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Named · Kirkus Best Indie Books of 2025

Life is 90%
Above the
Shoulders

Master your mindset.
Everything else follows.

Get the Book Free Chapter Joe De Sena Foreword
Above the Shoulders by Jason Nacey
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Kirkus Top 100 Indie Book of 2025Standout recognition in independent publishing
5-Star Readers' Favorite ReviewIndependent praise for impact and readability
Endorsed by Olympians and elite athletesSupport from those who've performed on the world stage
Foreword by Joe De SenaFounder of Spartan
Kirkus Reviews · December 2025

Named One of
the Best Indie
Books of 2025

"A stirring success guide that combines practical wisdom with colorful and rousing prose. Nacey grounds his ideas in an erudite but lucid mix of neurobiology, performance science, and cognitive behavioral therapy."
Kirkus Reviews · Top 100 Indie Titles of the Year · December 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Magazine — Above the Shoulders
Top 100
Kirkus Best Indie Books December 2025
★★★★★
Readers' Favorite 5-Star Award
Readers' Favorite
Official 5-Star Award
Read the Full Kirkus Review → View Magazine Article (p.173) →
Life is 90% Above the Shoulders
Master your mindset. Everything else follows.

What's inside the book

Your Complete Toolkit
for Mental Mastery

The Mental Mastery Pyramid
A step-by-step framework for building an unshakable mindset. Each level gives you practical tools to break through limits and achieve lasting results.
Elite Athlete Blueprints
Go inside the minds of Olympians, Ironman finishers, and X-Games champions. Real stories that are blueprints you can apply to your own impossible challenges.
Science-Backed Tools
Actionable exercises rooted in neuroscience to break negative thought loops, upgrade your habits, and unlock the clarity and focus you need to win.
The 90-Day Sprint Plan
A simple, powerful plan to hardwire resilience into your daily life. Broken into weekly steps so you see progress fast — no guesswork, just results.

Praise for Above the Shoulders

What They're Saying

★★★★★
"Above the Shoulders is a powerful blueprint to shatter self-limiting beliefs and unlock your unstoppable potential. A must-read for anyone chasing the impossible!"
Keith McFarland
New York Times Bestselling Author · The Breakthrough Company
★★★★★
"Above the Shoulders nails the mindset I live by: your mind decides victory before the battle begins. Pure mental gold for any challenge!"
Alex Ferreira
3X Olympic Medalist · 3X X-Games Gold Medalist
★★★★★
"A masterful blend of personal story, science, and strategy that equips readers to conquer self-doubt and build resilience."
Readers' Favorite
5-Star Review
★★★★★
"Practical, raw, and written from real experience. Jason doesn't just talk about mindset — he lives it, and gives you a system for building mental strength that fuels performance in every area of life."
Verified Reader
Amazon Review
★★★★★
"Life-changing and uplifting. Jason Nacey shows that the mind truly is the engine that makes the impossible inevitable."
Readers' Favorite
5-Star Review

Common questions

Everything You
Need to Know

What is Above the Shoulders?
+
Above the Shoulders is more than a self-help book — it's a battle plan for your mind. A direct, no-BS guide to building mental resilience, rewriting limiting stories, breaking negative thought loops, and making the impossible inevitable.
Who is this book for?
+
Anyone who wants more out of life and is done making excuses. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, executive, or someone who refuses to coast — this book turns mindset from a buzzword into a way of life.
Is there a 90-day plan included?
+
Yes. You'll find a clear, 90-day "Pull the Trigger" plan designed to get you out of your comfort zone and into daily action. No more dabbling — just daily reps that compound into real change.
What makes this different from other mindset books?
+
Forget fluffy motivation. This book is built on real-world examples, hard science (neuroplasticity, habit formation, cognitive reframing), and stories from Olympic athletes and Ironman finish lines. Kirkus Reviews called it "a stirring success guide that combines practical wisdom with colorful and rousing prose."
Do I need to be an athlete to benefit?
+
Absolutely not. Every principle is designed for anyone ready to take ownership of their mental game — whether your impossible goal is crossing a finish line, growing your business, or simply becoming someone who doesn't quit on themselves.
Is there a free sample I can read first?
+
Yes — download a free chapter right from this site. No strings attached. Download it here →
Jason Nacey
About the Author
Jason Nacey
A firm believer that life is won or lost in the mind first. After going from being cut from every team to crossing the Ironman finish line, he built his message around one truth: limits are often stories we tell ourselves. Through personal experience, athlete perspectives, and practical tools for resilience, Jason helps readers strengthen their mindset, take ownership of their story, and push beyond what they once thought was possible.
Full Story →