All James Smith Books – Full List with Key Lessons
Starting as a personal trainer at age 23, James Smith spent nearly 4 years working in gyms. Then he moved online and built his reputation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining a combined 2.7 million followers.
What makes his story interesting is how he went from being a regular gym trainer to writing 3 bestselling books that actually help people. Let me share what I found after reading this three-time Sunday Times bestselling author’s books and why they’re different from the usual self-help stuff you see everywhere.
James Smith Book 1: “Not a Diet Book” – Why It Actually Works
Not a Diet Book” became hugely popular in March 2020, quickly reaching #1 on the Sunday Times bestseller list. It’s not a trendy diet or fast solution- it’s a complete guide made to help readers take back control of their eating, thinking, and health.
What’s Different About This Book
Most diet books promise quick results. James Smith does the opposite. He tells you straight up that there’s no magic – just science. The book explains one simple truth: to lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. That’s it.
What You’ll Learn
The book covers practical stuff like:
- Why “fast” and “slow” metabolism is mostly nonsense
- How much protein do you need (not what supplement companies tell you)
- Why most diets fail and how to avoid those mistakes
- The real difference between losing fat and building muscle
- How sleep affects your weight (this was eye-opening)
Reader Reactions and Reviews
One Amazon reviewer said: “This book gave me quite a few NEW, useful tools to implement a few small adjustments to my diet and lifestyle. I feel like I have more control over dieting, especially, and a better overall understanding and relationship with food.”
Another reader mentioned using it for their 33rd birthday goal: “My 30th birthday was the last time I felt great in my own body… I promised myself that I’m going to feel great with myself again.”
This book is different because it’s not selling you a diet – it’s teaching you how dieting actually works.
Book 2: “Not a Life Coach” – The Reality Check You Need
James’s second book, released in May 2022, also became a Sunday Times #1 bestseller. Instead of focusing on physical change, this one is about changing your thinking and life direction.
Why He Wrote This
After helping thousands get fit, James realized something important- being physically healthy doesn’t automatically make you happy. People were getting in shape but still feeling stuck in their lives.
The Hard Questions
This book asks uncomfortable questions:
- Do you actually like your job, or are you just going through the motions?
- Are your relationships making you better or holding you back?
- What does success mean to YOU (not what society tells you)?
- Are you excited about your future, or just scared of change?
The Tough Love Approach
James doesn’t sugarcoat anything here. He tells you to stop making excuses and take responsibility for your life choices. It’s not always comfortable to read, but that’s exactly why it works.
The book’s main message: Stop sleepwalking through life and start making intentional decisions about where you’re going.
Book 3: “How to Be Confident” – Dealing with Modern Problems
This book also reached the Sunday Times bestseller list in December 2022, making it James’s third best-selling book. As the title shows, it focuses on building self-confidence.
Why We Need This Book Now
Social media has made confidence harder than ever. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, scrolling through highlight reels, and feeling paralyzed by too many choices.
What It Teaches
The book gives you practical ways to:
- Stop comparing yourself to people online
- Make decisions even when you have too many options
- Build real confidence (not fake-it-till-you-make-it stuff)
- Deal with the fear of failing or looking stupid
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
One of the best parts of this book is when James says you’re allowed to be wrong – you’re just not allowed to think you’re not good enough before you even try. This simple mindset shift can change everything.
What Makes These Books Different
In a market full of fitness and self-help books, James Smith’s trilogy stands out for several reasons that readers consistently mention.
No Quick Fixes
James doesn’t promise you’ll transform your life in 21 days. Instead, he gives you tools that work long-term if you use them.
Based on Experience
These aren’t theories from someone who’s never worked with real people. James spent years as a personal trainer and business coach, working with clients one-on-one. He understands what helps because he’s seen it happen.
Honest About the Work Required
Most self-help books make change sound easy. James tells you upfront that real change requires consistent effort and making uncomfortable decisions.
The Main Themes Across All Three Books
While each book focuses on different areas, James Smith repeats certain core ideas throughout all three that form his overall philosophy.
Progress Over Perfection
All three books focus on getting better, not being perfect. James repeatedly says that where you are now matters less than whether you’re moving in the right direction.
Taking Responsibility
The biggest theme is personal responsibility. James doesn’t let you blame your genetics, your job, your past, or other people for where you are. He gives you tools to change, but you have to do the work.
Surrounding Yourself With the Right People
In every book, he talks about how the people around you either help you grow or hold you back. This isn’t just about toxic relationships – it’s about being intentional about who gets your time and energy.
Who Should Read These Books?
Before buying any of James Smith’s books, it’s important to know if his direct, no-nonsense approach matches what you’re looking for.
| Reader Type | Ideal Title | Why It Fits |
| Body-conscious individuals | Not a Diet Book | Practical, myth-busting advice for sustainable physical change |
| Stagnant in life/career | Not a Life Coach | Encourages clarity, purpose, and bold life choices |
| Lacking self-esteem | How to Be Confident | Structured, actionable steps to build lasting self-belief |
| New to self-help genre | Any of the three | Accessible tone, real-world insights, and clear frameworks to get started |
| Skeptical of self-help | Not a Diet Book | Evidence-based, no fluff, grounded in credibility and personal success |
Final Thoughts
To sum up, these aren’t books you read once for motivation. Instead, James Smith provides the real information you need to make lasting changes in your fitness, life satisfaction, and confidence. Alongside tools like the James Smith Calculator, his books offer practical resources to help you apply honest, effective advice. The books aren’t perfect, and James’s direct style isn’t for everyone, but they deliver something rare in the self-help world – honest, practical advice that works if you apply it.
