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Living the Good Life: Health and Success for You―for Canada
David Patchell-Evans is the founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness Clubs, Canada’s largest and fastest-growing fitness empire. Patchell-Evans, or “Patch,” as everyone calls him, is a five-time Canadian rowing champion and an active rower, runner, and skier today. Two weeks into his first year in university he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. A lengthy and arduous period of rehabilitation at a sports clinic sparked his interest in sports and exercise, and he went on to combine courses in physical fitness and business, and to found his business empire. In this sane approach to health and exercise, Patch recounts his own personal story and gives balanced and inspiring tips on exercise, diet, and life.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
264 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 28, 2016
A nice, quick, easy read that gave me some inspiration and motivation to return to a fitness routine. It's a bit repetitive by the end but I did learn some interesting nuggets of info re: benefits of fitness, like your productivity goes up by lots because exercise energizes you. I definitely have to agree. For 1.5 hours of exercise you gain 33 hours in productivity or something like that, I was blown away! I'm very glad they gave me this book for free when I came in for a tour.
April 1, 2020
"Living the Good Life" is an okay book about the importance of exercise in your life.
The general thing which the author is trying to achieve is to share his personal philosophy: exercise is very important and will improve every aspect of your life, but don't overdo it, since "Good enough is good enough".
Personally, I agree and support the message of this book, but it has a huge number of flaws in my opinion.
The author David Patchell-Evans is the CEO of GoodLife, a chain of fitness clubs in Canada.
He seems to have had a very interesting and inspiring life including some hard knockbacks and still being happy, healthy and successful in the end. However, this book is not a biography including only unstructured and repetitive stories from his life. He uses these to show how he came to his philosophy.
At the same time the reader gets introduced to a million reasons why exercise is good. Sadly, there are very little sources of information stated. In my opinion it is not enough to say that "there are several studies showing" something or putting "Honorary Doctorate" on front of a book to make it scientific.
Furthermore, there is very little information about what specifically to do. The only things the reader learns are that it is enough to exercise three times a week of about 30 minutes (independent of which kind of training is done) and how great the GoodLife clubs are.
Also, the book seems poorly structured. There are tons of sub-chapters often being only two pages long with no real point. At the end of every chapter there are one or more stories included from club members telling how GoodLife saved their lives.
In summary, I think that "Living the Good Life: Health and Success for You—for Canada" is a non-scientific and unstructured book sharing a good philosophy backed by a motivating life-story and too much of advertisement for the GoodLife fitness clubs.
The general thing which the author is trying to achieve is to share his personal philosophy: exercise is very important and will improve every aspect of your life, but don't overdo it, since "Good enough is good enough".
Personally, I agree and support the message of this book, but it has a huge number of flaws in my opinion.
The author David Patchell-Evans is the CEO of GoodLife, a chain of fitness clubs in Canada.
He seems to have had a very interesting and inspiring life including some hard knockbacks and still being happy, healthy and successful in the end. However, this book is not a biography including only unstructured and repetitive stories from his life. He uses these to show how he came to his philosophy.
At the same time the reader gets introduced to a million reasons why exercise is good. Sadly, there are very little sources of information stated. In my opinion it is not enough to say that "there are several studies showing" something or putting "Honorary Doctorate" on front of a book to make it scientific.
Furthermore, there is very little information about what specifically to do. The only things the reader learns are that it is enough to exercise three times a week of about 30 minutes (independent of which kind of training is done) and how great the GoodLife clubs are.
Also, the book seems poorly structured. There are tons of sub-chapters often being only two pages long with no real point. At the end of every chapter there are one or more stories included from club members telling how GoodLife saved their lives.
In summary, I think that "Living the Good Life: Health and Success for You—for Canada" is a non-scientific and unstructured book sharing a good philosophy backed by a motivating life-story and too much of advertisement for the GoodLife fitness clubs.
January 8, 2017
I've been a GoodLife member since 1998, and Patch's book never really interested me. However, since I've become more interested in personal development and fitness, and I saw a pile of the new edition sitting on the table for members, I decided to give it a try.
Patch has had a very interesting life, and one which we could learn from. Unfortunately this book discusses it very little. In addition, it doesn't give many practical tips on improving life and fitness. In fact, 90% of the book is Patch's personal philosophy and emphasis on how important physical activity is. This wasn't what I was looking for.
I also found the book poorly written. The ideas and stories repeated throughout the book. The charters were often very short and without much purpose. Many of the ideas were not backed by science or references.
I would have preferred a more well-researched book about fitness, or just to learn more about Patch's life and how his experiences might teach us to live the Good Life.
Patch has had a very interesting life, and one which we could learn from. Unfortunately this book discusses it very little. In addition, it doesn't give many practical tips on improving life and fitness. In fact, 90% of the book is Patch's personal philosophy and emphasis on how important physical activity is. This wasn't what I was looking for.
I also found the book poorly written. The ideas and stories repeated throughout the book. The charters were often very short and without much purpose. Many of the ideas were not backed by science or references.
I would have preferred a more well-researched book about fitness, or just to learn more about Patch's life and how his experiences might teach us to live the Good Life.
June 27, 2017
I got this book for free when I joined the GoodLife Fitness gym. The good thing about this book is that Patch seems to have led a hell of a life, and has some really great soundbytes of wisdom that make fitness to be a religious experience. My favourite food for thought is that people would treat a $100,000 horse better than their own bodies, making sure that it had the right nutrition and exercise. The bad news about this book is that it is very poorly organized, and has a self-published feel, as if Patch were just checking "writing a book" off his bucket list. It has no beginning, middle, or end. The thoughts become repetitive. I would love to read a true memoir by Patch. I would recommend to friends a revised edition with better organization and more practical how-to added.
February 18, 2023
As with many other readers, I received a free copy of this book when I first joined GoodLife Fitness, but, to be completely honest, I don't exercise as much as I should. I have had difficulty committing to going to any gym on a regular basis or to exercising regularly.
However, what inspired me to read the book, after all this time, is the theme it carried. The idea in this book is that a little exercise is better than nothing. Patch describes that a little exercise means we've gone from being sedentary to putting the body into action. He mentions the every day benefit, like how we would no longer be out of breath when carrying groceries or going up the stairs.
Patch talks about the real life experiences such as the impression we give to those who make decisions about us in the first few moments they meet us, such as in a job interview. He also presents an interest comparison with how many people judge smokers for their higher health costs and the way they affect their loved ones, whereas people don't judge those who don't exercise and take care of themselves in the same way (not necessarily that judging others is okay).
Another very interesting item worth mentioning is Patch's story; a very inspiration one. Throughout the difficult health obstacles he's experienced, he managed to persist and persevere, and make life better for himself. I admire and respect the passion he has.
Overall, this book is great for anyone who wants that little boost to start somewhere. As Patch would put it, "Good enough, is good enough.".
However, what inspired me to read the book, after all this time, is the theme it carried. The idea in this book is that a little exercise is better than nothing. Patch describes that a little exercise means we've gone from being sedentary to putting the body into action. He mentions the every day benefit, like how we would no longer be out of breath when carrying groceries or going up the stairs.
Patch talks about the real life experiences such as the impression we give to those who make decisions about us in the first few moments they meet us, such as in a job interview. He also presents an interest comparison with how many people judge smokers for their higher health costs and the way they affect their loved ones, whereas people don't judge those who don't exercise and take care of themselves in the same way (not necessarily that judging others is okay).
Another very interesting item worth mentioning is Patch's story; a very inspiration one. Throughout the difficult health obstacles he's experienced, he managed to persist and persevere, and make life better for himself. I admire and respect the passion he has.
Overall, this book is great for anyone who wants that little boost to start somewhere. As Patch would put it, "Good enough, is good enough.".
January 13, 2019
Why a classic for the ages this book is not, it is a quick and easy read that provides some short thoughts on fitness, life, goals and more. Apparently given as a "freebie" to any new (or existing) GoodLife members it's worth going through even if for nothing more then a quick boost to keep moving towards your goals.
November 12, 2019
A good book for those wanting change and not knowing wjere to start. Its more of a 0 knowledge behind fitness entry level read but also is inspiring. Many short short stories and nuggets of info. You also learn about the owner of Goodlife...one hell of a life he lived. Its good to have small reminders to keep pushing through the tough times.
December 23, 2018
This book comes free with every Goodlife membership, but it's well worth the read. Lots of great fitness information, tips, and motivation alongside Patch's personal success and fitness philosophies. I sincerely enjoyed his story as well. His journey was genuinely interesting, and inspring.
July 30, 2017
It had a very positive message, but it took me forever to read because I could only read chunks of it at a time.
August 10, 2017
Loved his saying Good enough is good enough.
December 31, 2017
I recieved this book when I joined goodlife a month ago. it came at just the right time in my life. It was equal parts short, uplifting and motivational, while maintaining a realistic vibe.
February 13, 2018
I expected a total, cheesy sales-pitch, but what I got was actually somewhat informative and fairly inspiring...and it was free at the gym, so you know - there's that! :-)
November 7, 2018
Basic info on a wide range of topics. Targeted at a beginner in fitness. Does provide some good concepts nonetheless.
August 17, 2021
A real motivator, chock full of life lessons and fitness goals.
February 25, 2022
The Wealthy Barber of fitness.
April 1, 2022
Good book overall to get you motivated into how fitness can change your life and what your body and mind can achieve through a routine
August 9, 2024
Quick read. Nice reminders about how important fitness is for the body, mind and soul.
January 23, 2016
enjoyed this book very much, refreshing to hear Patch's business philosophy, he had obviously done a great job relating his vision to his employees. Patch has built a great Canadian company, a Canadian Success Story.
April 13, 2018
Not a bad book, very light and quick read. Summarized by all the quotes plastered on the walls throughout the Goodlife gyms.
Didn’t know that David suffered an accident before. Crazy that 1/4 Canadians have a Goodlife membership! But it’s a good thing. Should probably be more.
Didn’t know that David suffered an accident before. Crazy that 1/4 Canadians have a Goodlife membership! But it’s a good thing. Should probably be more.
September 4, 2016
Interesting tidbits about the author, several inspiring testimonials, and some typical generic advice on fitness & health.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews