Great coaches are also great learners. The most effective coaches never stop learning. Whether you are supporting someone through a fitness transformation, guiding a client toward healthier eating habits, or helping them navigate stress and life changes, your success as a coach depends on your ability to keep growing. That growth does not only happen through certification courses or time with clients. It also happens when you step back, open a book, and allow yourself to see the world through a new lens. 

At AFPA, we believe in lifelong learning. Our staff, instructors, and graduates are constantly reading, reflecting, and sharing ideas. Books have sparked breakthroughs for many of us — moments of insight that shaped the way we connect with clients and even the way we understand ourselves. That is why we are excited to share this list of eight books that AFPA staff and grads personally recommend for anyone who wants to become a better coach. 

These are not abstract “best of” picks. They are the books that guided us through imposter syndrome, sharpened our ability to listen, and gave us new language for helping clients break through obstacles. 

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear 

If you search for books about personal development, you will quickly find Atomic Habits by James Clear at the top of the list. It is one of the most popular self-improvement books in the world, and for good reason. 

In Atomic Habits, Clear explains how small changes can compound into remarkable results. He shows how habits are formed, how they can be broken, and how to create systems that make good choices almost inevitable. His concept of “identity-based habits” is particularly relevant for coaches: instead of focusing only on what you want to achieve, Clear encourages people to decide who they want to become. 

AFPA’s Education and Curriculum Director, Shana Walsh, PhD, NBC-HWC, MCHES, regularly recommends Atomic Habits to students and coaches: 

“Atomic Habits is always a good option. It gives coaches a practical, accessible way to think about behavior change and to help clients succeed through small, sustainable adjustments.” 

For coaches who often see clients struggle to stay consistent, this book offers fresh, actionable approaches that can make the difference between short-term effort and long-term transformation. 

2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg 

While James Clear focuses on building new habits, Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit digs into the science of why habits form in the first place. This book recommendation comes up a lot in our community. 

Duhigg introduces the idea of the “habit loop”: cue, routine, and reward. Once a loop is established, it can feel almost impossible to break. For coaches, understanding this cycle helps uncover why clients may keep repeating patterns, even when they know those patterns are holding them back. 

By learning how to disrupt the loop, coaches can guide clients toward new routines that deliver more fulfilling rewards. For example, replacing late-night snacking with an evening walk does not just change behavior — it changes the feeling a client associates with winding down at the end of the day. 

Pairing Atomic Habits and The Power of Habit gives coaches both the “why” and the “how” of habit change, a powerful combination for client success. 

3. Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg 

BJ Fogg, a Stanford researcher, offers another perspective on the power of small changes in his book Tiny Habits, another popular behavior change book. 

Fogg’s approach focuses on making new habits so small that they feel almost effortless. Instead of starting with massive goals, he encourages beginning with habits as simple as flossing one tooth or doing two push-ups. These “tiny” changes build confidence and momentum, which then snowball into bigger life transformations. 

For coaches, Tiny Habits provides a toolkit for breaking down overwhelming goals into manageable steps. Many clients resist change because they believe they have to overhaul their entire lives at once. Fogg reminds us that sustainable growth often starts with something as small as a single action repeated daily. 

4. Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change by Michael Arloski: 

Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change has been a game-changer for many of our graduates. 

Graduate Leisa Arroyo describes it as: 

“A practical and inspiring read that blends science with coaching wisdom. It’s full of strategies and real-world examples that show how small, intentional steps can lead to sustainable lifestyle change.” 

By combining coaching strategies with psychological insights, Arloski offers a guide that feels tailor-made for wellness coaches looking to connect their training to real-life practice. 

Candace Flanagan, also an AFPA graduate, said this about another of Arloski’s books, Masterful Health & Wellness Coaching: 

“I think simply because we work with such a diverse variety of people having different wells of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration to pull from expands our knowledge, wisdom and insight.” 

5. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick 

Motivational interviewing has become one of the most respected methods for helping clients navigate ambivalence and move toward change. In Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow, William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick lay out both the philosophy and the practical techniques of this approach. 

Instead of telling clients what to do, motivational interviewing focuses on asking open-ended questions, listening with empathy, and helping clients discover their own reasons for change. This method aligns perfectly with the coaching mindset. 

Shana Walsh emphasizes that this book is especially relevant for coaches: 

“Motivational Interviewing is an essential text. It moves beyond techniques to show how coaches can create a supportive space that helps clients find their own reasons for change.” 

For coaches who want to sharpen their ability to communicate, build trust, and inspire clients without pressure, this book is a must-read. 

Coaching is not just about guiding clients — it is also about the coach’s own inner work. The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani is one book that speaks directly to that journey. 

