I happily blame my #BRF buddy Nick for losing three nights of my life to this book by Rich Roll.
Having met Nick at my running club, I wasn’t overly surprised that his book recommendation was a running book – but it wasn’t the book I thought it would be.
Some may know I often run in Queens back garden with the Bracknell Forrest Runners, and whilst it’s wonderful, it’s not the warm, lofty and romantic running experiences talked about by Rich Roll in the Californian Malibu hills.
“Rich Rolls Running book, isn’t about running!”
The Thompsonator
This book is about:
- The freedom you can discover when you choose to live another life.
- How you can choose to put steps in place to follow that new path.
- The disease of more, and how it hurts.
- Wanting to escape the corporate world.
Ultimately, this Ultra book is about implementing change, redefining success and working your 5-9 hard – and that’s why I loved it.
As a self-proclaimed #MLC expert, (I’ve been having a mid-life crisis since I was 20 according to my mum and wife) I was hooked from the start.
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll is a true story about transformation, and how anyone can hit that point in their life when they realise everything needs to change.
Fast approaching 40, Rich discovered the moment of transformation just as the junk food, booze and poor life choices had found him breathless at the top of a single flight of stairs. It was at that point that he spotted his future, decided he didn’t want it, and chose another path – and that’s something I can relate too.
Within weeks he’d taken steps to change his future, not by trying to loose a few pounds but by getting properly into running, and in time, nutrition.
In a matter of months Rich morphed into an endurance machine and soon conquered the EPIC5—five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week…… #MENTAL!
Thompsonator review – Both easy to read and hard to put down. Great for anyone looking to motivate themselves to find a new life. Whether you’re looking to get fit, quit booze, become a veggie, start yoga, meditation or yoga you’ll like this. In this book you’ll learn that it’s possible to implement change in your life, and that’s what I love most about this book. The fact that he was a boozer and suffered from addictions, just added to the enjoyment for me.
Notes to reader:
1 – Vegan/plant munching preaching is abundance in this book – get it on audible and save the last hour?
2 – Overlook the slightly egotistical start, it’s worth it in the end
3 – Ignore the Pro-Vegan advert the last half of the book goes on about, again, its worth it
4 – Get ready to buy another nutri-bullet – This guy goes on and on about blending, I’ve already gone and done it – and he’s right..
Rich wrote this about his own book, I think it’s pretty accurate. “It’s a book that asks you to discover and confront your personal truth. It’s about refusing to settle for less, and the path towards a life fuelled by meaning and purpose. It’s about accessing untapped reservoirs of potential. All told, it’s about the path to self-actualization. Because we need not live lives of quiet desperation. And because now, more than ever, we need you to be more of who you really are.”
https://adbl.co/3vFnbnu https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpjlh0e319ksmoOD7bQFSiw https://www.richroll.com/
NEXT BOOK PLEASE!
What do you picture when someone says Bruce Springsteen?
I think of an old leathery, denim trousered, slightly camp man, forcing out yet another knee slide on a stage with a guitar and his chest on view. That look on his face,…. it’s not because he’s digging the music, it’s because he’s just ripped the scab of his knee – again.
As I type this, I realise that there is a potential floor in my plan of only reading and reviewing the books that are recommended to me by friends, as it’s pretty clear that this policy may be far less fun that I had hoped!
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA?
Bore in the USA more like, or so I thought….
It turns out that Bruce Springsteen was indeed Born in the USA – New Jersey in fact, son of an Alcoholic with suitable doses of sadness, abuse and hardship, not that this seemed to influence his music ability, he was always going to make it.
Foe me I’d say that one of the greatest surprises in this book is that despite his huge Rock’n’roll status, he’s much less of a rocker than you might think – he’s certainly not my idea of a ‘Rock Star’.
I have learnt a number of things from this book:
The guy crafted his product day by day and was totally obsessed with it, the time and effort required recording his definition of perfect is pretty amazing.
He’s built a ‘product’ and owns every single thing about it, the guy is a hard working genius and after reading this book you’ll respect him for his business acumen as much as his music.
He’s not really a ‘Rock star’. There is no Wolf of Wallstreet about this guy, it’s all prayer, circle of trust and healthy goodness and so you’re left thinking that maybe you don’t need a sad story, or tough upbringing, to produce something truly great.
On balance the book is pretty good and you’ll find a new resect for him and his craft when you realise that he’s literally dedicated his life and given absolutely everything to it, building a family along the way.
After reading this book you’ll respect him as an artist, and want to listen to his music, and when you do, as I now do, you’ll get him and ‘it’.
Final thought:
The lifetime of counselling, anti-depressants and breakdowns seem at odds with the on-stage persona, but I think I know why.
People totally love the on stage Bruce, and living with him in the Brucie bubble, but when all is said and done, that Bruce, the music and stage Bruce, isn’t him, its just his job.
He totally lives it, and it’s honest, and he’s convincing, but when the stage lights go out, so does he.
I’ve got a good grasp of how Bruce made it. The music industry was totally brutal to him and you’ve got to respect what he’s achieved as a business man and artist.
The book is well written and easy to digest, but despite the total honesty in the book, I still don’t know who Bruce is, and the sad thing is, nor does he.
You were right Bruce – “You can’t start a fire without a spark” – but you’re the spark, the paper, the twigs, wood and oxygen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
YouTube – https://bit.ly/3aYLowy
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brucespringsteen
I only review books that are recommended to me – please make your book suggestions here
Next up – Gregory David Roberts – Shantaram – and it’s a whopping 932 pages!
camping jedi 
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