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The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation  By  cover art

The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation

By: Michael Matthews
Narrated by: Michael Matthews
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Publisher's summary

International Best Seller

Let’s face it: fitness is hard.

Have you ever gotten into the car after a long day at work and headed straight for the couch instead of the gym?

Have you ever been unable to stop hitting the snooze button in the morning?

Have you even felt secretly afraid you just don’t have what it takes to transform your body and health?

Welcome to the club.

Working out and eating right takes time, energy, effort, discipline, dedication, and patience, and life always finds ways to interfere with our intentions and tempt us to stray.

And here’s the ground truth:

It doesn’t ever get easier - we just have to get better. And this book will help you get better.

It contains practical scientific research, compelling stories, and time-proven tactics for overcoming the mental and emotional blocks that bring you down and spin you around.

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside:

  • The easiest way to instantly increase your will power and self-control in any situation, no matter how you feel in the moment.
  • Three science-based psychological “tricks” you can use to stay strong during moments of temptation.
  • A simple 10-minute technique for beating procrastination and skyrocketing productivity.
  • How to inoculate yourself against Great Western Disease of “I’ll be happy when...” and find immediate joy and satisfaction right where you are.
  • Why you must stop telling yourself that you need things to be “just right” (and what to do instead).
  • The “40 percent rule” that Navy SEALs use to “dig deep” and screw up their courage when they need it most.
  • And more.

So, scroll up, click the “buy” button now, and get ready to enjoy more energy, enthusiasm, and excellence.

©2018 Michael Matthews (P)2018 Michael Matthews

What listeners say about The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation

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Diamond in the rough

Before we start the review, I think you should know my background. I’ve run several dietary supplement companies and am currently writing a book on nutrition. My entire career is nutrition/fitness, and I walk the walk. The book was read while biking 2-hours through a thunderstorm after doing a brutal Starting Strength Squat workout and jogging 3-miles.

Oh, and this insane behavior is normal. I’m out here biking 2-3 hours every day. It’s another average Monday on day 56 of a cut that’s stripped 23 pounds (and counting) off my frame.

All that biking means a lot of time in the saddle. This is spent, you guessed it, with audiobooks. ~400 of them as of this writing.

I know this sounds like I’m bragging, and perhaps I am. But it’s all a build up so you actually listen to what I have to say.

Now here’s the thing. I don’t read nutrition books on audible any more. I’ve been through all the bestsellers and they’re basically all garbage. Sure, they’re written well. But the information is pseudo-science or just plain wrong.

There are however, a mere handful of them that I would recommend. Among those, Michael Matthews Bigger Leaner Stronger currently stands at my #1 pick.

That said, his new book is more of the same. Outstanding writing that cuts to the heart of the matter.

Most of the world is sitting on their couch pushing dopamine buttons with a combination of fast food, reality TV, and FaceBook feeds.

I’ve seen the results of that life and it’s hell on earth. As Zig Ziglar says, you don’t pay the price for success, you enjoy the benefits of success. You pay the price for failure.

Been paying that price yourself? Sick of living a life you know isn’t your best life?

Read this.

We all have something to work on. Personally I have more issues than the next 10-people. I struggle with this just as much as you do. We all need a little pick me up now and then.

I will warn you though. This book is not for weenies. Excuses are unwelcome at this party.

Mike pulls no punches. If you’re looking for some feel good crash diet nonsense, this isn’t your book. If you’re afraid of hard work, this isn’t your book.

But if you’re looking to change your life, start here.

Then get off your ass and do the damn work already.

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100 people found this helpful

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Overhyped

I was recommended this book by a friend and picked up the audible copy.

The only real good thing about this book was the strategies listed. Matthews starts the book off by boasting about his strategies and techniques, but by the end of it you’re wondering, “that’s all he has to say?” He uses celebrities and famous athletes as examples, but fails to truly mention the people he’s worked with and the changes he made with real people other than 1-2 examples. He mentions over and over how he’s “changed lives” but leaves out actual examples.

After listening to the audiobook through and through several times and really letting it marinate, Matthews is no different than anyone else in the fitness industry. He mentions studies and “science backed” claims but fails to truly give the studies justice and mention the true essence of the data.
He cherry picks points and strategies that “work” and say “do this!”

If you need a casual listen, this book is good- but if you’re truly looking for an impactful book there are way better options available.

