Swimming Through Adversity


Book Description

When Maitland developed severe breathing difficulties in his mid-thirties, a lung transplant became his only option for survival. In addition to this aquatic and mountaineering exploits in the ten years since his lung transplant, Maitland describes talking to awe-inspiring individuals, reflects on organ donation from the unique perspective of his donor family, probes exciting advances in scientific research, and considers post-transplant physical exercise regimens. Swimming Through Adversity provides an inspiring source of self-effacing, often humorous, information for anyone faced with a seemingly insurmountable life challenge. “Straight forward and compelling with an inspiring and incredible insight to the journey.” Jeffrey R. Goldstein President and Founding Member, Lung Transplant Foundation “Swimming is one of the few sports in which we willingly put ourselves in an environment where our breathing is restricted. Prepare to be moved and inspired by his story of love, hope and determination.” Simon Griffiths Founder and publisher, Outdoor Swimmer




Through Adversity to Attainment


Book Description

It's a story of a professional gardener's son, living quite comfortably up until the time of England's general strike. The duration of one year was just too much for the average family, which left my parents practically penniless. When the strike started in late November 1926, it also put my father on the dole. The impossible task - which was beyond his capabilities - created the loss of his job. He was told of additional duties he was to perform, and he refused. The labours of a gardener to provide for 300 plus is a full-time job in itself, but the addition of being a chauffeur upon demand and to be a waiter at the evening dinner table was far more than anybody should be asked to do. Christmas 1927 we were poor, with hardships occuring during the ensuing years before the war. In 1939 the war appeared imminent, so I became a part of the RAF reserve as a storekeeper, and shortly afterwards was mobilized on September 2, 1939. Such episodes as the Brize Norton Bombing are detailed, along with other events which transpired. After I was posted to a mobile squadron #242 Hurricane, we were shipped to an unknown destination. We became part of the allied force in the Dutch East Indies, followed by the Dutch Capitulation, to become prisoners of war to the Japanese, which led to attrocities in four labour camps, then into Fukuoka #2 Nagasaki. Slavery greatly reduced our anatomies to skeletons, myself to 84 lbs. Of all the red cross parcels shipped to us, we saw very little of their contents. The "A" Bomb or "Fat Boy" was our salvation. It saved invasion and the massacre of the POW's. On the way home, we still faced dangers at sea - mines and typhoons. Here my faith was to prevail. Family reunions and rehabilitation was painful and hard. Finally, I answered the requests of the Canadian government seeking tradesmen. After complying with all the requirements of immigration, my family was accepted. I can only say I have given my best, but I deplore the actions of many Canadians who have become gullible to many devices.




Limitless


Book Description

Meet Mallory Weggemann: a Paralympic gold-medalist, world champion swimmer, ESPY winner, and NBC Sports commentator whose extraordinary story will give you the encouragement you need to rise up to meet any challenge you face in life. On January 21, 2008, a routine medical procedure left Mallory paralyzed from her waist down. Less than two years later, Mallory had broken eight world records, and by the 2012 Paralympic Games, she held fifteen world records and thirty-four American records. Two years after that, a devastating fall severely damaged her left arm. But despite all of the hardships that Mallory faced, she was sure about one thing: she refused to give up. After two reconstructive surgeries and extended rehab, she won two gold medals and a silver medal at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships. And even better, she found confidence, independence, and persevering love. She even walked down the aisle on her wedding day against all odds. Mallory's extraordinary resilience and uncompromising commitment to excellence are rooted in her resolve, her faith, and her sheer grit. In Limitless, Mallory shares the lessons she learned by pushing past every obstacle and expectation that stood in her way, teaching you how to: redefine your limits remember that healing is not chronological be willing to fail lean on your community embrace your comeback write your own ending Mallory's story reminds us that we can handle whatever challenges, labels, or difficulties we face in life, and we can do it on our own terms. Because when we refuse to accept every boundary that hems us in--physical, emotional, or societal--we become limitless.




