A great sport psychologist I chat to says ‘Success leaves clues’. And it does. We can often learn what works, and what doesn’t work from others. We can be inspired by their journeys, comforted by how they survived their setbacks and learn lots about sport and competition. Here are 38 books recommended to me all written by female athletes that we could learn a lot from.

  1. Alyson Annan (Hockey) – Beyond the limits
  2. Billie Jean King (Tennis) – The Autobiography
  3. Brittney Griner (Basketball) – In My skin
  4. Casey Legler (Swimming) – Godspeed
  5. Catherine Spencer (Rugby) – Mud, Maul and Mascara
  6. Cathy Freeman (Track) – Cathy
  7. Chrissie Wellington (Triathlon) – A life without Limits
  8. Deena Kastor (Running) – Let your mind run
  9. Denise Lewis (Heptathlon) – Personal Best
  10. Diana Nyad (Swimming) – Find a way
  11. Ellen McArthur (Sailing) – Race against time
  12. Frances Houghton (Rowing) – Lessons from five Olympic Games
  13. Geva Mentor (Netball) – Leap: Making the Jump to take netball to the top of the world
  14. Jess Ennis (Heptathlon) – Unbelievable
  15. Jessica Diggins (Cross Country Skiing) – Brave Enough
  16. Jo Pavey (Running) – This mum runs
  17. Jo Rowsell (Cycling) Full Circle
  18. Joan Benoit (Running) – Running Tide
  19. Katherine Grainger (Rowing) – Dreams do come true
  20. Katie Taylor (Boxing) – My Olympic Dream
  21. Katrin Davidsdottir (Crossfit) – Dottir
  22. Kelly Holmes (Track) – Black, White & Gold
  23. Kelly Smith (Football) – My story
  24. Layne Beachley (Surfing) – Beneath the waves
  25. Lizzie Deignan (Cycling) – Steadfast – My story
  26. Lynne Cox (Swimming) – Swimming to Antarctica
  27. Mary Peters (Track running) – Autobiography
  28. Nicole Cooke (Cycling) – The Breakaway
  29. Paula Radcliffe (Running) – My Story so far
  30. Ronda Rousey (MMA) – My fight Your fight
  31. Sam Briggs  (Crossfit) – Start your Engines
  32. Sam Quek (Hockey) – Hope and a Hockey Stick
  33. Victoria Pendleton (Cycling) – The Autobiography
  34. Cora Staunton (Gaelic Football) – Game Changer
  35. Nicola Adams (Boxing) – Believe
  36. Lowri Morgan (Ultra Running) – Beyond Limits
  37. Maria Leijerstam (Ultra Cycling) – Cycling to the South Pole
  38. Emily Chappell (Ultra Cycling – Where there’s Will