Two Turns from Zero: Pushing to Higher Fitness Goals-Converting Them to Life Strength

by Stacey Griffith

"The journey Stacey Griffith charts in Two Turns From Zero is both inspiring and instructional. Her book is action-oriented and wise beyond measure. It is full of engaging spirit and the true power of love and movement."—Deepak Chopra

Expert motivator, a fitness virtuoso and a self-empowerment guru Stacey Griffith, SoulCycle Senior Master Instructor, shows you how to take your health and fitness to new levels while using that same energy to boost your emotional and spiritual wellbeing in all aspects of your life.

In Two Turns From Zero, Stacey Griffith, one of the iconic faces of the wildly popular SoulCycle, has helped thousands reshape their bodies, while also becoming their best selves—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Stacey firmly believes that every one of us can be an athlete. Focusing on four key concepts—Eat, Love, Train, and Repeat—this is her life handbook that provides a blueprint for feeling healthy, happy, and empowered. Stacey offers conditioning advice, nutrition counseling, visualizations for achieving your goals, and moving meditations for staying centered. Most important, she shows you how to locate your greatest sense of purpose that will take you to the highest levels of performance—and sustain you to weather life’s inevitable challenges.

Two Turns from Zero is also Stacey's personal story—a chronicle of endurance that is as motivating as her workout routine. At one time, Stacey was directionless and, by her own account, an overall unsuccessful human being. But she finally realized she wanted more from life—she needed to find meaning. Giving up alcohol, drugs, and partying, she dedicated her life to fitness—a journey of discovery she uses in her book to motivate others to make the most of their own lives.

This gifted instructor is beloved for her ability to inspire and push her students to achieve their ultimate center. In Two Turns from Zero, she shows how we can all achieve our personal peak.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Fitness, Self Help, Health, Sports, Biography

368 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2017

Reviews

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

--- I'm updating my review because I think I was too harsh. Sorry about that. Although I still think the audio version would be more powerful if Stacey had narrated it herself, that's really my only negative comment. If you're ready for positive change and lots of motivation, I highly recommend Two Turns From Zero. ---

Ok here's the deal. I was already reading the book when I saw the audio version at my library. I was so pumped! Supposedly, part of Stacey's whole thing is her infectious energy. So in my head, listening to the audio version would be 10x better. Right? Well, the problem for me is she has a narrator. The audio version starts off with Stacey reading the introduction. You can hear her passion and it's very cool. Then the narrator starts reading chapter one. She's perfectly nice but it's just not the same. The energy level is lower. She's got a nice voice (almost soothing) and is easy to listen to but she's reading someone else's motivational words. And btw I don't want a sweet, nice voice. I want to hear energy and passion. Maybe a little grit or even some mistakes. A little disappointed.

Stacey, I know you won't see this but, dude, such a missed opportunity. Not everyone is moved or inspired the same way. And not everyone can get into your classes. You should have put your very own voice to your own book. Your book is so motivating. The audio version should have been even more powerful.

[Alex Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know how this book ended up on my to read list, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, you have to get past the typical motivational messaging found in all self help books. But the author’s no nonsense, practical advice was way more concrete than any other book I’ve read in the category, complete with achievable daily meditations, exercises, and food recommendations. She inspired me to assess how I can improve my life, even if incrementally. Would recommend to anyone looking for smart tips on how to live a healthier and more successful life.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll bet her voice in her classes is super motivating and I imagine she is quite a force. I have never seen her in video or live, but was intrigued from reviews enough to pick up this book to check out tidbits about her secret sauce. Does the magic translate as well in writing? I'll see how it sticks with me over the next few weeks as I gear back (get it, bike pun?) into work mode and will turn up my own secret sauce.

[Carley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tired of her telling me how "This is the most inspirational book you'll ever read!! Get a membership at Soul Cycle!!" This book is an advertisement.

[Teresa Biggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never heard of Stacy so I had no expectations. I loved her brutal honesty about her life. Drugs and food. I was amazed on how her life unfolded but was bored by the typical affirmations.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had so much potential. Griffith has overcome so much and inspired so many as a fitness instructor. She's had all kinds of interesting experiences that got her to where she is. But she fails to convey those experiences in an engaging way. There was little, if any dialogue and no other sensory details to really make the reader feel like they're in it with the author. Like, she'd talk about something personal but in such a vague way, without ever sharing her emotional truth or making herself really vulnerable. And while I'm sure many people can overlook that, without feeling invested in Griffith as a person, it was hard for me to care about her fitness advice (which I'm sure would be enlightening to many but was mostly stuff I already knew).

As far as the content... when she wasn't pushing Soul Cycle, her bath products, or name dropping, it was all over the place. The fitness stuff, okay, I'm on board for that, but diet advice? What are her credentials? She didn't cite any research or expert opinions there. Same thing with decluttering. I'm not sure what place organization has in a fitness book or why she's someone I can trust on this. And the visualizations and meditations... They sounded nice but she didn't give me much of a reason to feel like she's any kind of an expert where that's concerned, either.

My biggest gripe with this book is the nutrition advice she shares. Her sample menus of what she supposedly eats in a day are not sustainable for a normal person yet she touts them as reasonable and filling. She acts like it's a sin to want a snack that's not a fruit, vegetable, or a rice cake. And she offers a million and one ways to avoid eating cake without ever acknowledging that it's NORMAL to want to eat cake and it's not going to "blow" your healthy lifestyle to celebrate a birthday with a slice of cake once in a while or (God forbid) go out for ice cream on a random Tuesday. The fact is most of us aren't training for the best athletic performance possible. You can exercise to feel good and strong AND enjoy food that has little or no nutritional value once in a while. This book masquerades as empowering and revolutionary and it could be if it just dropped the "clean eating" (aka diet) piece.

I am looking forward to exploring the playlists she shared next time, as I teach indoor cycling and am always looking for good music.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting....but motivating.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and have to agree with other’s comments. This would have been much better had it been read by the author. The reader had a pleasant enough voice, but as this was a book written to motivate and inspire, the reader lacked ownership of the words and, therefore, the spirit of the words lost their intended impact. I kept listening hoping to find something uplifting and powerful as a take away. Unfortunately, except for a couple of things, I didn’t find any of the ideas unique or significantly different from what other motivational speakers have said or written. However, I give the author kudos for telling her incredible story and I truly hope it inspires those who really want to overcome their addictions. For this alone I give it 3 stars.

[Jess P · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a spin instructor myself, I had some really high hopes to resonate with this one. Unfortunately, it fell extremely short for me. It was okay, but not the greatest or most motivational book I've read. But maybe I would have liked it more had a read it instead of just listening to it on audible.
I'd like to rally for all authors of motivational/personal development books to read their own books. There's just so much more power and emotion in the words when the author reads it. I got soooo fired up when Stacey read the prologue, and then felt completely disconnected and like it all just drained on when the narrator switched. Near the end I actually sped it up so I could finish it faster.

[Cindy Heaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find this to be as motivating as I'd hoped. I did like some of her visualization techniques. Most of the reviews on the back and inside are from people who know her personally or as a trainer at SoulCycle. I think that's where she probably thrives in energizing and motivating people, in person. At times this book seemed more like an autobiography rather than something that is going to make me want to be better for myself.

[Michelle Sibert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This book is amazing and so inspirational. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for motivation to get moving and to make positive changes in their lives.

[Stacey Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book from the bottom of my heart.. it is raw, honest, and hopefully will inspire YOU !!

[Bonnie Lentych · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super motivating audiobook!

[sara hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love owning the book from a reference perspective ... just to have, and I own all the versions. I loved reading about her childhood, the early years as a trainer and her diet recommendations. She knows a lot about nutrition and she walks the walk when it comes to discipline -- has the abs to prove it!! There aren't a lot of people in my day-to-day that I consider real life heroes/super stars but she is definitely one of them -- so the book was an appendix of the Stacey experience. In class, she is a phenom. Motivator, coach, athlete, WARRIOR -- entertaining on all levels and always killing the music. In NYC, she is a true fitness icon - the best of the best. It's a privilege to be in her class -- there's no place I'd rather be! ☠️🙌

[Michael Tarpinian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never heard of the author before picking up this audiobook. Just getting back into spinning, I wanted to learn more about some of the nuances. This book was not what I was expecting.

Her style of spinning is clearly not anything I have ever experienced. To me spinning is an attack or a battle not a yoga session.

The author is loud and flamboyant and quirky and funny. She is also clearly a survivor having dealt with so many problems in her life.

It shocked me very much when she said most fitness instructors are stoners. Perhaps I am too naïve for my own good. Just like I want to believe marines are Boy Scouts with guns I want to believe that fitness instructors care about health.

[Cathreen Shiucheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a spinning junkie who looks up on SoulCycle, this book is a great book. It’s not as what most people argued that this book is to market SoulCycle. It’s about Stacy’s life and how she rose from zero to hero. I can feel her motivation and energy in this book. Very inspiring. I believe I’ll Re-read this book again—mainly for her diet plans as well as floor workout. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to attend her Soul class if I happen to be in the States.

[Dom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate this book but I also didn't love it. I skimmed past the chapters on diet and self-love. For someone new to this type of content there could be a lot of value there but it was repetitive for me. I was looking for something that was a but more fitness focused and a very small portion of the book was dedicated to that so for me it fell a little flat but it might just what you're looking for.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard self-help, self-empowerment book made more interesting, personally, because of my interest and love of Soulcycle. Stacey was definitely very personal and very human in this piece, which was really fascinating to read. I wish this book had provided an index to help identify where the playlists curated by Stacey were located.

[Haley Oshowy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I 100% agree that the audio book was a disappointment. The energy and power behind Stacy's expected presence was not brought forth. There were bits and pieces that I liked but overall I found it a bit vague. That being said it may be that my expectations of the book were off and that's why I didn't enjoy it.

[Kate Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

An audiobook for walking to and from work.
Disappoint it actually wasn't Stacey reading it, as you would think she would, since she is a motivating fitness coach.
I think this would be a great book for those getting into fitness/changing a lifestyle, but for myself, there wasn't anything life changing that I learned from it.

[Rabbit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looked awesome, I was excited to get it. But so shallow, poorly written, general, uninteresting, I started skimming and can't even remember finishing it. Could have been an incredible inspiration but was so bad I quickly forgot every word. Awful waste of time and one of the least gripping memoirs ever. Shame.

[Stephen Butterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read

I learned a few things I didn’t before know and was left with a few things to think about. I do wish however the book would have contained more about people who have gone from overweight to physically fit and how they stayed on the path to get there.

[Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great self-help and motivational book, it deeply reflects the value of SoulCycle as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!!! Just like the classes at Soul Cycle this book promotes positivity and strength. I couldn’t get enough ready for part 2.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good tidbits but terribly edited.

Good quips & quotes to pass on, good ideas for playlists for various moods & tasks....
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[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very motivating

Encouraging and shared own life experiences that reader can identify with which makes exercise and meeting your goals seem more attainable.

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really inspiring!

[greta cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book really inspired me to get my life back. loved it!

[Rflutist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Motivation

I feel encouraged to keep striving for excellent health and happiness after reading this book. It's a pick-me-up on a dark day.

[Lily Kosner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the title, this book really resonates best in the midst of a SoulCycle class.