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  • Finding Ultra

  • Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
  • By: Rich Roll
  • Narrated by: Rich Roll
  • Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (698 ratings)

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Finding Ultra

By: Rich Roll
Narrated by: Rich Roll
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Publisher's Summary

An incredible but true account of achieving one of the most awe-inspiring midlife physical transformations ever.

In October 2006, the night before he was to turn 40, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly 50 pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he saw where his sedentary lifestyle was taking him. Most of us look the other way when granted such a moment of clarity, but not Rich. Plunging into a new way of eating that made processed foods off-limits and prioritized plant nutrition and daily training, Rich morphed - in mere months - from out-of-shape midlifer to endurance machine. Ninety days into his physical overhaul, Rich left the house for a light jog and found himself running a near marathon. It was time to scale up his goals.

How many of us take up a sport at age 40 and compete for the title of the world’s best within two years? Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman World Championship competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans against each other in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. Following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the Epic5 Challenge - five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.

This is more than an inside look at a series of jaw-dropping athletic feats or a practical training manual for those who would attempt a similar transformation. Yes, Rich’s account rivets and instructs, providing information that will be invaluable to anyone who wants to change their physique; but this book is most notable as a powerful testament to human resiliency, for as we learn early on, Rich’s life has posed numerous physical and social challenges, including a fierce battle with alcoholism.

Ultimately Finding Ultra is a beautifully written portrait of what willpower can accomplish. It challenges us to rethink what we’re capable of and urges us, implicitly and explicitly, to “go for it”. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Richard David Roll (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“You walk away from reading this book knowing you have the total power to transform your life on every level.... Roll is immensely likeable, a most compelling storyteller, and a true shaman of health and fitness!” (Kathy Freston, New York Times best-selling author)

“Rich Roll’s Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what's possible.” (John Brenkus, creator and host of ESPN’s Sport Science and New York Times best-selling author)

“I loved this. A rare book, unusual for its honesty and willingness to bare all, that really does deserve such superlatives as ‘riveting’ and ‘compelling.’ I was moved by watching Roll conquer his demons and felt privileged to share in his eventual enlightenment. By laying it on the line, Roll absolutely wins us over.” (Rip Esselstyn, New York Times best-selling author)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Makes you reassess so much

His ultra story is secondary to the change in his lifestyle and vegan diet. So much to learn in nutrition from this.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really great lead me to Richs podcasts!

Really loved it! Rich is an amazing character, the guy below down voting because of Rich being vegan is an idiot! do some reasearch before you buy an item - being plant powered has improved my fitness through the roof - don't disagree with veganism until you trail it yourself it's the healthiest lifestyle when done correctly plus the animals & planet will love you!

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story combined with circumspect science

Great story, but sadly a lot of vegan bro science...
You cannot quote studies in your book when the studies themselves site spurrious correlations to any perceived benefits. This culture of quoting 1 successful study out of 100 failed studies has got to stop. It really ruined the awesome story of someone going from a lethargic nobody to Ultra distance somebody; having a lot of stupid disproven science throughout.. the most painful part was hearing 'alkalising your body pH'...


if you enjoy ultra running and the challenge of pushing ones limits and can completely ignore the obvious bias of the author towards his sponsors... give this book a go.

if you hate woo woo science and can't stomach the obvious stupidity of statements around 'free radicals' and 'alkalising'... then give it a miss. the final 20 minutes are especially painful.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Another Vegan fanboy

Would you ever listen to anything by Rich Roll again?

no it started off ok but headed down the rabbit hole pretty quickly, seems like he has a hero complex everything is a huge drama of lows to high and how being Vegan is all encompasing life changing heroism. not for me, i turned off about half way through

Any additional comments?

dont bother

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good story.

Loved the story but would prefer it read by a professional orator. Strong story though just author is too involved.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great

great book. inspirational and informative. Well worth a read. Even if a plant powered diet is not entirely your thing, you will still learn something from this book

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

depressing, slow and monotone

I really struggled with this book. Hats off to Rich on your achievements but it was a depressing read that I couldn't finish.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Boring broscience

The entire book is an exercise in endurance. If Rich can’t be bothered to sound at least half interested in his own book, I don’t know how he thinks anyone else will be.

Summed up it would be ‘eat vegetables and you might be able to run further than you otherwise thought you could’. I’ve just saved you 13 hours- you’re welcome.

The real low point was the appendix when he lists the protein content of various vegetables, although the entire last third of the book when he describes minute by minute a 5 day long endurance challenge runs a close second, and somehow feels like it takes longer than the actual bloody event did.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Change you world change your diet and attitude.

Great story, anything is possible with the right attitude and never staying down. Push on regardless

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Inspiring story, poorly told

There’s an amazing story here, defeating alcoholism then going from middle aged slob to ultra marathon athlete in short time. The story is told with only a hint of vegan preaching, so okay on that front.

Sadly it’s the delivery of this audio book that really lets it down. The author really should have hired a professional narrator. His monotone, emotionless delivery is mundane and at times grating.

The reader/listener should take the veganism success story with some caution. Rich’s achievement is remarkable, sure, but he is an exception. The overwhelming majority of athletes consume a diet heavy in animal products.

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