Master of Change: The Case for Rugged Flexibility

by Brad Stulberg

'A fascinating and inspiring field guide for plunging into uncertainty' - Oliver Burkeman
'A powerful roadmap for a tumultuous world' - Cal Newport

Master of Change offers a captivating and compelling new framework for negotiating our changing world and workplace, and going on to thrive within uncertainty.

While we see change as an exception and instability as something to overcome, change is actually an enduring principle of all our lives. Indeed, research shows that, on average, people experience thirty-six major 'disorder events' in the course of their adulthood. The mark of success is how we can flourish not by fighting but by embracing change.

Borrowing from the high-performance world of business, resilience-training and mindset-hacking, science and spirituality, philosophy and psychology, bestselling author and coach Brad Stulberg equips the reader with 'rugged flexibility' - a revelatory new framework to help overcome the challenge of change. When we start to implement rugged flexibility, we learn to view change as ongoing cycle of order, disorder, and reorder, and we become adept at thriving in the midst of flux.

The result of becoming a master of change is to be less stressed, less anxious and more confident, to experience sustained performance at work and beyond, and be happier and more fulfilled in life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Business, Personal Development, Philosophy, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of Master of Change, The Practice of Groundedness, and co-author of Peak Performance.

Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets.

He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being.

He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Follow him on Intagram @Bradstulberg and Twitter @Bstulberg and learn more at www.bradstulberg.com

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the most of the content is informative and useful, I just couldn’t get past the blatant leftist political bias of the author. Early in the book, the author states, “I don’t want to get political…” yet does exactly that with a deranged Trump rant. Why am I having to read a book about change management with politics and Covid mentioned every other paragraph?

It seems the majority of books written after 2020 just can’t help inserting politics into the discussion. These authors would be better off if they focused on their subject matter expertise.

[Dalia (book_o_creativity) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If not all but most of us fear the change. Change is an inevitable and universal truth. The more we resist it, the more difficult it becomes to deal with. Navigating our lives through change is not as easy as it seems but not something that is impossible to achieve. In this book we learn how to skillfully understand the dynamics of our changing surrounding and build a mental map to navigate in life in a much more fluid way. "Master Of Change" is not a 'how to guide' but an exploration to the human mind.

"Master Of Change" is a nonfiction, self help book exploring the less talked about topic of 'Change'. This book came to me when I myself was about to take a massive step in my life, a change that's gonna impact me and my surroundings. I devoured the book with an open mind. What I really liked about this book was, it doesn't feel like a guide rather it allows you to process the learnings according to your circumstances. Throughout my journey, the lessons I gathered from this book helped me stay grounded. The book is divided into sections, diving deep into the subject, driving home the points. Connotations from real life examples was another noteworthy point to be remembered.

Coming to the writing, I was hooked by the soothing tone of the writing. It instantly put the overthinking and judgements aside and allowed my mind to take it all. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It may help in difficult times.

[C.K. Sorens · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there were definitely moments of feeling called out in this book, there were absolutely pieces of validation in here, too. Brad has an amazing ability to dig deep into a matter and provide an actionable system towards improvement.

[Robert Sutherland · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 240 pages, Brad Stulberg squeezed in 10 worthwhile pages of information. The rest was Buddhist and Stoic philosophy, left leaning sermonizing, and way too much discussion of the pandemic and 2020 election. Pick something else to read.

[Marshall Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life at the perfect time to deal with allostasis. 4 days after its release, I suffered an avulsion fracture in my foot that changed my life. However, I was able to utilize the tools from this book to deal with the order, disorder, reorder, and make it to the other side. It was a challenging experience, but I was able to focus on the other "rooms" in my house while my "running/exercise room" was burning.

Many individuals came up to me to express sympathy and express how depressing the experience would be. However, with the practices that Brad discusses in this book (and in his other books, which I also highly recommend), I have maintained a very positive outcome on my road to recovery.

As a society, I think everyone would greatly benefit from reading this book!

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going through some shit right now, and really wanted to get something from this book. Instead I was reminded of the reason I don't read self help any more. Each section/chapter has a couple of pages of bullet point wrap up. That's all you need. I don't want to read the long bio of the nine fingered rock climber. If you need a nine fingered rock climber to make your point you've already lost me. There was enough actual material for a good sized article and not much more.

Frankly, I get more from the occult books I read than this shit. I think its because the occult books are about what to DO, and despite what this book promises it delivers a book about how to think and feel and not a book of actions and practices. Not what I felt I was promised, not what I was looking for.

