The OKC Thunder's big man shares the unlikely story behind his indomitable sense of determination and his journey from Rotorua, New Zealand to stardom in the NBA. Steven Adams overcame extreme odds to become a first-round prospect in the 2013 NBA draft. From there he signed a major contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder -- making him New Zealand's highest-paid athlete ever -- and went on to forge a reputation for his intense, physical style of basketball. Adams takes you inside the draft process from the fascinating whirlwind tour of pre-draft workouts with dozens of teams to the draft itself where dreams are made or dashed and the Gatorade bottles on every table are glued shut. He reveals what it's like to be a rookie in the league, getting pushed around and elbowed -- or worse. He takes the court alongside superstars like Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant; and matches up against legendary big men like Tim Duncan, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, and Draymond Green. Adams recounts the Thunder's rise through the victories and the heartbreaks and how the resilient team has a bright future ahead. In this intimate account of his life story so far, the seven-foot center also reflects on his humble upbringing as one of fourteen children, the impact of his father's death when he was just thirteen, the multiple challenges and setbacks he has faced, and what basketball means to him. Told with warmth, humor, and humility, My Life, My Fight is a gripping account from an emerging superstar.

For the first time, Steven Adams shares the story behind his meteoric rise from Rotorua to his emerging stardom in the NBA. Adams overcame the odds to become a top prospect in the 2013 NBA draft. From there he went on to secure a four-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder – making him New Zealand’s highest-paid sportsperson ever – and forge a reputation for his intense, physical style of basketball. In this intimate account of his life story so far, the seven-foot centre reflects on his humble upbringing, the impact of his father’s death when he was just 13, the multiple challenges and setbacks he has faced, early career-defining moments, and what basketball means to him. Told with warmth, humour and humility, My Life, My Fight is a gripping account from one of New Zealand’s most admired sporting stars.

Traces the Ultimate Fighting Champion's journey from a bartending job in California to his forefront position as a top-ranked light-heavyweight fighter, describing his intellectual youth, training in martial arts, and numerous UFC victories.

In The Fight for My Life: Boxing Through Chemo, Kelly Motley chronicles how the sport of boxing would prepare her for the biggest match of her life, cancer. Unaware that she was training for the fight of her life, she discovered physical and mental techniques to improve her performance and ability to deal with her diagnosis and treatment. She shares how the principles learned inside the ring got her mentally, spiritually, and physically fit enough to take on her threatening new enemy.

AN INSPIRING MEMOIR FOR ANYONE WHO'S BEEN KNOCKED DOWN AND CAME UP SWINGING As a young girl growing up in Newberg, Oregon, Paige Sletten was all energy and full of potential. A natural athlete, Paige excelled at dancing, made the cheerleading squad earlier than most, and even had aspirations of becoming a Disney child star. With a tight-knit family, Paige's life was on track for greatness. Then, one fateful fall night in high school, everything changed when Paige faced a life-threatening sexual assault. It was in the gym where she "pounded the life out of those ashen memories," becoming stronger with every punch, kick, and lunge. In this beautiful tale of survival, she writes: I inhale the power. I exhale the bullshit. One strike at a time. Fighting became Paige's safe haven; something to live for, and Rise is the inspiring story of how she ultimately transformed into a bone-breaking, head-smashing fighter known as Paige VanZant. It is the deeply moving story of a warrior who transformed her pain into power and has become one of the toughest women in the world; an inspiring journey of someone who was knocked down in the most devastating way and came up swinging.

"John Starks: My Life" chronicles John Starks's miraculous ascension from going undrafted after one just one season at Oklahoma State to his stellar career with the New York Knicks.

