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Recommend this book:
Swimming for My Life
A Memoir
Kim Fairley
2024 Finalist
352 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Swimming for My Life is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, sports writing, and slice-of-life subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Kim Fairley, this powerful work chronicles the remarkable journey of the former elite swimmer, offering a candid and poignant exploration of the triumphs and traumas she experienced both in and out of the pool. Fairley's narrative sheds light on the dark underbelly of elite swimming, revealing the harsh realities of abusive coaching, extreme workouts, and debilitating pressure to conform to unrealistic standards. Beyond the confines of the pool, Fairley's upbringing was marked by neglect and instability, as she and her siblings grappled with the consequences of their parents' emotional immaturity. Despite the hardships she faced, Fairley's memoir is ultimately a testament to resilience and the enduring power of family bonds.
Author Kim Fairley's book achieves a special kind of honesty that many lesser memoirists shy away from, especially those who have as many accolades and credits to their name as Fairley does. Through her raw and honest storytelling, Fairley offers readers a rare glimpse into the hidden struggles of elite athletes and the transformative journey of healing and self-discovery that can arise from even the most painful of experiences. The narrative is warm and welcoming to soften some of these raw and harrowing edges, offering a slow-burning tale of hope and confidence that keeps readers feeling as though they’re in safe hands whilst Fairley guides them through her journey. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Swimming for My Life as a heartfelt and well-penned memoir that pulls no punches and will certainly inspire and motivate anyone with an interest in sports and personal growth.
Swimming for My Life is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, sports writing, and slice-of-life subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Kim Fairley, this powerful work chronicles the remarkable journey of the former elite swimmer, offering a candid and poignant exploration of the triumphs and traumas she experienced both in and out of the pool. Fairley's narrative sheds light on the dark underbelly of elite swimming, revealing the harsh realities of abusive coaching, extreme workouts, and debilitating pressure to conform to unrealistic standards. Beyond the confines of the pool, Fairley's upbringing was marked by neglect and instability, as she and her siblings grappled with the consequences of their parents' emotional immaturity. Despite the hardships she faced, Fairley's memoir is ultimately a testament to resilience and the enduring power of family bonds.
Author Kim Fairley's book achieves a special kind of honesty that many lesser memoirists shy away from, especially those who have as many accolades and credits to their name as Fairley does. Through her raw and honest storytelling, Fairley offers readers a rare glimpse into the hidden struggles of elite athletes and the transformative journey of healing and self-discovery that can arise from even the most painful of experiences. The narrative is warm and welcoming to soften some of these raw and harrowing edges, offering a slow-burning tale of hope and confidence that keeps readers feeling as though they’re in safe hands whilst Fairley guides them through her journey. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Swimming for My Life as a heartfelt and well-penned memoir that pulls no punches and will certainly inspire and motivate anyone with an interest in sports and personal growth.
Recommend this book:
Soccer Mastery
The little things that make a big difference
Chest Dugger
2024 Honorable Mention
138 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite
Soccer Mastery by Chest Dugger is an easy-to-read, practical, down-to-earth tool kit of everyday habits and techniques that aspiring soccer players can adopt to realize their full potential in a sport that the author clearly loves and has dedicated his life to. Unlike most “how-to” guides, Soccer Mastery is written with tremendous humility and a true reverence for learning. In many cases, the author freely confesses that some of the discoveries included in the book were happy accidents and that there is still much to learn. Chest Dugger is a pen name for the soccer coaching brand under which the book is distributed; therefore, it is clear that the text reflects the collective expertise of a group of devotees. This, too, makes it unusually accessible and eminently practical. The love of the game is further reflected in a soccer drills worksheet, offered by way of a QR code, that accompanies the text.
Soccer Mastery is written in a warm, friendly, you-can-do-it tone, ideal for inspiring emerging talents to achieve greatness. Each position on the team, both offensive and defensive, is analyzed and paired with appealing anecdotes and real wisdom. Along with the easy-to-use tips and tools, Soccer Mastery is infused with fascinating real-world historical and educational references, which make the book interesting and enlightening even if one is not a soccer aficionado. Readers will find a treasure trove of life skills woven throughout the book – ideas as simple as recognizing that positive people attract other positive people and the inherent value of watching and learning from the best. Soccer Mastery by Chest Dugger has a great deal to offer soccer players at every level and those who wish to better understand them and the game.
