“Young and Successful: Practices, Principles, And Lessons For Building An Empire” is a Gordon Ryan book that came out in September 2022. It is the first book by arguably the best grappler ever in the BJJ World and was announced by him a couple of months ago in the following fashion:
“This book is a book for everyone that will give insight into my upbringing… The way my mindset was shaped, the “secrets” to my success.
And [it] will be geared heavily towards younger people (specifically athletes) becoming successful and building brands that push not only them, but other athletes, as well as the entire sport in the direction we need it going.
There’s only 1 athlete In the sport (who doesn’t own a school) who makes real athlete money. And that is a problem. This book will be one of my ways of giving back to the future generations – and working to take the sport to new heights.
Even if you hate me, put your emotions aside. And understand that if you are broke, aspiring athlete in this sport, this can help you.”
Did he deliver on it? Here’s what we think of the #1 in preordered new releases on Amazon.
“Young And Successful” Gordon Ryan Book Review
Opening Chapter
The first Gordon Ryan book starts off with a focus on Ryan’s family, while at the same time he mentions his legacy and achievements on multiple occasions.
He links his upbringing, which was marred by financial issues is akin to that of other legendary champions in competitive sports, like Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson.
He also accredits this family turmoil as responsible for his hard work ethic, fueled by his desire to have money for the life he envisioned.
He mentions his first ADCC success (2017) in this opening chapter, although very briefly.
Chapter 2: Making Excuses Is Easy
The abrupt end of the first chapter, unfortunately, is not the only time this happens throughout this book. This chapter contains lots of self-help style advice, along the lines of every motivational YouTube video you’ve ever seen.
There are a couple of interesting stories about how Ryan”s daycare teacher affected him, as well as a story of his first ADCC trials outing (and loss) when Gary Tonon told him to suck it up because he sucked.
Chapter 3
This chapter of the Gordon Ryan book is full of motivational quotes, along the lines of “train with purpose”, “face your failures”, “persistence when things are not going your way”, and the like. Nothing special not Ryan related and another abrupt ending.
Chapter 4: Building A Brand
The one thing many people were probably looking forward to in this book is Gordon’t sake on building a brand. After all, he did do it successfully in a very short time.
In this chapter he starts talking about profitable brands, and how he decided to embrace the hate when building his “King” Gordon shit-talking persona, consciously and intentionally looking for the hate as the source of his followers.
Chapter 5: Focus On Being The Best
See chapter3. More of the same with motivational stuff just written in other words.
Chapters 6-7
Arguably the most interesting part of this Gordon Ryan book, at least when it comes to actually learning something about Gordon.
Gordon’s inspiration, historically speaking, is Royce Gracie, and his early octagon performances. Not an unheard-of story, but still fun to read how Ryan wanted to train, but couldn’t due to financial trouble at home.
He took his first class when he was 15, under a brown belt coach, and wrote that he easily managed to crush most kids in the gym. At that point, the coach paired him with a 230 lbs Division One football player who completely crushed, Ryan. As the story goes for many of us that train this ended up hooking young Gordon even more.
Chapters 8-14
The middle portion of the Gordon Ryan book is all about some self-assurance quotes, him talking about he is the best, and how such an approach affects his mindset. He talks a lot about how training all the time suck, but if you want to be the best ever, as opposed to just the best in the world you need to embrace it.
He talks about being happy with results but never satisfied, an approach he has shared before on podcasts and in interviews.
He also writes about his first-ever big win, when he got the belt and 25 000 at EBI, coming in as an unknown and beating legends like Yuri Simoes along the way.
Chapters 15-21
In the final portion of the book, Gordon goes back to talking about the brand, once again leaving the impression that the organization of this book is not thought out well.
Gordon does share his approach to building a brand, but does not talk about how you can do it. He shares passive and active income thoughts, as well as talks about things like using social media, helping others, finding sponsors, coaching, etc.
In other words, there’s short info about making money with BJJ off the mats, far from anything Ryan hasn’t said already or that most of us don’t know.
He ends by writing about some of his personal vices, the three main ones being cars, women, and money.
Verdict
This Gordon Ryan book has short chapters, information spread out with no real apparent organization, and a bunch of regurgitated motivational/inspirational info.
The three main takeouts from the book are:
- Trust nobody,
2. Work for what you want, and
3. Depend on yourself for a good life.
If you’re not into reading books you should probably skip the book altogether and stick with Ryan’s BJJ instructionals instead.
Other Gordon Ryan’s Books:
