Redefine the Leadership Mindset
A strong leadership mindset isn’t just for the workplace—it’s the key to living with purpose. Choose the Handle That Holds shows you how to lead yourself first, navigate challenges with resilience, and make every moment count.
Here’s the truth: leadership isn’t handed to you with a job title, a corner office, or a trophy. It’s not about managing others or fitting into someone else’s mold. It’s built in the choices you make every day—how you show up, face challenges, and own your moments.
In Choose the Handle That Holds, Becky Schmooke dismantles the myths that make leadership seem out of reach. Through her own candid stories, humor and lessons from professional athletes, military leaders, media executives, and others, Schmooke proves that leadership isn’t about power; it’s about small, intentional choices that lead to big impact.
More than anything, leadership is the difference between merely passing time and truly living. Grounded in timeless Stoic wisdom but refreshingly relevant, this book is packed with tools like SAFE and STOA to help you navigate life’s challenges, make meaningful decisions, and live with purpose. Don’t let this book collect dust on your shelf. Use it as a guide you pick up again and again whenever you need clarity, confidence, or a reminder that leadership starts with you.
Whether you’re leading others, building a strong foundation for your family, or striving to make purposeful choices, this book will remind you that leadership starts with how you live every day.
Leaders featured inside the book who have mastered the leadership mindset:
Brett Crozier– Retired Navy Captain and commander of the USS Theadore Roosevelt. Author of Surf When You Can: one of my favorite leadership books. Click to Order
Makeda Mays Green– TV Executive and Producer. Learn more HERE.
J.J. Johnson– Owner/founder of Sinking Ship Entertainment, director, producer, writer (Shows include Odd Squad, Dino Dan, Dino Dana, Annedroids, and Jane. Learn more HERE.
Jordan Harbinger, creator and host of the Jordan Harbinger Show, as well a recovering lawyer. Learn more HERE.
Patrick Flood, lieutenant colonel, US Army, Special Forces (Retired) and founder of the nonprofit, Owners in Honor. Learn more HERE.
Dr. Jamil Northcutt, founder and CEO, Strategic Transitions Advisors, LLC, sports executive, former athlete. Learn more about Champion Ventures Partners and Strategic Transitions Advisors.
Dr. Jonathan Fisher Author of
Captain Eric Sinn, United Airline captain. Read my viral post on Facebook that inspired me to include his story in this book, HERE.
Bobby Okereke, linebacker for the New York Giants.
Don Yaeger, Professional Speakers Hall of Fame inductee, New York Times bestselling author, host of The Corporate Competitor Podcast. Learn more HERE.
Harrison Phillips, Defensive lineman and captain for the Minnesota Vikings.
Michael O’Brien, Author of Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows and Shift: How to Prevent a Bad Moment from Turning into a Bad Day and host of The Kintsugi Podcast: Stories of Connection. Learn more HERE.
Deidre Merritt, Managing Director of Leadership Development at the NCAA. Learn more HERE.
Allen Hopkins, Executive Director of Black Players for Change. Learn more HERE.
Carl Francis, Executive Director of Communications Strategic Partnerships. Learn more HERE.
Les Pico, Executive Director of Player Engagement, Minnesota Vikings. Learn more HERE.
Kaitlin Zarecki, Senior Football Operations Manager, Special assistant to the general manager and head coach.Learn more HERE.
Paul Taylor, Speaker, Podcast Host, Author of Death by Comfort: How modern life is killing us and what we can do about it. Learn more HERE.
Soul Cole, NFL Legend, Mental Performance Coach, Certified Breath Coach and Sound Healing Practitioner.
Dan Tallman, Executive Director of Acceptance Recovery Counseling. Learn more HERE.
Ned Johnson, Author of Self Driven Child: The science and the sense of giving kids more control over their lives. Learn More HERE, and founder of Prep Matters.
Meet the Author
Becky Schmooke (pronounced “Smoke”) is a speaker, coach, and founder of Stoic Edge Consulting and Becky’s Mindful Kitchen. In her book, Choose the Handle That Holds, Becky challenges conventional ideas of leadership. She makes the case for leadership as a lifestyle not a job title. It’s through embracing a leadership mindset that we are able to live life instead of merely passing time.
Becky’s approach blends Stoic philosophy, modern science, and candid storytelling to equip individuals and teams with practical tools like SAFE and STOA, helping them lead with confidence and purpose. Over the past decade, she has worked with children, corporate leaders, first responders, healthcare teams, and the NFL, earning a reputation for her relatable style, empowering everyone to own the moments that matter.
Becky lives in Iowa with her firefighter husband, three daughters, fifty chickens, ten goats, and two dogs. Her life is never dull, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When does the book come out?
The paperback and ebook are both now available on Amazon. Click HERE to order!
(Hardcover should be available by end of February)
Preordered signed books are arriving in March. If you choose to do a pick up instead of having me ship it to you, I will be contacting you with pick up date options!
Will there be an audio book available?
I am starting on the audiobook now (February) and it is a 5 month process so it should be available mid summer 2025!
Will the book be available in bookstores or Amazon?
You can purchase the book on Amazon HERE
If you would like to have it in your local bookstore, please let them know and continue to help spread the word- each person truly makes a difference!
Will there be a book launch party?
Yup! For those local to the Iowa City area, there is an option for a package that includes a ticket to the onsite party. Those are limited due to space but if there are other local bookstores (both local to me and to you) who would like to host an event, let me know!
What is Stoic Edge Consulting?
Stoic Edge provides customized leadership consulting and executive leadership coaching to those who are driven be elite at all that they do. I have realized that many organizations say they want leadership training but in reality it is just a ‘check the box’ item for them. If that is the case, I’m not the right fit for you. From professional athletes to corporate executives, I work with those who are ready to do the hard work of being a leader because they understand that is how you live a life truly lived.
Learn all about Stoic Edge Consulting and how I can be of help to your organization and team at beckyschmooke.com.
Are you doing book signings or a tour?
As the book launch gets going and word spreads, I would love to start planning a tour and meet you all in person! If your company would like to sponsor a book tour stop- let me know! I will be combining book signings and speaking engagements. Follow me on social media and check back here to find out where I am traveling and contact your local bookstore about hosting a book signing event!
Thank you, truly, for your support. This book has become so much bigger than I ever could have expected because of all of you.
I love interacting with all of you on social media too, your comments and messages mean a lot to me. The links to follow me are below if you want daily stories on creating a leadership mindset, mindfulness, kindness and videos of baby goats!
So, once more, with truly an open heart —thank you. Please share this page with others and never hesitate to reach out!
♥Becky