Koncocoo

Best Sports Coaching

The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.
Whether you’re coaching soccer or teaching a child to play the piano, writing a novel or trying to improve your golf swing, this revolutionary book shows you how to grow talent by tapping into a newly discovered brain mechanism. Drawing on cutting-edge neurology and firsthand research gathered on journeys to nine of the world’s talent hotbeds—from the baseball fields of the Caribbean to a classical-music academy in upstate New York—Coyle identifies the three key elements that will allow you to develop your gifts and optimize your performance in sports, art, music, math, or just about anything. Combining revelatory analysis with illuminating examples of regular people who have achieved greatness, this book will not only change the way you think about talent, but equip you to reach your own highest potential. Providing detailed examples from a variety of different sources, Coyle's work becomes as motivational as the stories he presents. What emerges is both a testament to the remarkable potential we all have to learn and perform and an indictment of any idea that our individual capacities and limitations are fixed at birth."—Dr. I only wish I’d never before used the words ‘breakthrough’ or ‘breathtaking’ or ‘magisterial’ or ‘stunning achievement’ or ‘your world will never be the same after you read this book.’ Then I could be using them for the first and only time as I describe my reaction to Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. “Daniel Coyle digs deep into the core of the insatiable desire to become ‘better.’ An amazing read with many practical applications for everyday life.” —Apolo Anton Ohno, Olympic gold medalist.
Reviews
"Daniel Coyle does a great job of research on this topic and enlightens us about how talented people in many fields have come to be and how there are ways to insure that the future holds better than average chances that more talented people will be developed by the teaching and coaching methods explained in the book."
"This book just takes a few hours to read and is well worth it."
"Very interesting reading."
"This book has changed my perspective forever."
"...But this amazing book will describe the physiological reasons some of us get good at things - through existential impulses, process ignition, a lot of practice, and perhaps some hands-on coaching along the way."
"Very interesting reading!"
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Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes
Using the dramatic competition between the top contenders at the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games® as a background, Ben explores the step-by-step process of achieving excellence and the unique set of positive character traits necessary for leveling up to world-class. "Ben's ability to develop mental toughness and the approach he shares in Chasing Excellence is a game changer for athletes in any sport." - Chris Hinshaw , Professional Triathlete, winner of Ironman Brazil and Creator of AerobicCapacity.com. "This book will do for you what Ben has done for me--take you to the next level and show you how to be the best.
Reviews
"I got this book as part of the KindleUnlimited program, but was planning on buying the hardcopy when it was released. I follow Ben's podcast and am a member of the Comptrain Masters program that Harry Palley & he have created. The book is written in a user friend and non-academic way, so you can draw some inspiration for the stories and small bits of encouragements. The title leads one to believe you'll find ways to "Chase Excellence" using specific details on "Commitment", "Grit", "Positivity", "Confidence", "Maximizing Minutes", "The Process" and more. As alluded to at the end is a line where Ben shares how Mat, Katrin and Cole tell him not to "give away the playbook", but that's what the title and chapters alude to. That said, there is nothing here that prepares one to chase excellence that you can't get from "The Obstacle is the Way", "Ego is the Enemy", "Mastery" or other books. Save your money and buy "The Obstacle is the Way" if you want practical insights in living many of the principles briefly discussed in "Chasing Excellence"."
"Excellent, this is and is not a self help book."
"I already wanted Ben as my life coach, not just Crossfit, and this book cemented that desire."
"Great read."
"If your an athlete good."
"This was a nice read."
"This inspiring book went well beyond the making of the world's fittest man and woman."
"Very good read, useful and helpful tips to approach habits and life."
