Take a deep dive into the psychology that drives legendary athletes to push themselves to the limits of human ability-elevating them from good to great.Take a deep dive into the psychology that drives legendary athletes to push themselves to the limits of human ability-elevating them from good to great.On the playing field, natural talent isn't enough-there's a mental component that determines whether athletes win the race or wipe out before the finish line. But what separates standout sports stars from the rest?
In a paradigm-shifting new theory, acclaimed sportswriter Matt Fitzgerald identifies two key traits behind athletic success- strict self-regulation over thoughts and emotions and an unquenchable psychological need to pursue victory-even when it means enduring extreme mental and physical suffering.
Drawing on modern psychology, neuroscience, and performance theory, The Other Talent offers a fascinating exploration of the best athletes' winning mindset, revealing how you can tap into your own potential and strengthen your self-discipline for better emotional intelligence and sustainable performance improvements. Readers will learn-
- Why physical talent does not guarantee athletic achievement-and how high achievers get the most out of what they have
- How mental-health challenges and deep psychological needs can empower and propel athletes to succeed
- The key differences between athletes who enjoy success early in life vs athletes who find their stride as adults
- The relatable struggles of legendary athletes-including barrier-breaking boxing champion Jack Johnson and record-breaking 63-year-old marathon runner Mariko Yugeto
An eye-opening journey into sports philosophy and the competitive nature of the human mind,
The Other Talent is a galvanizing resource for both amateur and elite athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone in pursuit of excellence.
Industry Reviews
"An inspiring winner of a book."
?Booklist
"""In The Other Talent, Matt Fitzgerald offers a captivating look into the psychology of elite athletes, revealing the traits that drive success. It's a valuable resource forathletes,coaches,and anyone striving forexcellence in their endeavors.""
?Jim Afremow, PhD, author of The Champion's Mind
""So many athletes put in tremendous physical training effort to achieve superhuman results but frequently fall short of their performance goals. They fail to recognize so much of our ability to operate at the highest levels resides in our minds with strong mental health. If you are an athlete, CEO, first responder, military member, or even someone looking to level up your mental fitness, I highly recommend this book!""
—Jason Redman, retired US Navy SEAL, New York Times bestselling author of The Trident and Overcome, and mental performance coach
""Matt Fitzgerald's book reminds me that we all have our quirks and finding the correct outlet for them is a key component of, I think, what we call success.""
—Alistair Brownlee, two-time Olympic gold medalist
""To truly gain internal and external success in sport at any level, you have to understand how the greats did it. The Other Talent is a beautiful, compelling, and essential dig into how the sausage is made for those at the top and therefore is invaluable for anyone wanting to keep striving upwards!""
—Lesley Paterson, coauthor of The Brave Athlete
""Matt Fitzgerald has done it again, taking a complex concept and explaining it in the most layman of layman's terms.""
—Ben Rosario, executive director of HOKA NAZ Elite"