In 2011, he became starting linebacker for the New York Giants and triumphed in the Super Bowl—after being told his cancer diagnosis meant he would never play football again.... As a child, Herzlich found true meaning in football, eventually turning his passion into a first-team All-American spot at Boston College. But the budding star was sidelined by persistent, debilitating pain in his left leg. The shocking diagnosis: He had Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Doctors put his odds of survival as low as ten percent—and no one thought he would be able to run, much less play football, again. Then Herzlich learned of a radical treatment that would give him the best chance to regain his strength and maybe even play football again, but it could cost him his life. Relying on family, friends, faith, and deep wells of determination to help him through treatment, his plan worked. Not only could he run, but he was physically stronger than ever, and mentally ready to battle his way into the NFL. When he was passed over by all thirty-two teams in the draft, he dug deeper and continued his training, winning a spot in the Giants’ training camp and, eventually, on the team. Mark Herzlich fought a battle against cancer, against statistics, and some days against himself. Told with candor and raw emotion, What It Takes is a story for anyone who has ever fought to beat the odds, for anyone who has ever been told that what they are about to attempt is next to impossible. INCLUDES PHOTOS With a foreword by New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

A practical, helpful guide on how to fight back against Alzheimer’s disease—with expert medical advice and one woman’s inspiring personal journey. Jamie Tyrone was forty-nine years old when she learned by accident through genetic testing that she had a 91% chance of getting Alzheimer's disease. She was shocked, but after an initial bout with depression she decided to take action rather than concede defeat. Jamie teamed up with Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, a renowned neurologist, and together they created a resource detailing not just Jamie's experience, but expert medical advice for anyone facing the disease. This book is a practical, helpful guide for those who know they’re at greater risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease. With cutting-edge medical guidance from Dr. Sabbagh about the true nature of Alzheimer’s, the risks involved, and daily steps you can take to protect yourself, Jamie’s story will encourage and empower you. In Fighting for My Life, readers will: Gain expert medical advice from Dr. Sabbagh on how to fight back against the disease Discover the pros, cons and possible dangers of genetic testing Witness a first-hand account of how to deal with the shadow of Alzheimer’s disease through Jamie’s story If Alzheimer’s has affected your life or the life of someone you know, this book is for you. You’ll be armed with information and ready to tackle Alzheimer’s head-on.

Some would label Rob Plaskas as disabled, while others may call him a victim. Truth be told, he is a survivor and a fighter. “My Fight for Recovery: A Story of Overcoming Life Threatening Brain Surgery” is his first-hand account of the tragedy and terror he experienced, who he was, and what he has become. Over time he learned to confront his circumstances and embrace his new reality. He found courage and strength to reinvent himself and charted his own path to succeed in his new life. This memoir is about his recovery from a brain hemorrhage during brain surgery. It caused the equivalent of a major stroke, leaving him unable to speak, write, read or comprehend, and left him with rightsided paralysis. It caused severe damage to his short-term memory and made him dependent on anti-seizure medicine. His recovery shows how some survivors of severe brain injuries can recover and have a productive life if they work hard at their physical, speech, cognitive, and emotional therapies.

Metta World Peace knows what it means to be both the hero and the villain. In his 17-season professional basketball career, he's darted back and forth between extremes, taking on the roles of youthful phenom, league-wide disgrace, All-Star, unlikely international ambassador, and fan favorite. Along the way, there have been awards, teammate rifts, an NBA championship trophy, plus a name change or two. It's more than the guy born Ronald William Artest, Jr. might have imagined for himself as a kid growing up in Queens. In No Malice, World Peace speaks candidly about his life on and off the court, from his difficult upbringing, to his time as a star athlete and budding math major at St. Johns; from the infamous "Malice at the Palace" brawl in Detroit, where he earned one of the lengthiest suspensions the NBA has ever handed down, to his sunnier days as a Los Angeles Laker. World Peace also opens up on such diverse subjects as his forays into business and entertainment, the truth behind his volatile, unbelievable antics which have puzzled fans and team management alike, as well as his outspoken advocacy for mental health awareness. No topic is off the table, making this a must-read for hoops fans in Indianapolis, LA, Chicago, China, and any place in between.