Alex has been one of my go to on the cycling bike for years. He’s so incredibly real, raw and motivating in classes. Through this memoir book that same personality we have grown to love from Alex shines right through. This book is part self help motivation and also little touches of his backstory. I loved the raw unfiltered stories in his childhood and experiences that shaped his journey through life. The story of getting a job as a janitor and eventually making his way to Peloton where he is now. The stories of his mom and the relationship with his dad. The mountains he has climbed to get to his position and what achievements he is making daily. This is a book to push you past your boundaries and do better. Get up get moving and achieve your greatness. Many thanks to Henry Holt and Company and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Love AT!!

God bless Alex Toussaint. He’s a national treasure. He’s a doll. I love him, truly. He has been my therapist for the past 6+ years as a Peloton member. I buy his merch, I take most of his rides, I’ve done a ride in studio and he is wonderful, gracious, humble, honest, and fun. But goddamn, was this a chore to read.

I’ve adopted many of his catchphrases as my own mantras…. But they are just that, catchphrases. They need to stay catchphrases. They should not be a hundreds-of-pages book. They should stay sprinkled throughout 45-minute Y2K Hip Hop rides.

Glad I got this as an ARC from NetGalley so that I didn’t have to not-buy it. I am not really an inspirational-book buyer, or even just non-fiction in general… but I still think it’s very average for that genre too.

“I start at the bottom of a mountain every single day and make the climb.” -AT

As a Peloton user myself, I was over the moon excited for this opportunity to be among the first to read Alex’s debut book! Most of the Peloton instructors now have a memoir out or coming (and believe me I’ve read them all) but AT’s DID NOT disappoint! I really enjoyed learning about his background and childhood, the adversity he faced particularly when it came to race and family life, and his rise to greatness as a fitness instructor. Most of all, this book motivated me. It wasn’t just a memoir but it was also a self-help book, and addresses mental, spiritual, and physical fitness wrapped all into one. I wanted to jump on a ride with AT and change my life IMMEDIATELY! Even though AT’s classes always kick my butt and sometimes I regret immediately. From this book, I even learned the meaning behind the word and company name Peloton, which absolutely melted my heart. I had no idea!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

Thank you so much to Henry Holt, Alex, and NetGalley, for the gifted advance physical and digital review copies!

Packed with useful self-help advice and one liners, I think this book will work for some and not for others. I was part of the latter. Perhaps because I didn't know who Alex Toussaint was before reading this, I struggled to connect with him. I found his early life fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed seeing how he was able to build from that, it just wasn't for me. However, if I ever got into cycling, I'd definitely be interested in his classes as his one-liners are quite motivating.

Thank you Henry Holt for the gifted copy to review.

Alex is such an inspiration, both on the bike and off.

I already loved A.T. for his incredible peloton rides and runs, but this book made me love him even more. I learned so much about his background, growing up, and why he is the way he is today. Great book.

Quick one on audio.