity, including children's psychological development through sport participation, aggression in sport, and moral development and good sporting behavior in sport and physical activity contexts. the updated web study guide serves as an important learning tool to support the educational journey. with more than 100 engaging activities, it allows students to apply the concepts from the text by completing activities for each chapter: – use actual sport and exercise psychology instruments to assess their skills – determine how to respond to real-life scenarios (with short answers or essays) – review research studies and experiments – search the internet for relevant information – apply and test their understanding of principles and concepts of sport and exercise psychology many of the study guide activities offer compelling audio and video clips that reveal how sport psychology consultants communicate with athletes and coaches to improve athletic experiences. these clips feature esteemed experts from the field discussing concepts that they have studied and refined during their professional careers. to further emphasize practical application, the activities can be integrated throughout a full semester, turning course units into a unified whole that builds upon itself for greater understanding of the field. in addition to the web study guide, instructors will have access to a full suite of ancillaries: an instructor guide, test package, chapter quizzes, and presentation package plus image bank. plus instructors have access to a special instructor video library featuring more than 120 video clips.

Why fight your way to the top when you can rise to it? let go of the obsession to win, and you will be victorious. acknowledge your vulnerabilities, and turn them into strengths. find the courage to risk failure, and begin your journey to success. that is the secret of the tao athlete. this remarkable book, a t'ai chi expert and a renowned sports psychologist, teach you the time-honored principles of successful performance- whether on the playing field, in the office, or in your relationships. by mastering the unique strategies and mental exercised of the tao athlete, you'll unlock the extraordinary powers of the body, mind, and spirit that will lead you to victory in any field of endeavor. — publisher description

Discover the inspirational real-life stories of superstar athletes like le – bron james, stephen curry, tim howard, and more! "packs a powerful message—perseverance and passion pay off. even non-sports fans will cheer for superstars like le – bron james and stephen curry.”–scholastic teacher – team usa goalkeeper tim howard was diagnosed with tourette syndrome in 6th grade. he went on to become a national treasure after single-handedly keeping america competitive in the 2014 world cup. stephen curry was told he was too small, too weak, and too slow to even receive a scholarship to play college basketball. he outworked everyone and went on to become mvp of the national basketball association. jim abbott was born without his right hand, yet he refused to be defined by what he lacked. he went on to pitch a no-hitter in the major leagues. – athlete after athlete in this book found discipline, hope, and inspiration on the playing field, rising above their circumstances. filled with first-hand accounts from stars who exemplify the idea of enduring at all costs, rising above will serve as a must-read source of inspiration for kids and sports fans of all ages. – a scholastic teacher magazine summer reading list selection – a milwaukee journal sentinel summer reading list selection

―jason kidd, member of the naismith memorial basketball hall of fame#1 best seller in teen & young adult fitness & exercise, baseball & softball, and sports – exclusive interviews with top athletes in sports today. trust the grind reveals how these men and women reached the height of their profession. – sixteen athletes from eleven sports. each chapter tells a different story, as each superstar shares the habit that helped them accomplish their goals and reach the pinnacle of their profession. – sports fanatic or not. guaranteed to tap into your athletic edge, trust the grind, is made for sports fans and nonfans alike. fans of professional athletes get an in-depth look at their heroes' climb to the top; those less passionate about sports have the chance to read the secrets of success from some of the most talented people in the world. both learn pivotal life lessons and can immediately instill these traits and habits into their lifestyle. – a 'success habit' point of view. learn the secrets behind success, and what it takes to remain on top. with trust the grind, you learn about the value that comes with becoming disciplined, staying driven, setting goals, identifying your "why", staying active and eating right, making sacrifices, obsessing over your passion, and more. rather than harping on remarkable accolades and astonishing statistics, this story is formulated to teach you what it takes to be great in any desired field. – trust the grind includes interviews with: jason kidd, chipper jones, terrell owens, paige van – zant, manny pacquiao, mike modano, jimmie johnson, gary player, deena kastor, ryan sheckler, georges st-pierre, ryan lochte, devin hester, andruw jones, luis gonzalez, and tim hudson. – fans of books like relentless, shoot your shot, think like a warrior, the cost of these dreams, or shaken, will love trust the grind.

Why do sports captivate people? they allow us to watch human beings achieve peak performance, but, beyond physical strength and skill, what's really impressive is an athlete's mental prowess—their will to succeed, engagement with their environment, and self-confidence.in life as sport, sport psychologist dr. jonathan fader shares the skills that he teaches professional athletes—to enhance motivation, set productive goals, sharpen routines, manage stress, and clarify thought processes—and applies them to real-world situations. dr. fader's book is the product of thousands of hours of conversations with athletes from various teams and sports: power forwards, tennis phenoms, power-hitting outfielders, and battle-scarred linebackers, as well as hedge-fund managers, entrepreneurs, a-list actors, and dozens of other elite achievers in sports, business, and performing arts. it offers a compendium of stories, theories, and techniques that have been helpful to players, coaches, and executives in professional sports. what emerges is more than just a set of techniques, but a life philosophy that anyone can live by: an internal code to help translate our talent and drive toward the highest plateaus of performance.dr. fader designs his strategies to be studied, learned, practiced, and improved. he offers his readers the same exercises that he uses in every session with a professional athlete. these exercises help you to get truly engaged, whether you are designing a new business plan, working to inspire a team or individual, or even falling in love. this is what it means to truly live life as sport—to approach it with the same immediacy, wonder, and engagement that athletes feel at their peak during a game. life as sport helps you to pursue your own goals with an enriched intensity—not only because it creates new potential, but also because it helps you unlock what was always there to begin with.

Mental training is just as important as physical training when it comes to success in sport. and like physical fitness, mental toughness is something that can be taught and learned. yet many young athletes have not learned the psychological skills needed to develop their best game. this book was written specifically for young athletes interested in improving their performance and reaching their potential in sport. bring your "a" game introduces key strategies for mental training, such as goal setting, pre-performance routines, confidence building, and imagery. each of the seventeen chapters focuses on a single mental skill and offers key points and exercises designed to reinforce the concepts. the book encourages athletes to incorporate these mental skills into their daily lives and practice sessions so that they become second nature during competition. whether used at home by student athletes or assigned by coaches as part of team development, bring your "a" game will help young performers develop a plan for success and learn to deal with the challenges of pursuing excellence in sport.

Mental training is just as important as physical training when it comes to success in sport. and like physical fitness, mental toughness is something that can be taught and learned. yet many young athletes have not learned the psychological skills needed to develop their best game. this book was written specifically for young athletes interested in improving their performance and reaching their potential in sport. bring your "a" game introduces key strategies for mental training, such as goal setting, pre-performance routines, confidence building, and imagery. each of the seventeen chapters focuses on a single mental skill and offers key points and exercises designed to reinforce the concepts. the book encourages athletes to incorporate these mental skills into their daily lives and practice sessions so that they become second nature during competition. whether used at home by student athletes or assigned by coaches as part of team development, bring your "a" game will help young performers develop a plan for success and learn to deal with the challenges of pursuing excellence in sport.

Instant new york times bestseller the only research-based guide for connecting a plant-based diet with peak athletic performance, featuring interviews with professional athletes who've made the switch from meat to plants. – the plant-based athlete by matt frazier and robert cheeke reveals the incontrovertible proof that the human body does not need meat, eggs, or dairy to be strong. instead, research shows that a consciously calibrated plant-based diet offers the greatest possible recovery times, cell oxidation, injury prevention, and restorative sleep, and allows athletes to train more effectively, with better results. – however, committing to a plant-based diet as an elite athlete, first-time marathoner, or weekend warrior isn't as simple as swapping vegetables for meat. even the slightest food adjustments can impact performance. that's why matt frazier, founder of no meat athlete, and robert cheeke, founder of vegan bodybuilding, wrote this groundbreaking book, to guide those interested in making this important shift in how to do so with the best, most transformative results. – the plant-based athlete offers readers: a persuasive body of evidence for adopting a plant-based lifestyle, with key information about how macronutrients, micronutrients, and calories fuel a body running on plant foods – an entire chapter devoted to protein – why plant sources of protein are preferable over meat, and how plant protein can be used to increase strength, muscle mass, and power60+ delicious and nutritious plant-based recipes, including veggie burger patties, garden meatballs, summer pasta salad, vegan mac & cheese, french toast, acai bowl, and a high-energy smoothie – insights from winning plant-based athletes in nearly every sport including champion ultrarunners rich roll and scott jurek; former nfl player david carter; champion boxers yuri foreman, unsal arik, cam awesome, and vanessa espinoza; and olympic-level swimmers, cyclists, figure skaters, sprinters, and more. – a day in the life of a plant-based athlete – examples of what, when, and how different athletes eat to fuel their varied workouts – an instant classic and mainstay on health and fitness shelves everywhere, the plant-based athlete is the ultimate invitation for joining the growing community of athletes who use plants to power their workouts and their every day.

