Season Zero, the foundation of AthletesClass, includes examples from incredible thought leaders in psychological literature. Here is a growing collection of some of our most referenced authors and their ideas.
We are unaffiliated with any of the authors and do not benefit from the purchase of these books - links go to bookshop.org to support your local bookstore.
The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey
This groundbreaking book highlights the mental side of performance, teaching athletes how to quiet self-doubt, trust their preparation, and find their natural rhythm. Gallwey’s concepts of Self 1 (the overthinking mind) and Self 2 (the intuitive performer) align perfectly with AthletesClass’s mission to strengthen mental skills and build confidence.
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Dweck’s research on fixed and growth mindsets reveals how beliefs about our abilities shape performance and resilience. This aligns with AthletesClass’s focus on cultivating a growth-oriented approach, where athletes embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and continually strive to improve.
Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
Magness redefines toughness, emphasizing resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability over brute strength or endurance. His approach resonates with AthletesClass’s principles of mental flexibility and emotional strength, empowering athletes to face challenges with clarity and purpose.
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Duckworth explores the power of passion and perseverance, showing that sustained effort over time is key to success. Her insights mirror AthletesClass’s emphasis on consistency, resilience, and a mindset that values long-term growth over immediate results.
Range by David Epstein
Epstein argues that broad experiences and diverse skills often lead to greater success than early specialization. This aligns with AthletesClass’s focus on building well-rounded mental and emotional tools, empowering athletes to adapt, grow, and excel in a variety of contexts.
Breath by James Nestor
Nestor uncovers the science of optimal breathing and its profound impact on performance, focus, and overall well-being. AthletesClass draws on these principles to teach athletes how mastering breathwork can enhance mental clarity, resilience, and control under pressure.
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Grant challenges traditional notions of talent, highlighting how deliberate practice, mentorship, and resilience unlock untapped capabilities. This aligns with AthletesClass’s ethos of valuing character over talent, emphasizing growth, effort, and mental fortitude as the true markers of success.