Soccer Mastery by Chest Dugger is an easy-to-read, practical, down-to-earth tool kit of everyday habits and techniques that aspiring soccer players can adopt to realize their full potential in a sport that the author clearly loves and has dedicated his life to. Unlike most “how-to” guides, Soccer Mastery is written with tremendous humility and a true reverence for learning. In many cases, the author freely confesses that some of the discoveries included in the book were happy accidents and that there is still much to learn. Chest Dugger is a pen name for the soccer coaching brand under which the book is distributed; therefore, it is clear that the text reflects the collective expertise of a group of devotees. This, too, makes it unusually accessible and eminently practical. The love of the game is further reflected in a soccer drills worksheet, offered by way of a QR code, that accompanies the text.
Soccer Mastery is written in a warm, friendly, you-can-do-it tone, ideal for inspiring emerging talents to achieve greatness. Each position on the team, both offensive and defensive, is analyzed and paired with appealing anecdotes and real wisdom. Along with the easy-to-use tips and tools, Soccer Mastery is infused with fascinating real-world historical and educational references, which make the book interesting and enlightening even if one is not a soccer aficionado. Readers will find a treasure trove of life skills woven throughout the book – ideas as simple as recognizing that positive people attract other positive people and the inherent value of watching and learning from the best. Soccer Mastery by Chest Dugger has a great deal to offer soccer players at every level and those who wish to better understand them and the game.
Recommend this book:
Unsinkable
Cancer, Five Boats, and My 710-Kilometre Sea Swim
Alan Corcoran
2024 Bronze Medal
315 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
While dealing with the tragedy of losing his father, 25-year-old Alan Corcoran chose to direct his pain to a worthy cause. His decision to swim and raise money for charity led to his attempt at swimming from the north coast of Giant’s Causeway to the south coast of County Waterford, Ireland. To achieve his goal, Alan had to face the risks of turbulent weather conditions and being eaten alive by large Irish sea creatures. Even the shock of the cold seawater is enough to send the unprepared swimmer to the afterlife. Does Alan have what it takes to complete his grand swimming mission, and will he find closure? Unsinkable: Cancer, Five Boats, and My 710-Kilometre Sea Swim follows a man's seriously challenging mission to raise funds for charity. It includes such diverse themes as buying boats, loss, cancer, swimming, family, football, and nature.
I used to think I just needed a little training to swim in the ocean, but I was brought back to reality by Alan Cocoran's detailed descriptions of his sea-swimming experience. Though I thought the story's physical details were many, I learned a lot about how to swim and survive in the sea - such as the fact that getting into cold water multiplies our breathing rate by more than five times. Unsinkable is filled with generous words of advice about winning at life smoothly inserted into the story. The book is great for readers who love physically challenging missions and fans of books about swimming and sports in general. You will be inspired to take the first step toward your goal and push yourself to new levels of excellence. Humanity is bound to thrive if more individuals undertook kind, selfless missions like Alan.
While dealing with the tragedy of losing his father, 25-year-old Alan Corcoran chose to direct his pain to a worthy cause. His decision to swim and raise money for charity led to his attempt at swimming from the north coast of Giant’s Causeway to the south coast of County Waterford, Ireland. To achieve his goal, Alan had to face the risks of turbulent weather conditions and being eaten alive by large Irish sea creatures. Even the shock of the cold seawater is enough to send the unprepared swimmer to the afterlife. Does Alan have what it takes to complete his grand swimming mission, and will he find closure? Unsinkable: Cancer, Five Boats, and My 710-Kilometre Sea Swim follows a man's seriously challenging mission to raise funds for charity. It includes such diverse themes as buying boats, loss, cancer, swimming, family, football, and nature.
I used to think I just needed a little training to swim in the ocean, but I was brought back to reality by Alan Cocoran's detailed descriptions of his sea-swimming experience. Though I thought the story's physical details were many, I learned a lot about how to swim and survive in the sea - such as the fact that getting into cold water multiplies our breathing rate by more than five times. Unsinkable is filled with generous words of advice about winning at life smoothly inserted into the story. The book is great for readers who love physically challenging missions and fans of books about swimming and sports in general. You will be inspired to take the first step toward your goal and push yourself to new levels of excellence. Humanity is bound to thrive if more individuals undertook kind, selfless missions like Alan.
