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The Mindset

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At the age of 22, Ace Bowers faced a life-changing decision: stay trapped in his family’s cycle of poverty or break free and rewrite his future.

The Mindset is a powerful, inspirational memoir chronicling Ace’s journey from an uneducated, overweight janitor battling addiction and depression to a successful career in Silicon Valley - all within five years.


In this raw and honest story, Ace reveals the harsh realities of growing up in a poor, abusive, and alcoholic family and shares how shifting his mindset sparked a complete transformation.

Through candid accounts of struggle and perseverance, The Mindset shows how changing your mindset can unlock success, health, and lasting happiness - even when the odds are stacked against you.

If you’re looking for motivation to overcome adversity, break limiting cycles, and unlock your true potential, this memoir will inspire and empower you.

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2019

121 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

About the author

Ace Bowers

3 books8 followers
Known for drawing on his personal experiences and a deep commitment to helping others, Ace Bowers is passionate about using his insights to support people—both personally and professionally—through his books.

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5 stars
111 (45%)
4 stars
60 (24%)
3 stars
42 (17%)
2 stars
21 (8%)
1 star
11 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Adamreads1975.
5 reviews
September 29, 2019
I read this book about 2 months ago because my CEO recommended it to her employees at our company book club. As some other reviews have mentioned, if you judge this book by the cover, it might appear to be a self-help or how to get rich book. It's not.

It's a touching story and I was pleasantly surprised. Several times in the book, I asked myself what I'd do if I was in his position. And ultimately I was forced to look at my own life and realized I have no valid excuse to not succeed.

Even though I finished it a few months ago, it sort of stuck with me. Every time I don't want to do something, I ask myself what Ace would do right now. Would he make an excuse? Or power through it? (Now I know why our CEO recommended it.)
Profile Image for Ashley Diamond.
1 review
March 14, 2019
As soon as I received my copy of The Mindset, I sat on the couch with the intention of finishing the first chapter. I found myself hours later still on the couch finishing the entire book. I couldn’t put it down. I loved how easy it was to follow and read cover to cover.

The storyline was very honest and from the heart. Bowers illustrates a number of difficulties he faced throughout his life. I feel like everyone could relate to at least one obstacle on some level, whether it pertains to family, money, smoking, weight loss, work, etc. I strongly believe in his overall message about the power of changing your mindset. It truly makes the world of difference and he shows that throughout his journey.

I recommend this memoir for people who could use or enjoy some inspiration. I wouldn’t call this a self-help book or how-to guide. It merely talks about his own personal experiences. It doesn’t outline specifics on how someone else can get rich, but it does talk about how he was able to completely turn his life around. At the end of the day, if he can do it, so can you!

This is a perfect novel to motivate you to adjust your mindset and get your butt in gear
Profile Image for Janna1979.
5 reviews
April 30, 2019
A beautiful true story
This book has several layers and only one of those layers involves money. His love for the family he created gave him the motivation to be the best version of himself. He seems so unassuming yet he accomplished more in 5 years than most people can only dream of. I hope that one day I can read another book from him, or at least buy a ticket to listen to him speak. Read this book. Read the wisdom in its pages.
Profile Image for Mark.
4 reviews
April 30, 2019
You need to read this book!

If you go into this book looking for someone to spoon feed you on how to become rich, you won't like this book!

But if you are able to understand it's not about "what" he did but is about "why" he did the things he did, then you will understand the depth and wisdom in this book.

It's a powerful and moving book about overcoming life's struggles, family, and the desire to break the chains that bind you.

His "journey" was actually about so much more than money and he talks about so many other things in this book that have nothing to do with money at all (which I enjoyed).

This is a very powerful book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and for so many reasons.
Profile Image for Marty K.
2 reviews
April 26, 2019
It's about so much more than money

This book is not really about money or becoming a millionaire. I’ll tell you what this book IS about.
1. Getting dealt a crappy hand in life and having the courage to break that cycle.
2. Family, love, forgiveness.
3. Finding inspiration in life.
4. Bettering yourself.
5. Overcoming life’s obstacles through mindset, discipline, and courage.