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The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World's Greatest Teams
From the founding editor of The Wall Street Journal ’s sports section comes a bold new theory of leadership drawn from the elite captains who inspired their teams to achieve extraordinary success. Drawing on original interviews with athletes from two dozen countries, as well as general managers, coaches, executives, and others skilled at building teams, Walker identifies the seven core qualities of this Captain Class—from extreme doggedness and emotional control to a knack for nonverbal communication to tactical aggression and the courage to stand apart. Told through riveting accounts of some of the most pressure-soaked moments in sports history—from Bill Russell’s legendary “Coleman Play” in the 1957 NBA Finals to Barcelona’s “Figo Game” against Real Madrid in 2000— The Captain Class doesn’t just bring these events to life; it presents a fresh, counterintuitive take on leadership that can be applied to a wide spectrum of competitive disciplines. This one was fresh.” —Jeff Immelt, chairman and former CEO, General Electric “Well-researched, wildly entertaining, and thought-provoking, Sam Walker’s The Captain Class presents compelling narratives about the secret ingredient to the greatest teams of all time—and quickly has the reader reexamining long-held beliefs about leadership and the glue that binds winning teams together.” —Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs “The insights in this book are tremendous.” —Bob Myers, general manager, Golden State Warriors “ The Captain Class is the best book I’ve read this year. A player’s raw athletic ability and their fitness for leadership are distinct and separate things.” —Mike Dunlap, head basketball coach, Loyola Marymount University “I can’t tell you how much I loved The Captain Class . It has impacted my thoughts around how we build our culture.” —Derek Falvey, chief b aseball officer, Minnesota Twins “I couldn’t agree more with the premise of The Captain Class . I thoroughly recommend it.” —Rich Buchanan, performance director, Swansea City FC (English Premier League) “In The Captain Class , Sam Walker gives us important and original insights into the mysterious ingredients of transformative leadership. The Captain Class is one of the most surprising, best-written—and fun—sports books published in recent years.” —Don Van Natta Jr., Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author of First Off the Tee. Sam Walker is The Wall Street Journal ’s deputy editor for enterprise, the unit that oversees the paper’s in-depth page-one features and investigative reporting projects.
Reviews
"I realize that half of the readers of this review have stopped reading in sheer disgust by now, but I wanted to drive home the fact that... this is not a book about sports, or solely for sports people. When I lamented to friends that I wasn't sure about my son wanting to play college sports, those who owned some very successful and prominent businesses wasted no time telling me that a resume with "team captain" of any sport on it automatically pushed that candidate to the top of the list of potential hires. "The Captain Class" initially piqued my interest mostly because my son was captain of his high school and college lacrosse teams and I suppose I wanted to have more insight into what that position entailed than I had as a "sports mom" who went to the games, but had know idea what anyone out on the field was doing."
"Walker came away from his research convinced that these freakishly successful teams shared one, and only one common factor: each team included a captain who displayed a rare set of character qualities that transformed the team into something extraordinary. Indeed these captains often displayed characteristics that many would consider antisocial, often content to serve unglamorous supporting roles on their teams and prone toward stubborn, opportunistic behavior that furthered their one goal: a winning team."
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Best Baseball Coaching

The Big Chair: The Smooth Hops and Bad Bounces from the Inside World of the Acclaimed LosAngeles Dodgers General Manager
Mr. Colletti’s book might be even more groundbreaking [than Moneyball ] in some ways: It’s a nearly unprecedented opportunity to see what running a baseball franchise looks like through the eyeballs of an actual general manager. After reading this book, you will not only understand the job of a general manager better but also the game of baseball itself.”— Tom Verducci, author of The Cubs Way and co-author of The Yankee Years. An unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the career of famed former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager (a position also known as “The Big Chair”), whose tenure spanned nine of the most exciting and turbulent years in the franchise’s history. During his tenure with the Dodgers, Colletti had the highest winning percentage of any general manager in the National League. In The Big Chair , he lets readers in on the real GM experience from his unique vantage point—sharing the inner workings of three of the top franchises in the sport, revealing the out-of-the-headlines machinations behind the trades, the hires and the deals; how the money really works; how the decision-making really works; how much power the players really have and why—the real brass tacks of some of the most pivotal decisions made in baseball history that led to great success along with heartbreak and failure on the field. Now, in The Big Chair , readers will hear the wisdom and perspective that helped the organization change its culture and reach levels never before accomplished.” — Brian Sabean, three-time World Series champion, Executive VP, Baseball Operations, San Francisco Giants. “Ned Colletti is the best kind of baseball lifer. “Ned Colletti's terrific account of the inner workings of a baseball team is engaging, honest, accurate and a great read. “Ned has been a baseball lifer since long before he climbed up his professional ladder that stretches from Chicago through San Francisco to Los Angeles. Sharing in his journey is a must for any baseball fan, including myself.” — Chris Berman, ESPN Sportscaster “Former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti saw the team through a sale, 14 playoff wins, and the acquisitions of Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig. I don't think I've ever read any baseball executive reveal his love and passion for baseball the way Colletti does here.” –John Schulian, winner of the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing "Hard to put down.” –Boston Globe “Part baseball handbook and part Cinderella story.” – Los Angeles Times “A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of his 35 years working in the front office of the Cubs, Giants and Dodgers....More than anything, Colletti shows how being a GM is a 24/7 thrill ride.” —Chicago Tribune “Highly recommended.” – San Francisco Chronicle.
