• Toughness

  • Developing True Strength On and Off the Court
  • By: Jay Bilas
  • Narrated by: Jay Bilas
  • Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (452 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Toughness  By  cover art

Toughness

By: Jay Bilas
Narrated by: Jay Bilas
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.78

Buy for $25.78

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The popular ESPN basketball analyst and former Duke player looks at the true meaning of toughness.

If anyone knows tough, it’s Jay Bilas. A four-year starter at Duke, he learned an incomparable work ethic under coach Mike Krzyzewski, battling against the greatest college players in the game. After playing professionally overseas for several years, he returned to Duke, where he served as Krzyzewski’s assistant coach for three seasons, during which the Blue Devils won back-to-back titles. A graduate of Duke Law School, he has since become one of basketball’s most recognizable faces through his insightful, intelligent work on ESPN’s SportsCenter and College GameDay.

Through his ups and downs, on and off the court, Jay learned the true meaning of toughness from coaches, teammates, and colleagues. Now, he discusses this misunderstood - yet vital - attribute and how it contributes to winning in sports and in life.

Featuring never-before-heard stories and personal philosophies on toughness from top players and coaches - including Coach K, Bob Knight, Grant Hill, Mia Hamm, Jon Gruden, Tom Izzo, Bill Self, Curtis Strange, and many others - Bilas redefines what it takes to succeed.

©2013 Jay Bilas (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

What listeners say about Toughness

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    357
  • 4 Stars
    72
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    291
  • 4 Stars
    72
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    290
  • 4 Stars
    68
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book for all athletes

Awesome book. Awesome reader, & loaded with quality, content. Provides tons of relatable information and life lessons, highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book with lessons to live by

This is my second time listening to Toughness by Jay Bilas. I love the stories and how each story ties into a core part of the message that toughness is built on quality character traits and values that make you a really great person.

I train basketball players & I've used bookmarks and clips for almost every chapter which I share with my players via the 30 second links. One of the greatest is, "having fun is doing hard things well".

Jay's narration was engaging in personal, especially in moments when he had written about making mistakes and his lessons learned.

The message in this book is really important in today's culture of instant everything and expected entitlement. This should be required reading for athletes and nonathletes alike.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just all of the sports references that can also pertain to life.

I enjoyed that Jay was a wonderful narrator, there were good takeaways, length was ideal, in chapter and total book. My boyfriend suggested this book and I’m glad he did.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great advice, though heavy "on the court" slant

Solid book, containing great life advice which everyone should hear every now and again. Nothing here you haven't already heard though.

Most analogies are delivered through a very heavy basketball lens. Which is understandable considering Bilas' upbringing and career. While everything said can apply to your personal and professional life, it takes effort on the reader to draw the comparisons. I guess I was hoping for more balance between basketball lessons & life lessons.

Overall, if you're looking for advice or inspiration on becoming tougher and more effective in life, this is not so much a stellar choice, but a very solid one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling and thought provoking

Really well done with fantastic, relatable stories and anecdotes. A great read for leaders of all ages. The article at the end is gold.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must-read!

such a great read about what it really means to have true TOUGHNESS. a great opportunity to check yourself in the mirror!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very good lessons in toughness

I got a lot of good information and encouragement from listening to this audio book!! I Recommend, definitely.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very inspiring

gave me a new picture on life. hopeore people read this amazing book. truly good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

First audiobook ever purchased.

Jay Billis simply did an outstanding job with this book. There's nothing else to say. If you are coach of any sport, regardless of gender, this book is for you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

This book is about toughness and the explanation of it. It's best book I've ever listen to or read on the subject of getting things done. Simple and yet very insightful.

Chris Butler Houston Texas

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!