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Finding Ultra
- Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
- Narrated by: Rich Roll
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
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Showing Up
- Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
- By: Nedd Brockmann, Hamish Blake - foreword
- Narrated by: Nedd Brockmann
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Nedd Brockmann isn’t afraid to dream big. Fresh after running fifty marathons in fifty days, the twenty-three-year-old had an idea: a 4000-kilometre run across Australia, averaging 100 kilometres per day with the aim of completing it in the fastest known time of 43 days. He wasn’t chasing fame or public recognition. He just wanted to test his limits and raise a million dollars for homelessness in the process.
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Brilliant!!!
- By Colin Pettitt on 29-11-2023
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Born to Run
- The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
- By: Christopher McDougall
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets - and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
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worst book I have ever read
- By Anonymous User on 14-08-2020
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Running Man
- A Memoir
- By: Charlie Engle
- Narrated by: Charlie Engle
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
After a decade-long addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, Charlie Engle hit bottom with a near-fatal six-day binge that ended in a hail of bullets. As Engle got sober, he turned to running, which became his lifeline, his pastime, and his salvation. He began with marathons, and when marathons weren't far enough, he began to take on ultramarathons, races that went for 35, 50, and sometimes hundreds of miles, traveling to some of the most unforgiving places on earth to race.
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Confronting and motivating
- By Cheyne on 21-04-2020
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Born to Run 2
- The Ultimate Training Guide
- By: Christopher McDougall, Eric Orton
- Narrated by: Mark Arnold
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The original Born to Run ignited a global barefoot running movement, inspiring a generation to step outside and explore the world on our own two feet: Free from injuries. Free from stress. Free from overpriced shoes and gear and race fees. But how do we start? Christopher McDougall and long-time coach and running wizard Eric Orton have answered with Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide, teaching every runner, new or experienced, how to master humankind's first true superpower and tap into hidden reserves of strength and stamina.
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Brilliant
- By Cameron Brown on 09-01-2023
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The Rise of the Ultra Runners
- A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: Adharanand Finn
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Ultra running defies conventional logic. Yet this most brutal and challenging sport is now one of the fastest growing in the world. But is it an antidote to modern life or a symptom of a modern illness? Adharanand Finn travelled to the heart of the sport to find out - and to see if could become an ultra runner himself. His journey took him from the deserts of Oman to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, and from a 24-hour track race in Tooting to his ultimate goal, the 105-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.
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Makes me want to run for days!!
- By Amazon Customer on 01-12-2021
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Broken Open: Mountains, Demons, Treadmills and a Search for Nirvana
- By: David Clark
- Narrated by: David Clark
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
David Clark is a formerly obese alcoholic and fast food junkie who found a new life in running. Now, 13 years after his transformation, he shares his inspiring story of taking running to the extreme edge of his physical and spiritual breaking points. Having run more than a hundred races, including the Leadville 100-Mile Trail Run and the Hardrock 100, David has achieved unimaginable success in the ultramarathon world, considering his humble start.
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Great read.
- By lilthomas on 28-12-2020
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Showing Up
- Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
- By: Nedd Brockmann, Hamish Blake - foreword
- Narrated by: Nedd Brockmann
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nedd Brockmann isn’t afraid to dream big. Fresh after running fifty marathons in fifty days, the twenty-three-year-old had an idea: a 4000-kilometre run across Australia, averaging 100 kilometres per day with the aim of completing it in the fastest known time of 43 days. He wasn’t chasing fame or public recognition. He just wanted to test his limits and raise a million dollars for homelessness in the process.
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Brilliant!!!
- By Colin Pettitt on 29-11-2023
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Born to Run
- The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
- By: Christopher McDougall
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets - and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
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worst book I have ever read
- By Anonymous User on 14-08-2020
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Running Man
- A Memoir
- By: Charlie Engle
- Narrated by: Charlie Engle
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
After a decade-long addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol, Charlie Engle hit bottom with a near-fatal six-day binge that ended in a hail of bullets. As Engle got sober, he turned to running, which became his lifeline, his pastime, and his salvation. He began with marathons, and when marathons weren't far enough, he began to take on ultramarathons, races that went for 35, 50, and sometimes hundreds of miles, traveling to some of the most unforgiving places on earth to race.
