October 2024
Every month we ask a handful of key professionals and friends in the health space to share their reading selections with us. Some of the books currently being read are newly released, others not. In six months time perhaps they will be remembered, perhaps not. Other books are those that have remained in the readers' headspace, influencing them over time: longevity on the bookshelf.
Scroll down and discover. Click on the image and you will be directed to a relevant online retailer page or our own review. What books have you enjoyed reading? Make your suggestion at the bottom of page and perhaps we can enjoy and share them in the future.
I thank everyone who has contributed and shared with us.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
One of the best known names in sports nutrition, Mike Gleeson, Professor of Exercise Biochemistry at Loughborough University, shares 3 books with us. 2 are his own (including 1 collaboration) and the 3rd is his recommendation.
Sport Nutrition, 4th Edition
Asker Jeukendrup, Mike Gleeson
Recently published, he says"This book is used as the key text by students of sport science and qualified practitioners of nutrition including sport nutritionists, dieticians and performance chefs. Readers of this book do not need a deep understanding of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or physiology, but they should be familiar with some of the main concepts, because the physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of cells and tissues determine the physiological responses to exercise and the effects that nutrition has on these responses.
This book aims to develop the knowledge of these disciplines from a basic level to a relatively advanced level. Although the main focus of the book is on nutrition for highly active people it also includes a chapter on healthy eating which is equally applicable to people with less active lifestyles."
He also shares another title, authored by himself.
Eat, Move, Sleep, Repeat:
Diet & Fitness for Living Long & Healthy
Mike Gleeson
This time focused on healthy living and more in keeping with our own whole health philosophy. He states"This is a healthy lifestyle guidebook for the general public that provides a scientific, evidence-based rationale for selecting certain diets and forms of exercise to promote a better quality of life with reduced risk of chronic disease and extended longevity.
It covers how to achieve effective weight loss, follow a healthy balanced diet, improve sleep quality, improve fitness, avoid common illnesses, keep senses and organs healthy and determine what exercise suits your own lifestyle best. It is far more detailed, comprehensive and compelling than the vast number of books written."
And lastly, he shares his recommendation - another sports nutrition guide:
The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition (9th Edition)
Anita Bean
"The main value of Anita Bean's book is that it is a comprehensive and science-based guide to help athletes and other active people what to eat and drink to achieve optimal physical performance and to recover speedily from their exertions.
Although it is evidence-based with use of numerous selected reference sources it does an excellent job of translating the science into practical information that can be easily understood by athletes and coaches without any background science knowledge and it is well illustrated with colour figures and photos throughout."
Moving back to Singapore and APAC, Russell Harrison, CEO at Spartans Boxing Club, recently had this open on his bedside table. A discovery after enjoying her interview on Andrew Huberman's podcast...
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
Dr Anna Lembke
And Russels' book recommendation is...
Shantharam
Gregory David Roberts
No, not a health book, a fiction. Russel shares that "I typically gravitate to stories about adventure and usually stories of interesting and crazy lives. Which also speaks to another favourite of mine, Papillon, Henry Charriere."
And why not? Reading for health doesn't have to be only about education; escapism, relaxation, stimulation - enjoyment - are all valid. What has meaning and brings joy to you?
Professor Robert Kelly, associate professor of Cardiology at University College Dublin Beacon Hospital, lead clinical representative for Ireland at European Lifestyle Medicine Organization and founder of RK Cardiology, shares his upcoming release (this week, on the 31st) on Orpen Press. In keeping with our own whole health philosophy, we can expect a healthy dose of lifestyle medicine:
The Heart Book: Making Positive Changes for a Happy and Healthier Life
Professor Robert Kelly
And Robert's book recommendation is...
The Success Principles - 10th Anniversary Edition
How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Jack Canfield
Robert shares "I am currently doing his live course in USA about book contents - an action plan for achieving your goals - personal, professional, health - in life. I follow these in my own life and I apply these to coaching and caring for my patients."
Dexter Jemuel Tay, Head of Education at Surbana Jurong Group and twice Kettlebell Sport Asian Champion, has this recent read that has become a favourite recommendation as well.
"It’s kind of ironic that I finally got around to reading 'Lighter' during my recent trip to Greece, even though I’d bought it months ago. It was only eight weeks ago that I had a mental breakdown of sorts, and that led me to seek help at a private clinic, where I ended up being referred to the A&E. Afterward, I was prescribed antidepressants, and I’m now seeing a therapist every two weeks. Reading 'Lighter' during this time was confronting, but it felt necessary, too.