Recommend this book:
Shuttler's Flick
Making Every Match Count
Pullela Gopichand, Priya Kumar
2024 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Shuttler's Flick by Pullela Gopichand and Priya Kumar takes us through Pullela's epic badminton career, providing readers with profound life lessons and inspiring anecdotes. It's a story about the first Indian player in 20 years to make it to the men's singles finals at the 2001 All-England Championship and a veteran athlete who coached other athletes to become winning Olympians. Pullela fell in love with the sport as a child, and while his classmates were in class, he would sneak away to practice his badminton skills and improve further. Shuttler's Flick depicts Pullela's journey from novice to world expert level and the challenges he faced in his career, including stinging opinions from naysayers, injuries, and financial issues. This greatly inspiring memoir teaches the value of persistence and pursuing your dream passionately.
Pullela Gopichand and Priya Kumar offer a perfect balance of captivating anecdotes and words of advice, complete with actionable tips and thought-provoking ideas that follow the stories shared. For example, a section that centers on Pullela's amazing work reveals what it takes to succeed: "If you want any kind of success, you have to make peace with getting uncomfortable." My favorite aspect of the book is the movie-like suspense it engenders with its descriptions of intense competitions. We see the author employ psychological games as he fights through difficult injuries to win his matches. Apart from being a very enlightening book that sheds light on the sport of badminton, Shuttler's Flick offers readers an opportunity to partake in the thrill of sports competitions. It will give you a close-up experience of what Olympians go through to win and teach you great life lessons to succeed in whatever you do.
Shuttler's Flick by Pullela Gopichand and Priya Kumar takes us through Pullela's epic badminton career, providing readers with profound life lessons and inspiring anecdotes. It's a story about the first Indian player in 20 years to make it to the men's singles finals at the 2001 All-England Championship and a veteran athlete who coached other athletes to become winning Olympians. Pullela fell in love with the sport as a child, and while his classmates were in class, he would sneak away to practice his badminton skills and improve further. Shuttler's Flick depicts Pullela's journey from novice to world expert level and the challenges he faced in his career, including stinging opinions from naysayers, injuries, and financial issues. This greatly inspiring memoir teaches the value of persistence and pursuing your dream passionately.
Pullela Gopichand and Priya Kumar offer a perfect balance of captivating anecdotes and words of advice, complete with actionable tips and thought-provoking ideas that follow the stories shared. For example, a section that centers on Pullela's amazing work reveals what it takes to succeed: "If you want any kind of success, you have to make peace with getting uncomfortable." My favorite aspect of the book is the movie-like suspense it engenders with its descriptions of intense competitions. We see the author employ psychological games as he fights through difficult injuries to win his matches. Apart from being a very enlightening book that sheds light on the sport of badminton, Shuttler's Flick offers readers an opportunity to partake in the thrill of sports competitions. It will give you a close-up experience of what Olympians go through to win and teach you great life lessons to succeed in whatever you do.
Recommend this book:
Chasing Influence
Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
Troy Urdahl
2024 Gold Medal
314 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life by Troy Urdahl is a motivating and insightful book that offers a comprehensive guide to coaching for personal and professional growth. Urdahl's approach is focused on not only achieving success but also fostering lasting and meaningful transformation in individuals' lives. The book revolves around transformational coaching, which goes beyond simply achieving goals and delves into the process of self-discovery, mindset shifts, and holistic growth. Through different stories, the author emphasizes nurturing a solid foundation of values, purpose, and character. This sets the book apart from traditional coaching manuals. Urdahl encourages coaches to foster genuine connections, use active listening, and have a strong sense of responsibility toward their clients. This holistic approach to coaching ensures that individuals achieve their goals and experience personal growth that positively impacts all areas of their lives.
Troy’s writing style is clear, engaging, and highly informative. He skillfully combines personal anecdotes, real-world examples, and practical coaching strategies to create a well-rounded narrative. The book is structured in a way that is easy to follow, with concepts building upon each other as the reader progresses. The author's insights into the coaching process are both profound and accessible. The author’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with individuals as unique beings, allowing coaches to tailor their approach to each person's needs. Troy Urdahl's dedication to creating lasting transformation and his emphasis on ethical coaching make this book a relevant and practical guide for both aspiring and experienced coaches alike.
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life by Troy Urdahl is a motivating and insightful book that offers a comprehensive guide to coaching for personal and professional growth. Urdahl's approach is focused on not only achieving success but also fostering lasting and meaningful transformation in individuals' lives. The book revolves around transformational coaching, which goes beyond simply achieving goals and delves into the process of self-discovery, mindset shifts, and holistic growth. Through different stories, the author emphasizes nurturing a solid foundation of values, purpose, and character. This sets the book apart from traditional coaching manuals. Urdahl encourages coaches to foster genuine connections, use active listening, and have a strong sense of responsibility toward their clients. This holistic approach to coaching ensures that individuals achieve their goals and experience personal growth that positively impacts all areas of their lives.
Troy’s writing style is clear, engaging, and highly informative. He skillfully combines personal anecdotes, real-world examples, and practical coaching strategies to create a well-rounded narrative. The book is structured in a way that is easy to follow, with concepts building upon each other as the reader progresses. The author's insights into the coaching process are both profound and accessible. The author’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with individuals as unique beings, allowing coaches to tailor their approach to each person's needs. Troy Urdahl's dedication to creating lasting transformation and his emphasis on ethical coaching make this book a relevant and practical guide for both aspiring and experienced coaches alike.
Recommend this book:
Running Down A Dream
The making of a film
Paul Gorman
2023 Finalist
298 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Joan Carson, a seasoned skydiver with more than 700 jumps, tragically died on Memorial Day Weekend in 1981 in Lost Prairie, Montana. Her friend Paul Gorman had previously dreamed of her tragic death, and after Joan's fatal accident, the memory of that dream haunted him. This is why he decided to make a documentary film about the young skydiver - but where to start? In the book Running Down a Dream, Gorman tells us how he gleaned the information he needed about Joan, how he met siblings and other people related to her, and discovered facts about Joan. Eventually, Gorman made his documentary film about the unfortunate skydiver, but in addition to the awards, it also brought an unexpected consequence.
At first, I believed that Running Down a Dream was a commemorative book on Joan Carson and that its goal was to recount her life. Instead, in addition to being a tribute to Joan, it is also a fascinating journey in search of information about Joan and the reconstruction of her life. Above all, it describes the genesis of the documentary film. Paul Gorman describes the facts of Joan's life and the making of the documentary with sincerity and devotion; these are the elements that strike one the most in his book. Running Down a Dream is a great story that deserves to be read. I hope to also see the documentary about Joan to conclude my adventure in the world of skydiving in the most appropriate way.
Joan Carson, a seasoned skydiver with more than 700 jumps, tragically died on Memorial Day Weekend in 1981 in Lost Prairie, Montana. Her friend Paul Gorman had previously dreamed of her tragic death, and after Joan's fatal accident, the memory of that dream haunted him. This is why he decided to make a documentary film about the young skydiver - but where to start? In the book Running Down a Dream, Gorman tells us how he gleaned the information he needed about Joan, how he met siblings and other people related to her, and discovered facts about Joan. Eventually, Gorman made his documentary film about the unfortunate skydiver, but in addition to the awards, it also brought an unexpected consequence.
At first, I believed that Running Down a Dream was a commemorative book on Joan Carson and that its goal was to recount her life. Instead, in addition to being a tribute to Joan, it is also a fascinating journey in search of information about Joan and the reconstruction of her life. Above all, it describes the genesis of the documentary film. Paul Gorman describes the facts of Joan's life and the making of the documentary with sincerity and devotion; these are the elements that strike one the most in his book. Running Down a Dream is a great story that deserves to be read. I hope to also see the documentary about Joan to conclude my adventure in the world of skydiving in the most appropriate way.
Recommend this book:
ESPN
One Giant Leap for Fankind
Bill Rasmussen
2023 Honorable Mention
184 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite
Bill Rasmussen is a sports lover who, at an early age, found his way into the industry through his initiative. He became an expert in sports and developed a mind focused on advertising and promoting himself, which opened up opportunities for him. He was able to become a sports commentator and eventually achieve great things such as founding the first 24-hour sports television network. Rasmussen tells his inspiring story in ESPN: One Giant Leap for Fankind. He focuses on several important aspects, including his personal experiences, the evolution of sports, and technology. He simultaneously gives us an overview of how America has progressed over time. Each chapter covers a decade from 1930 to the present and provides sports scoreboards that form a timeline highlighting major events in the country.
I loved Bill Rasmussen's account because it is so personal. He relates how as a child, his grandfather's stories awakened his love of sports. He tells us how World War II affected the mood of the country when he was young. He also explains how he took advantage of opportunities in times of peace when the country's stability allowed technology to advance. At times his path was not easy because in many cases he had to create his opportunities, and his ideas were rejected several times. His positive attitude is one of my favorite features of his story because it motivates you to want to keep fighting. I highly recommend ESPN because it is not only the history of a company but also reflects a life full of passion for sports and innovation.