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Confronting and motivating
- By Cheyne on 21-04-2020
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Born to Run 2
- The Ultimate Training Guide
- By: Christopher McDougall, Eric Orton
- Narrated by: Mark Arnold
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The original Born to Run ignited a global barefoot running movement, inspiring a generation to step outside and explore the world on our own two feet: Free from injuries. Free from stress. Free from overpriced shoes and gear and race fees. But how do we start? Christopher McDougall and long-time coach and running wizard Eric Orton have answered with Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide, teaching every runner, new or experienced, how to master humankind's first true superpower and tap into hidden reserves of strength and stamina.
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Brilliant
- By Cameron Brown on 09-01-2023
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The Rise of the Ultra Runners
- A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance
- By: Adharanand Finn
- Narrated by: Adharanand Finn
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ultra running defies conventional logic. Yet this most brutal and challenging sport is now one of the fastest growing in the world. But is it an antidote to modern life or a symptom of a modern illness? Adharanand Finn travelled to the heart of the sport to find out - and to see if could become an ultra runner himself. His journey took him from the deserts of Oman to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, and from a 24-hour track race in Tooting to his ultimate goal, the 105-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.
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Makes me want to run for days!!
- By Amazon Customer on 01-12-2021
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Broken Open: Mountains, Demons, Treadmills and a Search for Nirvana
- By: David Clark
- Narrated by: David Clark
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
David Clark is a formerly obese alcoholic and fast food junkie who found a new life in running. Now, 13 years after his transformation, he shares his inspiring story of taking running to the extreme edge of his physical and spiritual breaking points. Having run more than a hundred races, including the Leadville 100-Mile Trail Run and the Hardrock 100, David has achieved unimaginable success in the ultramarathon world, considering his humble start.
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Great read.
- By lilthomas on 28-12-2020
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A Runner's High
- Older, Wiser, Slower, Stronger
- By: Dean Karnazes
- Narrated by: Andy Ingalls
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe-melting heat of Death Valley to the lung-freezing cold of the South Pole. He's raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, on 50 consecutive days. Confronting his age, wearying body, career path and life choices, we see Karnazes as we never have before, raw and exposed. A Runner's High is both an endorphin-fuelled story and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors.
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Good book, not-so-good narration
- By Anonymous User on 11-05-2022
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Ultramarathon Man
- Confessions of an All-Night Runner
- By: Dean Karnazes
- Narrated by: Michael Braun
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Ultrarunning legend Dean Karnazes has run 262 miles—the equivalent of ten marathons—without rest. He has run over mountains, across Death Valley, to the South Pole, and is probably the first person to eat an entire pizza while running. With an insight, candour and humour rarely seen in sports memoirs, Ultramarathon Man has inspired tens of thousands of people—nonrunners and runners alike—to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and simply get out there and run.
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Training for Ultra
- Ultra Running Stories from the Middle of the Pack
- By: Rob Steger
- Narrated by: Robert Steger
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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This book has a single purpose - to inspire you to run! Through sharing a detailed account of my first three years of pursuing running from the middle to back of the pack, it will hopefully show you you are capable of much more than you may think. After my dad's major health scare, it was time for me to change everything. Little did I know how much I would learn after taking on some physical exercise. A radical diet change allowed me to lose a forth of my body weight and it gave me boundless energy to get outside and explore.
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Inspiring book
- By Anonymous User on 29-10-2022
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Endure
- How to Work Hard, Outlast and Keep Hammering
- By: Cameron Hanes
- Narrated by: Cameron Hanes, Joe Rogan, David Goggins
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Living in a small town where dreams were dismissed and bouncing between the homes of divorced parents, Cameron Hanes carried low expectations and no hope for a life of fulfilled potential. Then he discovered his great love—the bow. For Cameron, finding his drive, his purpose, a reason for pushing himself every single day, changed everything. Endure chronicles the lessons Cameron has learned and compels us to raise our expectations of ourselves.
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That was disappointing
- By Anonymous User on 11-07-2022
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Never Finished
- Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within
- By: David Goggins
- Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick, Jacqueline Gardner
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir, demonstrated how much untapped ability we all have but was merely an introduction to the power of the mind. In Never Finished, Goggins takes you inside his Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.
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Great for some
- By Anonymous User on 21-12-2022
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Do Hard Things
- Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness
- By: Steve Magness
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Toughness has long been held as a fundamental key to achieving peak performance. For generations, we've been taught toughness means bulldozing through—pushing to the point of breakdown—and that showing any sign of weakness is failure. This model of toughness has long been glorified and celebrated. But the truth is, it doesn't work. Steve Magness, a performance scientist who coaches Olympic athletes, now offers a new kind of toughness—real toughness—that can help anyone navigate adversity. Real toughness works with our biology and psychology; fake toughness fights against them.
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Animal cruelty described here, with no apology.
- By Anonymous User on 07-12-2022
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The Art of Resilience
- Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body
- By: Ross Edgley
- Narrated by: Ross Edgley
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Ross Edgley famously ran a marathon pulling a 1.4-tonne car and climbed a rope the height of Everest (8,848 m), after living with Yamabushi warrior monks in Japan and partaking in Shamanic pain rituals with fire ants in the Amazon jungle. On his epic 1,780-mile journey around Great Britain, which lasted 157 days, Ross swam through giant jellyfish, arctic storms, ‘haunted’ whirlpools and polluted shipping lanes, going so hard, and so fast, his tongue fell apart.
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Fascinating insight and a warm bellied enjoyment!
- By Anonymous User on 23-01-2021
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Training Essentials for Ultrarunning: Second Edition
- By: Jason Koop, Jim Rutberg, Corrine Malcolm
- Narrated by: Jason Koop
- Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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When elite and everyday ultrarunners alike want to improve their ultramarathon performance, they turn to Coach Jason Koop for guidance and council. Training Essentials for Ultrarunning takes Coach Koop's time-proven and evidenced-based methodologies that have been honed over 20 years of professional coaching and delivers it to the masses. Regardless of whether you are first-time ultrarunner, a seasoned veteran, or an ultrarunning coach, this resource is a must-have for all ultrarunners.
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A must for endurance runners
- By Ally on 10-08-2023
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In It for the Long Run
- Breaking Records and Getting FKT
- By: Damien Hall
- Narrated by: Stewart Crank
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall’s story of running a first marathon aged 36, dressed as a toilet, and representing Great Britain four years later. His midlife-crisis running problem escalated to 100-mile ultramarathons and record-breaking bimbles, culminating in his 261-mile Pennine Way run in July 2020.
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Fun and inspiring read! I’d love to know Damo
- By Anonymous User on 21-08-2023
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Running with Sherman
- The Donkey Who Survived Against All Odds and Raced Like a Champion
- By: Christopher McDougall
- Narrated by: Christopher McDougall
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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When barefoot running guru Christopher McDougall takes in a neglected donkey, his aim is to get Sherman back to reasonable health. But Sherman is ill-tempered, obstinate and uncooperative - and it's clear his poor treatment has made him deeply fearful of humans. Chris knows that donkeys need a purpose - they are working pack animals - and so when he learns of the sport of Burro Racing or running with donkeys, he sets out to give Sherman something worth living for.
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Delightful
- By Marita on 03-09-2023
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Can't Hurt Me
- Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
- By: David Goggins
- Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick
- Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare--poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force tactical air controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events.
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A little agonizing
- By Amazon Customer on 04-03-2019
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Outlive
- The Science and Art of Longevity
- By: Peter Attia, Bill Gifford
- Narrated by: Peter Attia
- Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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For all its successes, mainstream medicine has failed to make much progress against the diseases of ageing that kill most people: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and type 2 diabetes. Too often, it intervenes with treatments too late, prolonging lifespan at the expense of quality of life. Dr Peter Attia, the world's top longevity expert who is featured on Chris Hemsworth's National Geographic documentary Limitless, believes we must replace this outdated framework with a personalised, proactive strategy for longevity.
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Fascinating, accessible, applicable and well paced
- By Kat on 29-03-2023
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.