Reviews
"Ned… is a natural born storyteller… and his rise from a hockey sportswriter to a General Manager on one of the most glorious sports team in history the Los Angeles (Brooklyn) Dodgers… is a combination of both… hard work… and the stars being aligned just right… when things looked the worse. As mentioned earlier… I (according to my Dad) have “ATE-SLEPT-AND-DRANK-BASEBALL” from the time I could walk and talk… so the behind the scenes “business” details that Ned divulges from his baseball travels working for the Chicago Cubs… San Francisco Giants… and Los Angeles Dodgers… are hypnotically interesting. It’s funny… Penny always came across as a self-centered… don’t give your heart and soul to the team and fans type of guy… and the author… makes it excruciatingly clear my impressions were spot-on! Though much of the “destroying” of the Dodger storied franchise by the ownership of the feuding McCourt’s was pretty well documented in the media… especially because of court documents filed during the divorce proceedings that broke records and shocked the public… Ned takes it a step further and ties it all together… by showing what it was like trying to keep the Dodgers competitive with his hands tied behind his back… his purse strings cut… the team in bankruptcy… and Major League Baseball overseeing the running of the team until it was sold. The fact that the McCourt’s wound up making a GIGANTIC profit… as an end result of their greed and debauchery… and the staining of the great Dodger name… is despicable and nauseating. I’d like to share one of the items listed in Colletti’s timeline: “November 14, 2011 – First baseman James Loney sideswipes three cars in the evening rush hour. Police then placed Loney in arm and leg restraints and medical personnel gave him an injection to calm him down.”. REPEAT… NO CHARGES WERE FILED!"
"Talk about "Inside Baseball" this is really it !!! Especially for LA Dodger fans and anyone else who loves baseball."
"Ned shares dozens of "inside baseball" stories, including the back stories for all of the major trades he made, his dealings with Frank McCourt, and a number of players."
"As someone who is just a major baseball fan..Learning how Ned Colletti became GM, His challenges with owner Frank McCourt and how he made some of the biggest trades in baseball, a very easy read...Almost felt like you could hear Colletti's voice..Dodgers fans will love it."
"As a Dodger fan for over 50 years, this was a fascinating and interesting story of the behind-the-scenes work of a General Manager as he strives to find a winning combination of excellent players for a quality team."
"And if you are a Dodger fan you can read about the turnaround Ned started when he took over as GM."
"Coletti keeps the story moving at a brisk pace."
"I have read a lot of books on sports but never one that had the day to day breakdown of what it was like to run a major sports franchise."
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Best Basketball Coaching

The Legends Club: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Valvano, and an Epic College Basketball Rivalry
The riveting inside story of college basketball's fiercest rivalry among three coaching legends—University of North Carolina's Dean Smith, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, and North Carolina State's Jim Valvano—by the king of college basketball writers, #1 New York Times bestseller John Feinstein On March 18, 1980, the immensely powerful Duke basketball program announced the hiring of its new coach—the man who would resurrect the team, restore glory to Duke, and defeat the legendary Dean Smith, who coached down the road at UNC Chapel Hill and had turned UNC into a powerhouse. The hiring didn't raise as many eyebrows, but with the exuberant Valvano on board, two new coaches were now in place to challenge Dean Smith—and the most sensational competitive decade in history was about to unfold. Feinstein pulls back the curtain on the recruiting wars, the intensely personal competition that wasn't always friendly, the enormous pressure and national stakes, and the battle for the very soul of college basketball allegiance in a hot-bed area. "The book is one of [John Feinstein's] best, a beguilingly personal, sometimes heartbreaking look at the psychic cost of doing battle in America’s most brutally, nakedly competitive (and actual) arenas. "Feinstein entertains readers with fair, objective observations based on fact and his unique inside access gained not only through years of his coverage but also through many new interviews with former players, coaches and administrators...In a famous speech before he died, Valvano implored all of us to attempt to do three things each day: laugh, think and cry. His longstanding relationships with the principals give the book its insider appeal; his history with each man goes back decades, and the intersecting, layered looks at each are built on firsthand knowledge...Funny and smart." He is the author of A Season on the Brink and A Good Walk Spoiled , both #1 New York Times bestsellers and Last Shot , which won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for mystery writing in the Young Adult category.
Reviews
"I think that anyone interested in basketball would like this book, and especially anyone interested in college basketball should absolutely love this book."
"Anyone who is a fan of college basketball and especially the long rivalries in the ACC...this is a GREAT GREAT read."
"He tells the story of the three ACC basketball coaches' national accomplishments in an enjoyable and interesting way. Also, this book should not be viewed as taking a critical look at big-time college basketball - it doesn't, and I don't think Feinstein would ever claim that it does."
"Brought back memories of the day Dean Smith brought the Tar Heels into Providence, RI to play the Friars during my undergraduate days and PC pulling out an upset win just after a 35 inch blizzard had paralyzed the city."
"Feinstein's first book established his reputation and began his long and lucrative career as a sports journalist when he exposed the innermost secrets of the Indiana basketball program and Bob Knight's coaching techniques (also earning Knight's lifelong animosity)."
"A well written book filled with informative stories about 3 of the favorite basketball coaches in N.C., how they related to one another, & how they competed against one another."
"Basketball is a significant element of life in " Carolina " and Feinstein's book brings the historic perspective to life including players, coaches and administrations."
"It will make you think."
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Best Football Coaching

Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion
As the head coach at USC, he brought the Trojans back to national prominence, amassing a 97-19 record over nine seasons. This same mind-set and culture will shape his program as he returns to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. He reveals how his recruiting strategies, training routines, and game-day rituals preserve a team's culture year after year, during championship seasons and disappointing seasons alike. He has helped troubled kids on the streets of Los Angeles through his foundation A Better LA. Given the tough sanctions recently imposed on the USC football program for rules violations in 2004–05, when Carroll was the program’s highly successful head coach, it’s understandable if fans consider this book as much about damage control for Carroll, now the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, as a primer on how to win forever. Such as it is, Carroll and Roth’s book explains how, through decades of coaching in the college and pro ranks, he developed his successful philosophy of winning, which, in a nutshell, is Do things better than they have ever been done before. "During his time at USC Pete Carroll raised the bar in college football coaching with 7 straight BCS appearances, but as you'll read in Win Forever, his ultra competitive spirit and infectious energetic attitude have been the foundation to his many successes both on and off the field." Reading his book, it's evident that he has a clear understanding that his job is more about creating an environment and foundation for young men that can better who they are every day on and off the field." "What impressed me about Pete is his contagious, positive approach and that his talents go far beyond what makes a great football coach. This will help everyone in our organization and will play a big part in defining the Seahawks' mindset and philosophy as we move forward."
Reviews
"I bought Win Forever to understand what Carroll is about... and I was pleasantly surprised to read about the thoughtfulness of his philosophy towards his players. I also found it off-putting how many football people he mentions in the book - you may find yourself checking Wikipedia to find out who "Rocky Seto" is, only to find that there may not be a value to knowing that outside of the context of one or two sentences in this book."
"Many members of the print and electronic media would do well to read this so that they won't ask so many of the same questions over and over, allowing them to get on to more interesting things."
"More importantly, it's inspired me by reminding me my early success in life was about being a competitor in everything I do, and ultimately that we're competing against ourselves. I'd tell my teenagers this is one of the most important books they should read for future success, but that would just mean they wouldn't read it."
"Great book."
"While Pete Carroll might get mixed reviews due to the Reggie Bush scandal, he was the man responsible for the glory days of the early 2000's at USC."
"This book should be read by anyone in a leadership role, I figured this out in coaching years ago, that in order to be successful, you had to change your approach, it is a new era where just demanding respect no longer works you have to earn it."
