Welcome to the first installment of The Progress Drive Blog!
Our coaches love to give good recommendations. They include, but aren’t limited to: “remember to hook grip the bar” and “keep your core tight!” and “try not to redline on the assault bike in this 20-minute AMRAP.” And our advice doesn’t stop at lifting iron. We also give great suggestions on which books to pick up! Whether it’s to learn something new or simply for pleasure, these books are a perfect addition to your reading list.
Coach Sara – The Obstacle is the Way
“This book takes the most complicated, scary, and unknown aspects of life and simplifies it in a way that empowers you. I love how it focuses on what you can control and shows you how you can use life’s challenges to facilitate growth. The author is straightforward and, even in his bluntness, is optimistic.”
Coach Cory – Drive
“Gone is the old ‘stick and carrot.’ This book explores the root of motivation for human beings. The author explores a new approach to motivating yourself and those around you. Daniel Pink explores a new concept that focuses on autonomy, mastery, and purpose. This book makes you rethink motivation and gives you the tools to lead successfully!”
Coach Eric – Atomic Habits
“Atomic Habits blew my mind. Using scientific studies and examples from history, James Clear breaks down the behavioral processes that influence your daily habits. So if you’re looking to achieve a new goal, this book gives you the formula of how to set up your environment to get 1% closer to achieving it every day.”
Coach Brittany – In Defense of Food
“This book turns everything you have heard about nutrition and food marketing on its head. Pollan dispels myths and boils down the fundamentals into easy practices. It will give you a whole new perspective on the modern American diet and how we ended up where we are today, but also what you can do to fix it in your own life!”
Coach Johnny – But What If We’re Wrong?: Thinking about the Present As If It Were The Past
“This is not a book most will enjoy. It has no characters or plot or setting. It’s an in-depth and contrarian exploration of our past, present, and future. Klosterman examines what we know to be factual and turns it all on its head, forcing you to look at your world with a different lens. “
Coach Molly – The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto
“It’s an all-around great book to lose yourself in. The narrator of the book is music personified and it tells the story of Frankie Pesto, an amazing guitarist who changed the lives of six people with his guitar strings. It’s about perspective, timing, and who people are at a certain point in their life.”
Coach Hannah – These Kids Are Out Of Control
“This was the book I read that made me say “what the heck is going on.” It influenced my professional life (as a teacher) so much that it put me down the path of equity and trying to stop the school-to-prison pipeline.”
Coach Erica – The Running Dream
“This book is incredibly inspiring. It’s the story of a girl who loves to run but loses her legs in an accident. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles and her doctors telling her she will never run again; she keeps a positive attitude and re-learns to run. It taught me that even if people say it’s impossible, working hard and persevering are key are the keys to accomplishing your dreams.”
If you get a chance, check one (or all) of them out and let us know what you think!