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Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes
CrossFit trainer Ben Bergeron has helped build the world’s fittest athletes, but he’s not like other coaches. He believes that greatness is not for the elite few; that winning is a result, not a goal; and that character, not talent, is what makes a true champion. His powerful philosophy can help anyone excel at all aspects of life. Using the dramatic competition between the top contenders at the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games® as a background, Ben explores the step-by-step process of achieving excellence and the unique set of positive character traits necessary for leveling up to world-class. The mindset and methodology that have produced some of the greatest athletes in the world’s most gruelling sport can work equally well for golfers, lawyers, artists, entrepreneurs—anyone who’s willing to commit totally to becoming better than the best. By Chasing Excellence, you’ll discover how extraordinary it’s possible for you to be.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2017
585 people are currently reading
4444 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
August 14, 2017
I'm a huge fan of CrossFit and its athletes, so it was insightful to read about Katrin and the behind the scenes of the Games.
The writing, however, was filled with a lot of unneeded metaphors and similes that distracted me from the bulk of the book. There also wasn't anything new in the book, as in I didn't read anything I haven't read or heard before. It's a reminder book told through Bergeron's coaching eyes, which again is good, but not great.
The writing, however, was filled with a lot of unneeded metaphors and similes that distracted me from the bulk of the book. There also wasn't anything new in the book, as in I didn't read anything I haven't read or heard before. It's a reminder book told through Bergeron's coaching eyes, which again is good, but not great.
August 6, 2017
Can't say I absolutely loved this book as it's heavily focused on Katrín Davidsdóttir (for obvious reasos, as Ben is her coach) and she's not my favorite athlete, but I really enjoyed reading about her training and Ben's style of coaching. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you're feeling motivated to train as the CrossFit Games are happening (and it's free on Kindle Unlimited, so it's really easy to get hold of).
September 30, 2017
This book offers a great insight into what makes an elite athlete. It uses the example of CrossFit athletes Katrín Davíðsdóttir, Mat Fraser and Cole Sager and CrossFit Games 2016 to show how can one build a mindset of excellence and mental toughness. The author outlines 12 principles that lead to achieving this result. These principles are commitment, grit, positivity, embracing adversity, confidence, maximizing minutes, focusing on the process, taking control, turning the page, humility, competitive excellence and clutch. How these principles work, and how to make them work, is show on many short stories from CrossFit Games 2016 and on personal experience of athletes the author was coaching at that time.
This book is very easy to read. It is also relatively short. What's more, it has the power to catch you and don't let you go. There were many times when I was almost unable to put the book away and do something else, like going to bed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to reach highest level in any area, and stay here. This is a must-read for anyone chasing excellence.
This book is very easy to read. It is also relatively short. What's more, it has the power to catch you and don't let you go. There were many times when I was almost unable to put the book away and do something else, like going to bed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to reach highest level in any area, and stay here. This is a must-read for anyone chasing excellence.
April 18, 2022
This was recommended to me by my personal trainer. I am in no ways an athlete, in fact I’ve just recently had to accept that my knees won’t let me be the runner I’ve been striving to be for years and that’s ok, walking is much more enjoyable! What’s great about this book, aside from the author’s ability to keep you hooked as we move through the CrossFit games, is that the training he imposes on his athletes can be applied in other walks of life, not just fitness. I especially enjoyed his emphasis on the importance of mental health as well as physical health, because I don’t believe one can exist without the other. Even if you’re not into sports, this is worth a read because, like I said, it can be applied anywhere.
February 20, 2018
4.5 out of 5
Simple, entertaining, insightful, extremely motivating. In other words, excellent!
It also helps that I'm a CrossFit fan myself and have already watched Fittest on Earth: A Decade of Fitness (2017), a movie about the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games, which are covered in this book, so I really appreciated a peek behind the scenes.
However, as Ben Bergeron would agree himself, excellent does not mean perfect. In case of his philosophy outlined in Chasing Excellence, I kind of missed some balance... But maybe that's the point?
Still, highly recommended, no matter one's occupation or hobbies.
Simple, entertaining, insightful, extremely motivating. In other words, excellent!