In life as in sports, it's how you play the game that matters you don't have to be a star athlete to take away valuable lessons from the world of sports, whether it's learning how to get along with others, to never give up, or to be gracious in victory and defeat. in this companion volume to his new york times bestseller, the games do count, brian kilmeade reveals personal stories of the defining sports moments in the lives of athletes, ceos, actors, politicians, and historical figures—and how what they learned on the field prepared them to handle life and overcome adversity with courage, dignity, and sportsmanship.

For more than two decades, legendary trainer tim grover has taken the greats—michael jordan, kobe bryant, dwyane wade, and hundreds of relentless competitors in sports, business, and every walk of life—and made them greater. now, for the first time ever, he reveals what it takes to achieve total mental and physical dominance, showing you how to be relentless and achieve whatever you desire.direct, blunt, and brutally honest, grover breaks down what it takes to be unstoppable: you keep going when everyone else is giving up, you thrive under pressure, you never let your emotions make you weak. in “the relentless 13,” he details the essential traits shared by the most intense competitors and achievers in sports, business, and all walks of life. relentless shows you how to trust your instincts and get in the zone; how to control and adapt to any situation; how to find your opponent’s weakness and attack. grover gives you the same advice he gives his world-class clients—“don’t think”—and shows you that anything is possible. packed with previously untold stories and unparalleled insight into the psyches of the most successful and accomplished athletes of our time, relentless shows you how even the best get better and how you can too.

Maximize the development of your athletes and team throughout the year, and just maybe win a postseason title in the process. the coach doc, dr. wade gilbert, shares his research-supported doses of advice that have helped coaches around the globe troubleshoot their ailing programs into title contenders. his field-tested yet innovative prescriptions and protocols for a more professional approach to coaching are sure to produce positive results both in competitive outcomes and in the enjoyment of the experience for athletes and coaches. coaching better every season applies to all sports and guides coaches through the critical components of continual improvement while progressing from one season to the next in the annual coaching cycle. it also presents many practical exercises and evaluation tools that coaches can apply to athletes and teams at all levels of competition. this text is sure to make every year of coaching a more rewarding, if not a trophy-winning, experience.

What separates good athletes from great athletes? more importantly, what does it take for a good athlete to become a great athlete? is it practice? talent? the right set of circumstances? after over 5 years of studying the most elite performers in the world (from special operations soldiers to olympic athletes), dr. jason winkle has discovered the answer. it turns out the best athletes in the world all have one thing in common: they can perform under high-pressure situations. winkle explores sports performance from the perspective of fear, stress, and anxiety and shows us not only how the greatest athletes in the world operate, but how you can take their same techniques and apply them to your team or sport. what coaches, elite operators, and professional athletes are saying: "dr. winkle's real life experiences with the us military, high-performance athletic teams, and individual athletes make this book a great read for coaches and professionals in a leadership position, giving insightful examples of what young athletes need to progress not only in their sport, but in real life situations." – james hilvert, head football coach, thomas more college "this is a must read for every athlete and team. dr. winkle is brilliant with his words in inspiring athletes and teams to be the best by raising their standard of excellence." – kylie hutson, nike and team pacer, professional pole vaulter "as an athlete, former law enforcement officer, and current special operator, the need to perform at a high level has been paramount in my life. the insights that dr. winkle shares in this book speak exactly to the mindset necessary to be a high level performer, on the battlefield, on the court, and in life. learn well these lessons because in the world of special operations, performing at a high level might mean the success of the mission and the lives of your teammates." – special operations soldier (currently serving) * * *

What is life really like for the elite athlete? how does the experience of being a professional sports person differ from the popular perceptions of fans, journalists or academics? why might elite sports people experience mental health difficulties away from the public gaze? in the first book-length study of its kind, kitrina douglas and david carless present the life stories of real elite athletes alongside careful analysis and interpretation of those stories in order to better understand the experience of living in sport. drawing on psychology, sociology, counselling, psychotherapy and narrative theory, and on narrative research in sports as diverse as golf, track and field athletics, judo and hockey, they explore the ways in which the culture of sport interacts with the mental health, development, identity and life trajectories of elite and professional sports people in highly pressurised and sometimes unhealthy environments. by casting light on a previously under-researched aspect of sport, the book makes a call for strategies to be put in place to minimise difficulties or distress for athletes, for support to be tailored across the different life phases, and highlights the potential benefits in terms of athlete well-being and improved performance. the book also considers how these important issues relate to broader cultural and social factors, and therefore represents important reading for any student or professional with an interest in sport psychology, coaching, sport sociology, youth sport, counselling, or exercise and mental health.