Best Books to Read on the 75 Hard and Medium Challenge 

Let’s be real..committing to a 75-day challenge would be a walk in the park if it were all about push-ups and filling up on protein shakes. It ain’t that easy because your mind needs the transformation just as much as your body. 

Indeed, both the 75 hard and medium are about improving your mental health as much as your physical health. One of the core rules on the 75 Hard and our 75 Medium is reading 10 pages of self-help books daily. It is non-negotiable. And for good reason. 

The magic of the right read.

The best books to read on the 75 Hard and Medium improve your mindset so you can stick to your 75-day challenge. These books often offer wisdom when your motivation dips and clarity when the doubt creeps in. 

Data shows that reading specific titles can help you stay focused on your 75-day challenge. But why??

It is really simple, mental resilience isn’t built in a vacuum. Pages filled with loads of actionable advice teach you to prioritize what truly matters, making hardcore challenges like the 75 hard feel real easy. 

So, this guide isn’t a random list. I’ve handpicked titles that thousands swear by. The best books to read, books that blend science-backed strategies and relatable advice to keep your head in the game in your 75 Hard and Medium challenge. 

Best Books for the 75 Hard Challenge 

The OG 75-day challenge, the 75 hard, was built to stretch your limits, not soothe them. 

So, the best books to read on the 75 Hard should challenge you to think differently, act decisively, and build unshakeable mental toughness that will thrive on the 75 Hard challenge. 

1. Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins

One of my favorite quotes from Can’t Hurt Me is, 

This quote sums up the 75 Hard perfectly, don’t you think? The 75 Hard challenge is all about pushing you to face and ultimately best your limits. And this book preaches that exact same gospel. 

2. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Building good habits and breaking terrible ones is one of the cornerstones of the 75 Hard challenge. Ever tried to build a new habit only to quit by day 3? The 75 Hard aims to flip that particular script. 

On the 75 Hard, you have to follow all 5 rules every day without fail. Otherwise, you have to start at the beginning. Ultimately, the goal is to rewire your habits through relentless consistency. 

Atomic Habits is the book to read to help you create systems that actually support your goals, including sticking to the 75 hard. James Clear offers actionable tips to build a success system that will make the 75 Hard challenge a walk in the park and serve you well after you finish the challenge. 

You can use the worksheets and guidance in Atomic Habits to build systems for workouts, eating routines, and even reading. You can use habit stacking to ensure you check off all 5 rules by the end of the day. 

3. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

One of the biggest challenges of the 75 Hard is dealing with internal resistance. In fact, I would say internal resistance is one of the reasons I have tried and failed, not once but twice, on the 75 Hard. 

The War of Art will help you understand the enemy within and exactly what you need to do to beat it.

Pressfield emphasizes that it is important to never, ever give up. And that is the mentality you need to actually start and complete the 75 Hard challenge. 

The War of Art is great for mid-challenge dips since it is all about killing procrastination and pushing through resistance. 

4. Discipline is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control by Ryan Holiday 

This particular book is part of the Stoic Virtue Series and is all about mastering the self. I’d argue that it is another core aspect of the 75 Hard. 

Making it an all-or-nothing challenge means only the most disciplined person with an excellent command of self can actually start and finish the 75 Hard. 

5. Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim Grover 

I have always been a huge critic of the 75 Hard challenge. For me, the 75 Hard demands perfection for 75 days straight, which is a little unrealistic in my book. That’s why I created an alternative 75-day challenge, our 75 Medium Challenge.  

Relentless by Tim Grover emphasizes those aspects of the 75 Hard that I detest. It is a must-read for people who DON’T want balance. They want RESULTS. And the 75 Hard is all about results, making Relentless the perfect book for the 75 Hard Challenge.

If You’re Struggling to Finish the 75 Hard, Read These

6. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday 

Better described as stoicism for chaos. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday teaches you to see obstacles as chances. And to me, there’s no better take of the 75 Hard than this. If you wake up every day and see each of the 5 rules on the 75 Hard as a chance to do better, be better, then you’ll have no issues sticking it out. 

7. Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack

Andy Frisella, the creator of the 75 Hard challenge, insists that the 75 Hard challenge isn’t just another fitness challenge. It is a mental toughness program. 

And Mind Gym by Gary Mack is a mental training for performance self-help book. A match made in heaven. 

Can’t Hurt Me- Yes, Again, it is that good. 

Best Books for the 75 Medium Challenge 

Unlike the 75 Hard, the 75 Medium, particularly our 75 Medium Challenge, has more grace. Yes, it has structure, similar to the 75 hard, but with a little more grace. 

