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The Power of Choice
'Life is part chance, part circumstance, part choice. You don't get to choose everything that happens to you, but you always get to choose who you become in response.'
Neale Daniher is in his thirteenth year of living with Motor Neurone Disease. His body is broken and he can no longer speak, but his mind is sharp and his capacity to give, unvanquished.
With the terminal diagnosis came a to retreat into the comfort of home and family, or to look for opportunity in the darkest of times.
Neale - a thinker, a taskmaster, a competitor - chose to fight, not just for his life but for those who will be diagnosed in the future. His tireless work with FightMND has helped to mobilised millions of Australians to combat the cruel killer he calls The Beast.
Neale shares with us what he wishes to pass on to his six grandkids, to help them harness the power of choice and make good decisions. Lessons on choosing your attitude, being courageous and accepting responsibility sit beside advice on practising gratitude, valuing actions over words and making the world a better place - all leading towards getting the most out of ourselves and staying in the driver's seat of our own lives.
Written with the clarity, wisdom and huge-heartedness of a man who has chosen to dedicate his final years to the service of others, The Power of Choice is an urgent reminder to use our agency to grow, to give, to love and to make every minute count.
Neale Daniher is in his thirteenth year of living with Motor Neurone Disease. His body is broken and he can no longer speak, but his mind is sharp and his capacity to give, unvanquished.
With the terminal diagnosis came a to retreat into the comfort of home and family, or to look for opportunity in the darkest of times.
Neale - a thinker, a taskmaster, a competitor - chose to fight, not just for his life but for those who will be diagnosed in the future. His tireless work with FightMND has helped to mobilised millions of Australians to combat the cruel killer he calls The Beast.
Neale shares with us what he wishes to pass on to his six grandkids, to help them harness the power of choice and make good decisions. Lessons on choosing your attitude, being courageous and accepting responsibility sit beside advice on practising gratitude, valuing actions over words and making the world a better place - all leading towards getting the most out of ourselves and staying in the driver's seat of our own lives.
Written with the clarity, wisdom and huge-heartedness of a man who has chosen to dedicate his final years to the service of others, The Power of Choice is an urgent reminder to use our agency to grow, to give, to love and to make every minute count.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2025
About the author
Neale Daniher
3 books2 followersNeale Francis Daniher AO was an Australian rules footballer who played with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League. He was later the coach of the Melbourne Football Club between 1998 and 2007, and also held coaching positions with Essendon, Fremantle and West Coast. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 16, 2026
‘Updating a belief isn’t weakness, it’s maturity. We owe it to ourselves to ask not just what we believe, but why. The wise person tests their beliefs against reality. The fool rarely questions them at all.’
November 27, 2025
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Inspirational, Wise Words
- - -
There are so many self help and life advice books out there but give me your ‘Let Them Theory’ and I’ll give you Neale Daniher every single time.
Neale’s advice isn’t fluffy, trendy or recycled it’s real, lived and full of the kind of grounded common sense that genuinely benefits everyone.
For those who aren’t familiar, Neale is a former AFL player and coach who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and has dedicated his life to raising funds and awareness to fight what he calls ‘the beast’.
His reflections on football, family, resilience in the face of diagnosis and purpose are woven through the narrative in such a warm, engaging way.
The themes around the choices we make, the attitude we carry and the contribution we offer to the people and community around us really struck a chord with me. I also enjoyed the words of wisdom thrown in from other famous people throughout time.
I listened on audio and the narrator delivered Neale’s words beautifully. You can bet I’ll be going out to buy my own copy now, highlight new parts every time I revisit it and then buy another 20 copies to gift to friends and family.
Neale Daniher is an extraordinary man and this is an extraordinary must read/listen book.
Vibes: Inspirational, Wise Words
- - -
There are so many self help and life advice books out there but give me your ‘Let Them Theory’ and I’ll give you Neale Daniher every single time.
Neale’s advice isn’t fluffy, trendy or recycled it’s real, lived and full of the kind of grounded common sense that genuinely benefits everyone.
For those who aren’t familiar, Neale is a former AFL player and coach who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and has dedicated his life to raising funds and awareness to fight what he calls ‘the beast’.
His reflections on football, family, resilience in the face of diagnosis and purpose are woven through the narrative in such a warm, engaging way.
The themes around the choices we make, the attitude we carry and the contribution we offer to the people and community around us really struck a chord with me. I also enjoyed the words of wisdom thrown in from other famous people throughout time.
I listened on audio and the narrator delivered Neale’s words beautifully. You can bet I’ll be going out to buy my own copy now, highlight new parts every time I revisit it and then buy another 20 copies to gift to friends and family.
Neale Daniher is an extraordinary man and this is an extraordinary must read/listen book.
January 22, 2026
Powerful - we have a choice on how we respond / show up regardless of what happens to us.
Some amazing quotes in the book, my favourites:
- if you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else
- you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with
- feeling gratitude and not showing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it
- what you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say
- MITA
Onya Neale. FightMND 💪
Some amazing quotes in the book, my favourites:
- if you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else
- you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with
- feeling gratitude and not showing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it
- what you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say
- MITA
Onya Neale. FightMND 💪
February 9, 2026
Massive respect for the bloke, a very inspiring story and I can see how this may be valuable for people- I found it to be too incredibly fast paced and the content lacking real depth- there will be a rule/philosophical statement with just 2 pages of explanation or discussion and I personally find that too shallow. The book has some valuable stuff inside, don’t get me wrong. i’m just not a fan of the writing style/prose.
March 4, 2026
3
'Life is part chance, part circumstance, part choice.'
(Audiobook)
I think this book was a great summary of a lot of the important themes discussed across a variety of self help/development books. A really good book to start with if new to the genre.
I enjoyed the quotes at the start of the chapters. I didn’t enjoy the long lists of examples that felt repetitive more than helpful in getting the points across. The personal anecdotes also felt repetitive at times. But, this was written for his grandkids who will probably feel very differently about that.
Steve Shanahan was great as the voice for the book.
Favourite reminder: ‘Be curious about why others see the world as they do.’
'Life is part chance, part circumstance, part choice.'
(Audiobook)
I think this book was a great summary of a lot of the important themes discussed across a variety of self help/development books. A really good book to start with if new to the genre.
I enjoyed the quotes at the start of the chapters. I didn’t enjoy the long lists of examples that felt repetitive more than helpful in getting the points across. The personal anecdotes also felt repetitive at times. But, this was written for his grandkids who will probably feel very differently about that.
Steve Shanahan was great as the voice for the book.
Favourite reminder: ‘Be curious about why others see the world as they do.’
February 4, 2026
Pretty inspirational, best parts were the anecdotes and quotes from him. Some cool news ways of dealing with issues and mindset but the rest is largely a summary of known other self help books. Easy read and would recommend.
June 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ I finally picked this up after my future father-in-law gifted it to me at the end of last year. It’s been sitting on my desk for half a year because I generally don’t gravitate towards self-help books. But this book provided me with so much wisdom and insight into my recent feelings about the meaning of life and the fact that it’s all about taking small positive steps forward.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking daily reasons to smile. I’m so glad I finally picked it up. I finished reading it just two hours before his state funeral, and it’s an incredibly bittersweet experience. Being given two years to live and making it over a decade truly demonstrates the power of mindset and how inner qualities always shine through. Rest in peace, Neale.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking daily reasons to smile. I’m so glad I finally picked it up. I finished reading it just two hours before his state funeral, and it’s an incredibly bittersweet experience. Being given two years to live and making it over a decade truly demonstrates the power of mindset and how inner qualities always shine through. Rest in peace, Neale.
June 23, 2026
An incredible book, filled with easy to follow life lessons.
Short chapters, lists, and questions to ask yourself that will leave you thinking.
Recommend.
Short chapters, lists, and questions to ask yourself that will leave you thinking.
Recommend.
June 25, 2026
Beautiful man and a beautiful book
April 29, 2026
Rating: [C] / [2.5⭐]
This is an impressive work of synthesis that highlights a wide range of humanity's most important ideas, and I think the world would be a much better place if everyone was more familiar with them.
That being said, each chapter is so short that while it serves as a brilliant refresher/reminder it leaves a bit to be desired. There's a reason why reading a 1 or 2 page summary of a book isn't as valuable as reading the whole thing and each chapter is essentially a 1 or 2 page summary of the key ideas from a famous book or person, mixed in with anecdotes from the author's life.
It's a cool concept but becomes a bit of an issue when the ideas are "eat your vegetables" type advice. Something that's no doubt true and important, but also something that basically everyone already knows and the difficult part is the implementation. Which a short summary isn't the most helpful for.
One other thing (which really sucks to mention) is that the writing style is occasionally very reminiscent of AI. It could very well just be a coincidence (AI is trained on human authors after all) but if I had to guess, it feels like AI was used in the drafting process or the research somehow. There are a lot of ChatGPTisms here (em dashes, it's not x it y, you're not just x, you're y etc.) with some chapters feeling significantly worse in this regard than others. I don't really know what to make of that but I couldn't find anyone else mentioning it online.
Overall, the author's story and his resilience are very inspiring so I'm still glad I read the book but I'll be honest with my rating and say it isn't likely to be one I recommend.
This is an impressive work of synthesis that highlights a wide range of humanity's most important ideas, and I think the world would be a much better place if everyone was more familiar with them.
That being said, each chapter is so short that while it serves as a brilliant refresher/reminder it leaves a bit to be desired. There's a reason why reading a 1 or 2 page summary of a book isn't as valuable as reading the whole thing and each chapter is essentially a 1 or 2 page summary of the key ideas from a famous book or person, mixed in with anecdotes from the author's life.
It's a cool concept but becomes a bit of an issue when the ideas are "eat your vegetables" type advice. Something that's no doubt true and important, but also something that basically everyone already knows and the difficult part is the implementation. Which a short summary isn't the most helpful for.
One other thing (which really sucks to mention) is that the writing style is occasionally very reminiscent of AI. It could very well just be a coincidence (AI is trained on human authors after all) but if I had to guess, it feels like AI was used in the drafting process or the research somehow. There are a lot of ChatGPTisms here (em dashes, it's not x it y, you're not just x, you're y etc.) with some chapters feeling significantly worse in this regard than others. I don't really know what to make of that but I couldn't find anyone else mentioning it online.
Overall, the author's story and his resilience are very inspiring so I'm still glad I read the book but I'll be honest with my rating and say it isn't likely to be one I recommend.
December 28, 2025
Neal Daniher is an Australian sporting identity, with a background in Australian rules as both a player and coach. Tom Trumble is a journalist with a background in history, survival and themes of the human spirit who co-wrote the reflective book about Daniher' s fight with Motor Neurone Disease, I believe also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in the Unites States. In this book MND is known as the Beast, and Neale Daniher has started a charity called Fight MND to raise money for research into a treatment and cure ( as there is currently neither). The Power of Choice outlines his life mantra, written in a straightforward manner to explain how he has managed to endure the deterioration in body function that has made him totally dependent on carers and facing an early death.
Fight MND, with a slogan, 'It Takes People' has raised funds for the research into the condition, largely from small public donations, through selling items and public involvement of celebrities in the Big Freeze.
Neale Daniher has restricted life expectancy and has chosen to set out his mantra on life, particularly as it relates to personal and social community relationships. I found it an interesting insight into the life of a famous man facing a nightmare but making something good from his experience despite not being able to save himself.
I'll let him speak in his own words:
'In the end, this lesson isn't just about MND. It's about life. It takes people to create change. And it takes people to make meaning.
That's why I believe, one day, together , we'll slay this Beast' Neal Daniher
Read this for your understanding, your community and your own wellbeing
Fight MND, with a slogan, 'It Takes People' has raised funds for the research into the condition, largely from small public donations, through selling items and public involvement of celebrities in the Big Freeze.
Neale Daniher has restricted life expectancy and has chosen to set out his mantra on life, particularly as it relates to personal and social community relationships. I found it an interesting insight into the life of a famous man facing a nightmare but making something good from his experience despite not being able to save himself.
I'll let him speak in his own words:
'In the end, this lesson isn't just about MND. It's about life. It takes people to create change. And it takes people to make meaning.
That's why I believe, one day, together , we'll slay this Beast' Neal Daniher
Read this for your understanding, your community and your own wellbeing
May 13, 2026
I read this after it was recommended by Scott Pape. If I had heard of Neale Daniher prior to reading this, it was only in the vaguest sense. Daniher was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and now, by his own admission, barely has control of his body beyond his eyes. Prior to this, Daniher had been a well-known AFL player and coach.
Daniher and I have read a great deal of the same material and arrived at many of the same conclusions. Throughout the book Daniher wrestles with his diagnosis of motor neuron disease. The point of spiritual, psychic, and philosophical work is not for when things are going well, nor merely for achieving more. This work is for when tragedy strikes, so you can cope with tragedy. Daniher reflects that he can still find joy despite profound suffering.
The central irony of the book is that as Daniher loses control over almost every aspect of his physical existence, he becomes more focused on the one thing still available to him: the choice of attitude, response, and character. This gives the book much of its moral force. Daniher is not writing as someone theorising about suffering, but as someone enduring it in real time.
Daniher laments the loss of “toilet books” — books that can be read in the time it takes to do a bowel motion. He intentionally formats this book to function in that way. Each chapter is short, and each chapter is divided into brief essays. He usually begins with an insight drawn from either his experience with motor neuron disease or his AFL career, reflecting a quality one can choose: forgiveness, meaning, virtue, habits, courage, responsibility, acceptance, gratitude, and so on. He then draws on the writings of others to reinforce these themes. It is a good “toilet” book, though there is something deeper in the structure as well. The fragmented style suits a man living with diminishing physical energy and control. The format reflects both accessibility and mortality.
I liked this book a great deal and found it deeply resonant. I struggle with many of the same questions. Ultimately, this is a reinforcement book — one that returns to the simple truths people need repeated in order to endure suffering and still find joy in life.
Daniher and I have read a great deal of the same material and arrived at many of the same conclusions. Throughout the book Daniher wrestles with his diagnosis of motor neuron disease. The point of spiritual, psychic, and philosophical work is not for when things are going well, nor merely for achieving more. This work is for when tragedy strikes, so you can cope with tragedy. Daniher reflects that he can still find joy despite profound suffering.
The central irony of the book is that as Daniher loses control over almost every aspect of his physical existence, he becomes more focused on the one thing still available to him: the choice of attitude, response, and character. This gives the book much of its moral force. Daniher is not writing as someone theorising about suffering, but as someone enduring it in real time.
Daniher laments the loss of “toilet books” — books that can be read in the time it takes to do a bowel motion. He intentionally formats this book to function in that way. Each chapter is short, and each chapter is divided into brief essays. He usually begins with an insight drawn from either his experience with motor neuron disease or his AFL career, reflecting a quality one can choose: forgiveness, meaning, virtue, habits, courage, responsibility, acceptance, gratitude, and so on. He then draws on the writings of others to reinforce these themes. It is a good “toilet” book, though there is something deeper in the structure as well. The fragmented style suits a man living with diminishing physical energy and control. The format reflects both accessibility and mortality.
I liked this book a great deal and found it deeply resonant. I struggle with many of the same questions. Ultimately, this is a reinforcement book — one that returns to the simple truths people need repeated in order to endure suffering and still find joy in life.
January 15, 2026
Neale Daniher’s The Power of Choice is not your typical self-help book. There’s no fluff, no trendy jargon - just genuine, grounded wisdom from someone who has lived through immense challenges and come out the other side with purpose, grace, and humour.
A former AFL player and coach, Daniher was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and has since become a powerful advocate in raising awareness and funding for the fight against what he calls “the Beast.” His reflections on resilience, family, football, and facing a terminal illness are weaved throughout this book, offering inspiration without ever becoming preachy.
Structured around nineteen choices - like “Choose to be grateful”, “Choose to take personal responsibility”, and “Choose to forgive” - the book is both a reminder and a starting point. It distils ideas that are common across personal development literature, but with a refreshingly Aussie, no-nonsense tone. If you’re new to the genre, it’s a solid, accessible introduction. For seasoned readers, it might feel familiar, but still worthwhile as a reflective check-in.
I particularly appreciated the warmth of his storytelling and the inclusion of quotes and insights from other notable figures. While not life-changing for me, it’s a heartfelt, sincere guide to navigating life with clarity and courage.
A quick, meaningful read - best suited to those seeking purpose, perspective, or a fresh mindset reset.
A former AFL player and coach, Daniher was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and has since become a powerful advocate in raising awareness and funding for the fight against what he calls “the Beast.” His reflections on resilience, family, football, and facing a terminal illness are weaved throughout this book, offering inspiration without ever becoming preachy.
Structured around nineteen choices - like “Choose to be grateful”, “Choose to take personal responsibility”, and “Choose to forgive” - the book is both a reminder and a starting point. It distils ideas that are common across personal development literature, but with a refreshingly Aussie, no-nonsense tone. If you’re new to the genre, it’s a solid, accessible introduction. For seasoned readers, it might feel familiar, but still worthwhile as a reflective check-in.
I particularly appreciated the warmth of his storytelling and the inclusion of quotes and insights from other notable figures. While not life-changing for me, it’s a heartfelt, sincere guide to navigating life with clarity and courage.
A quick, meaningful read - best suited to those seeking purpose, perspective, or a fresh mindset reset.
March 3, 2026
Wanting to leave a legacy of the lessons you have learnt or pearls of wisdom you would like to share with your grandchildren is such a beautiful gesture. Life can be challenging and having a pocketbook guide to reference when you're facing an obstacle is such a handy resource.
