Philosopher's Notes

Casey Means, MD, is the co-founder of Levels, a health technology company dedicated to reversing the world’s metabolic health crisis. She has served on the faculty at Stanford University, where she lectured on metabolic health and health technology. Dr. Means received her undergraduate degree with honors from Stanford, where she was president of her class, before graduating from Stanford Medical School. She later left traditional medicine to focus on tackling the root causes of why Americans are so sick. I’m not sure how I found this book, but when I saw the testimonial by Admiral Michael Mullen, retired 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I knew I had to get it. As you’d expect, it’s packed with Big Ideas and I’m excited to share some of my favorites, so let’s jump straight in!

Dr. Georgia Ede is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in the fascinating intersection of nutrition science, brain metabolism, and mental health. With over two decades of clinical experience, including groundbreaking work at Smith College and Harvard University Health Services, she was the first to offer nutrition-based therapies as an alternative to psychiatric medications. I came across this incredible book after Alexandra interviewed Dr. Ede for one of her Luminary Sessions with Heroic Coaches. This book is PACKED with Big Ideas to help you and your family conquer mental health challenges. I’m excited to share some of my favorites, so let’s jump straight in!

Admiral Bob Harward is a retired three-star Admiral and US Navy SEAL. The wisdom he shares in this book is based on his 40 years of highly decorated military service, followed by another decade as a top executive in the global defense industry. After leading the invasions of Afghanistan in October 2001 and Iraq in March 2003, Harward served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and helped commission the National Counterterrorism Center. Before retiring from the military in 2013, he served as Deputy Commander of US Central Command under General James Mattis. This book is PACKED with Big Ideas. I’m excited to share some of my favorites, so let’s jump straight in!

Want to be “Forever Strong”? Then this is the book for you. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a board-certified family physician with a fellowship in geriatrics and nutritional sciences, brings two decades of expertise to the table. Through her collaboration with mentor Dr. Donald Layman, she has transformed the field of protein metabolism and nutrition. With a focus on gaining muscle rather than just losing fat, Gabrielle offers a fresh perspective on building lasting strength and vitality. She’s also part of the Heroic family, having served the special forces community alongside her Navy SEAL husband. This book is your how-to manual on optimizing muscle growth and overall health. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas so let’s jump straight in!

Steven Hayes is the creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an approach focused on accepting the present while committing to positive change. After exploring Marsha Linehan’s work on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I noticed strong similarities between ACT and DBT, both balancing acceptance with action. These approaches are part of the "third wave" in cognitive behavioral therapy, alongside Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. This workbook offers both theory and practical exercises to apply ACT principles in real life. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas, so let’s jump straight in!

John Maxwell is a renowned leadership expert, author, and speaker who has written over 100 books on leadership, personal development, and growth. His work, including the famous The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, has influenced millions, making complex leadership concepts accessible and actionable. Maxwell is also the founder of the John Maxwell Company, which provides leadership training worldwide. This is our fifth Note on one of Maxwell’s books, following How Successful People Think, Leadershift, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, and his classic, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I read this one during my recent deep dive into peak performance and mental toughness for our work with Heroic athletes, teams, and coaches. As Maxwell says, if we want to forge excellence and activate our Heroic potential, we MUST get really good at using failure as fuel for growth. The book is packed with Big Ideas on how to do just that, and I’m excited to share some of my favorites. So, let’s jump straight in!

Marsha Linehan is the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a pioneering approach originally designed to help those with suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors, now widely used for various psychological challenges. Marsha’s story is nothing short of Heroic. After spending over two years in a mental health institution, she made a vow to help others escape their personal hells, leading to the creation of DBT. Today, she has trained over 10,000 therapists worldwide, and Time magazine named DBT one of the 100 most important new science ideas of our time. This book is packed with Big Ideas, and I’m excited to share some of my favorites, so let’s jump straight in!

Dr. Dave Alred MBE is an elite performance coach who works with top sports stars and teams, helping them deliver when the stakes are highest. Holding a PhD in Performing Under Pressure, he specializes in assisting athletes to excel in intense moments across sports like golf, rugby, and soccer. His book, recommended by one of the world's most elite athletes, is packed with Big Ideas for mastering mental toughness. This book is for anyone who wants to improve their performance under pressure. I'm excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas, so let’s jump straight in!

Sam Walker is the founding editor of the Wall Street Journal’s daily sports coverage and has worked with elite sports teams, companies, and military units to help them cultivate leadership. In The Captain Class, he presents a “New Theory of Leadership” based on his study of over 1,000 teams, ultimately identifying 17 of the greatest sports dynasties of all time. The common thread? An uncommon captain. Walker’s research reveals that the most critical ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of its leader. This book is packed with inspiring stories and Big Ideas about what makes these captains and their teams extraordinary. I’m excited to share some of my favorites, so let’s jump straight in!

Pressure. Every one of us feels it, but imagine the intense drama of a World Cup penalty kick—this is the heart of Geir Jordet's Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout. Jordet, a Professor in Psychology and Football at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, explains what happens in the high-pressure moments on the football field. With a special focus on those nerve-wracking penalty shootouts, he examines the psychological and physiological changes that players undergo. From his extensive experience advising over 130 professional players across major European leagues, Jordet reveals why some players thrive and others falter when everything is on the line. I read this book in one sitting—it's packed with Big Ideas on handling pressure not just in sports but in every walk of life. I’m excited to share some of my favorites so let’s jump straight in!