Elizabeth Willett, M.A., a member of the AFPA team, shares how this book reshaped her approach to coaching and authenticity: 

“The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani changed the way I do the work I do (and more). It falls in the genres of Self-help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Psychology, and Business, and is more for the coach than how the coach works with their clients.” 

Willett explains that as a wellness professional, it can be difficult to navigate scope of practice, imposter syndrome, and the temptation to compare yourself to others. This book offered her a way to move forward with clarity and confidence. 

“I hold a Master’s Degree in Holistic Health Studies and am trained as an herbalist, wellness coach, and mental health first aider; all non-licensed health areas where scope of practice has always been a grey area and nuanced. 

It’s also continually challenging not to feel imposter syndrome, wonder where I fit into the scene among others who hold the same training (without wanting to be an influencer or sell products, which are what boost visibility), and how I want to support others (I often want to help everyone, but know this is impossible). The Code of the Extraordinary Mind helped me ask more questions of myself and shift my mindset from set to open to almost any possibility. 

I think this would be a good book to read for any coach questioning where they fit in, how to help others, and how to be authentic; and I feel like, in doing this work with themselves, they’ll find it may influence the way they ask questions and that they end up sharing little gems with their clients.” 

By encouraging coaches to reflect on their own mindset, this book indirectly enhances the quality of support they can offer clients. 

7. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl 

Not every coaching book looks like a coaching book. Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning has influenced generations with its exploration of resilience, suffering, and purpose. Written in 1946, the memoir recounts Frankl’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps and how finding meaning in suffering became central to survival. 

Shana Walsh highlights its relevance for coaches: 

“This 1946 memoir isn’t just about the classic existential dread; it’s about why humans experience suffering, and about how we can turn our suffering into something deeply meaningful. It’s a must-read for everyone, but it’s especially relevant for health coaches who serve in the unique position of guiding others through difficult times.” 

For clients facing challenges that go beyond fitness or nutrition, such as grief, illness, or personal setbacks, this book reminds coaches that meaning and hope can be powerful tools for healing. 

8. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer 

Coaches today often work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map helps coaches navigate those differences with greater sensitivity and understanding. 

According to Shana Walsh: 

“For any coach serving an international audience, this book is a must-read. It not only gives valuable insights into navigating cultural differences, but it also helps you understand your own worldview, how it was shaped, and how you relate to others because of it.” 

Whether you are coaching internationally or simply working within your own multicultural community, this book provides practical guidance for avoiding misunderstandings and building stronger, more respectful relationships. 

The Human Factor: A Note from Our Graduates 

Not every graduate points to a single book as the key to coaching success. David Wanner, an AFPA graduate, emphasizes the importance of lived experience: 

“First, for me the AFPA courses launched my understanding of coaching. But, I worked with 8 clients pro-bono to work with the reality of coaching. I’m not sure a book could be written on the significance of a coach and client relationship. They all differ and through trust and caring the relationship is established and delivers results. 

I’ve also been the client for a wonderful coach and learned so much from her. She is now my yoga coach. The main ingredient, at least for me, is the human factor. It’s finding yourself in the weeds with only a sickle and a client willing to work through their path forward together.” 

David’s words are a reminder that while books provide frameworks, the heart of coaching lies in human connection. The books on this list serve as companions on that journey, but it is the trust between coach and client that ultimately transforms lives. 

Building Your Coaching Library 

Each of these books offers something different. James Clear and Charles Duhigg break down the mechanics of habit formation. BJ Fogg shows how tiny steps create momentum. Michael Arloski and William Miller provide frameworks designed specifically for coaches. Vishen Lakhiani encourages self-reflection. Viktor Frankl challenges us to find meaning even in hardship. Erin Meyer teaches us to navigate cultural differences with skill and respect. 

Taken together, they create a library that can shape your practice for years to come. More importantly, they show that coaching is not just about techniques. It is about perspective, self-awareness, and the courage to keep learning alongside your clients. 

We believe the best coaches are those who keep stretching themselves, both personally and professionally. These books have been read, reflected on, and recommended by our staff and graduates because they truly make a difference. Whether you are just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, we invite you to explore these titles and see how they resonate with your journey. 

Because at the end of the day, coaching is about more than building skills. It is about building people: your clients, and yourself. 

Reviewed by

Dr. Shana Walsh

Dr. Shana Walsh is the Director of Education and Curriculum at AFPA. With a PhD in Kinesiology, Exercise Nutrition, and Health Promotion, she has served as an educator, author, and researcher. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Master Certified Health Education Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer. Shana has been teaching yoga for nearly a decade and has witnessed its profound impact on quality of life. She believes that when people improve their health, they improve their life, and she is committed to supporting others in taking steps toward positive change. 

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