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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Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Sean
- 20-07-2017
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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- Julius
- 13-06-2017
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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- Michael Velsigne
- 15-10-2020
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
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- cr3studio
- 10-10-2015
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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- Simon
- 08-12-2016
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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- Rick Fletcher
- 21-01-2016
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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- paul buckley
- 30-12-2022
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
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- Jacob T.
- 05-02-2022
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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1 person found this helpful
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- mark sugden
- 10-04-2020
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
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- Jaidee
- 25-04-2019
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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1 person found this helpful
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- Randy Stanfield
- 11-06-2012
incoherent melodrama
I have done several ironman triathlons & marathons and I have been interested in doing ultras so I was looking forward to this. The story line of a talented elite athlete squandering his talent because of alcohol then turning his life around (partially) through proper diet and sport is an inspiration. The story as written inspired me to turn it off. His musings are contradictory and idiotic. In one statement, he will claim that his time away from work to train didn't affect his family's finances. Soon after, the attorney with a rich client base states that he couldn't buy food during a long ride as his bank account was overdrawn. To make the tale even more illogical, he then claims his out of body experience was not the result of low blood sugar (an experience that many an athlete has experienced) but rather an epiphany or other mystical event. When he started in on the spiritual gods of the Hawaiian volcanoes, I just could take any more and had to cut my loses.
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148 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 30-06-2013
Great book....but
I really found this book most enjoyable and inspiring. Being read by the author (who does an excellent job of it) also given credibility. It would be great, however, if the appendices with Rich's recipes etc could be made available as a pdf for download because those elements of the book don't lend themselves to audio.
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39 people found this helpful
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- sushi
- 21-01-2020
Impressive but not recommended
His athletic and other accomplishments are impressive, no question.
But I feel the title and description are misleading.
A more accurate (and unwieldy) title might be "Confessions of a College Athlete: How Alcohol Ruined My Life and How I Rebuilt It With Training, Veganism, and Spirituality ."
What I liked:
* whatever his background, his transformation is indeed inspirational
* the description of the training prescribed by his coach offers good pointers for more research
* however flawed his reasoning, it's great to see someone dispelling harmful stereotypes about vegans
* he certainly is honest
* self-narration adds something
What I didn't like:
* Endless melodrama. I didn't need an unabridged confession of his many alcohol-related sins.
* Misleading: he started out as a world-class athlete.
* Ridiculous arguments: "I switched to cheese pizza and didn't feel great. So vegetarianism is bad; you have to go vegan."
* Ridiculous spiritualism: "Some guy warned me away with a gun when I was relieving myself on his property in the middle of the night with a flashlight. It must be because I didn't show proper respect to the island deities."
* Poor science: most of his nutritional advice is backed by "I drink/eat this and I'm an ultra man."
* Conceitedness: to his credit he cites instances of this as his failures. But still I get the impression of thinly-veiled contempt for non-vegans.
* Self-promotion: this is minor, but I still found off-putting the few times he mentions that "by the way I sell a vegan power drink"
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- Roger
- 11-02-2014
Two Different Books
The first half (first file of the download) focuses on the authors struggles with alcohol. The real story of the ultraman begins in the second half. It is a fantastic story of what a person can accomplish and endure at any age. I was inspired to workout harder and eat different. Beginning with vegan dinner and we will see how it goes from there.
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- Philip
- 07-07-2017
Not all there...
Any additional comments?
The story is really interesting. I listened to the entire book very quickly, however... resources are referenced within the appendices of the book many times. The resources are not provided with the purchase of this audio book though... very disappointing.
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- Chris Lee
- 26-09-2012
Helped Change My Life!
What made the experience of listening to Finding Ultra the most enjoyable?
While his semi-nasal, dispassionate voice drives others that happened to hear some of it crazy, I really liked the fact that this was read by Rich Roll himself.
Any additional comments?
I'd already committed to my program of getting fit and healthy prior to listening to to this. Listened to some books like It's Not About The Bike (Lance), I'm Here To Win (Macca), read Iron War and been working out consistently and changing my diet. That being said, I took a lot from Rich's book and applied it to my life.I could relate to Rich's journey as I'm a similar age and was even more unfit. I never dealt with the addiction issues (closest would be food for me) that Rich had to and remember feeling like that section was pretty long but I related to or hope to relate to the rest of the book. The story was quite enjoyable and kept me listening and interested. I loved the further insight into ultra endurance events. And my family has adopted many dietary changes that Rich mentioned. We haven't gone vegan (and probably won't) but are still feeling much better from eating more in line with his philosophy. I liked that these details, as the other technical information, were shared in context of his story rather than a non-fictional guide.I do admit that I regret not having the appendixes and access to some of the reference data that is mentioned.All in all, transformational book for me.
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- Adam Bailey
- 31-05-2012
Outstanding!!! Rich Roll is my new hero.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Finding Ultra is an inspirational and moving account of a man not only facing his addictions, middle age and personal fears, but conquering them as well. Mr. Roll has become a role model (pun intended, ;o) for me. This is a true mid-life coming of age story that proves anything is possible if we are willing to do the footwork.
The author holds nothing back as he explains, in detail, how he eats and why. The appendices -- especially -- are filled with copious amounts of information and resources that will get anyone started in the right direction towards better health. I can’t wait to start my new Plant Power Diet.
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- CBlox
- 06-06-2012
SELFISH PURSUIT should be the title of this book
While I enjoyed the details of Rich Roll's training and healthy eating habits this book fails to deilver the power Born To Run gave its listeners. The author's own selfishness oozes out from your ipod as you listen, in rather overdramatic fashion, the length he went to fulfill his passion.
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- Javier X
- 23-05-2012
Insightful conquering life's challenges
Where does Finding Ultra rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This book is great. It starts you off right in the moment of the race. It is read by the author himself which leaves it more genuine. Full of great information on finding ways to change your life for the better through understanding Rich's life story. If you love running or find yourself at the a fork in the road you might like this book.
What did you like best about this story?
His determination to conquer during challenges.
Which scene was your favorite?
Hard to say I liked the whole book. Fascinating.. that someone can turn their life around and reach such fetes.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Inspiring!
Any additional comments?
Look forward to future books by Rich!
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- J. Hill
- 26-05-2012
Very Interesting
What did you love best about Finding Ultra?
The struggle of a lost soul, to a man who survived and soared!
Because I could relate to Part 1, I really enjoyed the whole book. I learned quite a bit.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Ultra?
Winning the struggle to survive.
Which character – as performed by Rich Roll – was your favorite?
I liked them all. Great job.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Look at me now!
Any additional comments?
I just hope I can find another book as informative and told as well.
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- JAMES
- 09-04-2013
Inspirational, even for non-runners
I'm not a keen runner, never have been and I might never be. Nor am I a vegan and probably never will be. Doesn't sound like much of an advert for a book about a vegan ultra runner, does it? But whilst Rich makes it clear how he's benefited from heading what can only be described as 'all the way' down both of those paths, he doesn't force either of them on the listener. He's very honest about the stark realities that led him to make those choices and he describes, with retrospective passion, how the changes he made to the way he fuelled and strengthened his middle-aged body have improved his overall health and well-being. Oh, and they have helped him to achieve feats of epic athletic prowess that only handfuls of people will ever come close to. So while neither long distance running (cycling or swimming) nor giving up steak are for me, listening to this book did help inspire me towards making some significant lifestyle changes. Putting my head back in charge of my diet - a key message I took from this book - helped me to lose 40% of my bodyweight and become a healthy weight for the first time in my adult life. And for that I'll be eternally grateful to Rich and his inspirational story.
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- Lee
- 07-01-2013
Fantastic
I came to the book looking for a guide to get me off the couch and running.. I didn't get that at all, what i got was far more. If this guy can turn his life around then anyone can. It's about human spirit and the love and support of others. I lost 20lbs while running and listening to this book as i just didn't want to stop running as it meant my time with the book for the day would be over.
Highly recommended.
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- kk
- 04-11-2018
Boastful
The author's ability to boast is another thing he does well.I'd had enough after 2 hours. He was a former national swimmer, not your average couch potato, so the premise is misleading. Narration is average.
