I literally couldn’t put this book down from the moment I picked it up. Alex is truly inspirational and one of my favorite peloton instructors. I had no idea of his background and what he went through and overcame. Such an inspirational story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

As soon as I saw this title available I knew I had to read it. I’m apart of the peloton community & have had the pleasure of taking classes with Alex. As a human he is a complete gem. I knew I needed his story.

I read this book slowly, in chunks, a chapter here & there. It was an easy read that touched on a lot of tough subjects not only to the author but a community as a whole. I applaud him for being so transparent.

I will say this, he had me rooting for him the entire time. It’s amazing to see where people come from. What makes them tick. And then how they use their voice to encourage others.

Even if you’re not part of the peloton community I highly recommend this read. If you need a boost, and extra shove, or just a hand up, Alex is there.

I am in awe of the feelings I felt finishing this book.

When I started my Peloton Journey, I clicked with a few instructors…. I loved them all in different ways. Top of my list was Alex, his voice was gruff and he drilled the cadence of the song out. He made me work harder and push until I had no more to give. I was there through some of what he talks about in his book and I was just in awe of the beginning.
This book wasn’t about bragging about what he’s done and how he’s gotten there. It was about how he’s worked hard and learned his lessons and continued to work and help others on their journey too.
This for me was probably one of the most healing memoirs for me. I learned a lot and am excited to share it with others.

My love for Peloton made me open this book but Alex’s vulnerable and inspiring story kept me reading well into the night. Throughout the Peloton community, Alex’s classes are known to be some of the toughest so I only take his classes twice a year when I really want a hard push: Thanksgiving Day and his annual Ride to Greatness series. In his extremely well laid out book, we find out why Alex pushes the way he does and how he became the person he is today. Using his mantra, “Feel Good, Look Good, Do Better,” we follow his arc of self discovery and career success, learning so much about his personal struggles and the people who helped shape him as a person.

Alex has a great balance of relevant personal stories woven among his motivational prose. He draws on music lyrics, sports analogies, corporate strategies, lives of other famous people, relatable analogies, inspiration quotes, and the meaning behind his own mantra (it’s not what you think) to connect with the reader. His voice is authentic, vulnerable, and relatable and the book doesn’t feel at any point to be phony, or patronizing. He’s definitely an inspiration but a humble inspiration for sure.

Just as Alex was a pioneer in the early parts of his career, I think his book is a pioneer in the motivational book category for his unique ability to connect with an untapped but deserving audience: young adults struggling to find their path, specifically young males. That’s not to say that this book alienates other readers - it definitely appeals to anyone who has ever hit a low in their life and didn’t know how to scrape their way out if it - but I think that young males particularly would be captivated and motivated by Alex’s story and his writing. His song lyrics and sports analogies would really connect younger readers to his message and his struggles would make them feel like they aren’t alone. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who needs a little extra motivation in their life but it would be particularly impactful to young audiences - graduates, high schoolers, 20 something’s just starting out in their careers, etc. A humble, vulnerable, and motivational read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Toussaint, and Henry Holt and Co. for the advance electronic read. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you’re part of the Cult of Peloton, you’re familiar with Alex Toussaint. His rides always leave me feeling like a badass so when I heard that he was writing a book, I was so excited to read it. Hearing his story solidified him as one of my favorite instructors!! This is the perfect gift for any Peloton-loving friend!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All options are my own.

I was very excited when I got the email I was approved for this arc! I love the Peloton and I really enjoy Alex's classes!!! He is one of the harder instructors (in my opinion) and wow after reading this book, I have a newfound respect and admiration for him! I love all the advice he gives on life and career. I enjoyed when he talked about his start with Flywheel and then Peloton. So inspiring! I definitely will be buying this book when it comes out!

As a disclaimer, I've been an Alex Toussaint fan since I joined the Peloton community in 2019. If you're unfamiliar with Alex, he is unparalleled when it comes to inspiration on the bike, tread, and beyond. I thought I knew a lot about his story and his mindset prior to reading "Activate Your Greatness", but this book gave me insight and inspiration far beyond what I'd learned from taking his classes, scrolling articles about him on the internet, and following him on social media.

Alex seamlessly combines his life story with inspirational messages for his reader. He takes his motto "Feel Good, Look Good, Do Better" to a whole new level by breaking this book into the three parts and using real, poignant stories from his own life to inspire the reader to improve their own. I don't frequently cry when I read books (especially non-fiction), but I had tears in my eyes when things came full circle for Alex in the "Do Better" portion.

Even if a reader has never sat on a Peloton bike or had the privilege to follow Alex Toussaint as a person, this book a a more than worth while read. Alex's story is as engaging as it is inspiring, and his writing style is no frills and authentic. I highly recommend Toussaint's story to anyone who is looking for a little extra inspiration or is simply looking for a truly great memoir.

*A special thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for an Advance Readers Digital Copy of "Activate Your Greatness" in exchange for an honest review*

First of all, I have to say I was OVER THE MOON to be given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I LOVE Alex, I have been a fan of his Peloton rides for years now and planned on reading his book since it was announced.

Before I get into the review, if you don’t know who he is aside from the fact he is simply a Peloton instructor, he is 1000% the best in the game. Not only are his classes tough but they are motivating and inspiring and you can SENSE him wanting you to be your best through the screen. I’ve taken multiple live classes at the Peloton Studios in NYC with various instructors, and Alex is the ONLY one who went up to each and every rider in the studio and personally greeted them and let them know how much he appreciated their presence. His authenticity, passion, and appreciation is unmatched.

This book is exactly how I knew Alex would write it… You feel his authenticity (authentic is really the only word to describe Alex), you feel like he is talking to you and giving you live advice like a TED Talk. Alex does an excellent job seamlessly flowing between his life and his upbringing and giving actual advice and steps to truly activate your own greatness. This is not a memoir disguised as a self help book like a lot of the books out there. He breaks up the “feel good, look good, do better” motto that he truly lives by (and discusses heavily in his Peloton classes) and gives real life examples that are easy to understand and learn and put into real practice.

I recommend this to ANYONE who wants to read a humbling story of someone who hit their own personal rock bottom and ultimately became the best version of themselves. I plan on buying my own copy of this book to keep on hand and go back to when I need the extra reminders of how to activate my own greatness.

I was so excited to be able to read this title early! As an avid Peloton user, I am a HUGE Alex Toussaint fan! I've taken many of his classes over the years and been a recipient of his motivation and energy during some tough spin rides. His book read just like his classes. It is some tough love, but wrapped in a positive energy. It was great to learn some more of his background and upbringing. Any Peloton, or person looking for motivation will love this title. I hope he narrates an audiobook and I'll be first in line to purchase. 'Feel good, Look good, Do Better'