book recommendations
These books have shaped the way I think about sports, parenting, leadership, and personal growth. Whether you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or leader, each offers valuable lessons on development, resilience, mindset, and playing the long game.
Mindset
by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.
This book is essential for parents, coaches, and athletes who want to embrace challenges, learn from failure, and focus on improvement over outcomes.
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The Power of
Double-Goal Coaching
by Jim Thompson
This book provides practical tools for creating an environment where athletes develop confidence, character, and a lifelong love of the game.
Grit
by Angela Duckworth
Duckworth reinforces the importance of resilience, consistency, and showing up every day, especially when progress feels slow.
Inner Excellence
by Jim Murphy
Leaders Eat Last
by Simon Sinek
The Let Them Theory
by Mel Robbins
Inner Excellence teaches athletes and leaders how to perform at a high level without tying their identity to results. Murphy’s message helps readers find freedom, confidence, and purpose by focusing on the process rather than external validation.
Simon Sinek explores how great leaders create environments built on trust, safety, and service to others. The lessons apply far beyond business, offering valuable insights for coaches, parents, and anyone responsible for developing young people.
Robbins encourages readers to stop trying to control other people and focus their energy on what they can control: their own actions and responses. This perspective is especially valuable for sports parents learning to support their children without managing every outcome.
The Energy Bus
By Jon Gordon
Raising Empowered Athletes
By Kirsten Jones
Through a simple and engaging story, Gordon demonstrates how attitude, energy, and positivity influence both individual and team success. It’s a powerful reminder that the mindset we bring into every interaction can elevate those around us.
Kirsten Jones offers practical wisdom for parents who want to help their children thrive in sports and in life. She reminds us that the goal isn’t to raise the next great athlete, but to raise confident, resilient young people who develop a lifelong love of competition and growth.
