Subtitled: 6 River Classes About How To Confront Obstacles, Advance Amid Uncertainty, & Bring Focus To What Matters Most
You might know Joe as an Olympic Gold Medalist in kayaking back in ‘92, but what I admire most is how he’s continued to coach, write, and share lessons from the river ever since. He’s one of my favorite high-performance voices to follow on LinkedIn and through his newsletter.
In Slalom, Joe gives us six ‘river classes’ — short, powerful lessons drawn from his life on the water. The book is only about 100 pages, but it’s packed with stories and insights about how rivers — with all their twists, currents, and obstacles — mirror the way we navigate our own lives and careers.
My favorite idea? Change your perspective on obstacles.
Joe shares how, as a paddler, he learned to aim toward the rocks. Sounds counterintuitive, right? But here’s the thing: the water rushing around the rocks is actually moving faster, more concentrated. By paddling toward them — instead of away — he could use that flow to stay in control and move forward.
For us, that’s a reminder: when challenges show up, leaning in with curiosity and intention often creates the very momentum we need to get downstream faster. As my dad says,
Challenges are an opportunity to excel
Beyond the lessons, what I loved most was getting a behind-the-scenes look at Joe’s journey as an elite athlete. I’m fascinated — and maybe a little jealous — of people who sustain such a singular focus for decades. Reading how he translates those experiences into everyday wisdom is both inspiring and grounding.
So if you’re looking for a quick but meaningful read — something that blends sport, nature, and life lessons — I highly recommend Slalom.