This book is short and to the point. Each teaching or lesson begins with a quote, and the teaching is expanded on over two or so pages. There is nothing new here that hasn't been printed before in much greater detail and depth. It's a good introduction though if you haven't questioned how your choices impact your world. I didn't feel like I really got to know Daniher other than on the periphery.
3 1/2 stars rounded up
This book is short and to the point. Each teaching or lesson begins with a quote, and the teaching is expanded on over two or so pages. There is nothing new here that hasn't been printed before in much greater detail and depth. It's a good introduction though if you haven't questioned how your choices impact your world. I didn't feel like I really got to know Daniher other than on the periphery.
3 1/2 stars rounded up
June 9, 2026
Neale Daniher is simply an inspiration to all people - in the face of an MND diagnosis (something he called The Beast), he has shown immense courage, compassion and drive to achieve so much for so many others. This, his second book written when he had lost almost all bodily functionality - except his insightful mind and his eyes, by which smart technology was able to convert his thoughts and eye movements into text, he has compiled a book about the POWER each of us has to CHOOSE every day in the way we respond to any actions in life. It should be compulsory reading in every school. Note at the end of the book be acknowledges the authors of 34 books which provided some of the collective wisdom he has carefully curated into this masterpiece.
June 18, 2026
What an incredible achievement, to have written this with his eyes! A short, summary type book of a lot of different things about how to live. The saddest part for me is that, while he talks about finding and making meaning, he said nothing about Jesus, who is the true meaning, and the reason why so many people feel empty. Quite a few times he said something that was just missing the mark. However, a great ‘letter’ to his kids, and many good reminders for the world at large, written in easy to read and understand language. Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars, rounded up for the effort this must’ve taken.
June 24, 2026
This is a book that should be in every Australian home to read and re-read. It is a beautifully written book reminding us that we all have the power to choose, to make a choice that aligns with our own values. Neale’s letter to his grandchildren will, I am sure, be words they will treasure and endeavour to live by, knowing that their grandfather was testament to it being possible. May the fight to end MND that Neale began continue until MND is no longer robbing us of people the calibre of Neale Daniher. Thank you Neale for the amazing legacy you have left behind. Much gratitude to you and your family for your courage and honesty over the past years, all done with such grace and dignity.
June 7, 2026
Some great advice in here, particularly for those of us dealing with degenerative disease in the immediate family. At times it was difficult to get through, but I found I could put it down and pick it back up and awaiting were pearls of wisdom when I needed them most. I appreciate his take on radical acceptance of one's circumstances, and not getting bogged down in "Why me?". This book is even more impressive given Neale had to write it using eye gaze technology. What a legacy he has left behind. Vale Neale.
February 8, 2026
Neale’s story and words of wisdom are a great read. He refuses to be defined by a disease, instead he helps us look for deeper meaning and connections in our lives. I really enjoyed this book and listening to the story pf someone who wasn’t a celebrity yet still managed to achieve so much and make his presence be counted.
January 26, 2026
It’s a great book, especially for readers who are on a journey of self-discovery or looking for something to believe in and lean on. It reassures you that, despite any adversity, you can still reach the destination you truly want.
June 30, 2026
I really enjoyed listening to The Power of Choice as an audiobook. Neale Daniher’s story and mindset were incredibly inspiring, and I took a lot from the quotes and anecdotes he shared throughout the book.
A powerful read that I highly recommend.
Rest in peace, Neale.
A powerful read that I highly recommend.
Rest in peace, Neale.
January 3, 2026
First read of 2026 and it's been the most inspiring book I've read. Powerful 🙏🙌
January 9, 2026
Almost DNF. Just found it really boring. Sorry I feel bad as MND is a great cause and what a legend to write with his eyes ! But I just didn’t enjoy
January 11, 2026
I wish we could all become this wise without a massive setback like a terminal illness. So many turned-in pages for quotes I want to remember.
January 26, 2026
I enjoyed this book. I thought it had some awesome points and quotes. Some areas felt like copied from other well known books which felt a bit repetitive.
February 13, 2026
A hard to put down book filled with great stories and wisdom by the great man. A great book.
February 15, 2026
I found there to be some great insights- however, a lot of it felt like he referenced others findings and would’ve loved more of Neale’s life anecdotes.
March 18, 2026
A remarkable book and man! Easy to understand his 2025 Australian of the Year award! 👏
March 19, 2026
Important lessons and advice
April 12, 2026
A truly inspirational read. I believe every person should give this book a read at least once in their lifetime. Some really great messages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews