This week, I have toyed with many ideas for our blog post. Should I share my story, the podcasts I listen to, the books I read, or the things I do daily to help me succeed as best as possible? I believe that if I can grow, I have a better chance to lead and serve you in the best way possible. With that in mind, I decided to share the five books that have helped shape me into the person I’ve become since hitting rock bottom emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in 2020. During that challenging time, I turned to literature to help me get to where I am today.
These five books have shaped how I operate and lead at Vasse Strength and Conditioning (VSC). They’ve taught me the importance of discipline, service, the relentless pursuit of excellence, balance, and long-term thinking. Each one has offered a different piece of the puzzle, helping me understand what it takes to succeed—not just in business but in life. My hope is that by sharing these insights, you, too, can find inspiration to push beyond your limits and achieve your own version of success.
One of the most important concepts is that success is a journey, not a destination. It’s an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and refining how you operate daily. Here’s how each of these books made its impact.
1. The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
This strong parable was a game-changer in managing my time and mindset. Robin Sharma’s message is clear: controlling your morning routine is the key to controlling your life. By joining the “5 AM Club,” I discovered the power of starting my day with intention. It’s not just about waking up early—it’s about dedicating the first hour of the day to personal growth, setting a tone of productivity and focus. This concept also led to the start of our 4:45 am classes at VSC because I felt it was essential to provide that early hour to our community.
This approach has been critical to many of my personal successes. Whether spending time programming workouts, planning community events, or simply setting the tone for the day, starting early gives me the clarity and energy needed to be a more effective leader. It’s about showing up for my team and members, ready to provide 100% because I’ve already invested in myself before the day begins. As Alex Hormozi stated in his recent interview with Chris Williamson, “A lot of our personal problems can be solved by going to bed earlier.” By rising before everyone else, you’ll find you need to go to bed earlier, and in turn, you genuinely seem to have a better quality of life.
2. Built to Serve by Evan Carmichael
This is probably one of my all-time favourite and most pivotal reads. Evan Carmichael’s Built to Serve emphasises the importance of purpose and service. His message is simple yet profound: you are here to serve others, and your success is tied to how well you do that. This concept reshaped how I view my role as a husband, father, son, coach, and business operator.
Early in my parenting journey, I was inspired by the scene in American Sniper where Chris Kyle’s dad explains the importance of being a sheepdog rather than a sheep or, worse, a wolf, highlighting our duty to serve our family and community above all else. Evan Carmichael’s message deeply reinforced this belief. At VSC, I believe I’m not just running a gym but creating a space where people can become their best selves, push past limits, and discover new strengths.
Understanding that VSC’s success hinges on how well we serve our community has led me to focus more on our members’ needs. That’s why we offer personalised coaching, community-driven events, and an environment where everyone feels supported. This book taught me that the more I invest in helping others achieve their goals, the more fulfilled and successful I become.
Lastly, it helped me establish my values, something I was unaware of before reading this book. The tasks within helped cement who I am and why I believe what I do. For that reason, I love this book because it not only taught me to be of more service to the world but also how and why to do it according to my value structure. This meant I could shed any imposter syndrome and better deal with life and business challenges.
3. Winning by Tim Grover
Tim Grover’s Winning is a no-nonsense guide to achieving excellence. Grover, who trained legendary athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, lays out the harsh reality of what it takes to win. It’s not pretty and easy, but if you want to be the best, you must be relentless.
For me, Winning reinforced the importance of pushing past comfort zones for myself and the members we serve at VSC and in our community. It’s about embracing the grind, knowing that the road to success is paved with challenges and setbacks. This book also taught me that winning is personal. It’s not about being better than someone else or being better than you were yesterday. At VSC, this mindset is reflected in everything we do—from our workout programming to encouraging our members to track their progress and strive for their personal best.
Winning isn’t about how we perform in front of others; it’s about performing in the dark when no one is watching. In the following book, you’ll see how I learnt a different lesson from Kobe. But this book by Tim Grover taught me that the work must be done, and if you want to be a winner rather than a loser, you have to get things done—a bit like writing this blog post for you.
4. Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant by Roland Lazenby
Showboat by Roland Lazenby offers a deep dive into Kobe Bryant’s life, showcasing his unmatched work ethic and relentless drive to succeed. However, you might be surprised by what I learned from this book. What struck me most wasn’t just Kobe’s incredible achievements but also the sacrifices he made along the way. He was willing to do whatever it took to win, often at the cost of being liked or even a team player.
While I admire Kobe’s dedication and drive, Showboat also reminded me of the importance of balance. As I read this book, it caused me to reflect. Running a facility like VSC isn’t just about pushing myself and my members to the limit; it’s also about fostering a supportive, team-oriented environment—something Kobe often struggled with in his career. I’ve taken inspiration from Kobe’s focus and work ethic but have consciously decided to prioritise community and teamwork. That is what I genuinely believe in. I want to succeed, but I don’t want to do it alone or at the expense of relationships. This book was a real eye-opener, teaching me that success, no matter what it looks like, isn’t worth sacrificing family, community, or anything else that doesn’t serve the people around you.
5. What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill
Finally, a book I’ve referenced countless times in university assignments that linger in my mind daily is William MacAskill’s What We Owe the Future. This thought-provoking exploration examines how our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. It encourages long-term thinking and responsibility, urging us to consider our impact on future generations.
This perspective has incredibly influenced how I approach everything I do daily. Realising that it’s not just about what we achieve today but how we can build a legacy that benefits the community for years has driven me to think more strategically about the long-term vision for our family, community, and what we offer at VSC. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about immediate gains; it’s about creating something that lasts and understanding that what we do today affects not only tomorrow but possibly generations.
These five books have shaped how I operate and lead at Vasse Strength and Conditioning and my personal life. They’ve taught me the importance of discipline, service, the relentless pursuit of excellence, balance, and long-term thinking. Each one has offered a different piece of the puzzle, helping me understand what it takes to succeed—not just in business but in life. I hope that by sharing these books and their insights, you, too, can find inspiration to push beyond your limits and achieve your own version of success.