Self-Help with the Try Guys and Jocko Willink

“The Hidden Power of Fucking Up,” with the Try Guys

The Hidden Power of F*cking Up is part self-help book, part memoir, and all heart. If you like the, “Try Guys,” this is a must-buy. If you’re not a fan, this book may just convert you. Here’s the publisher’s summary: “The four co-creators of The Try Guys, one of the Internet’s most popular and viral sensations, deliver their first book—an inspirational self-improvement guide that teaches you that the path to success is littered with humiliating detours, embarrassing offenses, and unexpected failures.“

Pros:

The book is full of heart, and brought a tear to my eye on multiple occasions
Each of the guys brings their own flavor / personality to the book.
The book has a consistent theme: getting out of your comfort zone and becoming the best version of yourself
I was pleased to discover that the Audiobook contains outtakes not found in the print version. It was a great way to wrap up the experience.

Cons:

The book can feel “scatter-brained,” at times, especially as it integrates so many different types of content (e.g. personal stories, self-help tips, historical “tries,” etc).
While it is great to have all the guys on hand to read their own sections of the book, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate which of the guys is speaking.
As other reviewers have noted, some of the, “tries,” in the book might have been better served as a video on their channel

Conclusion:

All of the quibbles I have in the “cons,” section are more than overruled by the positives. In short, I started this book with minimal knowledge of the Try Guys. My only real connection to them is that my girlfriend is a big fan, so I’d seen clips and the occasional video. Having finished it, I plan to do a deeper dive into their YouTube channel. I think it’s safe to say that I’m now a fan.

Check it out here.

“Discipline Equals Freedom: A Field Manual” by Jocko Willink

First, let’s start with a part of the publisher’s blurb: “In Discipline Equals Freedom, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Extreme Ownership describes how he lives that mantra: the mental and physical disciplines he imposes on himself in order to achieve freedom in all aspects of life. Many books offer advice on how to overcome obstacles and reach your goals—but that advice often misses the most critical ingredient: discipline. Without discipline, there will be no real progress. Discipline Equals Freedom covers it all, including strategies and tactics for conquering weakness, procrastination, and fear, and specific physical training presented in workouts for beginner, intermediate, and advanced athletes, and even the best sleep habits and food intake recommended to optimize performance.“

Here’s a quote from the work that I think is both emblematic of the work and helpful: “The only thing that matters is that you actually do. SO: DO.“

Pros:

The author writes in a to-the-point, staccato style. While this can get tiresome over long sessions, it also had the effect of grabbing my attention and helping me get motivated.
There are a number of interesting ideas in this book about willpower, motivation, and (as the author puts it) “getting after it.”
I appreciate the the author provides variations / alternatives for exercises (e.g. “standard” push-ups VS knee push-ups VS wall push-ups).
I appreciate that the (basic) workout routines provided don’t require special equipment (beyond a pull-up bar).

Cons:

Sometimes the various thoughts can come off as “same-y (especially in part 1),” but to the right person, at the right time, I’d bet they could make a world of difference.
A lot of the information on science (physiology, psychology, etc) lacks citation or reference beyond the author’s personal beliefs and experiences. This isn’t to say that some of his ideas aren’t helpful, just that it’s entirely reasonable to take them with a grain of salt.
About a third (35%) of the book is dedicated to specific workouts. This isn’t a bad thing, per se, but it may not be relevant to all readers.
(nit-pick) When talking about various exercises and stretches, the author names them but does not define them (EG: what is an “arm hauler?”). This isn’t a huge issue in the age of the internet, but it is a minor annoyance.

Conclusion:

It’s not a perfect book, but to the right person at the right time, it could make a world of difference. I have some qualms with the book (and thus can’t give it my highest recommendation). With that said, if the publisher’s summary intrigued you, this one is worth a read.

Check it out here.