We’re excited to chat with Margherita Riello about Atomic Habits. Check out our conversation below.
Margherita, it’s so good to be connecting again, this time to discuss one of your favorite books. So – let’s jump right in, can you tell us about Atomic Habits – what should our readers know about this book?
Atomic Habits by James Clear is like a self-help book on steroids for your daily routine. Instead of overhauling your life overnight (which, let’s be real, nobody does), Clear shows you the power of tiny, almost laughably small habits that add up to massive change. He breaks down why we get stuck in bad habits and how to trick our brain into sticking to good ones by using a simple four-step approach: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. Imagine transforming your life by just doing little things, like putting your gym shoes by the door or rewarding yourself for reading one page of a book. In essence, Clear says you don’t need to be Superman—you just need to become 1% better each day, and soon enough, you’ll look back and wonder how you became so awesomely productive.
Great, so maybe you can get into a bit more detail about why this book feels relevant to you and perhaps you can touch on any lessons or insights that resonated with you?
It matters because we often believe there’s a magic pill, habit, or method that will make us successful. In reality, the only way to achieve success in any area of life is through tiny habits stacked together with consistency. This is the compound effect. Focus on getting just 1% better each day, and add small, simple habits to your daily routine—you’ll be amazed at the results over time.
Can you talk to us about how the topics in the book relate to your lived experience – either professionally or personally?
Sure, Atomic Habits really resonates with my journey, both professionally and personally. When I first started in the fitness industry, I imagined success as this big, all-or-nothing leap—like if I just found the right strategy, everything would fall into place. But I quickly realized it’s actually the small, consistent actions that matter most. Building Bell Fitness was like building any habit: each day, I’d focus on small improvements, from the way we connected with members to the types of classes we offered. Over time, these small changes stacked up and became the foundation of a community-focused studio.
On a personal level, the concept of getting 1% better daily really clicked. Early on, I wanted to get in shape, but I wasn’t exactly a sports enthusiast as a kid. So, I had to ease myself into fitness by building tiny habits, like committing to short workouts or gradually improving my diet. Those small actions not only helped me find my passion for fitness, but they also reinforced how important it is to start with what you can manage and build from there.
Atomic Habits teaches that it’s less about big goals and more about the systems and tiny steps that make those goals possible, which I’ve applied to both my business and personal growth. Now, I get to help others do the same—whether it’s losing weight, becoming stronger, or improving overall health—by focusing on small, sustainable changes that add up over time.
Have you read other books that are similar to this one and if so, what are those books and what did you like or find interesting about those?
Yes, Ed Mylett’s work has some great overlaps with Atomic Habits, especially when it comes to the power of small, consistent actions. Mylett’s book The Power of One More is particularly impactful. It’s all about pushing yourself to do “one more”—whether that’s one more rep at the gym, one more call in your business, or one more moment of kindness with a loved one. Like Atomic Habits, it focuses on the idea that small efforts compound into big results, but Mylett adds an edge by emphasizing the mental toughness needed to push for that “one more” when it counts.
One thing I find compelling about Mylett’s approach is how he brings mindset and personal accountability to the forefront. He dives into how our beliefs can either propel us forward or hold us back and how, by shifting our internal dialogue, we can push past limits. It’s similar to James Clear’s principles but with a focus on the mental strength required to take that extra step. Both books are practical and motivating, but Mylett’s style brings a personal intensity and an urgency to make the most of every day.
