Eleven (11) chapters of practical guidance!
Seven (7) hours of encouraging audio art!
Read excerpts from the audio-only book.
- from Chapter Two - What Is Resistance?
- from Chapter Two - Resistance, part two
- from Chapter Five - You have to be a pud before you can be a stud.
If you find yourself saying, "I know what I need to do, but I just can't get myself to do it . . ."
. . . this is for YOU.
The voices of 36 amazing people and one dog!
A collage of art & science!
Original music & sound design!
Coach Matt Slaybaugh
Listen to highlights from my conversation with Mark Snyder!
You have a quest that's calling your name.
- You have something magnificent inside you that’s ready to come out.
- You see a better version of yourself just around the corner.
- You want even more out of this good life.
- You want to bring out the best in yourself or someone else.
- You want to be of consequence, not caution. Creation, not compliance.
- You want to lift people up and add to the plus side of the equation.
- You want to make something, change something, build something, grow something, learn something.
The tools you need for making art, making change, making a business, or making a difference.
This is for You.
It’s about getting you ready to pursue your calling. To go after whatever it is that matters most to you. It’s about that one prize, that one accomplishment, that one dream – that really is worth digging deeper, working harder and smarter, and sacrificing more than you’ve ever given before. It’s about getting you ready for your quest.
This is for Everyone.
These Achievement Skills aren’t just for you and me. They are for everyone. They work – whether you're a gardener, an athlete, a student, a parent, an executive, an amateur, a professional, a preacher, a rock star, or any and all of the above. I want everyone to have the ability, the knowledge, and the skills to live life like it matters.
About the Audiobook
For the past 2+ years I have been making an audiobook art project called Ready for the Quest. It is the summation of what I’ve learned about the art and science of doing hard things through my life as a working artist, my education in Positive Psychology, and my practice as an Achievement Skills Coach. It’s a mix of research, personal stories, poetry, original music and sound design, and interviews, with a huge cast and plenty of surprises along the way.
About Coach Matt (The Author)
I am a certified Positive Psychology Practitioner and Coach. In my work I focus on skills that help my clients do their most meaningful work, including: self-efficacy; growth mindset; hope; motivation; willpower; habits & rituals; measuring success; embracing the unknown; and creating a practice. They’re the skills I’ve used to help people get to their first album, their first play, their first business, their first book, their first steps into a new life.
Previously, I was the founder and Artistic Director (later Executive Director) of Available Light Theatre. I led the company through 15 years and 100 productions, including more than 30 full-length, original works and adaptations. I am a writer, director, editor, speaker, musician, leader, and educator.
I love to learn. That’s what drives me and what most characterizes all of my work. I focus on researching complex topics, learning about the perspectives of multiple disciplines (e.g. philosophy, literature, science) and synthesizing those ideas into an invigorating and illuminating artistic encounters.
The Cast of Thousands
- River Caelum (he/they)
- Blythe Coons (she/her)
- John Dranschak (he/him)
- Acacia Duncan (she/her)
- Whitney Thomas Eads (she/her)
- Drew Eberly (he/him)
- Azalea Faye (they/them)
- Jordan Fehr (he/him) - Instagram
- Mya Frazier
- Rudy Frias (he/him)
- David J. Glover
- Matt Hermiz (he/him)
- John Michael Holmes
- Kim Garrison Hopcraft (she/her)
- Adam Humphrey (he/him)
- Artie Isaac
- Margo Isaac
- John Jardin
- Jaylene Jennings (she/her)
- Ben Jones (he/him)
- Brant Jones
- Michelle Schroeder-Lowrey (she/her)
- Shanelle Marie
- Eleni Papaleonardos
- Elena M. Perantoni (she/her)
- Amy Rittberger (she/her/hers)
- Jay Rittberger (he/him/his)
- Mac Salvatini
- Jennifer Schlueter (she/her) - Instagram
- Ian Short (he/him)
- Matt Slaybaugh (he/him) - Instagram
- Mark Snyder (he/him/his) - Instagram
- Jeanine Thompson (she/her)
- Dakota Thorn
- Dave Wallingford
- Rowan Winterwood
- Lonelle Yoder (she/her)
FAQs
Where can I get Ready for the Quest?
It is available now! Use this link to view your purchasing options. I'm selling it through Bandcamp, because Bandcamp treats artists pretty well.
It it on Audible?
No. Not yet, anyway. But you can use this link to see some hot tips for listening to the (audio)book on Bandcamp or otherwise.
How long is the audiobook?
It's a little more than seven hours of audio, in total. But I don't suggest you binge it. In fact, I strongly suggest taking a couple of weeks to work your way through it.
How do I listen to the audiobook?
- The short version: Listen to it in the Bandcamp app or on the Bandcamp webpage. Or download the files to your device and use the software of your choice.
- Click here for detailed instructions. Enjoy!
Who are all those other voices in the audio?
My friends, family, collaborators, and compatriots. If you scroll up a little bit, you can see the full cast list.
Who are you?
I'm Coach Matt! Scroll up a bit and read the About Coach Matt (The Author) section, please.
Are you a doctor or psychoanalyst or something?
Definitely not. Nor am I a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor. This stuff is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or treatment.
What is Positive Psychology?
I put some info here: https://www.coachmatt.co/coaching/#positive-psychology
I think maybe I need a Coach. Can you help me with that?
Maybe so. Check out my coaching page, please.
When did you write this?
I started writing in spring of 2021. However, when I started, I didn’t know that it would turn out like this. My wife suggested I call it, Oops! I Wrote a Book! Most of the writing happened in that year, though there’s certainly been a ton of re-writing since then, as recently as September 10, 2024!
Who made all the music?
I did! It was a big part of the fun of making the thing.
Where can I get the physical book?
There's not a physical book. This book is only for your ears!
Wait – Really, there's no physical book?
No, not yet. This whole thing was written and designed with audio in mind.
Will you be releasing a physical book later?
I’ve certainly been considering it. If I do, it’ll be more than just a transcription of the audio.
Could I get a transcription of the audio?
Probably, I do hope to offer soon.
How do I beat Lord Gwyn, the final boss of the first Dark Souls?
Personally, I prefer to parry Gwyn, but I know that's not for everyone.
THE NOTES
The Patron Edition – $111
- Proceeds benefit Available Light Theatre (in Columbus, Ohio) and their Pay What You Want ticketing program.
- Includes the same great goodies as the Standard Version.
The Standard Edition – $42
- 7 hours / 11 chapters of audio.
- Listen in the Bandcamp app, on Bandcamp in your browser, or on the app/device of your choice.
- BONUS: Mark Snyder interviews Coach Matt, a conversation in four parts.
The Don't Wait Edition – $11
- For working artists, teachers, students, seniors, veterans, active military, single parents, the under employed, Ohio Directions/Medicare/WIC card holders, people saddled with educational debt up to their eyeballs, and anyone who needs to access art and inspiration at a discount.
- Includes the same great goodies as the Standard Version.