It also helps that I'm a CrossFit fan myself and have already watched Fittest on Earth: A Decade of Fitness (2017), a movie about the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games, which are covered in this book, so I really appreciated a peek behind the scenes.
However, as Ben Bergeron would agree himself, excellent does not mean perfect. In case of his philosophy outlined in Chasing Excellence, I kind of missed some balance... But maybe that's the point?
Still, highly recommended, no matter one's occupation or hobbies.
January 30, 2018
The power of positive thinking for Crossfitters.
July 30, 2022
Amazing. Quick, and to the point. I'm a seasoned hater of self-help books but decided to try a motivational-through-case-study approach to consuming some of that type of content. I'm not an advanced level CrossFitter by any means, but it's inspirational to see how the fittest of the fittest got to where they are.
I knew that hours in the gym were a part of it, and just pictured really swole, muscular men grunting in the gym and beating their chests to push themselves harder. I mean, I think this is still part of it, but a really small part. A lot of what Ben Bergeron focuses on is the calmness aspect of training, keeping your head, and relentlessly clinging onto stoicism. His laying out of Katrin and Matt's training regimen, followed by how they respond to being knocked down, as well as their biggest successes is actually awe-inspiring. It reminds me of advice someone gave me as a child, where you should aspire to have your reactions to extremely positive events not go over the top, and it will similarly curb your instinctual reactions to the lower lows that you will inevitably face.
Super inspiring, short, and crisp. Didn't make me cringe once, 5/5!
I knew that hours in the gym were a part of it, and just pictured really swole, muscular men grunting in the gym and beating their chests to push themselves harder. I mean, I think this is still part of it, but a really small part. A lot of what Ben Bergeron focuses on is the calmness aspect of training, keeping your head, and relentlessly clinging onto stoicism. His laying out of Katrin and Matt's training regimen, followed by how they respond to being knocked down, as well as their biggest successes is actually awe-inspiring. It reminds me of advice someone gave me as a child, where you should aspire to have your reactions to extremely positive events not go over the top, and it will similarly curb your instinctual reactions to the lower lows that you will inevitably face.
Super inspiring, short, and crisp. Didn't make me cringe once, 5/5!
July 27, 2017
One of the best!
Ben is the real deal! I have spent some time with Ben over the last couple years, and excellence is not just something he teaches, but the way he lives his own life every day. This book is an amazing insight into what it takes to be a champion in any field, and is especially interesting if you're a CrossFitter or a coach of any sport. It's a fast read and the stories of the CrossFit Games make this both entertaining and informative. Some may look at the simplicity of Ben's advice, and say there's nothing incredibly new or novel here. But that's the whole point. The secret to being a champion is in repeating the simple, and often mundane, tasks over and over again. This book will show you the exact things you need to start putting into action today, so you can confidently ignore everything else.
Ben is the real deal! I have spent some time with Ben over the last couple years, and excellence is not just something he teaches, but the way he lives his own life every day. This book is an amazing insight into what it takes to be a champion in any field, and is especially interesting if you're a CrossFitter or a coach of any sport. It's a fast read and the stories of the CrossFit Games make this both entertaining and informative. Some may look at the simplicity of Ben's advice, and say there's nothing incredibly new or novel here. But that's the whole point. The secret to being a champion is in repeating the simple, and often mundane, tasks over and over again. This book will show you the exact things you need to start putting into action today, so you can confidently ignore everything else.
December 13, 2020
Ben Bergeron gives us a short and motivating look into the preparation needed to get to and win the CrossFit games. He primarily follows the rise of Katrín Davíðsdóttir, but also talks a bit about Mathew Fraser.
To most athletes, there's nothing particularly surprising in Bergeron's advice. Train hard. Commit yourself to your sport. Be humble. Train for the worst. Fill up your grit tank.
The whole book stinks of CrossFit elitism as Bergerson tells over and over again how CrossFit is the toughest sport with the best athletes in the world. Every single event is dramatically described as the most brutal thing Satan could come up with for breaking bodies.
If you can look past the pomposity, there's a decent story of success in here mixed with some motivation that's sure to get you back into the gym for another set.
