
Recommended Reads
Aspirational & practical books for Peak Performance

Recommended Reads
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.
The Hard Way by Mark “Billy” Billingham
Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham escaped a tough upbringing and gang life by joining the British Army at 16. He passed the brutal Parachute Regiment selection before earning a place in the elite SAS, excelling in high-risk missions. After leaving the military, he became a bodyguard for Hollywood stars, including Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie.
Objective Secure by Nick Lavery
Nick Lavery, an active-duty Green Beret, overcame a combat injury that led to his leg amputation, returning to Special Forces operations. Objective Secure details the battle-tested system he used to regain operational status and achieve the impossible. Through his philosophy, he equips others with the tools to reach any goal, no matter how unlikely, in a journey of resilience and determination.
Send Me by Marty Skovlund & Joe Kent
Shannon Kent, a trailblazing special operator, balanced hunting high-value targets on secret missions with life as a wife and mother. A Navy cryptologic technician, her language skills set her apart, earning her a role in an elite, covert unit. Send Me tells her heroic story, revealing the sacrifices of a Special Forces family and the extraordinary legacy of one of the military’s finest.
Who Dares Wins by Phil Campion
In Who Dares Wins, Big Phil Campion shares his journey from an abusive childhood to the SAS, private military work, and bodyguarding stars like Led Zeppelin. He recounts his time in war zones across Africa, Syria, and Iraq, including reporting under fire for Sky TV. Packed with gripping stories, the book also reveals the deep psychological toll of a life spent in conflict.
Born Fearless by Phil Campion
In his brutally honest account, former SAS soldier Big Phil Campion shares his dangerously thrilling life as a private military operator. From facing a suicide bomber in Kabul to battling pirates with his bare hands, this is a true-life, action-packed story of courage, survival, and intense danger.
Perfectly Wounded by Mike Day
On April 6, 2007, Navy SEAL Senior Chief Mike Day was shot 27 times and hit by grenade shrapnel while taking out four terrorists during a raid in Iraq. Despite his wounds, he cleared the house, rescued six women and children, and walked to safety. After nearly two years of recovery and facing PTSD and traumatic brain injury, Day’s remarkable survival and continued service highlight his heroism.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
Fern Brady was told she couldn't be autistic because she's had loads of boyfriends and is good at eye contact. This is a story of how being female can get in the way of being autistic and how being autistic gets in the way of being the 'right kind' of woman.
All secure by Tom Satterly
Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly, a senior Delta Force operator, recounts his 20 years of combat, facing deadly enemies, intense missions, and personal loss. All Secure reveals the dark world of elite special operations and the toll it took on his health, relationships, and mental well-being. Struggling with PTSD, he nearly took his life in 2014 but found hope through his wife. Together, they now fight to help fellow veterans battling similar struggles.
Windswept & Interesting by Billy Connolly
In his first autobiography, comedy icon Billy Connolly tells the remarkable story of his life, from a tough Glasgow childhood to international fame. Overcoming abuse and hardship, he found his escape in the shipyards and music before becoming a legendary comedian known for his fearless humor and unique style. His career spanned five decades until a cancer and Parkinson’s diagnosis ended his live performances. He continues to create TV shows, art, and writing.
The Unabomber Manifesto by Ted Kaczynski
In 1995, the New York Times published an essay by the Unabomber, whose violent actions were condemned, but whose ideas on technology's destructive impact gained attention. Critics, including political thinkers and experts, recognized his warnings on technology's effects, such as addiction, privacy issues, and societal decline. His message, though delivered violently, has become increasingly relevant as technology shapes modern life.
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus - Greek Historian & Geographer 484- 425 BC
Stay ahead of the curve
“The world we created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. No problem can be solved with the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Albert Einstein - Theoretical Physicist & Nobel Laureate
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Privacy Policy
All rights reserved © 2025
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus - Greek Historian & Geographer 484- 425 BC
Stay ahead of the curve
“The world we created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. No problem can be solved with the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Albert Einstein - Theoretical Physicist & Nobel Laureate
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Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
All rights reserved © 2025