In 2017, I hit a brick wall in my life and realised I had to change. I started doing therapy and making changes externally but the truth of the matter is that I got more help and direction from books and podcasts than anywhere else.

So I thought I’d share the three books that had the biggest impact on my overall health and wellbeing – all of which can be purchased for well under £30.

Now, the books I’m about to share may not be what you expect as none of them are technically about nutrition or exercise. Instead, what they offer is a framework to live your life around which has the potential to change your relationship with all of those things… for good…

Let me know in the comments what your book recommendations would be.

1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

“To say that this book changed my life is an understatement. If you’re ready, it will change yours.”

I’ve probably read it from cover to cover about 7 times now. Not to mention dipping into different chapters countless times as and when I’ve needed to over the years. I’d describe it less as a book, and more as a life guide, in a similar way to which Christians may use the Bible.

A New Earth is essentially about the human predicament and how to ‘go beyond it’. It’s original subtitle ‘Finding Your True Purpose’ (which publishers sadly later changed to ‘Create A Better Life’) is what it will do for you, but it won’t be in the way you expect.

Less well-known than Eckhart’s first work, The Power Of Now, it offers a more practical breakdown of core spiritual teachings whilst managing to tie them back to larger-scale ideas about how we are evolving on the planet right now - which is where his genius shines through. Many have been able to interpret ancient teachings but until Eckhart came along, I didn’t know of any who were able to see how they related to the rest of life on the planet (and beyond) as a whole.

I first read this book when I was struggling with a sense of purpose and direction in my life and not only did it put me on the right path but simultaneously explained where and how I’d been going wrong all this time. Reading it felt like a fairy was flying through my brain tying up all the loose ends and unanswered questions I’d pondered for most of my adult life.

And because the concepts explained in this book are so profound, informing every decision I now make, it ultimately has transformed my health, fitness and happiness in ways I couldn’t have imagined beforehand. 

2. The Untethered Soul by Micheal A. Singer

“A refreshingly candid and straightforward breakdown of the human condition.”

Very similar to the teachings and ideas presented in A New Earth, The Untethered Soul attempts to explain the human predicament in no uncertain terms. Mickey’s candid, no-nonsense dialogue is a joy to read (and listen to via his podcast) as he breaks down ancient truths in a way that makes you wonder why you ever lived any other way.

This book came to me at exactly the right time in my life. It came when I needed to let go of old beliefs that weren’t serving me anymore. From here I was able to start learning how to truly work with my inner world in a way that had previously escaped me. 

What I found particularly useful in this book is its focus on ‘releasing’ your inner disturbances rather than resisting them or trying to make the world fit around you and your preferences. In some ways, the teachings are so strikingly simple but at the same time deeply profound. Once you understand and experience them directly, it has the power to change your life forever. 

3. Breath by James Nestor

“The next stage to understanding yourself is to understand your breath.”

We are all born into this world and we start breathing. No one tells us how to breathe and yet the way we breathe can have a huge impact on how we feel. In this research-laden book by James Nestor, he goes into detail as to how we can breathe optimally and why we generally don’t. 

I’ve picked up so many fascinating facts from James and his work has helped back my own beliefs in nasal breathing during exercise and sleep as well as Wim Hof Method breathing for physical and emotional resetting. I regularly reference his work in my workshops and find his research of great interest.

In terms of bang for the buck, this is a biggie as just some minor tweaks to the way you breathe can and most likely will have a profound effect on almost every other area of your life.