Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
How Bad Do You Want It? summary
Brief summary
How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald is a motivational book that delves into the psychology of endurance sports. It explores the mental aspect of athletic performance and provides strategies for overcoming mental barriers to achieve peak performance.
Table of Contents
How Bad Do You Want It?
Summary of key ideas
The Power of Mental Toughness in Athletic Performance
In How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald, we delve into the world of endurance sports, exploring the concept of mental toughness and its profound impact on athletic performance. Fitzgerald begins by recounting the story of an elite runner, Steve Prefontaine, who revolutionized the sport by pushing his body to its absolute limit. This sets the stage for the central theme of the book: the idea that the mind, rather than the body, is often the ultimate limiter of athletic achievement.
Fitzgerald introduces us to the concept of the psychobiological model of endurance performance, which posits that our physical limits are largely determined by our perception of effort. In other words, our brains are constantly monitoring our bodies, regulating our performance based on our perception of how hard we're working. This perception can be altered, however, and it's here that mental toughness comes into play.
Understanding Perception and Endurance
To further illustrate the influence of perception on performance, Fitzgerald presents the case of the rowing team of Nathan Cohen and Joe Sullivan. These athletes managed to win an Olympic gold medal despite a lack of physical advantage over their competitors. Their secret? A remarkable ability to alter their perception of effort, enabling them to push themselves harder than their opponents without feeling like they were doing so.
The author then shifts his focus to the world of cycling, discussing the Tour de France. Here, he introduces us to the concept of pacing and the role of perception in determining an athlete's optimal pace. He explores the experiences of Cadel Evans, a cyclist who managed to win the grueling race by staying mentally tough and maintaining a positive perception of effort throughout.
The Impact of Mental Strategies on Performance
Fitzgerald goes on to discuss the mental strategies that athletes use to manipulate their perception of effort. He introduces the concept of dissociation, where athletes distract themselves from their discomfort by focusing on external stimuli, and discusses its use in sports such as distance running. In contrast, he also explores the concept of association, where athletes embrace and engage with their discomfort, as seen in sports like triathlon.
The author then introduces the idea of self-belief and its role in endurance performance. He tells the story of Paula Newby-Fraser, a legendary triathlete who used her unwavering self-belief to overcome numerous physical setbacks and win multiple Ironman World Championships. Her story serves as a testament to the power of mental toughness in the face of adversity.
Applying Mental Toughness in Athletic Pursuits
In the latter part of the book, Fitzgerald shifts his focus to practical applications of mental toughness. He provides insights into how athletes can develop their mental resilience, emphasizing the role of goal-setting, visualization, and positive self-talk in building mental toughness. He also discusses the importance of embracing discomfort and adversity as a means of strengthening mental resilience.
In conclusion, How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald provides a compelling exploration of the role of mental toughness in athletic performance. By examining the experiences of elite athletes across various endurance sports, the book underscores the profound impact of perception and mental strategies in pushing the limits of human endurance. It serves as an inspiring guide for athletes and sports enthusiasts alike, highlighting the transformative power of mental resilience in achieving extraordinary athletic feats.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is How Bad Do You Want It? about?
How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald delves into the psychology of endurance sports and explores the concept of mental toughness. Through real-life stories and scientific research, the book uncovers the incredible power of the mind in determining athletic performance. It challenges athletes to push past their perceived limits and reveals the strategies they can use to achieve their ultimate goals.
How Bad Do You Want It? Review
How Bad Do You Want It? (2015) delves into the psychology and physiology behind endurance sports and the mental strategies of top athletes. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Offers insights into what sets elite athletes apart, giving readers a roadmap to reach their full potential.
- Empowers readers with practical tools to push past limits and achieve success in sports and beyond.
- Packed with compelling stories and research-backed strategies, ensuring an engaging and informative read that never feels dull.
Who should read How Bad Do You Want It??
Individuals who are looking to improve their mental toughness and push past their physical limits
Athletes and sports enthusiasts who want to understand the psychology behind peak athletic performance
Coaches and trainers who want to help their athletes develop a winning mindset
Categories with How Bad Do You Want It?
Book summaries like How Bad Do You Want It?
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
How Bad Do You Want It? FAQs
What is the main message of How Bad Do You Want It??
The main message of How Bad Do You Want It? is about mental toughness and the power of mindset in achieving athletic goals.
How long does it take to read How Bad Do You Want It??
The estimated reading time for How Bad Do You Want It? is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is How Bad Do You Want It? a good book? Is it worth reading?
How Bad Do You Want It? is worth reading for its insightful exploration of mindset and perseverance in sports, offering valuable lessons in a concise format.
Who is the author of How Bad Do You Want It??
Matt Fitzgerald is the author of How Bad Do You Want It?.
What to read after How Bad Do You Want It??
If you're wondering what to read next after How Bad Do You Want It?, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Happiness by Richard Layard
- The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
- Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
- The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
- The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz