Leaders Are Readers
The late President Harry S. Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but ALL leaders are readers.” This has been proved time and time again. A recent survey by Fast Company demonstrated that CEOs of the top Fortune 500 Companies read on average 60 books a year or approximately 5 books each month!
I am a HUGE believer in goal-setting, which is a subject we will dive into deeper in another post. However, pertaining to fitness goals, it will take some due-diligence to achieve them. So what are you reading every day to help you achieve your personal fitness goals?
Below, I have compiled the top 8 books I have personally read, that I believe are important in helping to achieve the ULTIMATE body. Additionally, within the pages of these titles, you will also pick up some extra information that can help you excel in other aspects of your life as well. So, let’s dive in!
The 4-Hour Body

The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman is a nonfiction book by American writer Tim Ferriss. I really enjoyed this book because of the ease of application of the contents within its covers. The Ab section I found very helpful. However, there is a great chapter on how to have great sex, which was superb by the way.
SuperLife: The 5 simple fixes that will make you healthy, fit, and eternally awesome

This is a fascinating book on how to maximize our body’s potential. Darin Olien demonstrates in great detail how to maintain these processes, thereby allowing our bodies to do the rest. He tells us how we can maintain healthy weight, prevent even the most serious of diseases, and feel great. He explains that all of this is possible without any of the restrictive or gimmicky diet plans that never work in the long term.
Food: WTF Should I Eat

As you can surmise by the title, this book has a bit of quirkiness to it. If that’s not your thing, do not let that dissuade you. It is an EXCELLENT read and does a great job busting myths about foods we all have grown up eating and what we got wrong about how they affect our bodies. He also goes into depth about foods that we can use to optimize our bodies and our health. Here’s a little teaser, “Milk doesn’t build bones.” If you are surprised by that, you will really enjoy this read.
Bigger Leaner Stronger

Michael Matthews does great job showing the reader in his book, Bigger Leaner Stronger, how to build his best body. What I love about this book is the no-nonsense approach he takes. It is a VERY easy read and is packed full of great info on building muscle, losing weight, and boosting strength.
How Not To Diet

In the book, How Not To Diet, Dr. Michael Greger explains ways to maximize the body’s natural fat-burning capabilities and even builds a pretty epic weight loss guide from the ground up.
Always Hungry?

Have you ever wondered what makes you hungry all the time? Or how you continue to gain weight despite all your best efforts to lose weight? Dr. David Ludwig does a great job breaking it all down in a very easy to understand format.
13 Things Mentally Strong People Do

Based on the article with the same name that had over 1 million views in just two weeks, Amy Morin takes a deep dive in this book. This book is not about weight loss or building muscle. Instead, it is about how to develop the habits necessary to design and maintain the life you want.
5AM Club

Are you an early riser? After reading this book, you just may become one. In Robin Sharma’s book The 5am Club, he explains how to boost productivity, experience personal growth, and achieve personal self-motivation like never before. These attributes, like the previous title, will help you acquire the behaviors, skills and attitudes which will help you develop into the best you.
In Conclusion
The late Jim Rohn once said that “Life puts some of its best stuff on the top shelf. Sometimes you have to stand on the books you read in order to reach them.” However, just reading books is not going to develop the life or the body you want. You are going to have to take action. I always prefer to say take MASSIVE action.
You may be in a place right now where it seems almost impossible to achieve that body or that level of fitness you have in mind. Do not let that play with your head. YOU CAN DO IT. Human beings are capable of amazing things. If you can think it, you can do it. We at Next Level TRT can help.
I invite you to connect with us on Facebook and/or Instagram. Also, click here to schedule a free appointment with me or one of our other providers. We will talk over the phone about your health and fitness goals. We will then create a plan that works for you and then lock arms and make it happen.
-Michael Ward, APRN, AGACNP-BC
-Co-Founder, Chief Clinical Officer