Blog | Mindset Sharpen Your Mind in 2026

Author / John

3 - 5 minutes read

Train your mind like you train your body.

As we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about mental and emotional strength. We all know the power of training the body—but what about the mind? If you want to start the new year stronger, sharper, and more resilient, it’s worth asking yourself the same question: are you training your mind like you train your body?

Every year, I put together a personal reading list. This isn’t about sharing for show or checking off titles—it’s about sharpening my mind, building resilience, and growing as a person. One quote always drives me:

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” — Richard Steele

The books I choose aren’t all about tactics or business. Some are ancient texts that remind us of human nature and our roots. Some are modern guides to mindset and resilience. Some are just pure, adrenaline-fueled enjoyment. A few are audiobooks I listen to while hammering calories on the Echo bike—Jack Carr’s books, for example, are my guilty pleasure: fast-paced, violent, and impossible to put down.

Here’s what I dug into in 2025

Jack Carr Books – The Ultimate Escape on Audio

True Believer
Savage Son
The Devil’s Hand
In the Blood Only the Dead

Mastery & Mindset

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz – A brutal, honest look at leadership, pressure, and survival in business.
Power vs. Force by Dr. David R. Hawkins – A deep dive into authentic power vs. manipulation and fear.
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin – Why deliberate, consistent practice beats natural talent every time.

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Ancient Texts That Stand the Test of Time

The Complete Books of Enoch – Stories of Enoch, the Watchers, and events before the Great Flood.
Gilgamesh: The New Translation by Gerald J. Davis – Friendship, mortality, and the oldest story ever told.

Resilience & Recovery

Violence of Mind by Varg Freeborn – A no-BS look at the mindset needed for survival in the real world.
Perfect Daughters by Robert Ackerman – Breaking patterns for women raised in difficult homes.
Silent Sons by Robert Ackerman – Tools for men shaped by dysfunction seeking clarity and recovery.

The common thread here is growth—mental toughness, awareness, and learning that sticks. Just like strength in the gym doesn’t come overnight, building your mind requires consistency, deliberate effort, and exposure to challenging ideas.

If you’re looking to start 2026 stronger, think about your mental “training list.” What books, ideas, or challenges will sharpen your mind, strengthen your resilience, and make you a better version of yourself?

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick a few books, dive deep, and start training your mind like you train your body. Your future self will thank you.

John

John Welbourn is CEO of Power Athlete and host of Power Athlete Radio. He is a 9 year starter and veteran of the NFL. John was drafted with the 97th pick in 1999 NFL Draft and went on to be a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003, appearing in 3 NFC Championship games, and for starter for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004-2007. In 2008, he played with the New England Patriots until an injury ended his season early with him retiring in 2009. Over the course of his career, John has started over 100 games and has 10 play-off appearances. He was a four year lettermen while playing football at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Rhetoric in 1998. John has worked with the MLB, NFL, NHL, Olympic athletes and Military. He travels the world lecturing on performance and nutrition and records his podcast, Power Athlete Radio, every week with over 800 episodes spanning 13 years. You can catch up with John as his personal blog, Talk To Me Johnnie, on social media @johnwelbourn or at Power Athlete Radio.