"Win Forever is an inspiring book written by an author with a long-term streak of wins behind him."
"This is a great book to read regardless if you are a USC or Seahawks fan or even if you are not a football fan it's worth the read."
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Best Golf Coaching

FINALLY: THE GOLF SWING'S SIMPLE SECRET - A revolutionary method proved for the weekend golfer to significantly improve distance and accuracy from day one (1)
After studying the golf swing for over 25 years, JF Tamayo has developed a revolutionary method proved for the weekend golfer of any level to significantly improve distance and accuracy from day one, based on three main principles: - CAMILO VILLEGAS --CAMILO VILLEGAS. "Every weekend golfer should read this great book."
Reviews
"I have a fairly unique swing that I don't want to change and these techniques help me with my backswing turn."
"The author explains and shows images of essential moves that give the golfer increased accuracy and distance."
"These swing ideas have me hitting the ball better than ever."
"I read this book over the past week, and practiced some drills at home (without hitting a ball). I had a hard time with the setup at first with my driver during the first few holes (typically my best stick), but saw immediate improvement on irons, specially 7-9!"
"As one who took up golf only two years ago--at age 61--I can attest to the fact that the most difficult aspect of the game for beginners is getting to a point where they can strike the ball consistently and correctly off the tee and from the fairway. Then, as other reviews here have mentioned, the next hurdle--and the real secret to lowering one's score--is around the green; i.e., improving consistency and accuracy in pitching, chipping and putting. I rated it 4 stars out of 5 and here are some things that would have made it even better: First, the photos are all b&w, and I ceratinly understand the added publishing expense issues related to going beyond that. Tightening down the editing, for example, rather than shortening the book, would then have left more space for the author to elaborate on some its key points, such as the one about the exact feeling and sensation of proper lag at the start of the downswing."
"An easy read about the fundamentals of a good golf swing."
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Best Soccer Coaching

Successful Coaching-4th Edition
As America’s best-selling coaching text, Successful Coaching has helped over a million coaches develop their coaching philosophies; improve their communication, teaching, and management skills; and understand their responsibilities as a coach. The updated fourth edition of Successful Coaching offers students as well as new and veteran coaches a comprehensive guide to every aspect of coaching. Written by a coach for coaches, Successful Coaching blends the latest research and accepted practices in the sport sciences with practical advice from seasoned coaching veterans. Successful Coaching helps readers think critically about their motivation for being a coach and establish a coaching philosophy and style that pave the way for a fulfilling sport experience for coaches and their athletes. The founder and president of Human Kinetics, he also started the American Sport Education Program, the largest coaching education program in the United States. A past president of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, he has been recognized for his contribution to sport by the National Recreation and Park Association and by his induction into the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Hall of Fame.
Reviews
"Pros: - lots of topics. - chapters are well-categorized and information within them make sense. - good for any sport (though it does have somewhat of a basketball lean). - lots of good info-graphics, tables, checklists, pictures, etc so you are not just reading listlessly. - good information for all levels of coaching. - the list goes on and on - this is quite possibly the best book I have bought from Amazon so far. Cons: - Big (over 500 pages). - Would like to see more info in the "practice as games (paraphrase)" section. - Some information in the supplement breakdown is contrary to the information I am familiar with. ** Added Bonus **. Apparently this book is also the curriculum for a college course, so whether you are just thinking about buying it and want more information, or you already own it and want a "quick reference" there is a very good support site here: [...]. I have read several books on coaching, and this is by far, the most comprehensive."
"The book took awhile to arrive and by the time it did, it stank, if what I'm not sure? My guess was that it was stored in a meth lab or some warehouse. I aired it out in the sun and fresh air over a period of 3 months, meticulously turning each page every few days, and smelling each page to ensure the smell was gone."
"This should be required reading for all coaches, sports instructors, Martial Artists and parents."
"ordered this for a class I took, great condition."
"The book is set up much like a field manual with tasks, conditions and standards, which can be use as a basis for situations and cross referencing in multiple sports."
"Contacted amazon was told I had to spend another 29 dollars to purchase paperback to take text and finish my class."
"The book came in great condition."