One of the things that really hit me was Pueblo’s concept of "radical honesty." Being fully honest with myself, especially about the tough stuff, has always been hard. And letting go? That’s another challenge entirely. I think part of me is still holding on to memories, which makes it hard to release them fully. But, in its own way, 'Lighter' was enlightening. Breaking it down chapter by chapter, taking time to reflect on each part, has actually been grounding. It’s given me moments of clarity that I need to move forward. This isn’t an easy process, but 'Lighter' has been like a companion on this journey, guiding me through some of the heavier moments.
Lighter:
Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future
Yung Pueblo
For anyone else who picks up this book, I believe it can be incredibly helpful for both health and well-being. Yung Pueblo doesn’t just look at healing as a purely emotional process; he presents it as holistic. He explains how emotional baggage can start showing up physically, leading to things like stress, fatigue, and even chronic health issues. The book is a reminder that our emotional state impacts everything—from our energy to our physical health. By practicing radical honesty, self-compassion, and learning to let go, we can create more space for mental peace and physical well-being.
One of the biggest ideas in 'Lighter' is the way emotional and physical health are tied together. Pueblo shows that unprocessed emotions don’t just stay in the mind; they actually impact the body, leading to chronic stress and physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or a weakened immune system. And this can become a kind of cycle—those physical symptoms can then worsen emotional health, bringing more anxiety, depression, or helplessness into the mix. It can turn into a spiral, where neglecting either emotional or physical health creates a negative loop.
But, as Pueblo explains, there’s also a positive flip side. Improving emotional health, through meditation, self-reflection, or just being kind to ourselves, can really help physically. Lowering stress has tangible effects, like better sleep, improved digestion, and more energy. On the flip side, caring for the body with regular exercise, good nutrition, and rest has powerful emotional benefits—exercise alone releases endorphins, lowers stress hormones, and gives you a clearer headspace.
For health and fitness professionals, especially health coaches, understanding this connection is key. They often see firsthand how a client’s emotional state affects their physical health and vice versa. Clients dealing with emotional challenges may struggle with motivation or energy, or they might have physical symptoms that don’t seem to have a clear cause. Meanwhile, ignoring physical health often has mental and emotional consequences, leading to things like burnout or even depression.
Health coaches, especially, are in a great position to help address both. Taking a more holistic approach—guiding clients in fitness or nutrition while also leaving room for emotional support or even recommending mental health resources—can be life-changing. Addressing emotional health early on can prevent a lot of those negative spirals, and when both mind and body are in sync, clients are more likely to see lasting improvements.
In the end, 'Lighter' really shows that healing isn’t a straightforward path. It’s a conversation between the mind and body, with each influencing the other. For health professionals, this means having the tools and awareness to support clients on both levels, which can be incredibly rewarding for both coach and client."
And we couldn't agree more. In our own practices of working with clients, mentally we have been both buoyed by their successes and brought down by their failures. Remaining professionally detached can at times be difficult, so learning to support their health and our own becomes doubly important.
And finally, we have recently revisited this book, a practical guide to holistic - functional - physical training. How to develop whole health and fitness, physical and mental. The author has a fantastic YouTube channel, click on the book cover below for more details.
Functional Training and Beyond:
Building the Ultimate Superfunctional Body and Mind
Adam Sinicki
Knowledge is power; improving health is about finding motivation, prioritising self-care and taking action. If you want to take effective and targeted steps that fit into your unique lifestyle, The Whole Health Practice is here to help. Whether you want to exercise, beat chronic illness or enhance your overall well-being, our consultations and programs deliver results that are tailored to your needs.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
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Related Resources
What is health literacy? CDC website
Magnus JR, Peresetsky AA. A Statistical Explanation of the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Front Psychol. 2022 Mar 25;13:840180. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.840180. PMID: 35401341; PMCID: PMC8992690.
Huang LY, Lin YP, Glass GF Jr, Chan EY. Health literacy and patient activation among adults with chronic diseases in Singapore: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Open. 2021 Sep;8(5):2857-2865. doi: 10.1002/nop2.873. Epub 2021 May 4. PMID: 33942559; PMCID: PMC8363362.
Liu C, Wang D, Liu C, Jiang J, Wang X, Chen H, Ju X, Zhang X. What is the meaning of health literacy? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Fam Med Community Health. 2020 May;8(2):e000351. doi: 10.1136/fmch-2020-000351. PMID: 32414834; PMCID: PMC7239702.
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