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- Momoto
- 24-07-2018
View into an obsessive mind
I felt a bit misled by this title. The blurb neglects to mention that he was, in his youth, an incredible swimmer, Olympic standard. The start reminded me a bit of “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight in hat both had very privileged backgrounds, the author having the choice off every Ivy League college in the US. And yet the most interesting part of the story (his decline into alcoholism and how he turned it around) is passed over too quickly. The impression is that the transformation from alcoholic to ultra endurance athlete took 6 months. It’s clear the author has an obsessive character and this drove him towards his goals.
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- Mr
- 23-06-2016
Interesting but flawed
It grew on me this book. It's an interesting tale, and I found some bits genuinely riveting.
I've also got no problems with veganism, but I hadn't been ready for the extent it was going to try to convert me. Especially given the strange mix of good science and downright laughable science - all jumbled together to leave it unclear what's true.
Still fair play to him for turning his life around and it is an inspiring story.
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- CK
- 06-06-2013
Addictive!
Rich Roll has an addictive personality ...... for swimming, then for alcohol, then for fast food and then, finally, for immense physical challenges and uber fitness... along with an almost religious-like conversion to a plant-based diet. However, all of it is credible seeing as he comes from the land where you can find extremes of anything. My daughter is a competitive swimmer doing hours of training each week, so I could really relate to the beginning of his story when he spent hours in the pool each week. I'm not quite a couch potato but I do have food issues and I found this story compelling listening. I listened to this book when I was out on a power walk, or on one of my early morning bike rides and it really inspired me. Rich has also made me want to take a step towards a meatless (or rather less meat) lifestyle and I do believe it is going to be one of those books that will change my life.
The narration (by Rich himself) isn't the best, but it isn't irritating either.
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- H. Bacon
- 19-01-2013
Didn't enjoy this one bit unfortunately
I really struggled with this one. I've listened to quite a few running books now and usually enjoy them, but this one I couldn't get through. I got used to the poor narration, but then struggled to buy in to what he was saying. He describes his life like a movie, with all the drama that one might see on screen. However, I've fallen off my bike several times and not once had the crystal-clear experience as he describes - neither for any of my mates. I'm also vegan and again, my experience really doesn't accord with how he portrays his. Finally, I simply couldn't buy **spoiler alert** that a fat man with only a few short runs under his belt (as described by him) then went out and ran 24 miles in 4 hours on a hot and dusty trail run, without any food/water and no ill effects or soreness whatsoever. Far be it from me to say whether he's embellishing, or not, but I simply couldn't listen to it. Either he's a fat couch potato or he isn't, but it is far from inspiring to hear stories I can't believe. If you like the Andy Holgate Ironman book, then this is that but with the volume turned up to 20. Not for me, but clearly has it's fans.
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- Andy Higginbottom
- 19-10-2018
Not for me
Seemed a little “look at me” for my tastes and went on to be a bit preachy. The reading style didn’t have enough emotion and was not engaging.
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- N. Hodgson
- 26-08-2013
Wow... This is an incredible listen. I loved it!
Would you listen to Finding Ultra again? Why?
I have recently listened to Rich Roll's book on Finding Ultra and it has been an inspiring and incredible journey for me to listen to the down's then up's of a man who conpletely reshaped his life. I am trying to emulate only 1% of what this book oozes and that should really improve my life. It is amazing. I have recommended it to so many people I know. Even my wife wanted to listen to it after a couple of days. A great read and even better to be narrated by the author himself. A great true story which will inspire the near 40 man to get off the idea that he is past his best. I hope to improve myself after this. Thanks Rich. Rock and Roll
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The college years are funny and I thought how much it affected his life. The transformation into an Ultra athlete has been inspiring.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Think your'e over the hill? Life's only just begun. Get on your bike...
Any additional comments?
Brilliant, loved it. A superb read. Rich made a brilliant contribution by reading the book himself. It made such a difference.
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- MR
- 12-07-2012
Inspirational
This is an incredible, inspirational book.
The author is refreshingly honest and 'puts it all out there'. You feel involved and as though you are on the journey with him.
A great read/ listen!
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