Choose to Thrive

by Stacy Taniguchi

A life, a career, and a reputation all take time, effort, and strain to build. But somewhere along the way . . . did you lose yourself?

If you're feeling burned out, disoriented, somewhat hopeless or quietly wondering what happened to the person I used to be, you're not alone. The demands of life, success, and responsibility can slowly bury your passions, dull your drive, and leave you wondering what's next. Choose to THRIVE is your invitation to stop enduring and start reclaiming your life.

Dr. Stacy Taniguchi—wilderness guide, university professor, and researcher on human motivation—knows what it means to stand at the edge of exhaustion. In this honest and energizing book, he weaves gripping true stories with the two research-backed models, Choose to Thrive and Meaningful Experiences, designed to help you reconnect with what matters most.

In these pages, you’ll learn how

Step out of survival mode and into intentional, values-based living Reignite your sense of purpose with experiences that matter Rebuild your identity apart from what you do or who you please Reclaim a life of excitement, meaning, and forward momentumOne unforgettable story features an attorney who summited Denali and returned home to reclaim his life. That single experience rewrote his story—and this book shows how you can write yours. Choose to THRIVE is not about chasing adrenaline. It’s about rising again, rediscovering your voice, and choosing a life that finally feels like your own.

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[George Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choose to Thrive is far more than a self-help book—it’s a thought-provoking exploration of what it truly means to live fully. My favorite chapter, Would You Live Your Life Over?, takes Friedrich Nietzsche’s challenging “eternal recurrence” question and transforms it from a philosophical puzzle into a deeply personal call to action: Would you be willing to live your life, exactly as it is, over and over again for eternity?

The author blends philosophy, life reflection, and vivid storytelling in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving. The centerpiece of the chapter—a 24-day trek through Alaska’s remote Brooks Range—becomes a living metaphor for facing uncertainty, making bold choices, and embracing life’s challenges to reach moments of sublime beauty. The descriptions of the wilderness are breathtaking, but what stayed with me most were the lessons drawn from the journey: that hardships often form the “admission ticket” to life’s most meaningful experiences, and that looking forward—rather than dwelling on the past—is the key to shaping a life worth repeating.

This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. It left me reflecting not only on my own choices, but also on how I might live more intentionally so that my answer to Nietzsche’s question could one day be a confident “Yes.”

If you’re ready to be challenged, inspired, and moved, Choose to Thrive is a must-read. It’s part philosophy, part memoir, and part adventure story—and all heart.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What unbelievable experiences this author has accomplished in his life on his explorations! While reading of his mountain climbing expeditions, I was enthralled in the way he described them, and I felt I was there climbing with him.
Choose to Thrive helps you just stop existing and find out what matters most in your life. Many times the author would say, "but that is for another book or story to tell"
Leaving me hoping for another sequel of more of his life changing experiences and the way he chose to "Thrive".
I received ARC and this is strictly my opinion.

[Terrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a Climbing Tour Guide, teaches about values and prioritizing your values while sharing some of his treacherous adventures in places like Alaska and Russia. As the title states, we all have to choose to thrive in life. I found the book very well written and was enthralled from the very first adventure. I also learned a lot about the art of climbing.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and rating are my own.

[Jody Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choose to Thrive by Stacy Tanaguchi is an inspiring guide to living with more purpose, joy, and resilience. Dr. Tanaguchi blends stories, clear steps, and insights to make this more than motivational—it’s a roadmap to a life you love.

What stands out is how approachable his message is. He gives tangible tools to set goals and see challenges as growth. This book empowers you to not just survive, but truly thrive. Highly recommend!

[Karen Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for those who are nature lovers of mountain climbing. He shares detailed stories of his experiences that he did on his adventures to achieve a life full of meaningful things that helped him learn we are all capable of doing more than we realize to accomplish even our unattainable goals.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most memorable parts of this book on choosing to thrive, not just survive, are the experiences the author shares as a mountain climbing & wilderness guide. His passion for life shows through the stories he tells of nature, of survival, of the people he has come to know and the opportunities to reflect on what is most valuable in life

[Macy Egbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book! Intriguing, fun, and inspiring (in a way that makes you feel like you can do it too). He does a great job giving context (situational, professional, and academic) so you can really grasp what the stories illustrate. He is actually living out his Alchemist journey!

[Roxanne Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. Life is challenging but we can still thrive by using the precepts in this book.

[Michael Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege to know someone who has lived life as fully as Stacy and who is inspiring others to do the same.