Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World's Fittest Athletes

By: Ben Bergeron

Narrated by: Ben Bergeron

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

CrossFit trainer Ben Bergeron has helped build the world's fittest athletes, but he's not like other coaches. He believes that greatness is not for the elite few; that winning is a result, not a goal; and that character, not talent, is what makes a true champion. His powerful philosophy can help anyone excel at all aspects of life.

Using the dramatic competition between the top contenders at the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games® as a background, Ben explores the step-by-step process of achieving excellence and the unique set of positive character traits necessary for leveling up to world-class. The mindset and methodology that have produced some of the greatest athletes in the world's most grueling sport can work equally well for golfers, lawyers, artists, entrepreneurs - anyone who's willing to commit totally to becoming better than the best.

By Chasing Excellence, you'll discover how extraordinary it's possible for you to be.

©2017 Ben Bergeron (P)2017 Ben Bergeron

Great if you love crossfit, good if you don't

Ben does a fantastic job writing a convicting book about excellence. He does so through the lens of the crossfit games, which if you are a fan of crossfit is fascinating. There are a lot of cool anecdotes and interesting behind the scenes stories about the games that you don't get even if you watched the documentaries about them. However, it is not a book about crossfit. It is a book about excellence told through the lens of crossfit.

Some may have a hard time applying Ben's principles to their lives. There will be a good amount of thought that will be needed and probably some sitting down to figure out how and what can carry over. But in general the book is solid. Certainly punches above its weight class in regards to its length. And to be honest the introduction chapter alone should be enough to get the mind running on how to change and improve life.

Most of the time when someone picks up a book on living better or, in this case, excellent they are looking more for motivation and a few good tips, maybe hearing something in a different way. That is what you get with this book. It is extremely motivating, and it especially helps to hear it in Ben's voice. Solid book, and anyone who is into the self improvement genre would do well to add this to their library and visit it with some regularity.

I've been listening to this book on loop for 1 mo.

I happen to be a CrossFit athlete but I apply these concepts to just about everything. These concepts are not anything new, nor does Bergeron try to convince you that these are original ideas. If you read/study stoicism at all, much of this material will sound familiar. It's incredibly well written/read in a sense that he does not try to put on a show of how I telligwnt he can sound. He just talks sans fluff. Great, quick read/listen that I would suggest for anyone.

inspiring

This book is about the pursuit of excellence and while it doesn't give you a map or path to follow it does some great examples. The end goal is important but more importantly are the individual goals.

I am currently on a weight loss journey. Down 25 lbs and hoping to lose another 51 lbs. Those numbers don't mean anything without action. The routine I build every morning afternoon and night will dictate the result. There will be failures and setbacks but a positive realistic mindset with focus can pull you through inch by inch.

Good read to give you some motivation to get work done. Whether its working out or saving money or something to do at work this is a good read for you.

Awesome book if you are into Crossfit

If you're a Crossfit athlete or you're into Crossfit anyhow you'll love this book for sure and you'll love all the Crossfit stories given as an example to illustrate Bergeron's words. He teaches you how to achieve the mindset of a true champion by focussing on the details and the process instead of on the ultimate goal . By redefining your definition of success you'll get anything you want without thinking about it.

Trust the process

I really love Bergeron’s approach to life and this book lays it out succinctly and engagingly as told through the lens of the 2016 crossfit games. I will listen to this many more times when I need a reminder to trust the process and focus on excellence. Awesome book!

Excellent book!

Loved every minute, helped me with my own competition that is coming up in November.

The Best!

if you're looking to improve your overall mental execution of Excellence this is the book you need.

Great Advice for Athletes Alike

Ben did an incredible job narrating the events of the CrossFit games and the mental toughness prepared in those moments before the event in his athletes. This books has me fired up and ready to apply these to my personal life to build my character even more!

Loved it!

I love Ben and how he coaches! Katrin and Matt are true competitors and so inspiring!

Great book on “The Process”

Ben does a great job keeping the reader’s attention from start to finish! Great job!

Amazing !!!

Absolutely amazing, so inspiring and really eye opening, and I dont even do crossfit, thank you Ben Bergeron, since reading this book I have reached new P.Bs in running and triathlon, thank you

I wasn’t expecting such a great lesson!

I took a punt on this book. I wanted to get into the mind of top performers. What I got from this book was an actionable plan to train my mind. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone that feels that they may be lacking in any area of their life. By doing the 1% improvements you can shift the needle of change radically.

Excellent

Only half way through, but loving it so far!

Using a wide variety of examples helps the reader relate back to their life. Taking the reader through events of the 16 games puts a nice twist on things too. But then again as an aspiring crossfit athlete I was always going to like that!

Keep up the good work!

Burgeron up his own backside

Not much to gain from this book apart from don’t get carried away when you’re winning and don’t get downhearted when you lose. Only focus on what you can control and try as hard as possible. Blows his own trumpet throughout

Get up and go motivation!

Amazing story and some great motivating words from Ben! Ready to restart after COVID and get to being as successful as I can be!

Success is a decision not a gift - Steve Backley

Informative and slightly inspiring

Pretty good lessons if you are prepared to commit 100% to something to be the best you can be at it. Most us want some balance life tho which compromises this.

Very interesting

Wish I had read this when I was younger and was boxing would have made me a better competitor. However great for business and life advice real life examples in how to continually better your self.

Great read and well worth the time

finished in the day.

all of the principals can be used in everyday life.
well worth it whether you want it for sports performance or to better yourself

This gets me pumped!

Great book, more insperational that anything. Some things said here really make you think about what your doing and if you are chasing excellence

Great book!!

This book has take away point which you can apply to all professions. All about the mental character and state of mind. Excellent and though provoking