Steven’s Favorites

This is a collection of Steven’s favorite books, audiobooks, podcasts, films, products, and apps.

If it’s on this list, he recommends it for his listeners!

 

Books

Jerry Moffatt Revelations

My all-time favorite climbing book. A real glimpse into a fascinating time in climbing history.

Beyond Limits: A Life Through Climbing

A close 2nd after Revelations. If I had read this one first, it might have gone the other way.

Learning to Fly: A Memoir of Hanging On and Letting Go

Inspiring, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Steph’s first book is excellent as well.

9 Out of 10 Climbers Make the Same Mistakes

A book I’ve returned to again and again over the years. Every performance-oriented climber should read this book.

The Inner Game of Tennis

A fascinating book about how we learn physical skills. Climbers should read this. It’s not really about tennis.

Logical Progression: Second Edition

Of all of the climbing training books available today, this is the closest to what I do for my own training. A great resource.

Mettle: Lessons From The Gym and Crag in the Pursuit of Better Climbing

I had the honor of writing the forward for this book, and I keep a copy in my van. I highly recommend this book for any climber.

Beastmaking: A Fingers-first Approach to Becoming a Better Climber

One of the best training books ever written. If I had to recommend one book for finger training, this would be it.

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

An incredibly helpful book for those with Type-A personalities who never seem to get enough done. I plan to reread this once every 3-6 months.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

An excellent antidote for overwhelm, FOMO, and mental clutter.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

A guide to bold creativity, for anyone looking to make something worth sharing.

Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance

You don’t need to read the whole book. Just skip to the practice section and try it for 2-3 weeks.

Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality

A strange little book that gives me a deep sense of peace that lasts a few weeks (or more) every time I read it.

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

The book that sparked The Nugget Climbing Podcast. “This book should exist, but for rock climbing…”

This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See

Seth Godin is one of my greatest mentors and teachers. I used to read his blog every single day. I highly recommend all of his books and his podcast.

Audiobooks

The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help

I’m not even a Dresden Dolls fan, and this book blew me away. Amanda is a badass.

Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me

Jamie Foxx is the consummate performer in my opinion, and nothing beats his storytelling.

Greenlights

Read by the man himself. Entertaining, inspiring, and educational.

Eat, Pray, Love

A beautiful book. I was transfixed by Elizabeth’s voice and storytelling.

The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

The book that started it all, and helped me believe that I didn’t have to work in a cubical for the rest of my life.

Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

Derek shows us that building a business should be fun and life-giving. There are no rules to entrepreneurship.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1

I’ve listened to the entire HP series at least twice, in addition to reading these books as a kid. Jim Dale absolutely kills it.

The Black Prism

The first book of my favorite fantasy series (5 books total). I’ve listened to the whole thing twice. I LOVE THIS SERIES.

The Fountainhead

One of my all-time favorite books. Ayn Rand always makes me think. If you like this one, I recommend Atlas Shrugged as well.

*Get the Christopher Hurt versions.

 

Podcasts

The Tim Ferriss Show

My all-time favorite. The conversations in this podcast have literally changed my life. Some favorite episodes to check out are Jamie Foxx, Seth Godin, Naval Ravikant, Jim Collins, Samin Nosrat, Pavel Tsatsuline, and Christopher Sommer.

Armchair Expert

Interviews with Hollywood stars and experts in other fields. These conversations are fun and entertaining, and often deep and moving. Some favorites are Elizabeth Gilbert, Esther Perel, and Matthew McConaughey.

Smartless

Hilarious. My go-to when I need some lighthearted laughs. Some favorite episodes include Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephen Colbert, and Maya Rudolph.

Death, Sex & Money

One I listen to occasionally and always enjoy. The episode with Mason Earle is the first one I listened to and is heartbreaking and incredible.

Making Sense

I don’t always agree with Sam, but I always appreciate his willingness to tackle tough subjects. This podcast challenges me and makes me think.

Everything is Alive

Delightfully clever. My favorite episodes are Louis, Can of Cola and Louise & William, Shirt & Pants.

Films

Dosage IV

My favorite dose, from my favorite climbing film series. All of the Dosage films are worth watching.

Progression

I had been climbing for a couple of years when this film came out, and it blew my mind. I still love it.

Reel Rock 5

My favorite Reel Rock? Hard to say. But I bet I have watched the First Round First Minute segment more than any other.

I also love RR7, RR10, and RR13. Who am I kidding, I love all of them!

Pure

This film made a big impression on me. It was the first time I’d ever seen someone go on a double-digit sending rampage. “Humans can do that..?”

I recommend all of Chuck Fryberger’s films.

In Search of Greatness

This film is an incredible glimpse into the lives of some of the greatest athletes of our time. If you think strength is the only thing holding back your climbing, watch this film.

The Social Dilemma

Such an important film in our time. Watch this. I still use Instagram, but I always keep in mind what I learned from this documentary.

 

Sacred Cow

Worth watching for anyone who is interested in the nutritional, environmental, and ethical considerations of eating meat.

 
 

Products

Chalk Cartel

My favorite chalk. Great chalk, no bullshit.

Use code “NUGGET” at checkout for 20% off.

PhysiVantage - Supercharged Collagen

I try to get most of my nutrition from whole foods, but collagen is something we don’t get enough of with our modern food system. I take it every day, and I really think it has helped support my tendons and skin.

Use code “NUGGET15” at checkout for 15% off.

Tindeq - Progressor 150

My new favorite training tool. I use this for most of my finger training these days along with a Tension Block or Frictitious Port-A-Board.

The Progressor 300 is the big brother version. It isn’t necessary for finger training. I’d only recommend this if you plan to do deadlift isometrics or other heavy lifts.

Use code “NUGGET” for $10 off!

Rhino Skin Solutions

My go-to skin care products. I use the Repair Cream, Performance Cream, and Dry Spray, although I recommend ALL of their products.

Check out my episode with Justin Brown to learn how to use Rhino products to dial in your skincare game!

Apps

Waking Up

My go-to meditation and mindfulness practice app. This app has been life-changing for me.

Todoist

This app is the best to-do list and scheduling app I have found. I keep notes here, projects I am working on, and integrate it with email so I can stay at inbox zero.

KAYA

Get digital guidebooks for your favorite areas, search for climbs, downloadable directions and beta, and more!

Use code "NUGGET" at checkout for 20% off your first year of KAYA PRO!

 

Crimpd

This is the best climbing training app I have tried. All of the workouts were designed by world-class coaches Tom Randall and Ollie Torr from Lattice Training. (I.e. They’re LEGIT)

Try it for free!