Edit: The longer I sit with this book, the more I get out of it. The self helpy format still bugs the shit out of me, but there is a wisdom here and it's growing on me. So added a couple of stars.

[David Pulliam · Rating 1 out of 5]

The authors method is to find everything in common between religion, science and eastern philosophy, but before he gets into the “actionable section” he takes the time to say the cause for conservatives being duped by Trump is that there resistant to change. The rest of the book is a bit like the Matrix, vague, strange and a hodgepodge of ideas from popular science, some eastern philosophy and Greek philosophy. Oh there is a Christian prayer.

Two good takeaways:
1. Stick to your core values.
2. Be flexible about everything.

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a review copy from either the author, the publisher or a publicist. I have not been compensated for this recommendation. I have selected it as Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 10/29, as it stands heads above other recently published books on this topic.

[Karli Sewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year will afford me the biggest change my life has seen. With change is the notion that, and an urge, to fight for things to “remain the same.” Perhaps the most powerful thing in this book was the permission to allow myself to fully embrace change by not attempting to control ALL aspects to remain the same…

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Brad’s writing. It’s a great mix of sports and business, and this book has given me a lot to think about on both fronts.

💡💡💡💡

[Erick Harp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very unfortunate that the author writes about the benefits of change, yet his political bias is overwhelming with a condescending approach to those who disagree with him. This book has not aged well in a post-Covid environment. While I generally do not pre-screen authors of their politics, Brad Stulberg is making me reconsider this policy. I am curious in 2025 if he has adopted any change.

[Thomas Hefke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide to be more resilient and future ready. By being more flexible and more stable.

Lot of great examples and in Depth explanations.
Take your time to digest. No easy weekend beach read

[Andy]

DNF. Annoying scientifical blah blah as if resilience were a new idea.

[anchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wished I like this book more, because I really like Stulberg's previous book, The Practice of Groundedness. Overall, the book is about how to respond to changes, and it does not teach me anything new or practical (or I just get too used with changes).

[Daksh Jindal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good comprehensive book needed for the modern times. Gives you some very important psychological tools to navigate through the changing times. If you think about them deeply, they will sink in and can make you mentally strong in difficult times.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things I enjoyed, some things I didn't (the politics). I'd save myself the book reading and stick to following the author on Instagram--lots of great insights there, no book required!

[jessiah marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Master of Change by Brad Stulberg, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability and cultivating a resilient mindset. Life is full of uncertainty, and navigating it requires openness to change and the ability to redefine yourself when circumstances shift. I’ve come to appreciate the concept of a fluid identity—acknowledging that we are made up of contradictions and are constantly evolving. By defining myself broadly and embracing change as a natural part of life, I can reduce the fear of disruption and maintain balance across different aspects of my life.

Another key takeaway is the role of core values in providing stability during times of change. These values act as a compass, guiding me when things feel uncertain or chaotic. Whether it’s through personal reflection or learning from examples like businesses that have thrived by staying true to their principles while adapting their methods, I’ve realized that change doesn’t mean abandoning what matters most. Instead, it’s about engaging with change thoughtfully, shaping it, and using it as a force for growth without losing sight of who I am.

Lastly, the book has reinforced the importance of self-kindness and emotional awareness in facing challenges. I’ve learned that suffering often stems from resisting pain and that self-compassion is a powerful tool for persistence. Treating myself with the same understanding I would offer a friend and believing in my ability to handle change (self-efficacy) are key to building resilience. By developing a mindset that values responsiveness over reactivity, I can remain grounded in an increasingly reactive world and navigate life’s complexities with grace and intention.

[Rana Habib · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 8/10

In Master of Change, Stulberg offers practical principles for cultivating a resilient mindset called "rugged flexibility," empowering readers to adapt, strengthen, and gain wisdom amidst life's constant fluctuations.

As someone who is going through a lot of pivotal moments of change, I found comfort in Stulberg's book. I'm usually open to change but sometimes when you're in the middle of the storm, it can be hard to remain optimistic.

One concept that I liked: respond not react
> Instead of being reactive to your environment, learn how to respond to it
> Stulberg introduces the 4P framework: pause, process, plan, and proceed
> First, pause and label your current emotions.
Second, process your emotions by not identifying with them but instead, observing them (ex. why did this situation cause me to feel this way?).
Third, plan by evaluating the different ways you can respond to the situation.
Fourth, proceed by taking whatever steps are necessary and adjusting your plan as you go.
> By learning how to respond and not react, you'll gain more confidence to face changes since you have the necessary tools and framework to help you overcome unexpected challenges and curveballs

If you're risk or change-averse, then I recommend reading Master of Change.

[TomHenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are struggling to deal with a major change in your life, then I strongly recommend reading this book. It offers solid advice that guided me through introspection and helped me resolve my attitude toward a particular (and particularly difficult) life change.

I think it is helpful, when reading a self-help or pop-psychology book like this one, to think of it as a book of advice -- well-written, rationally-argued, scientifically-informed advice -- but advice nonetheless, and yours to take or leave. There's no novel science or compelling narrative here -- just reasonable, pragmatic suggestions on how to deal with change. I appreciated the end-of-chapter summaries for quick reference, and Stulberg's openness about the fact that bad stuff happens whether we like it or not.

[Power In Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally garbage

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book thinking that it would be about change in organizations and that it would be helpful in my work on improving processes. It’s about that, but it’s primarily about dealing with change personally. Since organizations are composed of people, how people handle change informs the larger picture; understanding this can help you overcome barriers to change on a larger scale. But individuals are at the center here. I started reading while in the middle of a job search; I was one of the many impacted by a series of tech layoffs at the time. Finding yourself out of a job suddenly is one of those major changes, and Master of Change gave me some tools to navigate this challenge,

Since the author is a coach, it’s not surprising that the book has a lead-from-the-side kind of feel. Historical and scientific details are mixed in with personal stories and stories of people famous and not so; while a theme of the book is how to use action to get past the energy-draining impacts that change can have, Stulberg consistently points out that forced positivity is not the answer to anything. He emphasizes reflection and embracing feelings of sadness and loss, with an understanding that you can move forward.

Each chapter ends with a summary of key points, and the book ends with some key questions to ask and actions to take to help you handle change more effectively.]

At the organizational and personal level, change is constant. Accepting and adapting to it is essential. This is not a book about embracing change per se, though that’s part of it, but acknowledging the inevitability of change, understanding that it’s a path to growth, and accepting that this path forward can also include difficulties, which you need to accept and embrace as well. This quick-to-read and easy-to-review book is worth a look if you want a guide to being more resilient and want to learn how to make the most of the inevitable change around you.

[Karen Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a book club at work. I thought there was some good ideas including the concept of rugged flexibility and being centered on your personal values. The stories in the book were my favorite parts. The rock climber who experienced so much trauma and change in his life was incredibly inspiring. And, the story of Bryan Stevenson was too. The author leaned hard into Buddhism and gave a lot of examples from that perspective. I didn’t agree with his point of view on a lot of things in that regard. But, overall I appreciated the book and learned a few things.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change is a part of life, that’s the obvious fact. The tools for dealing with change sometimes aren’t that obvious. This book really blew the dust off some of the tools I’ve already had and also gave me so many more tools to try out. I love how Stulberg incorporated so many other writer’s tools as well. To me that’s the sign of a humble writer as well as a humble person, which makes me feel more trusting when it comes to listing to someone’s advice.

[Michael MacRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An outstanding introduction coupled with fascinating storytelling made me love the first half of the book, but the quality of the content drops rapidly. On the one hand I appreciate making the most important points first, but I can’t help but feel that the second half was created to “fill blank pages”. Regardless, if you’re experiencing overwhelming change in your life, this book will make a difference.

[Mike Dennisuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this excellent audiobook by Brad Stulberg. I have read several of Stulberg’s books and this is among the best. Change is a constant in our lives. He looks at how we as individuals adapt to change. How our ability to be flexible and focused effects our ability to be adaptive. The narrator was solid.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a read it, underline it, then grab a different pen so you can underline different parts when you read it a second time. Yes, we are all capable of change and adapting to it, and what Stulberg labels as change may surprise some. But actually knowing what’s going on in one’s brain and why we can handle it gives this lots of credit.

[Aidan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though this book has really great moments and advice you don't often see in the monolithic self-help genre, I found it to be dull. It feels based in a very specific moment in time, which prevents the book from aging well. I wish some extra steps were taken in its execution, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless.

[David Mcnaughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“During periods of change and disorder-what Kuhn calls "crises" —a new and stable paradigm emerges not by chance, but as a result of the values held by the people who are doing the work. The scientists navigating uncertainty follow their values until they arrive somewhere new. Scientific progress is not random. It is directed by values…”

― Brad Stulberg, Master of Change

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect life timing!

[Javier Rivero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another incredibly empty book that could be summarized into a sentence.

It’s my fault for reading this book expecting to abstract some new knowledge and information.