Introduction

To the trailblazers who defy convention:

Steve Jobs

Emily Davidson

Rosa Parks

Mahatma Gandhi

Dick Fosbury

You embody greatness.

To the change-makers who reshaped our world:

Charles Darwin

Jennifer Doudna

The Wright Brothers

Albert Einstein

Thomas Edison

You exemplify greatness.

To the heroes who motivated countless individuals:

Pat Tillman

Jonathan Yale and Jordan Haerter

Jackie Robinson

Susan B. Anthony

Stephen Hawking

You represent greatness.

To the advocates who fought for a greater cause:

Martin Luther King

Cesar Chavez

Maya Moore

Desmond Tutu

Eleanor Roosevelt

You manifest greatness.

To the unsung champions who deserve more recognition:

Teachers

Parents

Scientists

Frontline workers

Troops

You signify greatness.

To the quiet influencers changing the world from the shadows:

Kip Ioane

Jess Racz

Jake Wiley

Jack Boydell

Jacob Begin

You are greatness.

And to you—the one navigating life’s challenges, experiencing highs and lows, uncertain of the future, perpetually seeking clarity, and striving to make a difference—you are greatness.

Greatness is omnipresent. It spans ages, genders, races, regions, and time. It surrounds us and, more crucially, resides within us. I believe that greatness is not a final achievement but a continuous journey.

This book serves as a bridge to facilitate that journey: the pursuit of arete, or excellence. It does not provide a prescriptive guide on living your life. Instead, it encourages you to seek your own answers. As Carl Jung wisely noted:

"Your questions are unanswerable because you want to know how one ought to live. One lives as one can... If you want to go your individual way, it is the way you make for yourself, which is never prescribed..."

I cannot dictate how you should live.

I cannot reveal how to attain eudaemonia—the state of flourishing.

I cannot tell you how to achieve greatness.

However, I can challenge you to strive for betterment. Betterment for yourself, for others, and for our world. This is the essence of the insights I intend to share in the following pages.

Prepare to journey back 2,000 years to engage with philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca the Younger, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Discover the secrets of legendary athletes such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Phelps. Draw inspiration from leaders like Queen Elizabeth II and Eleanor Roosevelt. Be moved by the stories of world-changers like Malcolm X and Maya Moore, and learn from unsung heroes like Lori Gilbert Kaye and Frank Serpico. Meet individuals who resonate with your struggles and read about some of the most remarkable figures in history.

The book unfolds in four parts, each containing several brief chapters that present lessons, stories, and ideas meant to challenge you in your pursuit of greatness.

“People don’t realize how a man’s life can be changed by one book,” Malcolm X once said. I hope this book serves as that catalyst—not to change you, but to challenge you. Challenge you to evolve, challenge you to strive for more, challenge you to author your own narrative.

As Shakespeare advised, “Be not afraid of greatness.” Let us pursue it unceasingly.

Let’s chase greatness together.

This first video, titled "Should You Still Use Amazon to Sell Your Books - Live Stream," explores the pros and cons of using Amazon as a platform for authors in today’s market.

The second video, "My First Writing Livestream! Chatting About My Book + Live Writing Sprints," features an interactive discussion about the writing process and offers insights into the journey of creating this book.

Get your copy here.

Thank you for your support—please share this message with the world.

Keep moving forward.

Keep inspiring.

Keep chasing greatness.