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Best Swimming

Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier
Swim better—and enjoy every lap—with Total Immersion, a guide to improving your swimming from an expert with more than thirty years of experience in the water. Eddie Reese 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 United States Olympic Coach and Head Coach, University of Texas (six-time NCAA champions) The most valuable service a good coach provides is to sharpen your technique, not make you work harder.
Reviews
"I am not like Olympic swimmer great b/c that's absurd, but I do swim a lot better and also, the most important thing is that I enjoy swimming now."
"That means low effort against high speed which is basically efficient swimming. A warning - if you like to swing your arms into the water with full force, crank your neck up to gulp air, or create huge froth as you kick your legs wildly, this book is not for you."
"i am a 42 year old who just learned to swim this year."
"This book really makes me think about how I'm swimming."
"The point is that I found this book helpful even as a neophyte in the water, though I think the people who will profit most from it will be people who can already swim adequately but want to improve, although Laughlin stresses that anyone from beginners through competitive athletes can benefit. I think that as a beginning swimmer if I had read the book without first watching the DVD I would have gotten very little out of it, and would have probably given the book a lower rating. As it is I see the book as an indispensable companion for the DVD, and really think they should be sold as a set, the alternative being to profusely illustrate a new edition of the book with numerous photographs. The DVD is relatively expensive, and if you have some swimming experience the book will have more value on its own than it does for beginners like me, but in all cases the book and DVD are mutually reinforcing, and are of much greater help when used together. If you want to be a better freestyle swimmer, this book can help you."
"Understand also that I'm old, a senior who led an active outdoor life until my knees gave out, and I washed up into the backwater of swimming and kayaking, all that remains for the older athlete when your legs give out. There are a lot of similarities between TI swimming and kayaking, as both are somewhat concerned with a principle of that naval architects call "hull speed." for every description, and speaks excessively of "training" and "drills," which may appeal to a certain class of competitive athlete interested in winning races, but leaves me dead on arrival. A competitive swimmer or triathlete would understandably disagree because coaching, training, drills and dedication may be music to his ears. But TI needs to hire a professional technical writer to rewrite a version with illustrations for the common man who isn't a competitive swimmer or triathlete, and who isn't interested in personal bests or races, a version for somebody who just wants to learn from good pictures and illustrations with well-designed, descriptive captions, and wants to swim effortlessly and gracefully in a noncompetitive world of his own."
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Best Softball

Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big & Believe in Yourself
A smart, credible, and accomplished voice from an athlete who is strong and feminine, fiercely competitive, and fashionably cool, Jennie is someone young women will listen to and take to heart. Killion has covered the major national and international sports issues of the past two decades, including the rise of Olympic softball.
Reviews
"Listening to her speak, watching how she interacts with kids, passion for her sport, reasons for her decisions in life all make me proud that my daughter's idol is Jennie."
"Great book for young girls who love softball."
"My daughter really enjoyed the book."
"My daughter loves this book, glad I bought it for her."
"My daughter was going through a rough time and This book is so relatable that it pulled her back up and made her want to fight harder."
"Great inspirational book aimed at young ladies in middle and high school."
"Encouragement is exactly what this book offers and that's really good because it gives us the young people a self drive,esteem a and an inspiration ,someone to look up to and I really thank Jennie finch personally wherever she is and I gave this rating because I was really inspired and I appreciated it a lot and I will continue reading her insp."
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Best Triathlons

Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and DiscoveringMyself
Plunging into a new way of eating that made processed foods off-limits and that prioritized plant nutrition, and vowing to train daily, Rich morphed—in a matter of mere months —from out-of-shape midlifer to endurance machine . Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans against each other in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. ''Rich Roll's Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what's possible.''. --John Brenkus, creator and host of ESPN's Sport Science and New York Times bestselling author. ''You walk away from reading this book knowing you have the total power to transform your life on every level . '' Finding Ultra'' is about a journey we all take as human beings, when we decide to pursue the impossible and live a life of mission. --Sanjay Gupta, MD, Emmy Award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and New York Times bestselling author. -- Mel Stewart, fourteen-time national champion, former world record holder, and winner of two Olympic gold medals in swimming. ''Roll has accomplished amazing things, but it is his ability to draw inspiring and uniquely insightful lessons from his experiences that sets him apart from other extreme athletes. '' Finding Ultra is an inspired first-person account of fast living and even faster swimming, biking, and running that will leave you convinced of the power of your own will.''. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children and, when he isn't training or competing, manages the entertainment boutique Independent Law Group.
