Regenerative Performance: How to Thrive in an Always-On World Without Sacrificing Your Well-Being

by James Hewitt

In a world obsessed with optimization, where morning routines start at dawn and work never seems to end, it's no wonder we feel more depleted than ever. Drawing from two decades of research and consulting with organizations across thirty countries, Dr. James Hewitt reveals a startling paradox: as our knowledge of performance optimization has expanded, our sense of well-being has contracted.

In this groundbreaking book, Hewitt challenges both the relentless grind of hustle culture and the passive withdrawal of “quiet quitting,” instead offering a revolutionary third way: Regenerative Performance. Through compelling research and real-world examples, he demonstrates how sustainable success comes not from perpetual optimization, but from the rhythmic oscillation between effort and renewal.

Whether you’re struggling with sleep despite tracking every metric, feeling overwhelmed by endless meetings, or caught in cycles of burnout and recovery, this book provides actionable insights to transform how you work and live. Hewitt masterfully integrates cutting-edge neuroscience, performance psychology, and his personal journey—including his experiences as a full-time racing cyclist and a cancer survivor—to show how we can thrive in an always-on world without sacrificing our well-being.

Regenerative Performance isn’t just another self-help manual—it’s a science-backed framework for achieving exceptional results while maintaining the energy and resilience needed for long-term success. Forget optimization. Master regeneration.

264 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get this book a little early through my local bookstore(!) so I’m posting this just before the publish date.

I’ve been following Dr Hewitt online for some time and greatly appreciate his work.

This book was a breath of fresh air for someone like me who is driven but *tired*. The sub-title sums it up nicely: “how to thrive in an always-on world without sacrificing your well-being”.

It’s about navigating through all of the self “help” and advice constantly telling us that we need to be up at 4am hitting the gym, taking ice baths, eating this or that, working insane hours, doing it all…. There is a better and healthier way, and he gives all of the research to back it up, along with practical, actionable steps.

Highly recommend.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m pretty frustrated that I got taken in by a great title. If you’ve read anything in this self-help/productivity genre, do not spend the time or money on this one — it’s just more of the same. The book offers no proactive vision of what regenerative performance looks like at either an individual or societal level. Just citation after citation after citation (I think it was supposed to be impressive that we were well past 500 by the end of the book, but just more evidence that there was absolutely no new ground trod here — it was a 230 page book report). An unbelievable amount of disproving views the reader apparently comes in with, but “gotcha” doesn’t help me — tactics do. And the bar is a little higher than “exercise regularly and get good sleep.”

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately this is a book about moderation. It sets out to debunk some of the trendy myths related to optimisation. I don’t think I came away with any hard and fast takeaways - except for do more exercise - but more a sense that I should spend more time finding out what works for me and not beat myself up if I can’t do something.

[A Arasu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regenerative Performance brings a refreshing, evidence-based perspective to performance and recovery. I particularly appreciated the insights on chronotypes and how to align with your natural rhythms. It’s a thoughtful and grounded guide to managing energy—not just time—a must read.

[Charlie Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regenerative Performance is a smart, practical guide to doing better without burning out. If you’re looking for a personal growth toolbox rooted in science (and some real-life wisdom), this is it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for anyone interested in their wellbeing and how to maintain high performance within a busy life. It's full of insight and practical tips. I'll be recommending it to others.

[Hoan Do · Rating 5 out of 5]

In today’s fast-changing world, we’re expected to lead, innovate, and perform all without burning out. This book is a must-read for anyone striving to consistently be at their best.