Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World’s Fittest Athletes

I got this book as part of the KindleUnlimited program, but was planning on buying the hardcopy when it was released. I'm not planning on doing that after all.First, this is a good book that could have been great! It's a book that includes a little insight with a lot of behind the scene stories. It's about building champions, but really it's mostly focused on Katrin Davidsdottir. What could have been a book with the same impact and longevity of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" it instead falls short to a one and done read book.I follow Ben's podcast and am a member of the Comptrain Masters program that Harry Palley & he have created. I believe he has a lot of really great insights there and unfortunately the majority of them never really make it on the pages of this book.The Good:1. If you love behind the scene stories and insights from those on the competitive floor and you didn't follow the CrossFit Games or any of CrossFit's "Behind the scenes" coverage then you might not know many of these stories. If you have, then there will be no new insights or stories..2. The book is written in a user friend and non-academic way, so you can draw some inspiration for the stories and small bits of encouragements.3. There is a lot of opportunity for Ben to write a second book going into more detail with sample training plans, worksheets, and mental training that he has Mat, Katrin and Cole (Sager) go through. Perhaps Ben will write a second book with these insights and details, but they're not there in this edition.The Not So Good1. The title leads one to believe you'll find ways to "Chase Excellence" using specific details on "Commitment", "Grit", "Positivity", "Confidence", "Maximizing Minutes", "The Process" and more. Unfortunately, as I mentioned above this book is more about sharing the story of how Katrin went from sixth place to back-to-back champion, but without sharing the details of how she did. As alluded to at the end is a line where Ben shares how Mat, Katrin and Cole tell him not to "give away the playbook", but that's what the title and chapters alude to. We don't get much more than some general quotes and a whole lot of back story. This is a plus, if this is how the book is outlined and titled from the beginning, but the subtitle should be "The Behind the Scenes of Mat & Katrin's Fittest Man & Woman Titles" instead.2. One shouldn't expect a secret or strategy that's never been heard of before. It's true that some knowledge, humility and hard work are the secret to success. That said, there is nothing here that prepares one to chase excellence that you can't get from "The Obstacle is the Way", "Ego is the Enemy", "Mastery" or other books.3. The book ends very quickly with an epilogue when the Games are over, as if there was a publishing deadline. It would have been great to incorporate some of the books, course, worksheet or other items here, if it's not going to be part of the chapters. Further, a workbook of sorts would be fantastic to provide the same.4. There is no "Reading List" or suggestions for other book that "Chasing Excellence" could use.I love Ben Bergeron's programming and podcast insights. I think this book was the antithesis of the title and was not his best efforts. The good news in publishing is that you can create a second edition and include these items. Further, the book should be the catalyst for an online video training course for implementing these habits. Buy this if you want to read again of Katrin mostly and some of Mat trying to win the Games. Save your money and buy "The Obstacle is the Way" if you want practical insights in living many of the principles briefly discussed in "Chasing Excellence"

What a read! I loved every single page and it was hard to find a fault with it. This book delivered in two ways. It provided all of the ingredients on what it takes to be the best, and to chase excellence. Each chapter focuses on a different trait. The cherry on top is that Ben uses the CF Games to solidify these traits, how it works, how to use them, while also telling his recollection of the CF Games too. It’s so nicely done that I didn’t realized that I just got a behind-the-scenes look at the games while learning the traits of a champion! Well done!

If want some motivation to be de best version of yourself this is the book you have to read. I follow Bergeron's training plan and it has helped me a lot, not only for conditioning or improving my fitness but also to have a structured training and this book is the perfect combination to his training program. Even if you are not into crossfit yo can apply the Bergeron's philosophy to any aspect of your life.

I really liked this book. I have been doing research on mental roughness and resilience and probably didn't pick the best book but having said this, author Ben Burgeron has worked hard to put together an articulate account of his training vision and practise he put in place for his athletes as he trains some of the best in the world as they compete for the 2016 Cross Games.Each chapter is a breakdown of one of the many training philosophies Burgeron implements in his training to get his athletes ready. Each chapter also tells of a certain event his top athletes complete as part of the games.I am actually a big fan of the games and watched intently when the 2016 games took place, so I think I may be a little biased in my review.The book has good content and is easy to read. I think my only criticism would be it could be difficult for some readers to relate the topics to other sports, career or business endeavors.I do think readers will get something good out of this book though and recommend them putting it on their reading list.

If You follow Comptrain, and just Love getting behind a coach's and his athlete mindset this book is for you. Great if you do crossfit, but also inspires for every aspect in life and everything that you do. It's a great read and read it three times already. Love Ben's mindset and how his athletes condition themselves mentally inside there ears instead of outside there limits. Also Love how you can go back and watch the games and see the references in the book plays out behind the scenes while you are reading and replaying the events. Great book and looking forward to Chasing Excellence Volume 2.

Ben Bergeron seeks to do everything really well, whether it is parenting, running a business or coaching. I learned of him through CrossFit but this book could apply to anyone seeking to improve their approach to life, whether a student, employee or business owner. Mr. Bergeron guides one to reflect and think on how a person approaches life, always a good thing. Self-evaluation is a hard thing but the book is encouraging, hopeful and has some humor as well. My son is a young adult, just beginning his adult journey and he has found this book to be useful and insightful as well.

Incredible read, and the beauty of this book is that even if you've never done Crossfit this is still such an awesome read. It tells a story about taking gifted athletes/people, applying character and mental/psychological practices to the mix and making them extraordinary. If you're a coach, manager, or teacher this book will tell you the right way to build a team or person in to someone that'll better change society. Really happy I took the time to read this book and hope this isn't Bergerons only one!

It's literally one of the worst books I've ever read. It's just a review of the 2017 games. Ben constantly refers to 'mindset' without actually discussing what mindset is. It's like a 13 year old has discovered the phrase 'growth mindset' and been told to write an essay on it for school, which is just a lot of cliches rolled over and over. Fair play, Katrin has done well, but it sounds like her life is boring as. He basically admits there is nothing special about what he does, just eight hours a day of training, recovery and fish and vegetables. Despite this, he claims to have some kind of special sauce that makes him so special and certainly isn't humble about it. The constant references to his athlete's success is basically him spinning his CV every ten pages or so. Fair play, Ben's marketing team sold me this book and I've made him richer but this book is a lot of nonsense and unless you want to read a 180 page review of the CrossFit Games I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

What an incredible read! If you love CrossFit or just have an interest in fitness this is for you!It is a great review from the 2016 games from the coach that led Katrin Davidsdottier to a second competition win. Additionally there is insight from Matt Fraser and other elite CrossFit athletes. This really allows you to understand the mindset required to be known as the fitness on earth!

A great read for anyone who wants to reach their potential, be it at sports or @work, the mindset it teaches can be applied to any part of your life. Pull out quotes that speaks to you and keep them somewhere where you can read them and refer to them often.

I don't normally read 'self help' style books however I have to say that this book was really engaging and I found it very interesting.I am roughly half way through it and though there is not a great deal of in depth detail there is still some really useful advice about changing your mind set.I would definitely recommend.

Excellent book. Succinct and well set out. Good use of working examples, especially for those of us who avidly follow Crossfit. I don’t take part in crossfit but I did find the tips and ethos Ben explains carry over to my training regardless. Even my ten year old son has started reading it!