What defines the psychological and physical architecture of the world's most successful athletes? David Hemery, an Olympic gold medalist himself, investigates the common denominators of high performance by synthesizing personal interviews with elite competitors and coaches. The book establishes a framework for understanding the intersection of motivation, discipline, and natural aptitude in the pursuit of peak athletic achievement.

This text is regarded as a foundational study in sports psychology, offering a practitioner's insight into the mechanics of elite performance. The work provides a dense, analytical look at the habits of champions that remains relevant for both athletes and those interested in the science of success.