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Chosen Suffering: Becoming Elite In Life And Leadership
Want to become elite? Get ready for Chosen Suffering.
Life in the twenty-first century is designed for comfort-just look around. We have upgrades for everything-airfare, tickets to the big game, and even our phones. But what's the real cost of comfort?
Easy and elite were never meant to coexist. Throughout history, elite high performers didn't escape suffering-they embraced it. By carrying their cross, they discovered their crown.
Real champions aren't born-they're built. It's true in life, business, athletics, and faith. We must transcend physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual limits if we want to achieve ultimate victory. Author Tom Ryan calls this chosen suffering. He knows that success comes with a price, paid for by the daily choices we make. He also believes every person encounters unchosen suffering, the type that brings us to our knees. In Coach Ryan's darkest hour, he and his wife discovered joy, peace, and hope.
In this raw and relatable book, you'll learn how the death of a dream can lead you straight into the grace of God. Ryan shares the lessons that secured his University's first-ever NCAA National Championship. You'll discover his proven process for escaping average and embodying greatness. Elite isn't by accident. It's the intentional outcome of Chosen Suffering.
Become elite, starting today!
Life in the twenty-first century is designed for comfort-just look around. We have upgrades for everything-airfare, tickets to the big game, and even our phones. But what's the real cost of comfort?
Easy and elite were never meant to coexist. Throughout history, elite high performers didn't escape suffering-they embraced it. By carrying their cross, they discovered their crown.
Real champions aren't born-they're built. It's true in life, business, athletics, and faith. We must transcend physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual limits if we want to achieve ultimate victory. Author Tom Ryan calls this chosen suffering. He knows that success comes with a price, paid for by the daily choices we make. He also believes every person encounters unchosen suffering, the type that brings us to our knees. In Coach Ryan's darkest hour, he and his wife discovered joy, peace, and hope.
In this raw and relatable book, you'll learn how the death of a dream can lead you straight into the grace of God. Ryan shares the lessons that secured his University's first-ever NCAA National Championship. You'll discover his proven process for escaping average and embodying greatness. Elite isn't by accident. It's the intentional outcome of Chosen Suffering.
Become elite, starting today!
- GenresSelf Help
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2020
22 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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November 11, 2020I haven't finished the Preface, and I can already tell that Tom Ryan is the real deal as an author and mentor. This book rates up there with the best of the best. This will definitely be recommended reading for others in my circle of influence for personal, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth. 10 out of 10.
Mark Garrison, Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, wrestler.
Mark Garrison, Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, wrestler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 30, 2022Chosen Suffering by Tom Ryan/Kirsten D Samule
This book as I know so far doesn't have a lexile,this book is about Tom Ryan and how his life changes into two separate place one with no god one after god and his journey to becoming elite in life and leadership how chosen suffering can affect us in day to day life
This book really is a slower pace and goes into detail about his journey and some of these actions that happen in his journey. Page 14 “Sorry Ryan. Your just not good enough” this is I think one of the most important actions was that he got cut from the basketball team I say this because his brother would have no other reason to tell him to join wrestling after this Ryan begins this passion and his inner love for the sport as he says page 23 “I love wrestling, I’d found my passion” another is when he heads to the camp of Iowa and Coach Dan Gable asks for his name and tells him on page 46 “Well sitting there isn't going to get you anywhere” I say this is important because not only is he accepted but shows that he is in now in one of the greatest team.One of the most important actions is that his son dies the reason this is important is because this gives him the drive to find god, and to let god enter his life and change it.
This book is amazing coming down to the people, to the plot, and the main meaning of this story sometimes this book can be predictable but it is in a fun way not like ones were you can already predict the whole book, this book is nice and opens your eyes to either god to keep trying to spend as much time with the people you love these are reasons why I also love the book as it circle around life and a great sport.The only few negatives around this book can be that to some readers that it can be to simple or that maybe they don't seem to understand the book and can be confusing. Another reason I like this book that it is and can easily be believable the actions or motions that take place can easily be applied to real life all these reasons is why I recommend and the reader life can easily connect with the book to the lowest time to the highest my this can be shown to my favorite part of the book was when his son dies this shows that one action can put us down on our knees and keep us there if we let it this also shows his progress with god and how he opens up and doesn't stay on his knees to me this book was easy to read and amazing book to show me more about life and lessons I thought I would never need.
This book as I know so far doesn't have a lexile,this book is about Tom Ryan and how his life changes into two separate place one with no god one after god and his journey to becoming elite in life and leadership how chosen suffering can affect us in day to day life
This book really is a slower pace and goes into detail about his journey and some of these actions that happen in his journey. Page 14 “Sorry Ryan. Your just not good enough” this is I think one of the most important actions was that he got cut from the basketball team I say this because his brother would have no other reason to tell him to join wrestling after this Ryan begins this passion and his inner love for the sport as he says page 23 “I love wrestling, I’d found my passion” another is when he heads to the camp of Iowa and Coach Dan Gable asks for his name and tells him on page 46 “Well sitting there isn't going to get you anywhere” I say this is important because not only is he accepted but shows that he is in now in one of the greatest team.One of the most important actions is that his son dies the reason this is important is because this gives him the drive to find god, and to let god enter his life and change it.
This book is amazing coming down to the people, to the plot, and the main meaning of this story sometimes this book can be predictable but it is in a fun way not like ones were you can already predict the whole book, this book is nice and opens your eyes to either god to keep trying to spend as much time with the people you love these are reasons why I also love the book as it circle around life and a great sport.The only few negatives around this book can be that to some readers that it can be to simple or that maybe they don't seem to understand the book and can be confusing. Another reason I like this book that it is and can easily be believable the actions or motions that take place can easily be applied to real life all these reasons is why I recommend and the reader life can easily connect with the book to the lowest time to the highest my this can be shown to my favorite part of the book was when his son dies this shows that one action can put us down on our knees and keep us there if we let it this also shows his progress with god and how he opens up and doesn't stay on his knees to me this book was easy to read and amazing book to show me more about life and lessons I thought I would never need.
August 21, 2023
Chosen Suffering By Tom Ryan
In this it shows the importance of discipline and dedicating yourself to your craft. Tom Ryan explains this through his life story and also talks about his spiritual journey to God. He talks about what it takes to be successful and the importance of chosen suffering. This book impacted me to help me stay more disciplined with my sports through the summer. This book also helped me because it showed me what it takes to be a champion. I also really liked the book because it talked about wrestling a lot which is my favorite sport. People who might like reading it are people who like sports and especially wrestlers.
In this it shows the importance of discipline and dedicating yourself to your craft. Tom Ryan explains this through his life story and also talks about his spiritual journey to God. He talks about what it takes to be successful and the importance of chosen suffering. This book impacted me to help me stay more disciplined with my sports through the summer. This book also helped me because it showed me what it takes to be a champion. I also really liked the book because it talked about wrestling a lot which is my favorite sport. People who might like reading it are people who like sports and especially wrestlers.
December 9, 2020
This book will stand with Extreme Ownership on my shelf of books that I should probably re-read once a year.
You don’t have to be a wrestler or coach to appreciate this book. It is filled with timeless principles on faith, communication, culture, honesty, and character. Coach Ryan’s vulnerability is courageous and I am thankful he wrote this book.
You don’t have to be a wrestler or coach to appreciate this book. It is filled with timeless principles on faith, communication, culture, honesty, and character. Coach Ryan’s vulnerability is courageous and I am thankful he wrote this book.
January 5, 2021
What a reminder of how to be "Elite" and the best you can be. How being in the top is NOT easy. Tom Ryan inspires me to be a better leader, better teacher but mostly to be a better person. A book I think everyone from High School & up should read.
March 15, 2021
it was a privilege to work with author, Tom Ryan, on this book. Tom's personal story interweaves with timeless business, life, and coaching principles. Down-to-earth, relatable, and touching, if you want to know the secret behind living an elite life, read this book.
April 19, 2021
I thought this was a great book for motivation, leadership, and becoming elite. I learned a lot about what chosen and unchosen suffering was coming from this book by the author Tom Ryan, and I feel like I know myself better now for reading that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2023
A great book on mindset, how we endure Chosen suffering to be elite.
Some great stories on overcoming, and the importance of not being a victim, but taking control of your life, your mind, and your emotions.
Some great stories on overcoming, and the importance of not being a victim, but taking control of your life, your mind, and your emotions.
January 8, 2021
Really great inspirational book on how to go from complacent to elite in any area of life.
February 24, 2021
Outstanding!
May 2, 2021
This was one of the best books I have ever read. As the mother of a young wrestler, I could really connect to so much. This is a must read for any athlete or athletic family.
February 16, 2022
Good book. This helped me to strive to be a better wrestling coach
December 16, 2025
This book is captivating. It is very great for self reflection.
September 7, 2020
A great book about chosen and unchosen suffering and how both should be confronted and used to better your life.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews