No Limits: The Will to Succeed

No Limits: The Will to Succeed
by Michael Phelps, Alan Abrahamson

No Limits: The Will to Succeed
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Book Summary Information

Author: Alan Abrahamson, Michael Phelps
Edition: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2008-12-09
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Free Press

Book Reviews of No Limits: The Will to Succeed

Book Review: You feel like you're going for the gold, just like Michael.
Summary: 5 Stars

This book covers around 18 months of Phelps' life running up to and including the 2008 Olympics. It's artfully done, and suspensful, even knowing that Phelps will ultimately win. You will learn a lot more about the world of Olympic swimming than about Phelps himself. There are some personal stories here and there about his childhood, but this is in no way a "Michael tells all" story of what it has been like to be Michael Phelps. For example, after reading this book I cannot tell you what Michael's favorite band is, nor whether he attended his High School prom, nor whether he got good grades in school.

Phelps writes with the same energy that he uses to swim. You can hear the perseverence in his voice. I also detect genuine modesty about what he has done, as well as a sense of disbelief. He's not really sure how to explain his great performances other than to say "I worked hard and did my best."

Phelps is not invincible, and he explains a few instances when he made mistakes outside the pool that dragged down his performance in the pool. I won't share those with you now, because that is what the book is for. Note that the alleged pot-smoking incident is not discussed here because it happened several months after the Olympics. I'm sorry to bring that up, but that, along with several stories in the book show that Phelps is a real person who makes mistakes and feels regretful about them. Other than his superior swimming performance, he's a typical 20-something.

The writing is clear and easy to follow. It is written in a very conversational tone, so don't expect him to use proper grammar all the time. Again, he's a typical 20-something. As a college professor, I see lots of writing that is of poorer quality. I like the book and appreciated his inside view of how Olympic athletes interact with one another and how they prepare themselves for competitions.

Summary of No Limits: The Will to Succeed

"When I'm focused, there is not one single thing, person, anything that can stand in the way of my doing something. There is not. If I want something bad enough, I feel I'm gonna get there."

Michael Phelps is one of the greatest competitors the world has ever seen. From teen sensation in Sydney to bona fide phenom in Athens, he is now -- after the Beijing Games -- a living Olympic legend. With an unprecedented eight gold medals and world-record times in seven events, his performance at the 2008 Games set a new standard for success. He ranks among the most elite athletes in the world, and is both an inspiration and a role model to millions. The incredible focus he exhibits in practice and during competition propels him forward to his unrivaled excellence. In No Limits, Michael Phelps reveals the secrets to his remarkable success, from his training regimen to his mental preparation and, finally, to his performance in the pool.

Behind Phelps's tally of Olympic gold medals lies a consistent approach to competition, a determination to win, and a straightforward passion for his sport. Like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, he has learned to filter out distractions and deliver stellar performance under pressure. The road has not always been easy; from the very beginning, Phelps had to overcome physical setbacks and emotional trials. When he was younger, he was diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; other kids bullied him; even a teacher said he would never be successful. Later, he had to work through injuries that jeopardized his career. In this book, Phelps talks for the first time about how he has overcome these and other challenges - about how to develop the mental attitude needed to persevere, not just in athletic competition but in life.

His success is imbued with the perspective of overcoming the obstacles that come your way and believing in yourself no matter the odds.

No Limits explores the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice that go into reaching any goal. Whether it is on the starting block during an Olympic swim meet or in the weight room on a typical day, Phelps's dedication has led him to unparalleled excellence. Filled with anecdotes from family members, friends, teammates, and his coach, No Limits gives a behind-the-scenes look at the makings of a real champion. One of Phelps's mottos is "Performance Is Reality," and it typifies his attitude toward achieving his goals. It's easy to get bogged down by doubt or to lose focus when a challenge seems out of reach, but Phelps believes that you can accomplish anything if you fully commit yourself to it. Using the eight final swims of the Beijing Olympics as a model, No Limits is a step-by-step guide to realizing one's dream.

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