As a former Division 1 basketball player at Marquette University and current ecommerce executive, I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration. Please enjoy my list and send me any comments on what you find inspiring!
I wrote...
Walk-On Warrior: Drive, Discipline, and the Will to Win
By
John Willkom
What is my book about?
A basketball journey like no other. The incredible first-hand account of a college season at Marquette, a summer with Hall of Fame coach, Rick Majerus, and a court-side seat with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
Small town. Undersized. Not enough talent. John Willkom heard it all as a young basketball player growing up in rural Wisconsin. Despite the odds, John dedicated his life to the game, an arduous journey that challenged the very core of even the most disciplined. As John’s hard work lands him amongst basketball’s elite, it is the workouts, the people, and the behind-the-scenes interactions that not only change his skill set but how he lives his life. Both heartfelt and funny, Walk-On Warrior takes you into the mind of an athlete from John’s perspective. Take a journey that will reignite your passion for life, challenge your perspectives on toughness and fear, and ultimately, inspire you to maximize your talent.
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The Books I Picked & Why
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
By
David Goggins
Why this book?
David Goggins has lived a life that most of us never will. This book is real, and it’s raw. As Goggins’s said himself, “don’t just talk about it, be about it.” I read a lot of books that are carefully worded and written in a way that being politically correct supersedes the truth. This is a no-holds-barred look at the grit, tenacity, and mental fortitude that is built when a person decides to change.
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Getting Undressed: From Paralysis to Purpose
By
David Cooks,
Eric Wolffersdorff
Why this book?
David had a spinal aneurysm at the age of 15, and his dreams of sports, college, and his future seemed to be halted. Yet, through faith and determination, his life took on a whole new journey full of awesome experiences, people, and lessons. Similar to Goggin’s book, this story opens up your mind as to what’s possible, what matters, and why we live.
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Win By Two: A Kansas City Drug Dealer, a Private School Teacher, and the Game That Linked Them Together
By
Adam Donyes,
Derrick Derrell
Why this book?
Win By Two is the true story about a Kansas City drug dealer and a private school teacher, bonded together through basketball. This is a powerful story about race, leadership, and what can happen when people get outside of their comfort zones and build bridges in their community. It also challenges our internal biases that we may not even know exist.
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The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story
By
Douglas Preston
Why this book?
This is a different type of inspiration, one rooted in exploration and going to places that no man has gone before. The author himself goes on a journey to find a lost city in the Honduran rainforest, and while sexy on the outside, discovers the stark challenges that exist in the world’s densest jungle. If you’re an adventure seeker, you’ll really enjoy this book.
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Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10
By
Marcus Luttrell,
Patrick Robinson
Why this book?
Many are familiar with this movie, but the book is downright excellent. Marcus Luttrell and his Navy Seal team fought a ferocious battle in Northern Afghanistan, one that will have you on the edge of your seat. If patriotism isn’t enough, Luttrell’s persistence to never back down or surrender the fight is an inspiration for anyone reading his story.