Bill Rasmussen is a sports lover who, at an early age, found his way into the industry through his initiative. He became an expert in sports and developed a mind focused on advertising and promoting himself, which opened up opportunities for him. He was able to become a sports commentator and eventually achieve great things such as founding the first 24-hour sports television network. Rasmussen tells his inspiring story in ESPN: One Giant Leap for Fankind. He focuses on several important aspects, including his personal experiences, the evolution of sports, and technology. He simultaneously gives us an overview of how America has progressed over time. Each chapter covers a decade from 1930 to the present and provides sports scoreboards that form a timeline highlighting major events in the country.
I loved Bill Rasmussen's account because it is so personal. He relates how as a child, his grandfather's stories awakened his love of sports. He tells us how World War II affected the mood of the country when he was young. He also explains how he took advantage of opportunities in times of peace when the country's stability allowed technology to advance. At times his path was not easy because in many cases he had to create his opportunities, and his ideas were rejected several times. His positive attitude is one of my favorite features of his story because it motivates you to want to keep fighting. I highly recommend ESPN because it is not only the history of a company but also reflects a life full of passion for sports and innovation.
Recommend this book:
Moe Fields
The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons
Stuart Z Goldstein
2023 Bronze Medal
386 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons by Stuart Z Goldstein is a memoir chronicling the life of Murray “Moe Fields” Goldman during the Great Depression, his career as a boxer and plumbing business owner, and his enduring love story with Frannie Goldman. A tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver left both Moe and Frannie with lifelong disabilities, profoundly impacting their unsupervised sons. Nevertheless, Moe and Frannie instilled in their sons the values of hard work, perseverance, and love, inspiring them to succeed in their careers and become devoted fathers. The book celebrates the strength of family bonds, prevailing over adversity, as the Goldman family exemplifies resilience, sacrifice, and determination in facing life's difficulties with quiet grace and resolve.
“The bootleg boxing career and Murray’s love life continued with great adventures.” This pretty much encapsulates the trajectory of the life of Murray or at least what catapults him into everything to come in Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons by Stuart Z Goldstein. I loved the setting against the backdrop of one of the most transformative periods in American history. Murray meeting Frannie and her support of his career is essential to his success, as he was ready to throw in the towel, sometimes literally on a massage table before her, but she insisted he continued. It's interesting how long after it is Alan who shows us what that might have looked like, losing oneself after sporting success but not having a true partner to keep them pressing forward. It's a different time and Alan is a different person than his father, but this did have a full-circle feel. Overall, this is a really heartening memoir and while I understand it took the author some time to write, it is worth the wait for readers in the end. Very highly recommended.
Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons by Stuart Z Goldstein is a memoir chronicling the life of Murray “Moe Fields” Goldman during the Great Depression, his career as a boxer and plumbing business owner, and his enduring love story with Frannie Goldman. A tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver left both Moe and Frannie with lifelong disabilities, profoundly impacting their unsupervised sons. Nevertheless, Moe and Frannie instilled in their sons the values of hard work, perseverance, and love, inspiring them to succeed in their careers and become devoted fathers. The book celebrates the strength of family bonds, prevailing over adversity, as the Goldman family exemplifies resilience, sacrifice, and determination in facing life's difficulties with quiet grace and resolve.
“The bootleg boxing career and Murray’s love life continued with great adventures.” This pretty much encapsulates the trajectory of the life of Murray or at least what catapults him into everything to come in Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons by Stuart Z Goldstein. I loved the setting against the backdrop of one of the most transformative periods in American history. Murray meeting Frannie and her support of his career is essential to his success, as he was ready to throw in the towel, sometimes literally on a massage table before her, but she insisted he continued. It's interesting how long after it is Alan who shows us what that might have looked like, losing oneself after sporting success but not having a true partner to keep them pressing forward. It's a different time and Alan is a different person than his father, but this did have a full-circle feel. Overall, this is a really heartening memoir and while I understand it took the author some time to write, it is worth the wait for readers in the end. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Winning Playbook
Strategies for Life On and Off The Field
Rob Welsh and Jonathan R. Scott
2023 Gold Medal
142 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
The Winning Playbook: Strategies for Life On and Off the Field by Rob Welsh and Jonathan R. Scott covers business and finance, targeting athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone planning their financial stability. Welsh, a finance empowerment expert, and Scott, a former NFL offensive tackle, alternately provide financial advice from their respective points of view. Toward the end is a chapter on life lessons, where they interview high-profile professional athletes who share their biggest mistakes and successes, what they would do differently, and their advice to current athletes.
Rob Welsh and Jonathan R. Scott’s The Winning Playbook is a well-written and tailored personal finance resource. Lamenting that many professional athletes on million-dollar-a-year contracts end up working in the off-season to survive, Welsh and Scott designed this book to provide information on how to make their money work for them. It is easy to understand, well-structured, and has a casual tone, which makes it reader-friendly. Because the authors are writing from their own experiences, it is credible and authentic, with practical and sound financial tips that can also be useful to non-athletes. The Winning Playbook is a must-read for anyone wanting a financially rewarding life.
The Winning Playbook: Strategies for Life On and Off the Field by Rob Welsh and Jonathan R. Scott covers business and finance, targeting athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone planning their financial stability. Welsh, a finance empowerment expert, and Scott, a former NFL offensive tackle, alternately provide financial advice from their respective points of view. Toward the end is a chapter on life lessons, where they interview high-profile professional athletes who share their biggest mistakes and successes, what they would do differently, and their advice to current athletes.
Rob Welsh and Jonathan R. Scott’s The Winning Playbook is a well-written and tailored personal finance resource. Lamenting that many professional athletes on million-dollar-a-year contracts end up working in the off-season to survive, Welsh and Scott designed this book to provide information on how to make their money work for them. It is easy to understand, well-structured, and has a casual tone, which makes it reader-friendly. Because the authors are writing from their own experiences, it is credible and authentic, with practical and sound financial tips that can also be useful to non-athletes. The Winning Playbook is a must-read for anyone wanting a financially rewarding life.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/just-hit-the-damn-ball&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LpDeCSbnL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=In Just Hit the Damn Ball!: How to Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf, Dave Johnston writes an instructional manual that flies in the face of "conventional golfing wisdom." Based on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), this book is much easier to understand than the concepts of NLP. Basically, Johnston's instructions are based on the assumption t...){kind=link}
Just Hit The Damn Ball!
How To Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf
Dave Johnston
2022 Finalist
137 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Sports
Reviewed by Eileen Johnson for Readers' Favorite
In Just Hit the Damn Ball!: How to Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf, Dave Johnston writes an instructional manual that flies in the face of "conventional golfing wisdom." Based on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), this book is much easier to understand than the concepts of NLP. Basically, Johnston's instructions are based on the assumption that every golfer has untapped natural ability -- and if you stop worrying about the things you are doing wrong, you can become a better golfer. The trick is to begin with the fundamentals -- know how to stand correctly, grip the club, and then swing it. After you have those three fundamental skills, you can then begin to concentrate on those things you are doing right. Reinforcing those habits and rituals when you hit a shot perfectly will encourage you to reproduce those actions instead of the actions that happen when you focus on a bad shot.
As a really average golfer, I found Just Hit the Damn Ball!: How to Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf by Dave Johnston very appealing. I have spent many hours on the golf course berating myself for every bad shot -- only to find that one bad shot typically leads to several more! The concept of keeping a journal of "good shots" and really dissecting what you did before and during those shots makes sense and seems almost too easy. I look forward to getting through those 30 days of improvement to see if the system really works!
In Just Hit the Damn Ball!: How to Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf, Dave Johnston writes an instructional manual that flies in the face of "conventional golfing wisdom." Based on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), this book is much easier to understand than the concepts of NLP. Basically, Johnston's instructions are based on the assumption that every golfer has untapped natural ability -- and if you stop worrying about the things you are doing wrong, you can become a better golfer. The trick is to begin with the fundamentals -- know how to stand correctly, grip the club, and then swing it. After you have those three fundamental skills, you can then begin to concentrate on those things you are doing right. Reinforcing those habits and rituals when you hit a shot perfectly will encourage you to reproduce those actions instead of the actions that happen when you focus on a bad shot.
As a really average golfer, I found Just Hit the Damn Ball!: How to Stop Thinking and Play Your Best Golf by Dave Johnston very appealing. I have spent many hours on the golf course berating myself for every bad shot -- only to find that one bad shot typically leads to several more! The concept of keeping a journal of "good shots" and really dissecting what you did before and during those shots makes sense and seems almost too easy. I look forward to getting through those 30 days of improvement to see if the system really works!
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