Best Self

Be You, Only Better

By: Mike Bayer

Narrated by: Mike Bayer, Phil McGraw

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Foreword by Dr. Phil McGraw.

Ask yourself...are you truly who you want to be? Is this the life you really want? Are you living each day as your best self? What can you change today?

How would you answer those questions? Think about your daily life. Are you thriving or going through the motions? Are your days full of work, relationships, and activities that are true to your authentic self, or do you feel trapped on a treadmill of responsibility? If you dream of a better life, now is the time to turn your dream into reality. The tools you need are within your grasp to design a life that is fulfilling on the deepest levels. Best Self will show you how.

Mike Bayer, known to the thousands of clients whose lives he has changed as Coach Mike, has helped everyone from pop stars to business executives to people just like you discover the freedom to be their best selves. By asking them and leading them to ask themselves a series of important but tough questions - such as “What are your core values?”, “Do you go to bed each day more knowledgeable than when you woke up?”, and “Am I neglecting some aspect of my physical health out of fear or denial?” - he helps them see what their best selves and anti-selves really look like. 

As a mental health specialist, a personal development coach, and an all-around change agent, Mike has seen the amazing ways in which lives can improve with honesty and clarity. He understands our struggles intimately, because he’s faced - and overcome - his own. He knows that change is possible. 

By working through each of the seven SPHERES of life - social, personal, health, education, relationships, employment, and spiritual development - Best Self is an accessible and interactive audiobook that distills all of Coach Mike’s wisdom into a compact, focused guide that will ignite anyone’s desire for change. Best Self will empower you to embrace your authenticity, acknowledge what is holding you back, and break through to live a passionate life to the fullest, forever.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2019 Michael Bayer (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

There wasn’t any enhancement file with the audio boo!

Mike Bayer Does a wonderful job with this self-help book; however, I was unable to do any of the practice worksheets because they didn’t come with the audio version, and I was unable to find them anywhere online. I do audiobooks because I have a vision impairment, so purchasing the book in print seemed counterproductive. I tried writing my exercises and worksheets out on a piece of paper, but Mike often says, “Consider the following questions,” but wIthout the book,
It was impossible to know what the questions were. I wish I would’ve had an alternative! I’m certain that I would’ve gotten much more out of this book if I would have had the proper tools when reading it.

I WANTED to enjoy this...

I think Mike Bayer is probably a talented coach but narrating his own book was a mistake. I only made it through this first three chapters of the audio book in 3-4 listening sessions before I had to shut it off for good. He sounds like he’s reading someone else’s work... for the first time. He never settles into it and comes across as actually knowing/feeling what he’s talking about. I compare it to Tasha Eurich’s narration of her book “Insight” which FEELS like she’s an expert sharing her knowledge with you. Mike sounds stressed and tight through the first three chapters and because this information feels more like something I want to settle into, I want the narration to invite me in, not keep me on edge and mildly irritated that his delivery feels disingenuous.

Additionally, I don’t think I heard anything in the first three chapters that is new or a new perspective on old material. It feels like a remix of information and has me wondering if it’s worth committing to the rest of the book. I have the hard copy as well and hope that will be more engaging. Dr. Phil rarely goes wrong in the people he endorses so I’m sure Mike Bayer has something unique to offer in his book but I haven’t seen it yet. Fingers crossed it emerges from the pages like it didn’t in the audio version.

I TRIED to enjoy this book...

I always prefer books read by the author, but NOT this time. I was so painful to listen to Mike read his book. He sounds like he is reading someone else's book for the first time and he really isn't buying what they're selling. There is no passion, nothing drawing you in in his voice. Additionally, the material seems dated and unoriginal. I really tried to enjoy this book but it was like listening to nails on a chalk board. I was only able to get through 2-1/2 chapters and I had to stop.

This will be the first book I return on Audible.

Life altering

I loved it love that Mike is the narrator. I am starting to teach my kids and my foster kids some of the points of the book.

An Excellent Tool

This book gives step by step guideline & examples for working on any area of your life. I listened to the audio and now plan to print out the worksheets (included) and go through the book again and work through the exercises. I am going to refer and likely gift to several people I know & care about!

too Elite

the book teferred oto high social class situations, such as a car services for cleaning, a black SUV picked me up, a hair dresser/artist, and other. I believe that these services and the situations described are out of touch with most of society. The book needs to written for the average income person.

How to be a Better Coach to you and?

Coach Mike does such a fantastic Job. The obvious (not Hidden) reference to 12 step literature will make the perfect gift to a person in recovery. It also is a great read for the person needing to do a little self-coaching as well as being helpful with parenting and getting closer to your family.
Enjoy a great read and your Best Self

Tricky to rate writer reading his own book. Meaty.

Despite the obvious “sounds like he’s reading” style of Mike Bauer reading ahis own book, I persevered. I’m rating it 5 stars overall because the content is rich, packed with clever and useful tricks and tips and almost every person can use something he offers to immediately improve the circumstances of their life. This is it a deep dive into psychoanalysis by any means, but an effective INTERVENTION TOOL. Get better first, get well from a place of safety rather than remaining in the squalor of self-destruction. It is a SELF-HELP book, but an excellent tool box of DO THIS recipes like a FIRST-AID. I used it to learn more about a Life Ciach in action, and it delivered.

Make a point

I waited for something that would connect Bayer’s ideas or for insight that was new, but this is more of a ‘I did it and so can you’ kind of story that never really picks up.

Even if you just listen you will be a better person in the in

Thank you for being you. It certainly helped me to love the person I am and was meant to be! My best self

Engaging and practical

I didn't follow the enhancement to being with but now see it as a valuable tool to make progress in life.

Most interesting, right to the point and practical

Excellent book can't recommend it enough. it's a must for everyone in today's world

amazing mind set

it's amazing how this has change myself and how I deal with others making me a better person x x

Amazing book

What an amazing book full of great life advice. Highly recommend
Thank you Coach Mike!

loved this audio book!!!!

I loved this !!!! I listened and sometimes listened again . a huge thankyou for writing this book. I can see clearly now .😊

Not Great

Same tired strategies for becoming your best self. Dr Phil’s endorsement doesn’t mean much to me.