Mental and Physical Endurance
357598
The whole book can be summed up in two ideas, "mind over matter" and "physical fitness impacts mental fitness."  The stories in the forward are good, but the rest is really basic common sense.  Great for someone with no military experience (or that cannot think on their own).
1693757
This is a good book on many levels. It gives the reader a broad scope of attention to details from mental preparation to healing body ailments and shows the writer has payed attention when blocked by all the things athletes and other men of action face such as family and life getting in the way. Lack of motivation and actual goals to work towards. I would recommend this book to any person or group wanting to better themselves in a complete way but it will be too much for someone wanting just a chart to tell him do this or that. A great read for the thinking athlete and for people of all ages. Two thumbs and two toes up :)
1488035
thank you Ben for this book.  You are my inspiration and motivation to stay healthy and in great physical shape.  Now, I am on my way to master endurance... Perfecto!  Malgorzata
2267324
I am a big fan of Gregory's holistic approach to fitness; his interpretation of mind, body, and spirit or soul whichever one floats your fancy.

I think you do have to incorporate all the elements of fitness, good nutrition, but also the MIND, the Infinte Powerful tool that many of us think we are subject to, however in Truth we are in control of our Minds.  I bought the book knowing these prinicples and they defintely reinforced, however came away with the thought that this book is more for beginners.

Intermediate and advance who are honest with themselves already know most of the information contained herein.  If you want to incorporate more mental toughness into your workout there are a few pointers here, or I recommend any of the "new thought" books from the likes of Ernest Holmes.
1476546
Outstanding book covering the three means by which we expend energy and how we might use these to either become better athletics or even loose some weight.
A book for anyone interested in competing and also just purposely exercising.
1382144
Dr. John Heil's Mind-Body Relaxation CD is a comprehensive mental skills program that will help fencers and athletes in any sport optimize their performance. Mind-Body Relaxation gives athletes the practical skills to help them regulate their attention and control their mental and physical arousal levels.  The CD is an essential tool for any athlete aiming to perform at their best in critical performance situations. Dr. Heil has developed a tremendous product that can be integrated into an athlete's physical training program. Mind-Body relaxation provides the perfect platform for athletes hoping to gain the mental edge. I highly recommend this CD along with the CD on competition mental preparation.
4886380
The format is unusual. For example, information is presented on physical workouts and then good physical habits are related to mental well-being. Many ideas to sort through and probably requires a fair bit of self-awareness in order to take full advantage. I especially like the messages of grit, perseverance, and accepting responsibility for ones self.
1864624
If you are interested in endurance training and general health, buy this book..
The best book I have read on this subject..
Well written, backed up by science and personal experience..
Excellent...
4594630
In The Mind of Thuse!! Linda Smarzik shows how consistent, regular effort
in any endeavor leads to effortlessness and timelessness. Remember
activities you've done where once you get involved time seems to fly past
you so quickly you don't even notice-- timelessness.

To achieve true effortlessness, Smarzik claims one must first de-stress
because stress affects the ability to function effortlessly. Stress is a known
adverse aspect in many health issues as well as a deterrent to the well
being of the mental perspective of the one overtaken by it. De-stressing
isn't the easiest undertaking because we create our own stress through
our own valid or invalid perceived nonexistent threats.

Though Smarzik writes about a highly scientific approach to creativity, her
writing style is conversational and at the level of understanding of most
non-professional readers.

What I took away from this book is much, but one thing I will hold onto on
a daily basis is the following statement: "You do have the ability to
experience effortlessness, timelessness, and endless energy with no only
your endeavors but also your everyday life."
1931877
This book helped me a lot to understand how the human brain and memory works. I never thought there are so many ways to improve your memory. The brain is just like a super advanced computer hard drive that can store huge amounts of data and access it anytime using the techniques described in the book. I also liked the health advices that keep your brain and mind young and fresh. This book is recommended to all who recognize that mental fitness is just as important as physical health - 5 stars
810876
Subject material presented in clear medical and layman's terms. Plasticity capabilities if the brain as it relates to the mind and mind functions are both amazing and presented in detail so as to be convincing that the underlying processes are repeatable and correlated with repeatable outcomes.

Data presented are convincing that the retraining of the brain/ mind interface using physical modalities is a priority for significant recovery in the motor areas as well as sensory capabilities, including speech post brain trauma. The ability of neuroscience as an engineering practice to test all the empirical processes and see precisely what is taking place within cerebral tissue still remains the lagging verification for making this a better understood science.
338186
Just imagine six months on a single adventure. At first you might get yourself killed by raging water, then face any kind of other adversity.  Then there is the physical challenge.  Amazing!
51001
I am really glad I read this book.  I have two teenagers at home who will be reading it next.  If you want to succeed in life, develop mental toughness.  Everything laid out in this book will help people succeed in their career, studies, or athletics.  The concepts that our special operators have are excellent and will help you succeed.  Read this book.  Share it with young people.  Appreciate our military and learn how to develop mental toughness to succeed in this crazy world we live in!
2522211
Excellent!!!  The physical and the mental, and the plane between them, and the body's defensive mechanisms, and the urgent interplay craving survival!!!  To what lengths will,your body go to save you???
2430749
After many years of working out in traditional styles. It is refreshing to see an approach that not only tells us how to workout more efficiently, but why these exercises will do more than just build a lean muscular body.  Starting with core conditioning, (physical as well as mental) the body has less barriers and much less chance for injury and illness. My mind is free, I am more aware of everything around me and I laugh along with Ilg as my ego moves aside and lets me get on with business.

Thanks Coach!

Brian Smallwood

Former Pro Mountain bike racer.
3970767
I've run quite a few Spartan Races and other OCR and Endurance events so I was very glad the book didn't focus on preparing for them.  I really like how Joe described the mental "grit" it takes to step up to, go through and accomplish challenges in but sport and life.  Good value for someone looking for motivation "to get off the couch" or people like myself who participate in endurance events like the Death Race needing or reinvigorating that motivation and mental toughness.
2715405
I came across this fascinating book through a friend and even as a non-tennis player, this was an eye-opening and intriguing read about methods to bettering yourself. The most interesting aspects come in the form of historical evidence about masters improving their game. And not just in the tennis realm. Instances of chess players, video gamers, and intellectuals all contribute to the different facets of improvement on a very mental level. I had heard of the "10,000 hours" rule but never had I understood it in such detail. This book opened my mind to varying ways of thinking about whatever task it is I wish to be better at. I myself am a runner and when I am out there, I play many a mental game with myself to overcome the pain, the anguish, the feeling of not being good enough. The chapters of this book helped me to think outside the box - on a higher plane - about the ways I can perform better in training runs and races. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to excel in their lives.