Recommended Reading
Aspirational & practical books for Peak Performance
Recommended Reading
Aspirational & practical books for Peak Performance
All the books listed below fall into one or more of the following categories; Psychology of performance, overcoming adversity and human achievement. I’ve genuinely read or listened to all of them, typically in audiobook format on long solo trail runs or long drives. All the titles are linked to their respective Amazon page to give you the option to acquire them in the format that suits you best. I am not an Amazon affiliate, nor are any of the links. I do not receive any income from recommending these books, I’ve done so purely to highlight them as sources of learning and inspiration.
Life Under Fire by Jason Fox
Life Under Fire by former SBS sergeant Jason Fox explores how lessons from elite military operations can be applied to everyday resilience. Drawing on experiences from combat, ocean expeditions, and confronting drug cartels, Fox shares psychological tools forged in extreme conditions to manage fear, stress, and emotional turmoil. Through personal stories and practical insights, he shows how facing internal battles with courage and self-awareness enables anyone to build mental strength and thrive under pressure, on or off the battlefield.
Battle Scars by Jason Fox
Battle Scars follows Jason Fox’s journey from elite Special Forces missions, marked by gunfights, rescues, and high-risk operations, to his struggle with complex PTSD after leaving the military. Forced to confront his inner battles without the support of his unit, Fox reflects on what it means to fight when the enemy is within. The memoir is an unflinching portrayal of both battlefield bravery and the psychological cost of service, revealing courage in its rawest form, survival beyond war.
Unafraid by Eddie Penney
Unafraid is the memoir of Eddie Penney, a former Navy SEAL who achieved his dream of serving in America’s most elite military unit during the Global War on Terror. His greatest challenge, however, came off the battlefield—raising three children alone after becoming a single father. Through reflections on his dual roles as warrior and parent, Penney shares lessons on resilience, healing, and personal growth. The book reveals how confronting pain and taking responsibility can lead to redemption, showing that courage isn’t limited to combat, it’s found in the fight to become whole.
Fear by Sir Ranulph Fiennes
In Fear, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, one of the world’s greatest explorers, explores the nature of fear through his own extreme experiences. From Everest to war zones, he examines how fear shapes events and how he has overcome it. Blending history, research, and personal stories, Fiennes offers a gripping look at one of humanity’s most powerful emotions.
The Easy Day Was Yesterday by Paul Jordan
Imprisoned in a squalid Indian jail, ex-SAS soldier Paul Jordan reflects on his life of danger and ambition. From a tragic childhood, he rises through elite military ranks, facing war, genocide, and disaster. As a security adviser, he tackles criminals and conflict zones. In captivity, he discovers resilience, friendship, and dignity. The Easy Day was Yesterday is a raw, fast-paced memoir of survival and human spirit.
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus
Greek Historian & Geographer
484- 425 BC
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus
Greek Historian & Geographer
484- 425 BC