7 Transformational Wellness Books Recommended by a Denver Personal Trainer
ABSTRACT
Explore Michael Moody’s curated list of the best wellness books for personal transformation and holistic health. Each science-backed title, from metabolic health to longevity, delivers actionable strategies to boost energy, focus, and emotional well-being. Discover why a Denver personal trainer recommends these reads to every client seeking sustained motivation and deeper mindfulness. Start your holistic health journey today with this powerful wellness reading list.
Keywords
Wellness books
Best wellness books
personal transformation books
Holistic Wellness Reading List
Metabolic Health Book
Longevity Science Book
Focus and productivity book
Mindfulness Meditation Book
Personal Trainer Book Recommendations
Denver personal trainer
Good Energy Casey Means
Peter Attia longevity
Deep Work Cal Newport
Stolen Focus attention
Compound effect habits
Meditation Wellness Books / Photo: Valeria Ushakova
Transforming yourself is more than focusing on your physique in the personal training studio. It is a comprehensive approach that examines your emotional, mental, and physical being and their unique intersection. If you truly want to elevate who you are and how you live, I recommend reading these books. Over the past year, I compiled this short list based on my research and generous recommendations from trusted people. You will notice a heightened awareness of your health if you check off each one. My personal training clients have benefited from reading these books, and you might be the next!
List of Wellness Books
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health – Casey Means
In Good Energy, Casey Means reveals how optimizing your metabolic health can unlock abundant energy and overall wellness. The book explains in an approachable way how metabolism affects everything from your physical fitness and weight management to mood and mental clarity. It highlights science-backed strategies, such as nutrition and lifestyle changes, to improve metabolism, offering a blueprint for preventing disease and promoting a longer, healthier life. Packed with actionable advice, Good Energy empowers you to take control of your metabolism and improve your energy levels and long-term health outcomes. This book has influenced my recommendations for annual health tests and helped restore a focus on the metabolic health of my personal training clients. It will soon replace Dr. Fuhrman’s book as the complimentary book I offer to anyone who signs up for in-person sessions with a personal trainer.
The Science and Art of Longevity – Dr. Peter Attia
Dr. Peter Attia’s The Science and Art of Longevity is a comprehensive guide to living a longer, healthier life through smart lifestyle choices. This insightful book breaks down the science of longevity, explaining how factors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management can significantly improve your healthspan— the quality of your years. Attia emphasizes preventive health strategies – from early screening to personalized fitness and diet plans – to ward off chronic diseases and boost vitality. With its blend of cutting-edge research and practical advice, the book empowers you to optimize your physical health and longevity, helping you stay strong and active well into the future. While Attia’s fitness plans aren’t comprehensive, his insights have contributed to the health prevention approach of my personal training clients.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World – Cal Newport
Cal Newport’s Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World is an eye-opening guide to mastering concentration for greater productivity and personal success. Newport argues that the ability to focus deeply on a task is like a superpower in today’s world, filled with distractions. He provides practical rules to help you eliminate digital distractions and train your mind for sustained attention. By cultivating mental clarity and discipline, you can achieve more in less time, whether it's completing your work projects or staying committed to your fitness and wellness goals. Approachable and insightful, Deep Work inspires you to create an environment and mindset that foster peak performance and meaningful progress in all areas of life. Arguably, this book will be the most influential in my personal and professional life by the end of 2025.
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment – Robert Wright
Robert Wright’s Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment explores how ancient mindfulness practices can improve modern mental health and focus. Wright combines evolutionary psychology and neuroscience with Buddhist philosophy to explain why our minds often struggle with anxiety and distraction, and how meditation can help rewire our brains for greater peace and clarity. The book is both scientific and encouraging, showing that practices like mindfulness meditation are not just spiritual ideals but practical tools for emotional well-being and concentration. If you're on a wellness journey, 'Why Buddhism is True' offers approachable insights into meditation that can help reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and even complement your fitness and personal growth goals. At the very least, this book has helped my personal training clients separate themselves from their feelings and reassess their connection to the present moment.
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again – Johann Hari
Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again investigates the modern-day attention crisis and offers solutions to regain your ability to concentrate. Hari explains how factors like technology, stress, and information overload are hijacking our focus, leading to reduced productivity and more anxiety. The book offers actionable ideas to rebuild your attention span and think deeply again – a skill that benefits not only work and learning but also your overall health, fitness, and personal growth. With its engaging storytelling and research, Stolen Focus motivates you to reclaim mental clarity and become more present, which is essential for mindful wellness and effective training. Most certainly, Hari’s book has reshaped my relationship with social media.
The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy
Darren Hardy’s The Compound Effect shows how small, consistent actions can compound into extraordinary results in your fitness, career, or personal life. Hardy illustrates that every healthy choice – whether it's a daily workout, a nutritious meal, or a positive habit – adds up over time to improve your physical health and motivation significantly. This book offers practical tips on building routines and staying consistent, emphasizing that gradual progress is the key to long-term success and wellness. With its motivational tone and clear examples, The Compound Effect inspires you to take charge of your daily habits and realize your full potential on your personal development journey.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen – David Brooks
In "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen," David Brooks explores the power of empathy and genuine connection for your overall well-being. In this thoughtful book, Brooks explains how truly understanding and listening to others, and allowing yourself to be seen, can enrich your relationships and emotional well-being. He offers practical advice and heartwarming stories on improving communication skills, presence, and compassion, which can reduce stress and loneliness. By fostering deeper human connections, How to Know a Person helps you grow personally and build a supportive social environment – an often-overlooked aspect of a healthy, balanced wellness journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