Growth Following Adversity in Sport


Book Description

Growth Following Adversity in Sport: A Mechanism to Positive Change is the first text to carefully consider the positive changes that may follow adverse experiences in sport at micro (e.g., individual), meso (e.g., dyadic, team), and macro levels (e.g., organizational, cultural). While remaining respectful of the despair and distress that can follow adversity, this comprehensive text aims to provide a narrative of hope to those who have experienced adversity in sport by showcasing the latestadvances in research on growth following adversity. This book covers topics as diverse as: conceptual, theoretical, and methodological considerations; cultural, organizational, and relational perspectives; population-specific insights (e.g., gender, disability, youth); and applied implications (e.g., evidence-based, practice-based). Written and edited by a team of international experts and emerging talents from around the world, each chapter considers the nature and meaning of growth, contains a comprehensive review of empirical research or reflections from professional practice, and offers exciting, novel, and rigorous suggestions for future programs of research that aim to promote positive change in sport to support the safety, wellbeing, and welfare of the people who take part (e.g., athletes, coaches, paid employees, volunteers). Cutting-edge, timely, and comprehensive, Growth Following Adversity in Sport: A Mechanism to Positive Change is essential reading for postgraduate students and scholars in the fields of sport psychology, injury and rehabilitation, sport theory and other related sport science disciplines.




Wrestling Through Adversity


Book Description

From the dark ages, the treatment of those mentally ill has progressed from chaining to a wall those afflicted with mental disturbance who never saw the light of day. However, in US emergency rooms, our young people on the brink of despair are held hostage for psychiatric care. We have been bound to the antiquated biomedical model of mental health care. It is fortunate that we, as a society, are experiencing a mental health crisis of enormous proportions currently only in the sense that we are beginning to hear a wake-up call as we witness a total breakdown of our mental healthcare system regarding the mental stability of our youth and other groups of everyday people. Healthcare professionals and societies are beginning to understand that mental health is integral to overall health and is more than the absence of symptoms of psychological distress. The mastery important to us all includes the acquisition of the capacity to reflect, to relate on a deep level with others emotionally, and to empathize in the face of change or stressful situations. Resilient young people who possess these qualities and the ability to wrestle through adversity when they have the skillsets to do so, lead more successful lives when they know how to make lemonade out of lemons.




Rise Today, Lead Tomorrow


Book Description

Who Falls, Who Succeeds and Why Are you still wondering about what it is that is holding you back? As you read Rise Today, Lead Tomorrow, you’ll learn a lot about winning. But you’ll also learn a lot about failing. It’s a perfect gift for a young sales rep, a professional athlete or an experienced top executive, who is trying to ‘breakthrough’, ‘achieve more’ and ‘lead well’ in today’s competitive world. This entertaining book offers you heart-warming stories and practical tips about enduring hardships, building a strong personality, developing winning habits, getting over obstacles that hinder your progress and so on. This is the book that you have been waiting for…to add a spark to your winning streak once again!




Swimming Upstream


Book Description

Shirley Zinn's story is one of determination, courage, and triumph over incredible adversity. Born and raised on the Cape Flats, Shirley never allowed her past to dictate her future. She proved that the typical story of a girl from the Cape Flats - that of gangsterism, alcoholism and teenage pregnancy - didn't have to be her story. Instead she relentlessly pursued her own goals and forged an impressive academic career even when she faced significant odds. And when she'd done that, she set out to conquer the world of business. Shirley is a formidable woman with an amazing story to tell. She has risen to the top of the pile in both academic and business circles, and yet she has retained great humanity and empathy in the face of great personal tragedy. Her story has lessons for us all - whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, whether we work in business, in government, or at home. Shirley's story will inspire you and show you that it is possible to achieve your goals, if you are prepared to swim upstream and be single-minded in getting where you want to be.




Unsinkable


Book Description

The top Paralympic swimmer in the world, Jessica Long delivers an inspirational photographic memoir. Born in Siberia with fibular hemimelia, Jessica Long was adopted from a Russian orphanage at thirteen months old and has since become the second most decorated U.S. Paralympic athlete of all time. Now, Jessica shares all the moments in her life—big and small, heartbreaking and uplifting—that led to her domination in the Paralympic swimming world. This photographic memoir, filled with photographs, sidebars, quotes, and more, will thrill her fans and inspire those who are hearing her story for the first time.




