Become Unstoppable by Gilbert Enoka

In Become Unstoppable, Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental performance coach behind the All Blacks, distils decades of experience into a compelling guide to cultivating a winning mindset. Drawing on his pivotal role in shaping a team celebrated for its exceptional resilience and consistency, Enoka offers lessons that transcend sport and speak to anyone striving for excellence under pressure.

Across nearly three decades, Enoka earned his reputation as the psychological architect of New Zealand’s most successful sports team, playing a critical role in securing two consecutive Rugby World Cup victories and an unparalleled 77 per cent win rate across test matches. In Become Unstoppable, he reveals the intelligence underlying that success. Central is the idea that mental preparation is not an add-on but an integral, non-negotiable aspect of performance.

The book is structured around three interlocking pillars: building unshakeable resilience, cultivating a winning team culture, and developing leadership that endures. Enoka argues that staying power during high-pressure moments springs from deliberate preparation and shared values rather than raw talent alone. Working with some of the most successful sportspeople in the world, in one of the toughest sporting arenas, rugby greats such as Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, and Dane Coles, describe Enoka’s influence on the All Blacks’ psyche and culture as both subtle and profound.

Perhaps most striking is his emphasis on authenticity and human connection. It is not just the drills and routines that matter, but how individuals feel seen, heard, and anchored. In addition to this, it is his ability to bring heart and soul into high-performance environments that really sets Enoka apart from other mental performance coaches.

Enoka also addresses the critical balance between stress and recovery. He introduces the concept of “emotional recovery activities”, brief rituals or moments of pause tailored to each individual. These are not indulgences but strategic resets but, rather, vital for sustained peak performance.

Written with clarity and rooted in lived experience, Become Unstoppable is part memoir, part manual and part motivational manifesto. It challenges leaders and individuals to re-evaluate how they approach pressure, culture, and purpose. While the All Blacks provide a powerful backdrop, the principles Enoka shares are universal, whether in business, education or personal growth.

In summary, Become Unstoppable is a thoughtful, energising blueprint for mental excellence. Enoka invites us to leave no part of our preparation to chance and to build resilient systems (within ourselves and our teams) that endure beyond the moment.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Penguin