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Champions Do Extra: Lessons Learned in Footy and life to build a Winning Mindset
A transformational new book about mindset, from rugby and league icon Brad Thorn.
Brad Thorn's career rewrote the rules of what an athlete can achieve.
From his country upbringing on the frosty fields of Otago in New Zealand to the baked turf of Queensland in Australia, Brad Thorn reveals the powerful lessons he learned in his relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring readers to unlock their own potential.
In a remarkable 30-year career, spanning 477 games of professional footy across two codes, the dual international played for some of the highest performing teams on the the All Blacks, Kangaroos, Queensland Maroons, Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Crusaders. He was still playing professionally at the age of 41.
Brad Thorn's trophy cabinet includes a Rugby World Cup, four Rugby League NRL premiership titles, two State of Origins series, one Super Rugby title, five Bledisloe Cups, three Tri Nations titles, two NPC titles, the Ranfurly Shield, and a European Rugby Champions Cup.
Thorn credits his achievements and longevity to the lessons in this book, and, above all, the credo his father taught him 'champions do extra'.
Champions Do Extra is an inspirational story about what family, faith and footy can teach us about how to succeed.
'I don't use the word "principle" about many people, but he is one of the most principled people I've ever met.' - Wayne Bennett
'A compass for anyone aspiring to achieve in sport or life.' - Robbie Deans
'Thorny wasn't just a dual code international athlete, he was a winner and achieved success with every team he was a part of.' - Kevin Walters, Brisbane Broncos Hall of Fame and head coach of the Australia Kangaroos
'A once-in-a-generation man. His strength runs far deeper than his muscle - it lives in his values, his discipline and his care for others.' - Gilbert Enoka, All Blacks' mental performance and leadership coach
'Brad Thorn set up my career. I can't put it more simply than that.' - Samuel Whitelock
'A champion in the arena.' - Joe Schmidt
'Brad's legendary status went with him no matter where he went to play. His standards were on another level.' - Petero Civoniceva
'An amazing player.' - Brian O'Driscoll
Brad Thorn's career rewrote the rules of what an athlete can achieve.
From his country upbringing on the frosty fields of Otago in New Zealand to the baked turf of Queensland in Australia, Brad Thorn reveals the powerful lessons he learned in his relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring readers to unlock their own potential.
In a remarkable 30-year career, spanning 477 games of professional footy across two codes, the dual international played for some of the highest performing teams on the the All Blacks, Kangaroos, Queensland Maroons, Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Crusaders. He was still playing professionally at the age of 41.
Brad Thorn's trophy cabinet includes a Rugby World Cup, four Rugby League NRL premiership titles, two State of Origins series, one Super Rugby title, five Bledisloe Cups, three Tri Nations titles, two NPC titles, the Ranfurly Shield, and a European Rugby Champions Cup.
Thorn credits his achievements and longevity to the lessons in this book, and, above all, the credo his father taught him 'champions do extra'.
Champions Do Extra is an inspirational story about what family, faith and footy can teach us about how to succeed.
'I don't use the word "principle" about many people, but he is one of the most principled people I've ever met.' - Wayne Bennett
'A compass for anyone aspiring to achieve in sport or life.' - Robbie Deans
'Thorny wasn't just a dual code international athlete, he was a winner and achieved success with every team he was a part of.' - Kevin Walters, Brisbane Broncos Hall of Fame and head coach of the Australia Kangaroos
'A once-in-a-generation man. His strength runs far deeper than his muscle - it lives in his values, his discipline and his care for others.' - Gilbert Enoka, All Blacks' mental performance and leadership coach
'Brad Thorn set up my career. I can't put it more simply than that.' - Samuel Whitelock
'A champion in the arena.' - Joe Schmidt
'Brad's legendary status went with him no matter where he went to play. His standards were on another level.' - Petero Civoniceva
'An amazing player.' - Brian O'Driscoll
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2026
29 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 18, 2026
I’ve read many sports books, but I found Brad Thorn’s book quite unique and honest. I got so much out of it, it’s not just about sport; I feel really encouraged and inspired. I did find the first couple of chapters a little slow (but then I usually do), but after that I couldn’t put it down. Such an amazing story, it’s not just for me I’m going to get my kids to read it too.
April 1, 2026
good easy read and reminder that you really do just have to do more and go to a dark place. actually refreshing to hear that message delivered from someone whose done it and not just a fitness influencer. genuinely shocked to find out reading this how much of a novice he was at rugby union, incredible story.
February 16, 2026
This man is a legend across 2 codes and as soon as I saw his book in the store at the airport I knew I had to have it. Really good read and def worth the time if you are on the fence about reading it or not!
April 23, 2026
3.5. I loved Brad Thorn as a player. Hard, hard-nosed, relentlessly tough… as a person who enjoys both league and union he felt like a personification of my interests (even if I could only support him when he wore an ABs or Maroons jersey). I enjoyed reading back through his career, his ties to NZ and the way he clearly described when he saw himself as a Kiwi and when he saw himself as an Aussie. I did like the inclusion of little tips at the end of the chapter, which made this feel applicable for those wanting tips on his high performance mindset, rather than just a straight retelling of his career.
April 14, 2026
What a legend
April 26, 2026
Thought it was a great story how to achieve to great level in sport
May 5, 2026
I read this as Brad Thorn is someone I admire, as an athlete and a person. This is not written like a typical memoir or biography. It is filled with aphorisms and heuristics about the mind set required for success in life as well as on the sporting field. Thorn shares his faith in the form of Christianity, and affirms the value of faith in life.
Thorn writes a lot about his Father in an idealistic way, and ones gets the sense he has what Bly would describe as a ‘father wound’ that drove him during his career. This career became a homage to his Father. Thorn describes when he was my children’s age where by his own acknowledgement he played well in a trail during first half and half arsed the second half. He was not selected. On the ride home his Father said ‘I’m done’, and would not put any effort into supporting him if he did not bring his best effort. This was Brad Thorn’s turning point, where his success in sport began. His father died young, just as Thorn was reaching his first pinnacle.
I have thought about this a lot. I find watching my children frustrating. Sometimes they put there best effort in, and sometimes they half arse it. I am not brave enough to have this conversation with my children. What is love, accepting your children as they are or demanding they reach there potential? I do not have a good answer, and suspect if I said ‘I’m done’ I would be cutting off my nose to spite my face. I am not prepared to potentially sacrifice my relationship with my children to there potential.
I have watched ‘greatness’ from a far and one thing that strikes me as a mental health clinician these are not well balanced people. They are obsessed and talented. They will do the work with a singular focus, and sacrifice ‘normal’. They will do whatever it takes. This is what makes them ‘God’ like and why there names are not forgotten Thorn provides the mindset of what it takes to succeed. If you follow his aphorisms and heuristics you will be well on your way to reaching your potential. Themes explored are the importance of preparation and process; taking responsibility; the importance of excelling in your role within a team (especially in Rugby Union).
Thorn’s relationships with his family of origin and his family of creation are clearly important to him. He writes in a manner that is both loving and warm, and honest about short comings (usually his). I note that in spite of his children having his father’s genetic gifts, none seem to have his obsession about achievement, otherwise we would know there names too. Thorn writes about his Christianity and the value of this in his life; his relationship with alcohol (both good and bad); not accepting selection to the All Blacks the first time because he did not think he had earned it.
What stands out on reflection is that Thorn’s idea of “doing extra” is rarely dramatic—it is the accumulation of small, disciplined acts done consistently when no one is watching. At the same time, his faith appears to provide a counterweight to this relentless pursuit, anchoring his identity in something deeper than performance alone.
Thorn strikes me as a man who is principled and lives up to those principles (and has high expectations of team mates). He expects excellence, mostly from him self. I enjoyed this a lot and want to gift this to Daniel and Melanie in the hope they would read it (probably not – part of my frustration is that I am easy to dismiss to them). This is a good book full of helpful aphorisms and heuristics that will help build the mindset of reaching potential. You have to be prepared to do extra.
Thorn writes a lot about his Father in an idealistic way, and ones gets the sense he has what Bly would describe as a ‘father wound’ that drove him during his career. This career became a homage to his Father. Thorn describes when he was my children’s age where by his own acknowledgement he played well in a trail during first half and half arsed the second half. He was not selected. On the ride home his Father said ‘I’m done’, and would not put any effort into supporting him if he did not bring his best effort. This was Brad Thorn’s turning point, where his success in sport began. His father died young, just as Thorn was reaching his first pinnacle.
I have thought about this a lot. I find watching my children frustrating. Sometimes they put there best effort in, and sometimes they half arse it. I am not brave enough to have this conversation with my children. What is love, accepting your children as they are or demanding they reach there potential? I do not have a good answer, and suspect if I said ‘I’m done’ I would be cutting off my nose to spite my face. I am not prepared to potentially sacrifice my relationship with my children to there potential.
I have watched ‘greatness’ from a far and one thing that strikes me as a mental health clinician these are not well balanced people. They are obsessed and talented. They will do the work with a singular focus, and sacrifice ‘normal’. They will do whatever it takes. This is what makes them ‘God’ like and why there names are not forgotten Thorn provides the mindset of what it takes to succeed. If you follow his aphorisms and heuristics you will be well on your way to reaching your potential. Themes explored are the importance of preparation and process; taking responsibility; the importance of excelling in your role within a team (especially in Rugby Union).
Thorn’s relationships with his family of origin and his family of creation are clearly important to him. He writes in a manner that is both loving and warm, and honest about short comings (usually his). I note that in spite of his children having his father’s genetic gifts, none seem to have his obsession about achievement, otherwise we would know there names too. Thorn writes about his Christianity and the value of this in his life; his relationship with alcohol (both good and bad); not accepting selection to the All Blacks the first time because he did not think he had earned it.
What stands out on reflection is that Thorn’s idea of “doing extra” is rarely dramatic—it is the accumulation of small, disciplined acts done consistently when no one is watching. At the same time, his faith appears to provide a counterweight to this relentless pursuit, anchoring his identity in something deeper than performance alone.
Thorn strikes me as a man who is principled and lives up to those principles (and has high expectations of team mates). He expects excellence, mostly from him self. I enjoyed this a lot and want to gift this to Daniel and Melanie in the hope they would read it (probably not – part of my frustration is that I am easy to dismiss to them). This is a good book full of helpful aphorisms and heuristics that will help build the mindset of reaching potential. You have to be prepared to do extra.
February 28, 2026
Some good lessons and takeaways, but >50% is recounting exact game/season outcomes, which was boring.
April 4, 2026
Great read.
April 9, 2026
Brad thorn . Good inspiration
April 12, 2026
As a devout Crusaders fan, I really enjoyed learning about Brad's journey through this book. He combines, faith, grit and excellent advice in a fascinating read for any Rugby/League fan.
April 18, 2026
Great read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews