Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny is a practical and heartfelt handbook by David T. Morris, a veteran coach and educator, designed to guide high school and college student-athletes toward success. The book covers a broad range of essential topics, academic strategies, mental health, motivation, physical training, nutrition, leadership, and even NIL rights, offering readers a clear roadmap for balancing athletics and academics. Drawing on decades of coaching and teaching, Morris roots his advice in real-world experience and emphasizes personal accountability, discipline, and values like grit, respect, and teamwork.

I found the writing straightforward and sincere. Morris writes like he coaches: with structure, discipline, and purpose. The genuine care he has for his students shines through every chapter. The tone is like hearing a favorite coach giving you the honest truth, whether you want to hear it or not. Some sections, especially those on academic tools and time management, read like a well-organized checklist; useful but dry. However, when Morris shares personal stories, touches on mental health, or discusses Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, the writing takes on a deeper, more emotional weight. These moments reveal the heart of the book: helping student-athletes not just survive, but thrive.

What really resonated with me was the holistic approach. Morris doesn’t just push performance or wins, he talks about becoming a better person, learning how to lead, how to lose with grace, how to eat right, manage stress, and stay focused in a noisy world. That balance between grit and care, between high standards and compassion, makes this book stand out. Some ideas may feel obvious to seasoned athletes or coaches, but the strength of the book lies in how it strings all the pieces together. It reads less like a lecture and more like a playbook for life after the final whistle.

Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny is not just for athletes. It’s a solid read for parents, coaches, and anyone who works with young people in sports. I’d recommend it especially to high school athletes about to enter college, or college players trying to figure out what’s next. If you want honest, actionable guidance with heart and depth, Morris delivers.

Pages: 115 | ASIN : B0CZPN746Z