by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness

Peak Performance is a science-backed guide to achieving sustainable excellence without burnout. Rather than glorifying constant grind, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness argue that elite performance emerges from the intelligent balance of stress and recovery, combined with purpose-driven motivation. Drawing from sports science, psychology, and real-world examples from elite athletes, coaches, and leaders, the book reframes peak performance as a long-term process of growth, adaptability, and renewal. It is especially relevant for athletes and coaches seeking longevity, consistency, and mental resilience.

Main Sections of the Book

• The Science of Performance – Stress, adaptation, and growth
• Effort and Recovery Balance – Training hard without burning out
• Mental Resilience – Using stress as a developmental tool
• Motivation and Purpose – Why meaning outperforms obsession
• Sustainable Excellence – Long-term performance and well-being

Why This Book Matters for Athletes & Coaches

• Challenges the “more is always better” mindset
• Strong emphasis on recovery as a performance skill
• Highly applicable to precision sports, where mental freshness matters
• Complements mental-training books focused on competition execution

From a coaching perspective, Peak Performance pairs exceptionally well with books like With Winning in Mind or The Confident Mind: those explain how to perform under pressure, while this book explains how to stay capable of performing over years.

Affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.