The Books That Shifted My Perspective

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

Books sit quietly on shelves, but when the time is right, a single page can change the way we see everything. Stories and wisdom slip into our lives, showing us what we’re capable of, challenging our limits, or comforting us when words from others fall short. The right book doesn’t just pass the time; it can set a whole new path. Today, I’m sharing three books that shaped my outlook and approach to life: The Wall and Mental Fitness by Ant Middleton, and The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. Each holds a lesson I carry every day.

The Wall by Ant Middleton

Photo by Rafael Cosquiere

The Wall isn’t just about scaling the highest points or facing physical danger. Ant Middleton, best known for his military background and his role on “SAS: Who Dares Wins,” uses each story in the book to bring readers into his world of harsh challenges and narrow escapes. But it’s not the explosions and adrenaline that make the book powerful—it’s the raw honesty about what happens when you meet a true barrier, both out in the wild and inside your own head.

Middleton shares brutal encounters with fear and doubt, painting each setback like a crack in the armor most of us pretend to wear. I found myself gripped by his stories, but even more so, I recognised bits of my own fears in his descriptions. He talks of standing at the bottom of a wall, real and metaphorical, and digging deep for the grit to start climbing.

Reading The Wall made resilience feel real—not a buzzword, but a tool you work to sharpen. It’s about refusing to freeze when anxiety wants you to stay small, and learning to talk yourself out of panic the way Middleton does on snowy ridges or in combat. I finished the book thinking about the unseen walls in my life and felt a renewed hunger to test my own courage. For anyone looking to understand what resilience truly means, this book is a raw and practical starting point.

Mental Fitness by Ant Middleton

Mental fitness isn’t measured in reps or steps—Middleton’s next book goes straight for the mind, teaching readers how to build strength where it counts most. In Mental Fitness, he strips away the noise around self-help and drills down to habits and choices that make a person not just tough, but smart about stress and setbacks.

This book speaks in plain words about discipline. Middleton lays out how staying strong under pressure comes from tiny, repeated actions: waking up early, choosing to act instead of react, and silencing the inner critic before it ruins your day. By sharing not only his success but also moments where fear nearly won, he gives space for the honest struggle it takes to build self-discipline.

My biggest takeaway was how mental habits shape days and, eventually, a whole life. Middleton’s advice helped me see setbacks as training, not proof of failure. Each strategy to address negative thoughts or manage nerves was instantly applicable. For anyone interested in developing mental toughness and discipline, Middleton offers concrete steps that go beyond quick motivation—they become a plan for how to live with more purpose.

The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest

Where Middleton’s books are a call to action, Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You is a gentle push to look within. Wiest talks openly about self-sabotage as the biggest obstacle most people will face—not an enemy outside, but the silent voice telling us we can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t deserve better.

This book takes you step-by-step through the quiet work of self-examination. Wiest’s writing feels personal, almost like a wise friend who gently nudges you to be honest about your habits and beliefs. She unpacks how pain and fear shape repeated patterns, then asks the reader to take small but deliberate actions to break free.

Reading The Mountain Is You felt like sitting in a quiet room, finally sorting out the tangled knots of old fears and excuses. Wiest offers not just hope, but clear pathways to trade self-doubt for self-trust. Her approach is soft but practical; the book is filled with prompts and reflections that can spark real change. Those wanting a list of personal growth books that speak with compassion and provide usable advice will find this book a standout.

Conclusion

These three books didn’t just pass by on my nightstand—they changed the way I look at struggles and setbacks, at the voices in my head, and at the possibilities for growth every day. Books can comfort, push, or even unsettle us, but when they do, they leave us changed in ways that last.

Reading isn’t just about turning pages. It’s about seeing yourself as someone capable of more hope, more strength, and more compassion. Which stories have shaped your path? When was the last time a book turned an ordinary day into the start of something bigger?

For those curious about exploring more powerful reads, the world is full of books that inspire personal growth. Maybe the next life-changing story is waiting on your shelf right now.