It Takes What It Takes: How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life by Trevor Moawad with Andy Staples Summary
Overview of It Takes What It Takes
Elite mental conditioning coach Trevor Moawad reveals how "neutral thinking" transforms performance. Russell Wilson's secret weapon, this book teaches the mindset behind championship moments. What separates elite performers? Not positive thinking - but the scientifically-backed mental approach that's revolutionizing how athletes and CEOs handle pressure.
- Neutral thinking replaces positivity with judgment-free fact-based responses.
- Elite performers succeed by focusing only on controllable variables.
- Visualize execution over outcomes to build pressure-proof mental resilience.
- Past failures aren’t predictive if you refuse to dwell on them.
- Champions behave as if they have no choice but to act.
- Eliminate “what if” negativity by grounding decisions in current reality.
- Detailed planning neutralizes anxiety by converting uncertainty into action steps.
- Success hinges on managing reactions, not avoiding difficult circumstances.
- Neutral thinkers outperform optimists in high-stakes decision-making scenarios.
- Self-leadership precedes team leadership—master your mindset before guiding others.
About the Author of It Takes What It Takes
Trevor Moawad (1973–2021) was an acclaimed mental conditioning coach and coauthor of It Takes What It Takes: Lessons from a Lifetime of Winning. He specialized in optimizing elite performance through neuroscience-backed strategies.
With coauthor Andy Staples, a veteran sports journalist and former Sports Illustrated writer, this motivational work distills Moawad’s "neutral thinking" philosophy. This philosophy was used by NFL stars like Russell Wilson, NCAA championship coaches, and U.S. Special Operations teams.
In 2017, Sports Illustrated recognized Moawad as one of the "Sports World’s Best Brain Trainer." He cofounded Limitless Minds and advised across MLB, NBA, and UFC. Staples brought insider perspectives from more than 15 years covering college football.
The book’s performance psychology framework—featured in ESPN’s QB2QB series and the Garage to Goliath podcast—remains foundational for coaches and executives mastering decision-making under pressure. Moawad’s methodologies continue shaping champions, with his playbook adopted by 8 national championship teams and military leadership programs.
FAQs About It Takes What It Takes
What is It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad about?
It Takes What It Takes explores neutral thinking, a mindset focused on objective, emotion-free problem-solving to overcome challenges. Co-authored by mental conditioning coach Trevor Moawad and Andy Staples, the book argues against excessive positivity or negativity, advocating instead for pragmatic strategies used by elite athletes and leaders. Key themes include self-talk control, disciplined planning, and resilience in high-pressure situations.
Who should read It Takes What It Takes?
This book is ideal for professionals, athletes, and individuals seeking to improve decision-making under stress. Its principles apply to career transitions, personal growth, and competitive environments. Moawad’s examples from the NFL, military, and business make it valuable for leaders and anyone aiming to build mental toughness.
Is It Takes What It Takes worth reading?
Yes, particularly for its actionable four-step neutral thinking framework (Identify, Label, Reframe, Repeat) and real-world examples from Moawad’s work with Super Bowl champions. It offers science-backed methods to reframe setbacks and maintain focus, making it a practical guide for overcoming adversity.
What is neutral thinking in It Takes What It Takes?
Neutral thinking involves assessing situations without emotional bias to make objective decisions. Moawad contrasts this with positive/negative thinking, showing how neutrality helps athletes like Russell Wilson perform under pressure. The process includes identifying unhelpful thoughts, reframing them, and repeating productive behaviors.
How does It Takes What It Takes address self-talk?
The book introduces the Verbal Governor concept, emphasizing how language shapes behavior. Moawad advises replacing defeatist phrases (“I can’t”) with neutral alternatives (“What’s next?”). This technique reduces anxiety and improves focus, as demonstrated in NFL training scenarios.
What planning strategies does It Takes What It Takes recommend?
Moawad stresses detailed, flexible planning to navigate uncertainty. Examples include breaking goals into incremental steps and visualizing outcomes. A University of Miami study cited in the book shows how structured planning improves goal achievement by 40%.
What frameworks does It Takes What It Takes provide?
- Neutral Thinking Process: Identify emotional triggers, label them objectively, reframe reactions, repeat until habitual.
- Visualization Techniques: Mentally rehearsing success to build confidence.
- The 24-Hour Rule: Allowing limited time to process wins/losses before refocusing.
What are key quotes from It Takes What It Takes?
- “Champions don’t think negatively or positively; they think neutrally.”
- “It takes discipline. It takes sacrifice. It takes what it takes.”
These underscore the book’s focus on effort-driven success over innate talent.
Are there criticisms of It Takes What It Takes?
While not widely criticized, some readers may find its rejection of positivity too rigid. The book’s sports-heavy examples might feel less relatable to non-athletes, though Moawad bridges this with workplace and personal life applications.
How does It Takes What It Takes compare to Atomic Habits?
Moawad’s book focuses on mental conditioning for high-stakes moments, while Atomic Habits emphasizes incremental habit-building. Both advocate self-awareness, but It Takes What It Takes prioritizes crisis management over daily routines.
Why is It Takes What It Takes relevant in 2025?
Its strategies for managing uncertainty remain vital amid rapid technological and workplace changes. The neutral thinking framework helps navigate remote work challenges, career pivots, and global crises.
How can It Takes What It Takes be applied to real life?
- Career: Use neutral thinking to handle rejection or promotions.
- Relationships: Replace emotional reactions with problem-solving.
- Health: Stick to fitness goals by reframing setbacks.
What is Trevor Moawad’s background?
Moawad was a renowned mental coach for NFL teams (Seahawks, Alabama Crimson Tide), Fortune 500 executives, and military personnel. His methods, validated by cognitive psychology research, emphasize measurable mental conditioning over abstract motivation.
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Key Themes in It Takes What It Takes
Quotes from It Takes What It Takes
Neutral thinking is not positive thinking. It’s not negative thinking, either. It’s simply thinking without judgment.
Choosing not to plan is actually planning to fail.
Neutral thinking replaces paralyzing emotion with productive behavior.
You can do what you feel, or you can do what you choose.
Characters in It Takes What It Takes
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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