It is about finding balance and making gradual progress. It is about consistency, not perfection. 

You don’t have to start over when you have a bad day, and you don’t have to overdo it with two workouts a day. It is more chill. 

You get to journal and actually get to prioritize your sleep quality.

So, the best books to read on the 75 Medium are empowering and not punishing. These books will help you build discipline without going full drill sergeant. 

1. The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest

The Mountain is You is a transformative book that will help you overcome self-sabotage. 

This book is the perfect complement to the core principles of the 75 Medium Challenge because it will help you break destructive patterns that keep sabotaging your dreams and build resilience that will not only help you during the 75 Medium but also be instrumental in your personal growth well beyond the 75 days. 

You’ll learn to turn struggles into growth opportunities that will truly change your life. 

2. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle 

The Power of Now is all about learning to live in the present. This is the best book for the 75 Medium Challenge because it is all about slowing down, reconnecting, and being grounded. 

I often feel like the 75 Hard is a rushed version of trying to hack your life. It is hurried. Like a sprint. 

The 75 Medium is more graceful, slower, and more about living in the moment. 

And that’s exactly what Tolle emphasizes in The Power of Now. It is a must-read on the 75 Medium Challenge.

3. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty 

In Think Like a Monk, Jay Shetty shares profound wisdom from his monk experiences. You’ll learn how to reduce stress, improve your relationships, and find purpose. 

All these align perfectly with the core aspect of the 75 Medium, a balanced approach to life. An approach that considers not only your physical health but also your mental and emotional health. 

Think Like a Monk is a great book for mental and emotional well-being during and after the 75 medium challenge. 

4. 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest

101 Essays by Brianna Wiest is one of the best books on both 75 Hard and Medium because of its structure. The short chapters make it super easy to keep up with 10 pages per day. 

5. Untamed by Glennon Doyle

This book’s main winning point is the intense internal monologue that inspires action, making it perfect for the 75 medium. It is particularly relevant for women on transition or anyone trying to reclaim their power and take full control of their life.  Or anyone doing a 75-day challenge to try to reset their life. 

Want Even More?

While these picks don’t fit in any category, they are definitely worth adding to your TBR. 

6. You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Gretness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

This is a fun, no-nonsense guide to achieving your goals. Sincero offers practical advice that will transform your mindset during the 75-Medium challenge and help you reach your full potential well after the end of your 75-day challenge.

7. Deep Work by Cal Newport

Cal Newport provides strategies to help you cultivate clear-cut focus in a world full of chaos and distractions. 

Implementing strategies in this book will help you better manage your time and energy, making the 75 Medium a breeze. The book emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, which echoes the balanced approach of the 75 Medium.

8. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson 

12 Rules of Life offers profound insights into living a meaningful and fulfilling life grounded in personal responsibility and self-discipline. 

Challenges like 75 hard and medium are often about consistency for those 75 days. And you can only be consistent if you are disciplined. 

The frameworks Peterson proposes in 12 Rules for Life will help you navigate challenges on the 75 Hard and make positive changes in your life. 

Looking for more must-read transformative reads? These 13 self-help books changed how I think, work, and show up for myself every day.

How To Choose the Best Books to Read on the 75 Hard and Medium Challenge 

Want tough love? Pick from the 75 Hard

Want books that reflect the no-BS principles of the 75 Hard challenge? Go for books such as Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins or Atomic Habits by James Clear. These books offer straight-to-the-point advice to help build mental toughness.

Need gentle but effective reads? Go with 75 Medium 

If you want a more balanced approach to your 75-day challenge and life in general, go with the books for the 75 medium challenge. Books such as The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest offer helpful advice emphasizing slow and steady growth.

Need quick wins? Go for books with short chapters 

Books with short chapters or daily entries are perfect for motivation in small doses. Such books are great options for people who don’t particularly enjoy reading. Books such as 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest are easy reads because of the short chapters.

Hate reading? Try an audiobook while walking 

If you are not a big reader, no worries. You can go for audiobooks while you take a walk or when doing laundry and tidying up. 

Remember, audiobooks don’t count on the 75 Hard.

Final Thoughts on the Best Books to Read on the 75 Hard and Medium

There is a reason reading 10 pages daily is a non-negotiable on both the 75 Hard and Medium challenges. Just like lifting weights strengthens your muscles, reading daily strengthens your grit.

Reading consistency is necessary to rewire your neural pathways and ultimately teach your brain to really embrace discomfort.

And this is the only way to start and finish a 75-day challenge and enjoy the benefits well after you’ve completed the challenge. 

Trust me, reading these books on your 75 Hard or Medium Challenge will shape how you show up for yourself and others during and after the challenge.