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

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

excellent actionable and real

great advice that is actionable and real. no fake.news here, just the plain cold hard facts about excellence.

Loved it

Having said that (one of Bens trademark expressions) it's a book that might discourage people who don't follow Crossfit, and the crossfit games. It's meaning is universal but the laguange spoken is through the crossfit world, so i am not sure if you have no idea what is crossfit, if you will be able to relate 100% with its examples and points. Regardless its a solid buy, and i love the fact that its the actual people who wrote it (main book and foreword) that are actually reading it.

Excellent highly recommend

I enjoyed this book. Amazing mind set and character building story. I apply’s to app aspects of life.

Great Crossfit Coach

I enjoyed this book because I currently follow Ben’s comptrain programming, and have recently started to follow his talks and programming on YouTube. His ideals and philosophies fall in line with mine as a business owner and personal trainer.

If you want an insight into the Crossfit games and mindset, this is good for you to read. Ideas are nothing new, and merely reinforced by the
athletes/winners of the games whom he coaches.

Fantastic book!

Ben Bergeron did a fantastic job highlighting the events that took place surrounding his athletes at the CrossFit Games. It’s an awesome read as a CrossFit athlete but is also great for the non fitness enthusiast. It sheds light on what these athletes go through on a daily basis as they truly are the fittest on Earth.

I love this book and have re-read it three times!

I have only once prior ever read a book more than once. I have the hard copy, kindle copy and the audio version of this book. This book is great for anyone trying to better them self. I am a Crossfitter but do think anyone can appreciate this book. Stop right now and get this book and bring a pad and pen.

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!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

great listen

well read and goes into great detail about the mentality of his athletes and how he got them there

Phenomenal!

Changed the way I approach everything. I am a muay thai fighter and this was a game changer. simple in theory but effective if put into practice. Allowed me to show the fighter i knew i could be but for some reason was holding back.

Game Changing

Fantastic book, found myself sad when I finished it. A great read for anyone interested in mindset.

The best

probably one of the best in-depth books I've read/listened too. Might play it again soon.

Plants a seed in your mind

Excellent message and presents simple to understand and follow, actionable messages. Perhaps focuses a bit too much on Katrin Davidsdottir, but understandable to an extent as she lives with Ben Bergeron and is the closest athlete to him. Would perhaps have liked to hear more about Cole as an athlete who is progressing and working hard to be the best he can, also with the mindset, but is yet to achieve podium success. Maybe a take on the mindset from someone in his position. But all in all, the intention of the book is successfully executed.

Pretty good book. Some good points made .

interesting stories and some good thoughts regarding mindset. Nothing new being said but enjoyable nonethess.

a cookbook for the greatest mindset!

Great narration and delivers what is promised, how to train your character and mindset towards excellence.

in parts useful but far too self indulgent

the book is not terrible and there are some interesting take away points but there are much better similar titles available and this book is far too crossfit focused and 'look how great I am' it misses opportunities to be more applicable to wider situations

Just AMAZING!

I have been listening to Ben Bergeron’s podcast for a long time and really find the content to be excellent which is why I bought the Audiobook (and the paperback version too 😊). I finished listening to the Audiobook yesterday and it is just AMAZING! Highly recommend anyone to download/buy this book!