To most athletes, there's nothing particularly surprising in Bergeron's advice. Train hard. Commit yourself to your sport. Be humble. Train for the worst. Fill up your grit tank.
The whole book stinks of CrossFit elitism as Bergerson tells over and over again how CrossFit is the toughest sport with the best athletes in the world. Every single event is dramatically described as the most brutal thing Satan could come up with for breaking bodies.
If you can look past the pomposity, there's a decent story of success in here mixed with some motivation that's sure to get you back into the gym for another set.
January 22, 2019
I believe a more appropriate title of this novel would be simply a recap of Katrin and Ben's relationship throughout the 2016 CrossFit Games. I somewhat buy into the dogma of critiquing a book for what it is and having listened to Bergeron's podcasts, this novel falls incredibly short. Time after time, Bergeron is able to elucidate on research providing every single why to his motives of "chasing excellence". Nonetheless, barely any is present in this book saturated with anecdotes of Katrin's maturation.
2/10 recommend this book.
10/10 recommend Bergeron's podcast.
2/10 recommend this book.
10/10 recommend Bergeron's podcast.
January 23, 2019
Very interesting- I didn’t even know there were CrossFit games. But it’s crazy what these people can do! This book shows what it takes to be a champion- hint: it’s not just talent. “Success is a decision, not a gift”. The book shares many good points on what it takes to be excellent and they can be applied in any area, not just CrossFit. I really liked the chapters on the “the process” and “control”. The book also made me question if I want to be truly excellent at something and dedicate my whole life to one thing? I’m still not sure..
April 23, 2021
Ben hates whingers.
November 23, 2021
A good and easy read if you’re into CrossFit and the games.
October 4, 2019
The book Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes by Ben Bergeron and Lioncrest Publishing is about coaching elite CrossFit Games athletes, including Katrin Davidsdottir and Mat Fraser, to be some of the fittest human beings in the world. If you’re interested in CrossFit or just human physicality and performance, you’ll find this book to be compelling and motivational. If you think this is about CrossFit though, you’ve missed the meat of Bergeron’s book.
Chasing Excellence is about maximizing human potential over the long term to achieve your goals. That’s not CrossFit, necessarily. It’s about motherhood, entrepreneurship, business, physical fitness, or absolutely anything you want to achieve. CrossFit is simply the storyline for the lesson. Upfront Bergeron states,
“That’s what this book is about: how you can learn the mindset I’ve used to train champion athletes and apply it to your life.”
Bergeron, like Nick Saban, focuses on The Process.
”At its heart the process is the single-minded emphasis of preparation above all else. In practice, this is very mundane – the process is many things, but glamorous is not one of them.
This is the process – acknowledging where you are, identifying where you want to be, and breaking it down into pieces. Excellence is a matter of steps. Excel at this one, then that one, and then the one after that.
The process is simple, but it’s not easy. Most people don’t have the character traits necessary to fully commit to it…When character and process are both in place, the results will take care of themselves.”
The thing about The Process that I think most people underestimate is that it requires you to be truly honest with yourself. You first have to verbalize what your dreams really are and for so many of us, we’ve repressed those dreams. Life has taught us that people who dream big are ridiculed and massive success is for the few like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk and so a “big dream” for most people is to retire at 65. It isn’t to be the fittest human being that ever lived or to colonize Mars. We dream small because we’re afraid of failure or rejection. Why not dream big and see what you’re capable of?
The next obstacle presented to most people by The Process is that we aren’t patient and we lack grit. We want success now. We need instant gratification to the point that even waiting 4 minutes for the microwave popcorn to be done has become drudgery. Bergeron is very candid that the process of excellence is one of a life time. You may have rapid success but you probably won’t. Either way, the pursuit of excellence should and will occupy the rest of your life. It isn’t a destination but the path that is important.
“It not a question of how much work it will take, how much suffering will be involved, or how fast the results will come. It’s about committing to the grind every day.”
Another challenge of The Process is identifying your weaknesses. We aren’t talking about those things you could improve at. We’re talking about the things you truly suck at. The pursuit of excellence means improving every facet of your game. It’s about identifying those things that are holding you back and attacking them relentlessly until they’re no longer a weakness, but a strength. If you’re pursuing physical fitness and you’re early in the process, this may mean that you stop eating chips. If you’re already fit and trying to eke out 1% gains, it might mean not eating anything processed. Like…anything. If you’re a business owner this might mean taking a night class in accounting so you can better understand the mechanics of your business or talk to your banker. It might mean owning the fact that you can’t and shouldn’t do everything and in order for your business to grow, you have to take a pay cut to afford to hire someone who complements your skills. It requires a brutally honest assessment of where you are and where you want to be and frankly, most people won’t do that.
“This is the process – acknowledging where you are, identifying where you want to be, and breaking it down into pieces. Excellence is a matter of steps. Excel at this one, then that one, and then the one after that.”
This concept, that excellence is just a simple matter of breaking things down into the smallest pieces possible and executing on them over time, will motivate some and terrify others. Why would it terrify people? Because they’ve long been telling themselves a narrative that their lack of success is someone else’s fault. They were born to the wrong people. They haven’t been given the right opportunities. Other people have more money. Other people are smarter.
None of that matters. What matters is positivity and a growth mindset.
“Focusing on negative feelings or circumstances – it’s so hot out. I’m tired. Traffic sucks. My boss is such an idiot. – brings greater focus to things that are ultimately outside your control and are potentially detrimental to your performance. In no competitive or life scenario will focusing on negative uncontrollable factors improve your performance or stress levels.”
There is no circumstance in which you find yourself, no matter how bad, where you cannot find something positive on which to focus. If you don’t believe me, I’d like you to go read some Viktor Frankl and then come complain.
“If your story is telling you you’re not good enough, not smart enough, too old, too young, or can’t do it, you’re subconscious will believe you.”
I’ve been listening to a number of Tom Bilyeau podcasts lately and he talks effectively about us living in The Matrix in reference to our mindset. As soon as you realize you’re thinking negatively, you’ve realized you’re in the Matrix and now you’re in a position to do something about it. A negative mindset, like a positive one, is a habit and key to breaking bad habits is recognizing those behaviors. Start by making a note every time you recognize a negative thought. When you do, find something positive about the situation on which to focus. At the end of the day look back at your note pad and you’ll realize how absolutely pervasive your negative mindset is. Acknowledge the Matrix and refuse to live in it Over time, you’ll develop new habits and a new, positive mindset. This is absolutely critical to chasing excellence because much of the time things will not go your way. You will not get the results you expect and you will need to find the good in it in order to continue to persevere.
A growth mindset, a term popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, is the next bit of mental kung fu you need to learn. If you think you’re dumb, you are. If you think you can’t, you’re right. A growth mindset is one where no matter what it is, you know you can learn it…but it may take time. That’s what all of this is about. Knowing that you’re willing to work harder and sacrifice more than anyone else to achieve your goals, no matter how lofty. Bring it back to CrossFit for a minute. In Chasing Excellence Bergeron tells the story of Katrin Davidsdottir struggling in the CrossFit Games with the rope climb to the point that it knocked her so far down the leader board as to no longer matter. Early on in their relationship she struggled with the rope climb to the point of tears. A fixed mindset says, “I cannot do the rope climb. I’m not strong enough.” A growth mindset simply says, “I cannot do the rope climb…yet. I’m not strong enough…yet.” In the pursuit of excellence you will absolutely encounter things you cannot do…yet. You must develop the growth mindset that allows you to see challenges as things you will, in time, overcome. You must have the mindset to learn and grow, however long it takes.
I am a student of human performance and am endlessly fascinated by people who perform at the highest levels. Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron succinctly distills the mindset and habits that will allow you to achieve your goals, no matter how lofty. In closing, I leave you with a parting thought from the Epilogue of the book.
“…you don’t become a champion and then start acting like a champion. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a midlevel associate at a law firm, chasing excellence is about living and breathing the behaviors and habits of a champion daily. It’s about doing your best at whatever you do, whether it’s studying for a test, working out at CrossFit, loading the dishwasher, or listening to a friend in need. It’s the manner in which you try to achieve your potential that defines you as a champion, not titles, medals, or accolades. But a curious thing happens when you start acting like a champion – when you commit everything you have to the process, everything else tents to fall into place.”
