Ant explains the mindsets needed to succeed, to grow, thrive and how to use them to not only survive in the most dangerous physical challenge, but the his most dangerous and constant enemy, himself. In his account of climbing Everest, he comes across as a bloody-minded egoist who is prepared to put his team mates at risk by failing to prepare properly as well as going on a 4-day bender immediately before the climb on the grounds that he has 'unusual levels of resilience'. Whatever Brownie points I might give him for being honest about the above I would take away for his hypocrisy as he relentlessly sneers at 'tourist' climbers who are ill-prepared for the task. Not to take away from his first book, but for me, this was so much more than I expected and really resonated with me.

In his groundbreaking new book, Ant Middleton thrillingly retells the story of his death-defying climb of Everest and reveals the concept of the Fear Bubble, showing how it can be used in our lives to help us break through our limits. Powerful, unflinching and an inspirational call to action, The Fear Bubble is essential reading for anyone who wants to push themselves further, harness their fears and conquer their own personal Everests. In prison, he was thrust into the unknown, cut off from friends and family, isolated with thoughts of failure and dread for his future. Middleton is no stranger to fear: from working as a point man in the Special Forces, he faced and overcame fear daily, never knowing what lay ahead. In prison, he was separated from friends and family, with an uncertain future. More recently, at the top of Mount Everest, in life-threatening conditions, he confronted his bigger fear, of leaving his wife widowed and children without a father. Enter the 1st fear bubble (question 1), when it’s done, imagine that bubble bursting and pause for a few moments This book made me think a lot, even though I didn't connect or agree with absolutely everything. It was fascinating to read about his Everest climb too.

Book Genre: Adventure, Biography, Leadership, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Self Help, Travel, War Best SAS:WDW books for me are Foxy’s two (second one was the best and probably my favourite overall), and Ollie Ollerton’s ‘Break Point’.

Ant Middleton is no stranger to fear: as a point man in the Special Forces, he confronted fear on a daily basis, never knowing what lay behind the next corner, or the next closed door. In prison, he was thrust into the unknown, cut off from friends and family, isolated with thoughts of failure and dread for his future. And at the top of Everest, in desperate, life-threatening conditions, he was forced to face up to his greatest fear, of leaving his wife and children without a husband and father. After thirteen years in the military, with four years as a Special Forces sniper, Ant Middleton is the epitome of what it takes to excel. He served in the SBS, the naval wing of the Special Forces, the Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, achieving what is known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces. A life and death example might be pre-deployment to a war zone. A solider would visualise a space and time in the future where they would need or allow the fear to exist. E.g. actual combat. Then they would give themselves permission to not experience fear until that exact moment they step into the fear bubble.After watching Ant climb Everest in his program and going to see him live talking about it I was unsure whether this book would bring anything extra to the table.