Reviews
"This book will make the impossible possible for you."
"I really liked this book."
"A great read and very inspirational."
"Very inspiring."
"I enjoyed this book and you will too if you are a runner or interested in nutrition or veganism. Also on the edge when it comes to nutrition."
"This isn't a how-to manual or preachy sermon about "living right", it's just about one mans journey from lazy to amazing."
"This book is one of the most fascinating and well written books that I have read."
"The only thing I didn't like about the audio CD was that there was no additional list information of the foods he mentions in his book, so I bought the book to see the lists."
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Best 15-Minute Sports & Outdoors Short Reads

Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation
A North Carolina barbecue pit master tutors him in the primal magic of fire; a Chez Panisse–trained cook schools him in the art of braising; a celebrated baker teaches him how air transforms grain and water into a fragrant loaf of bread; and finally, several mad-genius “fermentos” (a tribe that includes brewers, cheese makers, and all kinds of picklers) reveal how fungi and bacteria can perform the most amazing alchemies of all. Relying upon corporations to process our food means we consume large quantities of fat, sugar, and salt; disrupt an essential link to the natural world; and weaken our relationships with family and friends. Learning to cook elevated humans from lone animals into increasingly intelligent, civilized groups, and though we spend scant time doing real cooking, we’ve become obsessed with watching people cook--a paradox that points to longing for a lost experience. An Italian-trained Iranian American teaches him the subtleties of proper cooking in pots, how to coax maximum flavor from humble vegetables, herbs, meats, and water. The harnessing of fungi and molds to ferment sauerkraut and beer and produce cheeses illuminates the fine and ever-shifting boundaries between tastiness and rot and how the human palate can be trained.
Reviews
"He concentrated on fire, water, air, and earth to describe different ways how food is processed naturally. The author did explain these four fundamental processes to teach us how to prepare food for our selves and even alcoholic beverages away from industrialized processed food picked up from supermarkets. Moreover, he taught us food science along the way what is happening to our food and even what happens to us tasting and digesting food."
"bake bread, pickle vegetables, make cheese and brew beer, Michael Pollan explores the history, science, and social and cultural impacts of cooking."
"Same good writing and same focus on food, which Pollan rightly recognizes as a key part of human development and culture. He also highlights the cultural and social aspects of cooking as key elements of our human development."
"By cooking, one way or the other, those ancestors managed to do part of the work of digestion outside their body so they, like our relatives the apes/monkeys don't have to spend hours every day chewing to get the nutrients they needed from their food."
"Pollan once again displays his ability to seamlessly weave different facts and ideas together to form a powerful narrative about human's relationship to nature as bridged by the act of cooking. I also loved that he even touched on some of the political economy, ethical and social issues accompanying some of the culinary crafts."
"bought this a special request for an 8th grader book project."
"Pollan writing, with such verve and enthusiasm, and from hands on personal experience, gives a lively account of the several methods of transforming raw edibles into food---what we eat and drink."
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Best Karate

Coaching: The 7 Laws Of Coaching: Powerful Coaching Skills That Will Predict Your Team’s Success (7 Laws, coaching questions, coaching books, the coaching habit)
In Brian Cagneey’s The 7 Laws of Coaching: Powerful Coaching Skills that will Predict Your Team’s Success! All business books and coaching books will tell you that the coaching habit is a difficult challenge, and how to coach is no easy task, but when you put these coaching skills to the test, you’ll be coaching teams to winning performances in no time! In The 7 Laws of Coaching , Brian Cagneey explains: The 1st Law of Coaching: Developing the Right Mindset The 2nd Law of Coaching: Being Strong Without Being Mean The 3rd Law of Coaching: The Secret to Finding Solutions The 4th Law of Coaching: A Special Ingredient for Motivating People The 5th Law of Coaching: The Forgotten Law of Getting Results The 6th Law of Coaching: The Only Way Someone Can Improve The 7th Law of Coaching: Keeping Everyone on Track. Tags: coaching, coaching business, coaching questions, questions for coaches, coaching books, coaching sports, books on coaching, habits of coaching, habits of a coach, the coaching habit, coaching skills, coaching skill, how to be a good coach, how to coach, coaching teams, coaching business teams, life coaching.
