The 5 Books That Changed My Business, My Bank Account, and My Life

(And Why You Should Stop Reading the Same Fluff Everyone Else Recommends)

Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t read for entertainment.

I read for transformation.

You will not find me with a self-help flavor-of-the-month book sitting poolside like I’m in Oprah’s book club. I read books that make me think, challenge my default settings, and force me to level the hell up.

So no, I haven’t read 100 books this year. And I don’t want to.

I’ve read the right books — the ones I come back to over and over because every time I do, I get something deeper. Why? Because I’m not the same guy who read it last time. And if you’re serious about growing as a business owner, neither are you.

Here are the 5 books that have completely shaped how I run my business, build wealth, make decisions, and live my life — without apology and without playing small.

1. The Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan Holiday

If you’re the kind of person who gets thrown off by adversity — you need this book.

“The Obstacle is the Way” is based on Stoic philosophy. Sounds fancy, but it’s actually just about doing hard shit and not being a whiny little victim when life punches you in the face.

This book taught me that challenges aren't detours. They are the damn path. You don’t go around them. You go through them — and you come out tougher, smarter, and more capable on the other side.

I’ve probably read or listened to this one a dozen times. On road trips. In the gym. While walking around pissed off because something blew up in the business. And every single time, it hits differently — because I’m different.

Why this book matters:
It helped me stop resisting pain and start using it. It’s now how I operate. Things get hard? Good. That means I’m growing.

2. The ONE Thing – Gary Keller

If your calendar looks like a chaotic mess of meetings, tasks, and random bullshit… this book will save your life (and your sanity).

When I first read this, I was trying to do everything. And as a result, I was half-assing all of it. I had all these decent ideas, but nothing was actually moving the needle. “The ONE Thing” slapped me across the face and said: “Focus, dumbass.”

Quick story:
After reading this, I sat down and ruthlessly cut 80% of what I was doing. I nuked half-finished projects, paused partnerships, and even pulled back on some offers that were making money — just so I could double down on the one thing that had the potential to explode long-term. That one move led to the most profitable 12 months I’d ever had.

The takeaway:
Most of us don’t need more hustle. We need fewer distractions. We need to go all-in on the ONE thing that actually moves the needle.

3. Expert Secrets – Russell Brunson

This book should be required reading for anyone trying to sell anything online. Or offline, honestly.

If you’re a fitness coach, gym owner, course creator, or high-ticket service provider — you better understand how to tell your story, create desire, and build belief. Otherwise, you’re just another dude shouting into the void, hoping someone gives a shit.

Real-life result:
After applying the stuff from this book, I’ve created multiple businesses that crossed the million-dollar mark — and we’ve got the two comma club awards to prove it. Not to mention a waiting list of people wanting to buy what we’re selling.

But the first time I read it? I missed a ton.
The second time? I started connecting dots.
By the third or fourth time, I was like, “Holy shit… I get it now.”

Lesson:
Don’t just read this book. Study it. Apply it. And watch your business explode.

4. 10X Is Easier Than 2X – Dan Sullivan

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: Going big is easier than playing it safe.

When you aim for 2X growth, you try to do more of what you’re already doing — with a little more hustle, a little more effort, a little more stress. But when you go for 10X, you can’t do that. You have to transform.

This book helped me realize I needed to stop being busy and start being brilliant — meaning I had to focus on the few things I’m world-class at and let go of everything else.

My 10X story:
Years ago, I was working a stable job. It was “safe,” but I hated it. I had the chance to buy a failing business that was bleeding $2,000/month. Most people would’ve laughed in my face. But I bought it. That move — that terrifying, stupid-sounding move — became the spark for everything that came after: multiple successful businesses, freedom, impact, and yes… real money.

Moral of the story:
You’ve already made 10X moves in your life. You just didn’t realize it. Now it’s time to make the next one — on purpose.

5. Killing Sacred Cows – Garrett Gunderson

This book straight-up dismantled everything I thought I knew about money.

If you’ve ever been told to cut out Starbucks, live below your means, and pour everything into an index fund until you're 65… this book will shake your damn soul.

It taught me that money isn’t about accumulating — it’s about flow. It’s about using your unique genius to create value, build wealth, and enjoy your damn life right now — not someday.

Personal story:
This book is what introduced me to infinite banking. I now use my own private banking policy to fund my investments — like buying into Castile Armory, a fencing sword company. Yeah, I’m a sword guy. Call it nerdy if you want. I love the sport. I compete. It fires me up.

And now? I get to merge passion and profit. We broke 7 figures last year.
All because I stopped playing the traditional game and started playing my game.

Bottom line:
We’ve been fed a broke-ass blueprint for how money should work. This book tears it apart and hands you a better one.

Final Thoughts

Stop trying to impress people with how many books you’ve read.

Read fewer books. Read better books. Read the ones that make you pause, question everything, and say “Damn… I’ve been doing this wrong.”

These five did that for me.

They helped me build real businesses, stack real wealth, and build a life that’s actually mine — not one designed by society, or Dave Ramsey, or whatever safe path the “money experts” want you to take.

So now it’s your turn.
Pick one. Read it. Apply it. Then read it again.

Because next time…
You’ll be a different person — and it’ll hit even harder.