Before We Go: An Ongoing Philosophy of Lifting, Living and Learning
You know what happens. That two-week layoff lasts a year, that’s what happens!
Now consider this: Traffic was light and you’re fifteen minutes early for your dental cleaning appointment. You flip open your tablet and bring up your new copy of Before We Go. By the time the dental tech calls you, you’ve read two article chapters and are amped to get to the gym. Your mind is racing through the appointment, and it’s all you can do to stay in that squeaky lounge chair.
You get to the gym an hour later and sail through the best workout you’ve had in months, maybe years.
That’s what this book can do for you.
“I go through one chapter at a time, slowly, and let it percolate.” ~ TC Luoma, Editor-in-Chief, T Nation
Dan John’s Before We Go will spur your training to that exciting level you love.
Following the pattern set by his earlier book Never Let Go (230 reviews averaging five stars, still in the top 30 weight training books after five years on Kindle), Before We Go is the second compilation of Dan’s best articles previously published online.
Reviews (161)
I loved this book
As part of my sport internship, I had to read this book and write 3 pages summary about the book. I am a personal trainer (beginner) in terms of teaching, however I came through wide variety of exercises and techniques throughout the last 10 years. I loved this book, it is for everyone, you will always find something that you can take out of it. Dan John talks about lifting and how to get big, he talks about nutrition, he describes several exercises for burning fats and functional training. I loved it because it taught me new tweaks that I can incorporate in my training or even introducing to me new series of exercises. For example 1000 KB Swing, where you do in every training session 500 swings 5 times a week, so you complete 1000 swings in a month. Of course you don't always have to do all the prescribed exercises, you can either regress or progress, but whatever your goal is, you will find something that will fit you.
The Basics
I learned about Dan John from Perform Better Summit in Rhode Island in 2013. I loved his approached to coaching. While knowing a tremendous amount, he kept it simple and basic. That's the approach I've had during my 20 years plus of personal training and coaching. Most if not all of his teachings resonate with my philosophy. I actually was able to chat with him at the meet and greet too. I felt like a little kid meeting his idol but it's just that I respect his teachings. This is his first book I've read(a little late, lol) and will grab his others. I've been doing one of his recommended workouts and I'm on the 7th day and my body is beat up. It's so simple but yet brutal. Can't wait to stick out for the 40 days like he recommends and to actually finish it. Being a pro natural bodybuilder who trains instinctively, this is a huge leap of faith for me but I figured why not. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book and start following Dan's recommendations. I see that he is speaking in New Jersey later this year but I have a TRX summit to attend and I'm sorry I won't be able to attend. If you're reading this Dan, please plan another event somewhere in NYC or Long Island. Thanks again. Rich
Building On Brilliance...
Dan John's contributions to the fitness industry have been significant with such great books as Intervention, Easy Strength, Can You Go, and Never Let Go. It's hard to imagine building on all his previous great work, but that's exactly what he's done with Before We Go. Before We Go is a compilation (much like Never Let Go) that contains a number of Dan's greatest articles that truly make a difference. Dan is prolific writer and has a such a unique way of conveying information with stories and simplifying concepts. While his previous books, "Can You Go" and "Intervention" are more about a "system," "Before We Go" is simply a collection of fantastic articles. The book is high value content with years of training wisdom and great programming ideas. Some of my favorite chapters include: -The Best Ways to Audit Your Program -6 Challenges You Must Accept and Beat -Figuring Out Your Life and Lifting Goals -The 4 Pillars of Strength Training -Forty Years of Insight These are just a few of the great chapters in the new book that really stand out. One of the best things about Dan's work is all the little insights and "pearls" in his writing. It's all the little things - that make a big difference! Never Let Go has been such a valuable book for so many of us and it's some of the best work by Dan. It's unique because it's so much great information put together in a collection of a valuable articles. Now, we have Before We Go to follow up and build on. And, the repetition of some of the concepts makes it "stick" more, if you know what I mean. Anyone that's a fan of Dan's work is guaranteed to love the book. And, if you've never read Dan's material before, this isn't a bad place to start to gain "no-nonsense" perspective and learn about great training philosophy and what matters most. Every serious fitness enthusiast, coach, trainer, or athlete should read Dan's work.
A great piece in Dan John's catalog.
Dan does a great job wrapping up what Never Let Go began - lessons learned over his career as a trainer and coach; explanations of what motivates a person to devote his entire professional life to helping others achieve athletic success; pointing out what's really important. Before We Go is written well, flows, and tells beautiful stories about people, about training, and about maintaining perspective. Read it if you love Dan's work. Read it if you are or aspire to be a career coach. Read it if you need some suggestions about turning your physical life around. Just read it.
Angles
An excellent book. If you're a lifter (and even if you currently are not), you will benefit from reading what Dan John has to say about the iron game. From philosophy to technique to programs, it is here. This book is a collection of his articles that are generally available for free on the Internet. So if you are wondering who the heck Dan John is, peruse his online articles first. Having purchased one of his other books (Never Let Go) , I purchased the kindle version of Before We Go, so that I would always have them at my fingertips.
Great advice for all aspects of life.
Seriously, great in every regard. I have been reading Dan's articles for years in T-Nation, and I decided to review this book after reading through it a second time. I find myself quoting him or one of the people in his life whom he often quotes. Never Let Go has the same structure, but overall, I think I like this just a little better. Life lessons abound. As the subtitle states, this is really a collection of philosophical and touching essays from the perspective of a lifetime in pursuit of strength. Oh yeah, and I've been making mad gains!
I didn’t want to finish the book because ...
... I had been sure I will miss it. This book is only sum of John’s other articles, which I already read on t-nation, but together with his more personal stories, It makes you feel like you really know Dan John. In the middle of the book, I started to read veeerrryy slowly just to enjoy the book and I want it never ends. This is very rare as I read hundrerds of books every year.
Another must read
I read many of the chapters within this book on the web. There were a few that I had missed that I'm sure glad I found in this book. There were many that I am so happy to have read again. I have no doubt that I'll be reading at the very least, parts of it again and again. I've never been disappointed by anything Dan John has written. It's always about more than lifting heavy things.
Reads as if I am having conversation with Dan
Dan is a great coach and like all great coaches he speaks not only on training but the mental side of life to reach your potential
Health and fitness in perspective.
This is a great book. There are so many people writing programs or selling program books. Do this, do that and you will lose weight or whatever they are selling. Dan John arms you with the knowledge to write your own program. This book has programs in it, but his opening question is, "what are your goals." After reading his book, I'm able to set realistic goals. My program will now rotate through my different needs and I'm going to get more rest. My kindle is full of highlights and book marks. I plan to reread it again because I know I missed things.
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