Book Title –
The Brave Athlete : (Calm the F@ck down and Rise to the Occasion)
Author –
by Simon Marshall, Lesley Paterson
Rating –
Plot –
The book splits into 13 common fears /negative thought patterns surrounding sport and explains why they occur and also how best to deal with them. The book delivers tools and exercises to complete to alter the thought process-surrounding these questions. The questions / statements are split over the 13 chapters and are as follows:-
- Why do I have thoughts and feelings I don’t want?
- I wish I felt more like an athlete.
- I don’t think I can.
- I don’t achieve my goals.
- Other athletes seem tougher,happier, and more badass than me.
- I feel fat.
- I don’t cope well with injury.
- People are worried about how much I exercise.
- I don’t like leaving my comfort zone.
- When the going gets tough, the tough leave me behind.
- I need to harden the f*ck up.
- I keep screwing up.
- I don’t handle pressure well.
Positive things about the book–
I really liked this book – although its not a quick book to read, as you have to understand the words a little more than just reading them. The content is great and the fact the two authors have a high level sport background and tap into theirpersonal experiences to highlight the points made in the book.
Working with high level athletes its interesting from my point of view to acknowledge these thoughts and management strategies butmore for myself it was really good to read about “legit quits” and “shitquits”. Giving up because of a valid reason or giving up simple due to giving up. I have been in this scenario many times during my training and I have incorporated many tools for managing these.
Negativethings about the book –
There weren’t many, I love the brain and to educate myself further on its role in sport was great. The terminology at times does get a little confusing but in order to understand it reading and re-reading certain chapters helped.
Recommend for –
This book took me along time to finish and understand, but the tools it has given me have beenvery worthwhile. I personally love the psychological side of the human, but don’t fully understand it so this was a great step tohelp on my personal educational level. A toe in the water so to speak. Training wise I feel like reading this book has made me a Braver Athlete and aware of scenarios that may affect my thinking, and therefore can adjust my thinking. The injury section was great to read and fully helped shape aspects ofmy practise to manage this.
Thanks for reading, would be great to hear your feedback.
Also I am so keen to create a virtual book club, so if you have read a book recently and would like to share a review please drop me a line.
Run Long and Prosper
James