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30 people found this helpful

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seriously wtf

10 minutes of self gratification is not how you start a book, if i wanted to listen to somone drone on about how good they were id go into politics

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28 people found this helpful

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Misleading title

It took until chapter 7 for this author to get over his reviews and actually start the book. Just another philosophical guy at the gym. No motivation included. Not at all what I thought it would be from the title.

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20 people found this helpful

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This Was the Book I’d Been Looking For!

I was lacking to drive to continue on my fitness life. It’s been 30 years of working out...and I was going backwards. I wanted a book that spoke to me...that asked me how to ask myself the hard questions. This was it!

I loved the audio version so much that I also bought the Kindle version so I could walk the talk and make notes.

I’m excited now. I feel like I will let myself down if I don’t get off my ass. This prompted me to get up and do 2 workouts yesterday.

I love your words and I will be buying more! Thank you so much for relighting that spark.

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14 people found this helpful

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Great little book

I have always loved Mike Matthews, ever since I found him online. I've been listening and reading him for a couple years now, and I am 40 lbs lighter and quite a bit stronger thanks to him.

This book is a great primer on how to improve the most important areas of your life. If you are not into fitness, you should still buy this book. I've already have tons of practical steps that I am putting into action because of this book, and NONE of the big ones has anything to do with fitness.

Fitness is important, and this book will give you some tools and help motivate you to get in shape... along with motivating you to transform yourself into person you've always wanted to be in every other area of life.

The only critique I would give this book is that somebody else should have narrated it. Mike Matthews does a fine job speaking. I listen to his podcasts all the time. But as an AVID audiobook listener, I generally expect a little bit more of a "performance" from the narrator. This felt like a 5 hour long podcast. Not bad, but not great either.

... it's generally a bad idea for author's to narrate their own books anyway.

But that is NOT a reason to pass up on this book. The tools in here are too valuable, and Mike still was his usual charming self.

Get this book. If there is anything in your life that you might like to improve, you need this book.

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Anecdotal At Best

This was painfully boring, not terribly 'motivating' to me or based in more than -"hey I did all this and it worked 'for me' and it will work for you. just 'trust me' and bam fix your life.' < insert eye roll.

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You MUST Get This!

I may not have as much experience in listening to motivational books and podcasts as some on here have, but I have invested hundreds of dollars in programs that told me it would change my life and how I approach fitness. How I wish this book was out before I fell for that trap. Michael doesn't just cover it, he dives into it. He really talks about the things that we all struggle with whether your're intermediate or advanced in your fitness journey. I could not put the book down, it ignited something in me that I have never felt before. I wanted to give it 30 days before I made a review to talk about my results since, but I could not wait. I have shared this book everyone who even mentioned that they wanted to lose weight. I am not going to lie, I really had to look deep inside of me to see if I could even live up to what the book explained to me. I am quitter. That is a characteristic that I am trying to break through my fitness and the book touches upon how the journey is SO much more than losing weight, it is a way to become a stronger person mentally. Just stop reading my review and get this book. I have the audible, I have it on kindle and I have a physical copy so it can be with me at all times. I have listened to it twice in less than a week and I am ready to dive into it again. My eyes are open and I am finally getting it. I hope I can come back in 3 months time to tell just how much this book has changed my life. Please do not wait any longer, get it!

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Thank you for your work! You changed my life for the better!

This book is really great!!
I live in Brazil sorry for my english...
I have read a lot of books of self improvement and motivation but this one touch me a lot.
The way Mike explain and transmit the message is very practical and doable.
Very well readed with great examples of real people stories.
Some parts of the book are so great that blow out old concepts. Really loved the chapter about complaint.
Right after i readed Will Bowen book and watched a speech of him in you tube that is changing my way of living towards be more grateful with more responsability for my live.
I think in this life we grow finding great people that already get where we want to be and are willing to share te knowledge. Mike os one of this great person. Keep the good work.
As Admiral William MacRaven saied in his speech if we change the lives of just 10 persons in this life time we will effectively change the word in 2 generations. You are doing your part wonderfully.

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Brilliant

I had a great time listening to this book. Done in two days. I am struggling with finishing my doctoral dissertation end of this year. Many of the doubts and the second thoughts I am experiencing are featured in this book. In many parts I had a feeling that Mathews is speaking directly to me. It actually helps a lot when we realize that we are not struggling alone and there is a way to end the suffering and do the work.

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