This book is very well written - in some of the scenes I felt like I was right there with him, feeling what he felt. There were 2 points in the book where I cried.
1 review
March 18, 2019
Truly something from the heart

Every word in the book is authentic. It'll be tough to put the book down once you start it. Ace is a hero. Unassuming but relentless. Loving but tough. Proud but humble. A true embodiment of the American spirit.
Profile Image for Antonella.
4,124 reviews622 followers
February 1, 2020
*an inspiring memoir about overcoming life obstacles
*short but impactful
*book about never giving up
Profile Image for whynnot.
91 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2019
Such an inspiration

"Fortitude and willpower are life skills that can’t be taught, but must be lived out through an endurance obtained by running your own race."
Profile Image for Baseballfan334.
3 reviews
September 25, 2019
This is my first Goodreads review and I'm honestly not sure how to describe this book other than beautiful, touching, deep, profound. Read it, you will understand what I mean.
Profile Image for JP McLean.
6 reviews4 followers
March 25, 2022
Relentless determination and willingness to learn from your mistakes are the recurring themes of Ace Bowers memoir The Mindset: My Journey from Janitor to Silicon Valley Millionaire. Bowers brings readers through a timeline of his life: starting with his childhood and finishing by educating readers on his current relationships with his family, who most of the memoir is centered around. Bowers uses his family and the situations they put him in during his adolescence as evidence for why he was able to transition from the blue collar lifestyle he was raised in, to the “Millionaire Mindset” he repeatedly harks on, in an increasingly competitive technology industry.
Profile Image for Jin.
12 reviews
May 24, 2019
Very inspirational

Recommend by a friend of my , I brought and read in one setting. Indeed , your attitude defines your fate. God helps those who help themself. ..
Profile Image for SarahPrene.
4 reviews
April 26, 2019
This book is a gem!

I have Kindle Unlimited so it was free for me to read. Otherwise I may have never given it a chance. Wow, I was not expecting this book to be so poignant and moving. It's simply wonderful.
18 reviews
May 27, 2019
No!

Is this book self published? I can't believe I read the whole book. The authors upbringing was not as bad as my own and I never even thought my own was that bad. This book is just an opportunity for the author to praise himself in print. It's just an out pouring of narcissistic prose on how wonderful the author believes he is. When he spoke about his brother Anthony who he cared passionately for, but he didn't see for four years or even try to help.. Then Anthony died, the author said he even felt a little guilty for not helping him more. He should have been racked with guilt for not doing more! I call him the author because I also think he most likely changed his name to Ace, to reflect on what a fantastically, brilliant, number one, individual the author believes he is. Don't waste your time reading this self indulgent twaddle!
Profile Image for Melinda_and_her_books.
163 reviews39 followers
July 5, 2019
I loved this memoir. I can relate on a lot of levels. I too grew up in poverty and with a dysfunctional family. I also made it my life goal to be a better parent than my parents. It seems that mental illness also runs in my family. Some parts of this book gave me chills because it was a lot like my life. I may not have a ton of money. I'm a stay at home mom and my husband is in the military but my life is way better and my kids are way better off than I was and I believe I have accomplished my goal of being a better mother than my mother. I understand his love hate relationships with his family. This is one of those book that people need to read. Especially if you have dealt with poverty, parents who did drugs, and mental illnesses like anxiety.
Profile Image for kelly wong.
12 reviews
March 30, 2019
Amazing

This book is incredible and it teaches you how hard work does pay off even if you don’t have much experience with something. All I have to say that it is absolutely brilliant.
Profile Image for Michelle Ventour.
7 reviews
June 2, 2019
Never give up!

This book has encouraged me to try harder. Forgive those who hurt me. Forgiveness is for me. Forgiveness allows m to work harder to achieve my goals and to help others.
18 reviews
June 6, 2019
Blueprint for Overcoming

This books tells you exactly what needs to be done to overcome any adverse situation. Focus, hard work, dedication, have a strong "why" and stay the course! Most important "Never Give Up"!
5 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2019
Nice little story...but...

I had hoped to find out something that would be helpful to others, and inspirational, but I could find no new nuggets. But it was nice to see someone change to such a great degree.
Profile Image for Jeannine.
785 reviews10 followers
September 28, 2019
The author has overcome difficult circumstances but that's a book this does not pass muster. The first 25% is a rehash of a difficult childhood and the balance of it does not work ss any kind of a self-help book (that is how it is presented) other than saying your mindset matters. There are much better books that will provide a lot more inspiration and specific direction if that is what you were looking for. Read Atomic Habits...
12 reviews
March 25, 2021
Ace Bowers is born in poverty. His childhood consists of three main things- his parents' constant fights, his brother moving in and out of jail, and his fear that his wealthy friends would find about the truth about his life. He hides his problems deep inside his heart and never let anyone peek inside the long walls covering his dark side.

He promised himself never to be like his parents but soon realizes that he is taking the same path. He is poverty-stricken, unemployed without a college degree. But then his girlfriend gives him a piece of news. Two words and his life is completely changed. He is determined to improve, not just for himself, but for his family that he is about to begin. How will his life change?

The Mindset is a story of a man who describes his journey from being a janitor to being a millionaire. It is a memoir written by Ace Bowers highlighting his life from childhood to parenthood through all the ups and downs in life. It is a book that will make the reader think about his approaches towards life. It enlightens the author's hunger for success and makes the reader crave for more.

The author describes mindset as the only bridge to success. He strictly emphasizes that it is us who decide what we would be in the coming years. It is our mind that plays all the games, and once we know how to control our minds, we will know how to control our lives. He expresses will and support to be the only strength of a person. You gain support and keep going. That should be your aim.

Initially, I had been hesitant about selecting the book because I was worried that it would turn out to be a monotonous self-help book. But I was completely wrong! The author's style to convey his message made me fall in love with the book. The author uses humor and appealing phrases to describe events and emotions. He does not give bits of advice about what we should do or what we shouldn't. Instead, he tries to make the reader enlightened by relating to his own story.

Another thing I like about the story was that it was relatable. If the story had used an exaggerated method to display determination, like being completely different from the parents and being determined to break the cycle of poverty in the first go, I would have never believed the book. But the author offered full transparency about his journey. He describes that he started smoking and being the same mess that his parents were. All of his words and truthfulness instilled more liveliness in the book.

While I tried to find something unappealing about the book, it was an impossible feat—I loved everything about it and ended up reading it in a single day. The story had no errors, and the book was exceptionally well-edited. There was no profane language used and did not involve any erotic content. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars.'

If you are looking for a story that will make your life more meaningful and change your way of looking towards life, this one is for you. The journey from being poverty-stricken to dealing with millionaires, mixed with emotions, is a full venture for your mind. The book will appeal to the readers who like to read self-help books and the lives of successful people.
6 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2021
How does one go from being a janitor to a millionaire in Silicon Valley? Ace Bowler shares his journey to success and emphasizes the importance of a healthy mindset. Coming from an unstable and tumultuous household, he was a disturbed child. He was just an overweight, drunk, janitor with hardly any money to get through college. He had accepted his fate. But over time, some incidents led his mindset to change. He got a reason to work hard. He got a reason to change his situation.
Ace bowler also shares some incidents from his childhood. As a child, he was embarrassed by his family’s situation. Not only were they poor, but they also did not share a healthy bond. Ace’s oldest brother was in and out of jail. And a bulk of the money they earned was used to bail him out. To cope with poverty and the daily struggle of life, his parents got drunk regularly. Then in their inebriated state, they fought with each other.
I liked the parts where he spoke about his family. The turbulent and unstable environment created by the author’s parents seems to be the main reason for his downfall after school. His parents hadn’t explained to him what credit was and how it could affect his long-term. Seeing his parent, he too consumed alcohol and tobacco to cope with depression. In short, his parents seem irresponsible. However, one forgets to think from their perspective and understand the reason behind their actions. The author highlights their past, which helped me relate to their actions and behavior. I even felt sorry for his mother. Moreover, the author started by talking about his parent and then concluded the story by making peace with them. I felt this completed the story and made it wholesome.
There was nothing in particular that I did not like about the story. Though, I felt that the last chapter was not required. Even though it summarized the book, it did not add much to the story. The conversation between the author and his mother was a good stopping point. It was emotional and brought the story to a full round.
I will rate the Mindset by Ace Bowler 3 out of 4 stars. Overall, the book is inspiring and an eye-opener to reality. The language is conversational, so it is easy to understand. Though, I felt the book could be revised, especially the last chapter. I would recommend this book to people looking for a short, motivational read.
Profile Image for Thahseena Banu.
35 reviews
May 27, 2025
First time I tired a non-fiction book it was a good experience. I always thought non-fiction will be boring like that but this book changed my opinion.This was the first time I realised how mind set is important in our life and the struggle and everything he faced and achieved everything while having a great mind set i seriously adored the character and overall i liked the book☺️❤️.

What stood out to me the most was how powerfully the author conveys the importance of mindset in shaping our lives. Ace Bowers doesn’t just talk about theories or strategies he shares his own life story with honesty and vulnerability. Through his struggles, setbacks, and moments of growth, we see firsthand how a determined and focused mindset can make a huge difference. His journey from difficult beginnings to personal and professional success is both relatable and motivating.

Reading about the challenges he faced and the obstacles he overcame made me reflect on my own life and how my mindset affects the decisions I make. Bowers’ story isn’t one of instant success or luck it’s one of persistence, hard work, and a refusal to give up. That made his success feel even more real and achievable. It wasn’t just a story of triumph it was a lesson in mental discipline and resilience.

I found myself admiring the author not just for what he accomplished, but for how he carried himself throughout his journey. His honesty, humility, and drive really resonated with me. It’s not often that a book makes you feel like you’re learning something valuable while also enjoying a good story, but Mind Set did exactly that.

Overall, I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. It was eye-opening and thought-provoking, and it completely changed how I view non-fiction. Instead of being dry or textbook-like, it felt personal and real like a conversation with someone who truly wants to help you grow. I now understand how powerful mindset can be, and how much it influences the way we face life’s challenges.

Mind Set is a great read for anyone who wants a motivational boost or a reminder that our thoughts truly shape our reality. I’d definitely recommend it, especially if you’re new to non-fiction like I was.
Profile Image for Elena Palomeras.
2 reviews
February 19, 2021

The Mindset by Ace Bowers. In real life superheroes do not exist, in real life you have to learn how to become your own hero. This inspiring book presents the life of Ace, a guy whose bank account only has two digits, is overweight, earns 6 dollars an hour, and is trapped in an never ending cycle. With Ace we walk back into his past and learn how people construct unhealthy mindsets and habits, the importance of a good friendship, family, and partnership.
At first this book gives the impression of a "How to become rich" sort of book , but as I was reading I found myself being completely in love with it. The fact that it demonstrates the actual real life love there is in this world as we see it right now, is something I don't see much in books, he never romanticizes being poor, or other strong aspects. He kept things clear and down to earth, something I appreciate while reading a book.
Even though I enjoyed his words, I can't say I liked every part of the book, and here is why. Ace worked hard because he wanted something better for his family. But as the story went on I realized that everything he did was because of someone else, and that is NOT a healthy mindset. He stopped smoking, lost weight, to provide a better life for his son, but never for himself. Then what happens when Noah (his son) becomes an adult and is able to provide a good life for himself? Will Ace find another motive to keep on his good habits?. My point is, he needed to change his mindset not to save his family, but to save himself. The only thing I would add to this amazing story is a little bit of self love, and self importance. To understand that if you do things for someone else it might help for a while, but eventually they'll go away, then you'll have to learn how to do it for yourself. And I think this book lost that part when talking about a healthy lifestyle.
I would rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars, just because of the lacking self love Ace seems to need, I would also recommend this book to anyone going through any stage in life. No matter what part or phase you're in, this book will teach you many things, nevertheless I would say it stays for people older than 14, because it touches strong themes in certain parts of the book.

2 reviews
March 16, 2021
Emotionally charged and very valuable

If you're looking for a how-to guide to become millionaire with little effort, don't bother. There is no shortcut, and there is no "special" skill to acquire. Bowers had an unbreakable resilience and worked harder than anyone to get to where he is. Page after page, you'll notice he didn't have any stability in life, and his home life didn't get any easier with the years. Even though I felt grateful I didn't have to go through what he went through, I did connect with his stories. Moreover, I shed a tear or two when the words got hard to read and I got joyful whenever I read something good. What a journey it is, this book. In the end, you realize that Bowers was building his skillset over the years, being able to read people and act accordingly to be liked--because it was basically survival for him most of his life. You realize that him, having gotten from an unstable depressed obese unemployed teenager in debt with destructive tendencies and no college title to a millionaire with a loving wife and child working at a renowed tech company and happier than ever, was not by mistake. He found a strong enough purpuse to get out of that hole, a drive to set him apart from his own parents and give his child the life he never got, all the while using every skill he got from his experience to make that a reality. If you're looking for an inspiring story to remind you that changing your life is possible, read this book; but don't expect for it to be easy.
Profile Image for Smbergin.
227 reviews6 followers
February 23, 2020
This is a quick, rags to riches memoir of the likable Ace Bower. He grew up poor in a volatile household. After high school, he was lonely, depressed, overweight and no thoughts on how the future might unfold. Then, he met the woman would would become his wife. She became pregnant, which was the wake-up call he needed to get his life together. Within 5 years, he became a millionaire.

Not only is Ace’s career and financial success admirable, but he is extremely likable. His honesty and reflection on how his experiences shaped his outcomes were moving. He quite literally works his way to forgiveness of his family on the page, and it was evident the writing experience was cathartic.
Respect and admiration for Ace’s story aside, I found the book problematic in structure and style. It read like a speech given after a lifetime achievement award rather than a story. The conversational style helped get a sense for his persona, but he often veered off, repeated himself, and jumped around in time and space.

The subtitle of the book led me, erroneously, to believe that the focus would be on his career growth and. money moves. The subject matter was far more encompassing, which I welcomed, but I think may lead to disappointment to some readers who grab it based solely on title and cover art.
Profile Image for Arlene Kuta.
2 reviews
November 28, 2019
I bought this book for my youngest grandson who by all accounts had gotten himself into a hole and couldn't crawl out. He was looking to blame everyone for his problems, much like this author here. What I loved about this book is the moment the author figured out he has control of his destiny, he changed it. So many people want to blame their failures on other, when in reality it's the path and decisions they chose. You don't have to be born into wealth or have perfect parents, many of us don't. But those who are self-made are stronger than those who just have handouts. This book proves that point. A great read for those who think it's too late to create your best life.
1 review
February 12, 2020
The book mindset by Ace Bowers is really an interesting story.Its about his own rags to riches story. I really enjoyed reading the book , owing to the fact that it is a true life history of the author. I really enjoyed the authors choice of words. The book is written in standard English that is easily understood by any reader across the globe. I really enjoyed reading this book and that is why i give it 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more books from the author.
Profile Image for The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V..
1,077 reviews27 followers
August 16, 2022
Never give up. With the right motivation you can achieve anything. These are the two simple and powerful gems Ace Bowers shares in his memoir.

Anyone who wants to experience the "impossible" becoming "possible" should read this book! From janitor to millionaire in five years. Bowers shows how possible it truly is.

Great insights and deeply moving exposition on how our thinking affects our results.
1 review
November 27, 2019
It was better than I expected. It's not a self-help book but more of an inspirational story with a good kick in the ass attached. His journey is both interesting and familiar. It's a good read and one that is worth your time.
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