Read this book and execute on its principles every day, relentlessly. I look forward to seeing how you change your life and the world.
This review was originally published on my blog, www.thedeckleedge.com. I invite you to read and comment. Thanks.
Chasing Excellence is about maximizing human potential over the long term to achieve your goals. That’s not CrossFit, necessarily. It’s about motherhood, entrepreneurship, business, physical fitness, or absolutely anything you want to achieve. CrossFit is simply the storyline for the lesson. Upfront Bergeron states,
“That’s what this book is about: how you can learn the mindset I’ve used to train champion athletes and apply it to your life.”
Bergeron, like Nick Saban, focuses on The Process.
”At its heart the process is the single-minded emphasis of preparation above all else. In practice, this is very mundane – the process is many things, but glamorous is not one of them.
This is the process – acknowledging where you are, identifying where you want to be, and breaking it down into pieces. Excellence is a matter of steps. Excel at this one, then that one, and then the one after that.
The process is simple, but it’s not easy. Most people don’t have the character traits necessary to fully commit to it…When character and process are both in place, the results will take care of themselves.”
The thing about The Process that I think most people underestimate is that it requires you to be truly honest with yourself. You first have to verbalize what your dreams really are and for so many of us, we’ve repressed those dreams. Life has taught us that people who dream big are ridiculed and massive success is for the few like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk and so a “big dream” for most people is to retire at 65. It isn’t to be the fittest human being that ever lived or to colonize Mars. We dream small because we’re afraid of failure or rejection. Why not dream big and see what you’re capable of?
The next obstacle presented to most people by The Process is that we aren’t patient and we lack grit. We want success now. We need instant gratification to the point that even waiting 4 minutes for the microwave popcorn to be done has become drudgery. Bergeron is very candid that the process of excellence is one of a life time. You may have rapid success but you probably won’t. Either way, the pursuit of excellence should and will occupy the rest of your life. It isn’t a destination but the path that is important.
“It not a question of how much work it will take, how much suffering will be involved, or how fast the results will come. It’s about committing to the grind every day.”
Another challenge of The Process is identifying your weaknesses. We aren’t talking about those things you could improve at. We’re talking about the things you truly suck at. The pursuit of excellence means improving every facet of your game. It’s about identifying those things that are holding you back and attacking them relentlessly until they’re no longer a weakness, but a strength. If you’re pursuing physical fitness and you’re early in the process, this may mean that you stop eating chips. If you’re already fit and trying to eke out 1% gains, it might mean not eating anything processed. Like…anything. If you’re a business owner this might mean taking a night class in accounting so you can better understand the mechanics of your business or talk to your banker. It might mean owning the fact that you can’t and shouldn’t do everything and in order for your business to grow, you have to take a pay cut to afford to hire someone who complements your skills. It requires a brutally honest assessment of where you are and where you want to be and frankly, most people won’t do that.
“This is the process – acknowledging where you are, identifying where you want to be, and breaking it down into pieces. Excellence is a matter of steps. Excel at this one, then that one, and then the one after that.”
This concept, that excellence is just a simple matter of breaking things down into the smallest pieces possible and executing on them over time, will motivate some and terrify others. Why would it terrify people? Because they’ve long been telling themselves a narrative that their lack of success is someone else’s fault. They were born to the wrong people. They haven’t been given the right opportunities. Other people have more money. Other people are smarter.
None of that matters. What matters is positivity and a growth mindset.
“Focusing on negative feelings or circumstances – it’s so hot out. I’m tired. Traffic sucks. My boss is such an idiot. – brings greater focus to things that are ultimately outside your control and are potentially detrimental to your performance. In no competitive or life scenario will focusing on negative uncontrollable factors improve your performance or stress levels.”
There is no circumstance in which you find yourself, no matter how bad, where you cannot find something positive on which to focus. If you don’t believe me, I’d like you to go read some Viktor Frankl and then come complain.
“If your story is telling you you’re not good enough, not smart enough, too old, too young, or can’t do it, you’re subconscious will believe you.”
I’ve been listening to a number of Tom Bilyeau podcasts lately and he talks effectively about us living in The Matrix in reference to our mindset. As soon as you realize you’re thinking negatively, you’ve realized you’re in the Matrix and now you’re in a position to do something about it. A negative mindset, like a positive one, is a habit and key to breaking bad habits is recognizing those behaviors. Start by making a note every time you recognize a negative thought. When you do, find something positive about the situation on which to focus. At the end of the day look back at your note pad and you’ll realize how absolutely pervasive your negative mindset is. Acknowledge the Matrix and refuse to live in it Over time, you’ll develop new habits and a new, positive mindset. This is absolutely critical to chasing excellence because much of the time things will not go your way. You will not get the results you expect and you will need to find the good in it in order to continue to persevere.
A growth mindset, a term popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, is the next bit of mental kung fu you need to learn. If you think you’re dumb, you are. If you think you can’t, you’re right. A growth mindset is one where no matter what it is, you know you can learn it…but it may take time. That’s what all of this is about. Knowing that you’re willing to work harder and sacrifice more than anyone else to achieve your goals, no matter how lofty. Bring it back to CrossFit for a minute. In Chasing Excellence Bergeron tells the story of Katrin Davidsdottir struggling in the CrossFit Games with the rope climb to the point that it knocked her so far down the leader board as to no longer matter. Early on in their relationship she struggled with the rope climb to the point of tears. A fixed mindset says, “I cannot do the rope climb. I’m not strong enough.” A growth mindset simply says, “I cannot do the rope climb…yet. I’m not strong enough…yet.” In the pursuit of excellence you will absolutely encounter things you cannot do…yet. You must develop the growth mindset that allows you to see challenges as things you will, in time, overcome. You must have the mindset to learn and grow, however long it takes.
I am a student of human performance and am endlessly fascinated by people who perform at the highest levels. Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron succinctly distills the mindset and habits that will allow you to achieve your goals, no matter how lofty. In closing, I leave you with a parting thought from the Epilogue of the book.
“…you don’t become a champion and then start acting like a champion. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a midlevel associate at a law firm, chasing excellence is about living and breathing the behaviors and habits of a champion daily. It’s about doing your best at whatever you do, whether it’s studying for a test, working out at CrossFit, loading the dishwasher, or listening to a friend in need. It’s the manner in which you try to achieve your potential that defines you as a champion, not titles, medals, or accolades. But a curious thing happens when you start acting like a champion – when you commit everything you have to the process, everything else tents to fall into place.”
Read this book and execute on its principles every day, relentlessly. I look forward to seeing how you change your life and the world.
This review was originally published on my blog, www.thedeckleedge.com. I invite you to read and comment. Thanks.
June 28, 2023
Ben Bergeron coached both the 2016 CrossFit Games Men’s and Women’s first-place finishers, something so extraordinary it is hard to imagine. This little book is a gem describing all the principles of becoming a success at anything you do, set against the backdrop of those Games. I really liked how he organized each guiding principle into its own chapter, and used anecdotes from the Games to illustrate it. He also unpacks the difference between complacency, competency and excellence, and they’re orders of magnitude apart. There’s some assumed knowledge here - it helps to know CrossFit well, which I don’t - but you don’t need to compete at CrossFit to get something from this book.
There are one or two howlers, like several paragraphs of stuff taken directly from another book, and a statement about a squat clean alone being enough to qualify a “middleweight” weightlifter at national level. Hmmmm..no. But as a coaching book, this is really straightforward and truthful and definitely worth reading for anyone looking for inspiration about how-to progress from competence to excellence.
There are one or two howlers, like several paragraphs of stuff taken directly from another book, and a statement about a squat clean alone being enough to qualify a “middleweight” weightlifter at national level. Hmmmm..no. But as a coaching book, this is really straightforward and truthful and definitely worth reading for anyone looking for inspiration about how-to progress from competence to excellence.
October 16, 2019
Super good book, it really talks about mindset you need to succeed. Breaks down what makes his athletes different from other athletes, and the journey it took for them to get there. Really good book if you follow CrossFit (I do) and still a good read that makes you think about your goals if you don't.
5 stars but again I'm bias because I've been doing CrossFit for years and my whole family is into it.
5 stars but again I'm bias because I've been doing CrossFit for years and my whole family is into it.
March 3, 2018
The story of the 2016 CrossFit Games is one of my favorites. I've rewatched the documentary and interviews countless times. To hear it from the perspective of Ben Bergeron was even better. Whereas the book is centered around the games, you don't necessarily need to be a fangirl to understand the principles he discusses. If you're a fan of the Chasing Excellence podcasts, you'll notice similar themes and messages throughout the book. Overall, it was a really fast read and a great refresher. I loved it.
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April 26, 2018helpful - do good work! Now I just need to identify what that means in the context of librarianship.
Side note - I hope they put the Crossfit games back on Youtube instead of all the boring commentary, I just want to watch fit ladies lifting heavy things and being fit. *sigh*
Side note - I hope they put the Crossfit games back on Youtube instead of all the boring commentary, I just want to watch fit ladies lifting heavy things and being fit. *sigh*
May 17, 2018
Спортод элэгтэй хүн бүр туxайн спортоороо хамгийн шилдэгт тооцогдож, төгс төгөлдөрийг ирэлxийлсээр байдаг шүү дээ. Энэ бүxний цаана тэр иx хүчин чармайлт хаанаас төрж байдгийг зоxиогч маань судалж оюун санаа ямар иx нөлөөтөй байдгийг тогтоосон нь мэдүүштэй санагдлаа. Ялагч сэтгэл зүйтэй байx, ялагдалыг уналт мэтээр хараxгүй байx зэрэг олон чуxал ойлголтыг энэ номноос авж болох санагдлаа.
August 19, 2019
Book of all books on motivation and getting things done. Haven’t read a better one yet and will stick with this one. Must read if you want to get better at anything.
August 14, 2025
Whether you’re an athlete or not. This book has lots of great tools for a winning mindset.
February 28, 2019
4.5 Not actually a book about CrossFit, for the record. I mean, it is but it isn’t. I loved a lot of his points, had questions about a few, and mostly wanted to get to know the man.
December 20, 2019
A Very focused read on having a the mindset of a champion. Ben Bergeron does an extremely quick detailed study of what occurs in the mind of 2 amazing aesthetes over the course of their 4 day at the CrossFit games. Embracing the process and chasing every minute of every day with excellence is the key to this mindset. He goes example through example of how these principles are applied.
My example is is he has his athletes list every possible obstacle that could happen at the Games...they came up with 101 things. They went through each to determine which ones could be controlled or which ones couldn't. The idea is be mentally prepared for when these moments occur.
The details that go into each and every moment of these athletes leading up to the games was amazing and inspiring.
My example is is he has his athletes list every possible obstacle that could happen at the Games...they came up with 101 things. They went through each to determine which ones could be controlled or which ones couldn't. The idea is be mentally prepared for when these moments occur.
The details that go into each and every moment of these athletes leading up to the games was amazing and inspiring.
March 31, 2022
Behind every great athlete is a great coach. Human first, athlete second 👌
October 9, 2024
Really easy to read and digest, with really great tips that are easy to adopt for anyone, and would apply to all aspects of life
January 9, 2018
Motivating!
Really appreciate the way Ben breaks down excellence into simple (not easy) steps. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to get on the right track in their mental game.
Really appreciate the way Ben breaks down excellence into simple (not easy) steps. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to get on the right track in their mental game.
May 27, 2024
I couldn’t even finish this book. I got 50 pages in and it was still just Bergeron writing laughably over-the-top, superlative laden, dogmatic sentences about how CrossFit athletes are the fittest, toughest, baddest, most athletic human beings anyone could ever fathom.
A few examples:
“The fittest eighty athletes in the world are all assembled here”
“There is truly no test of fitness anywhere in the world like it”
“There is no test in the world that is more comprehensive or more brutal”
“A world class sporting event unparalleled in its variance, comprehensiveness, and toughness”
“Making it to the games is impossibly difficult”
“Making it to the games takes a commitment that is hard for most people to fathom”
Oh, and all these statements came in a TWO-PAGE SPAN of chapter one! and every single sentence in between them is of the same language.
