Center for the literary arts in New York State
In association with the launch of Thrive UAlbany, a new initiative to help every UAlbany student stay healthy, feel supported and reach their goals.
THE SCIENCE OF EXCELLENCE
Brad Stulberg
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Brad Stulberg, bestselling author, performance coach and “excellence guru,” is the author of The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World (2026). The book teaches and encourages goal setting, achieving focus, confidence-building, and other crucial skills. Steve Kerr, 9-time NBA champion, coach of the Golden State Warriors and Team USA, called it, “An absolutely beautiful book that captures a lot of what I believe as a coach.”
Brad Stulberg contributes to The New York Times and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets.
He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being.
On faculty at the University of Michigan (Health Management and Policy), Stulberg other books include Master of Change (2023) and The Practice of Groundedness (2021), and (co-author of) Peak Performance (2017).
Praise for The Way of Excellence
“An absolutely beautiful book that captures a lot of what I believe as a coach. The gratification that comes from losing one’s self in a process is an amazing gift. It brings joy, peace of mind, and a sense of pride. These are things we frequently talk about with the Warriors, and I believe are part of our success.” — Steve Kerr, 9 time NBA champion, coach of the Golden State Warriors and Team USA
“Readers are invited to rethink what it truly means to be at their best—not through perfectionism or shallow success, but through purposeful growth and meaningful engagement. Stulberg reveals how excellence is a deeply human process.” — Charles Duhigg, author of the bestsellers The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators
“Stulberg’s examination of excellence as both a concept and practice is food for thought for every profession and discipline—and for life itself. A riveting narrative that shows us that everyone is capable of growth. I loved reading this book.” — Hilary Hahn, international violin soloist and 3-time Grammy winner
“In a chaotic world filled with shallow distraction and performative busyness, The Way of Excellence is a must-read book that offers a path toward something deeper: the disciplined pursuit of mastery, competence, and mattering. I highly recommend it!” — Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout and Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
“A transformative read for aspiring high performers of all disciplines and all levels. This book is the best reminder that the way we do what we do matters.” — Chelsea Sodaro, Ironman World Champion
“The Way of Excellence is Brad Stulberg at his very best: relentlessly pragmatic, truly wise, and genuinely helpful… It is hard for me to think of anyone in my life to whom I wouldn’t recommend this book.” — Derek Thompson, author of Abundance & Hit Makers
