Our Athletic Department (AD) is always seeking to upskill and to reach the next level of motivation. Like many of our members, we draw upon books not only to motivate but to inspire our day-to-day lives and to immerse ourselves in journeys that often mirror our own experiences.

As part of our motivational guide for members, we detail the three books the AD team recommended for our members.

1) Adam Peaty Gladiator Mindset 10 Steps to Achieve The Impossible

Not a traditional autobiography but more of a personal development and performance guide drawing on his experience as one of the world’s most successful swimmers.

The book focuses on 10 principles designed to develop character, believing in your own potential, pushing yourself past your limits and creating a bulletproof strategy to get the most out of individuals.

It’s written as an inspirational handbook rather than a strict sports memoir, making it useful for athletes, professionals, students, or anyone seeking motivation and strategies for personal achievement.

Overall, it combines Peaty’s elite sport experience with self-development advice to help readers find confidence, set goals, and “be better than we were yesterday.”

2) Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United by Alex Ferguson.

Again, this book isn’t a traditional style of autobiography; rather, it’s a leadership and management book built around lessons from Ferguson’s decorated career.

There are five core themes Sir Alex discusses, which can be used for daily motivation:
1. Leadership is about standards
2. Authority and discipline
3. People management
4. Winning mentality
5. Legacy and values

These principles can be applied to everyday life when our members are chasing a goal or pushing themselves in their sessions, particularly in preparation, recovery, and psychology.

3) KLIM – The Story of Michael Klim

This captivating autobiography follows one of our very own members on an extraordinary journey, from Olympic glory to personal challenges. This is a story of passion, perseverance, and the unbreakable human spirit. Dive into his life: from his family’s move from Poland, to his training and mindset, and of course, the unforgettable gold medal win on the opening night of the Sydney Olympics.

This book is a must-read for anyone lacking current motivation, or for anyone who wants to learn how to overcome the cards we have been dealt.

If you would like to seek more methods on how to positively exercise your brain, talk to any of our AD team members!