At one point he says “where it was once considered impossible to run a 5-minute mile or deadlift 500 lbs….the average male CrossFit games competitor can now deadlift over 500 lbs, [and] run just over a 5 minute mile”…….I have no idea what time period he’s referring to when people thought a 5-minute mile and 500lb deadlift was impossible, because the record mile time was 4:28 in 1865. And Hermann Gorner deadlifted 664 lbs in 1920–with one hand. He literally completely fabricated both of those things as part of his obsessive quest to ensure everyone who reads this understands that CrossFitters are basically a combination between the Incredible Hulk, David Goggins, and Seabiscuit.
Bergeron may be an excellent CrossFit coach, but it’s his talent for superficial hyperbole that really stands out. If I wanted to hear about how amazing CrossFit is and how inscrutably fit and impressive these athletes are; I would literally just talk to anyone who does CrossFit. This guy is the living, breathing embodiment of everything that makes CrossFitters insufferable and it’s laid on so thick throughout the early parts of the book that it almost comes across as parody.
1-star because I can’t give zero.
A few examples:
“The fittest eighty athletes in the world are all assembled here”
“There is truly no test of fitness anywhere in the world like it”
“There is no test in the world that is more comprehensive or more brutal”
“A world class sporting event unparalleled in its variance, comprehensiveness, and toughness”
“Making it to the games is impossibly difficult”
“Making it to the games takes a commitment that is hard for most people to fathom”
Oh, and all these statements came in a TWO-PAGE SPAN of chapter one! and every single sentence in between them is of the same language.
At one point he says “where it was once considered impossible to run a 5-minute mile or deadlift 500 lbs….the average male CrossFit games competitor can now deadlift over 500 lbs, [and] run just over a 5 minute mile”…….I have no idea what time period he’s referring to when people thought a 5-minute mile and 500lb deadlift was impossible, because the record mile time was 4:28 in 1865. And Hermann Gorner deadlifted 664 lbs in 1920–with one hand. He literally completely fabricated both of those things as part of his obsessive quest to ensure everyone who reads this understands that CrossFitters are basically a combination between the Incredible Hulk, David Goggins, and Seabiscuit.
Bergeron may be an excellent CrossFit coach, but it’s his talent for superficial hyperbole that really stands out. If I wanted to hear about how amazing CrossFit is and how inscrutably fit and impressive these athletes are; I would literally just talk to anyone who does CrossFit. This guy is the living, breathing embodiment of everything that makes CrossFitters insufferable and it’s laid on so thick throughout the early parts of the book that it almost comes across as parody.
1-star because I can’t give zero.
September 2, 2019
"Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a nightmare." - This is a book that doesn't have anything groundbeaking or new, but which inspires you to take action. Everyone can attain excellence by commiting to daily habits that slowly build your character as you face hardships and setbacks. Your determination to keep going will be a catalyst for action on it's own as you endure, independently of the outcomes or results. After all, you're competing against yourself and no one else. That is the mark of a true champion. The modesty to look past results as a badge of honor and learning to love the process for it's inherent boredom.
I'm giving it 5/5 for it's contextual approach in using the CrossFit games as general great example/case study for all the lessons given in each of the chapters in this book. It makes for a very easy and inspiring read overall. Great for coming back at later points to extract smaller pieces of insights.
I'm giving it 5/5 for it's contextual approach in using the CrossFit games as general great example/case study for all the lessons given in each of the chapters in this book. It makes for a very easy and inspiring read overall. Great for coming back at later points to extract smaller pieces of insights.
December 26, 2017
I felt like Ben, the author, gave some great insight into mindset techniques that he uses with his athletes during training that can be applied to life in general as well. That being said, I also felt like it was a little simple, and focused too heavily on the play by play of the games for Katrin for my taste. I enjoyed it overall but it isn’t one of my top books in this genre.
June 10, 2024
I am drinking the CrossFit kol-aid these days so I found this book very entertaining. A good mix of a self-improvement book and a recap of the 2016 CrossFit games when Mat Fraser and Kat D., Ben's trainees, achieved first place.
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