Reviews
"A crucial aspect of coaching involves maintaining a positive presence and motivating people to give their best."
"Helpful book!"
"A nice business school approach to "coaching," where coaching is represented as a series of skills that can be utilized in the workplace, for sports, or for any other activity in which one individual mentors a group of other individuals while simultaneously energizing that group into reaching enthusiastically for a mutual goal."
"Author uses simple, understandable wording and everything is so easily applied by beginners and budding coaches."
"Still reading but so far it is making good coaching points."
"This book is an amazing piece of inspirational writing."
"I learned a lot from this book so i can not wait to apply it to my job."
"I learned a lot of useful information and now recommend it to all your friends."
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Best Volleyball

Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence
Gary's lessons and David's writing provide examples of the importance of the mental game." Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes--many of whom he has worked with--you will learn the same techniques and exercises Mack uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." In Mind Gym , noted sports psychology consultant Gary Mack teaches athletes the lessons he's learned about how the mind influences athletic performance as much as physical skill does, if not more so. Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes--many of whom he has worked with--Mack shares the same techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle."
Reviews
"Great book-easy to read and provides a lot of good insight into mental training and imagery."
"This is my go-to sports psychology book for encouragement."
"I have always tried to emphasize the importance of mental training to my athletes and clients."
"Great book."
"Actually, the book was recommended by one of my former athletes, a state champion."
"Reading Mind Gym helped me work through fears and insecurities that were holding me back from skiing at the best of my ability."
"Excellent book to get an athlete to consider the mental aspect of sport."
"Best book ever for mental strength on any sport and just all around confidence in life."
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Best Miscellaneous

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
The #1 New York Times –bestselling story about American Olympic triumph in Nazi Germany and now the inspiration for the PBS documentary “The Boys of ‘36” For readers of Unbroken , out of the depths of the Depression comes an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant. It encompasses the convergence of transcendent British boatmaker George Pocock; the quiet yet deadly effective UW men’s varsity coach, Al Ulbrickson; and an unlikely gaggle of young rowers who would shine as freshmen, then grow up together, a rough-and-tumble bunch, writes Brown, not very worldly, but earnest and used to hard work. In doing so, he offers a vivid picture of the socioeconomic landscape of 1930s America (brutal), the relentlessly demanding effort required of an Olympic-level rower, the exquisite brainpower and materials that go into making a first-rate boat, and the wiles of a coach who somehow found a way to, first, beat archrival University of California, then conquer a national field of qualifiers, and finally, defeat the best rowing teams in the world.
Reviews
"But by taking every sliver of hope, and mixing in superb craftsmanship (from George Pocock), excellent coaching (Al Ulbrickson), and these nine perfectly attuned young men learning together........the result was perfection. It is nice to learn something you never knew, but is common knowledge to an entire set of other people. Concepts from Daniel Brown to consider that are mixed into the story to teach all of us: 1) One of the fundamental challenges in rowing is that when any one member of a crew goes into a slump the entire crew goes with him. The speed of a racing shell is determined primarily by two factors: the power produced by the combined strokes of the oars, and the stroke rate, the number of strokes the crew takes each minute. There are other great ideas to ponder in this epic almost 400 page, could-not-put-down story."
"held local discussions, and had an opportunity to meet the author locally.If you like learning about history through a good story, this is the book for you."
"I enjoyed reading the book, although inn places it seemed a little long, or to put it another way; more information than we needed."
"Rantz is the main character in this book, and the book begins with Brown meeting a dying Rantz before transitioning back in time to Rantz’s first semester of college. Sections on Ulbrickson’s struggle to produce a winning team and sections on Hitler and Goebbels planning the Berlin Olympics illustrate the long and pivotal road to the crew team events."
"We learn about the amazing growing-up experiences of Joe Rantz, we see the pride, skill and wisdom of a master boatbuilder, we witness a beautiful love story, and we experience the chill of pre-war Nazi Germany."
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