Mental Toughness for Young Athletes: A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Athletic Success:


Book Description

Mental Toughness for Young Athletes Mental Toughness for Young Athletes - A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Athletic Success is an essential resource for any young athlete, coach, or parent looking to develop and maintain a strong mental game. This comprehensive guide provides practical advice, real-life examples, and expert insights to help athletes build mental toughness, a crucial component for achieving success in sports and life. Explore the Mental Toughness for Young Athletes and discover powerful strategies that will transform your mindset and unlock your full potential. Learn how to face challenges head-on, maintain focus, and stay motivated through setbacks. Understand the key elements of developing resilience in sports and how it can help you overcome obstacles, maintain a positive attitude, and perform at your best. Dive deep into the world of sports psychology for youth athletes and learn how to cultivate a winning mentality. Explore the importance of embracing challenges, focusing on progress, practicing gratitude, and surrounding yourself with positive influences. Find out how top athletes have harnessed the power of a positive mindset to achieve remarkable success in their respective sports. Learn how to effectively cope with setbacks in sports by developing a healthy attitude towards failure, focusing on controllable factors, and seeking support from coaches, teammates, and family. Understand the essential role that building mental strength in sports plays in overcoming adversity and bouncing back from setbacks. Discover the power of mindset for young athletes and how it can help you improve your performance, enhance focus, and achieve your goals. Learn how to create effective visualization exercises and explore real-life examples of young athletes who have used visualization to improve their performance. Unlock the secrets to mental conditioning for athletes by understanding the concept of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Find out how to set and achieve goals that will help you develop mental toughness and maintain motivation throughout your athletic journey. Explore the impact of routine, sleep, and nutrition on mental toughness, and discover practical tips for getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy diet. Understand the importance of resilience training for young athletes and how it can help you stay focused, confident, and mentally tough in the face of adversity. In Mental Toughness for Young Athletes - A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Athletic Success, you will find an invaluable resource for developing mental toughness and resilience in the world of sports. Whether you are a young athlete, a coach, or a parent, this book will help you foster a culture of mental toughness and resilience, leading to greater success on and off the field. Dive deep into the world of athlete mindset improvement and learn how to cultivate a winning mentality. Explore the importance of embracing challenges, focusing on progress, practicing gratitude, and surrounding yourself with positive influences. Find out how top athletes like Cori "Coco" Gauff and Penny Oleksiak have harnessed the power of a positive mindset to achieve remarkable success in their respective sports. Finally, learn about the characteristics of mentally tough athletes and discover how to develop the mental toughness of champions. Drawing on real-life examples from young athletes who have demonstrated mental resilience, this book provides valuable insights and guidance for athletes, coaches, and parents alike.




Nothing Lasts Forever


Book Description

When night comes, look at the sky. If you see a falling star, dont wonder why, just make a wish. Trust me, it will come true, because I did and found Jesus Christ. Sometimes we think that things will never change in life. I dont know anyone who has not yet experienced pressure of one kind or another in life. It may raise its head swiftly and unexpectedly. Or we may see and feel it coming slowly but surely, like a slight crack in the wall of a building going up or down. You might arrive late for some event and miss something special. This is a minor pressure, and it usually does not last long; its an everyday occurrence that does not really matter very much. There are many such pressures. On the other hand, the pressure of realising that the dream you had has failed to come true may overcome you. You may feel depressed because of the loss of your spouse, the chaos in the workplace, the loss of friends, or the insincerity of those you considered friends, a lack of understanding on the part of your family, heartache that never seems to end, or feeling that God does not hear your prayer. There are more types of pressure than there is grass growing on the plains of the Highveld. Do not give up when you still have something to give. I know that through Christ I am strong enough to make all my dreams come true. I know love, therefore I give love. I recognise that my love has great value and must be reciprocated. If my unconditional love is taken for granted, it doesnt disappear. I am quite capable of articulating my needs. I know that with God the world is my playground, but without God I will just be played with. I understand that my life experiences are merely lessons meant to bring me closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self-love. I know that I will at times have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them. I know my past, understand my present and face my future. I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Jim Rohn says that happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.