17th out of 86 books
—
217 voters
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
by
Rich Roll
Finding Ultra is Rich Roll’s incredible-but-true account of achieving one of the most awe-inspiring midlife physical transformations ever.
One cool evening in October 2006, the night before he was to turn forty, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly fifty pounds overweight at the time and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he could see where...more
One cool evening in October 2006, the night before he was to turn forty, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly fifty pounds overweight at the time and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he could see where...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
May 22nd 2012
by Crown Archetype
(first published January 1st 2012)
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May 09, 2013
Andrea Avalon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
exercise-endurance-and-the-body,
biography
It was definitely five stars of inspiration. I loved the detailed descriptions of his training and nutrition, his gear, and especially his in the moment experience of being in the ultra races, where we get to see inside the mind of self-discipline and endurance. I ate up this book in nearly one sitting.
I give it four stars overall though because the final leg of this story has a best supporting actor and the other part of the story I ached for was missing. The greatest ultra challenge that Rich...more
I give it four stars overall though because the final leg of this story has a best supporting actor and the other part of the story I ached for was missing. The greatest ultra challenge that Rich...more
This book is essentially three small books in one. The first section is Rich Roll's autobiography with an emphasis on his slip into alcoholism and subsequent turn-around. To me, this was the least interesting part of the book. It is sad and frustrating to read, but I also realize that this is an important part of the story.
The second section is about Rich's entry into the ultra-triathlon world. This is where it starts to get good, and this is why I bought the book. I love hearing about people p...more
The second section is about Rich's entry into the ultra-triathlon world. This is where it starts to get good, and this is why I bought the book. I love hearing about people p...more
So what do you do when you suddenly discover that you are middle-age, overweight, and out of shape--huffing and puffing when you climb a flight of stairs? If you are Rich Roll, then you go on a nutrition regimen, start training, and immediately register for a marathon race! Soon after that, he trains for an iron-man race, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim in open water, a 112-mile bike race, followed by a 26.2 mile marathon!
But Rich Roll doesn't stop there. He trains for the Epic-5 challenge. T...more
But Rich Roll doesn't stop there. He trains for the Epic-5 challenge. T...more
"Finding Ultra" is a good mini-memoir. It's less a book about becoming an elite athlete than a journey through one man's life and its roller coaster. It is some of the most interesting reading about alcoholism I have read.
Roll obviously gets his author-inspiration from Scott Jurek and his book "Eat and Run" even borrowing Jurek's beginning, a "crash" moment in the middle of the larger story of an ultra-runner's life. For Jurek it was during the Badwater Ultramarathon, for Roll it was during the...more
Roll obviously gets his author-inspiration from Scott Jurek and his book "Eat and Run" even borrowing Jurek's beginning, a "crash" moment in the middle of the larger story of an ultra-runner's life. For Jurek it was during the Badwater Ultramarathon, for Roll it was during the...more
Mar 20, 2013
Sanju
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Sanju by:
Subodh
Shelves:
running,
recommended-by-friends
Hahaha ... so this guy is probably the most self-absorbed person I have ever read about. On the other hand, his Forest Gump sort of life story is like a train wreck you can't take your eyes off. It just goes on and on ... And, then, he turns into this crazy ultra-triathlete and talks about the sores on his butt.
While reading, one just keeps asking, "Why?" and scratching one's head.
It is like Beaches for middle-aged-fitness-junkies. You know you should just turn it off, but you don't.
Well, to be...more
While reading, one just keeps asking, "Why?" and scratching one's head.
It is like Beaches for middle-aged-fitness-junkies. You know you should just turn it off, but you don't.
Well, to be...more
Loy Machedo’s Book Review – Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
Finding Ultra is like finding two books rolled into one.
1) The 1st half is the Authors personal battle with his demons, his vices and his destructive lifestyle which was decimating him and how he vanquished them in an incredible epic journey of surprises.
2) The second half is based on Scientific Proven Health, Diet and a Vegan Lifestyle.
Why must you read this book?
1) If you are seeking inspiration, motivation and a role model to help you g...more
Finding Ultra is like finding two books rolled into one.
1) The 1st half is the Authors personal battle with his demons, his vices and his destructive lifestyle which was decimating him and how he vanquished them in an incredible epic journey of surprises.
2) The second half is based on Scientific Proven Health, Diet and a Vegan Lifestyle.
Why must you read this book?
1) If you are seeking inspiration, motivation and a role model to help you g...more
After reading Rich Roll's memoir/ode to veganism, "Finding Ultra," the reader is left with one undeniable conclusion.
Rich Roll is insane.
This is not a criticism of Mr. Roll, who may have saved himself through his insanity. But even though Roll writes as if anyone who converts to a healthy vegan diet can achieve the same endurance feats he has, the fact remains that he has transformed himself into one of the most unique athletes in the world.
Consider: in less than half a decade, Roll transforms h...more
Rich Roll is insane.
This is not a criticism of Mr. Roll, who may have saved himself through his insanity. But even though Roll writes as if anyone who converts to a healthy vegan diet can achieve the same endurance feats he has, the fact remains that he has transformed himself into one of the most unique athletes in the world.
Consider: in less than half a decade, Roll transforms h...more
Right around the time that Rich Roll was about to turn 4o, he took a good hard look at his life. Nearly 50 pounds overweight he wondered if this was his future... more and more tired, no energy and unable to climb a flight of stairs without stopping to catch his breath.
Rich describes himself as having a very addictive personality... he never did anything half way. If he sat his mind to something, he was going to do it... in his younger years he learned that the hard way when he decided if he was...more
Rich describes himself as having a very addictive personality... he never did anything half way. If he sat his mind to something, he was going to do it... in his younger years he learned that the hard way when he decided if he was...more
First of all, full disclosure...
I might be the perfect audience for this book. I know the author (we were teammates on the Stanford swim team), I'm a fellow recovering alcoholic, and I'm an Ironman triathlete. I haven't made the switch to a plant-based diet, but I did just buy some kale, beets, and acai juice to blend up for lunch. I've followed Rich's story peripherally for years and feel a strong bond to him and his journey. So I may be a bit biased, but...
This book was amazingly inspirational...more
I might be the perfect audience for this book. I know the author (we were teammates on the Stanford swim team), I'm a fellow recovering alcoholic, and I'm an Ironman triathlete. I haven't made the switch to a plant-based diet, but I did just buy some kale, beets, and acai juice to blend up for lunch. I've followed Rich's story peripherally for years and feel a strong bond to him and his journey. So I may be a bit biased, but...
This book was amazingly inspirational...more
The good: everyone loves a story of personal growth and redemption. It's endearing to see a guy turn his life around and become healthier so he can see his kids grow up. Even better when he takes health to the extreme and goes from couch potato to elite endurance athlete. Even more interesting is the particular approach he took. Opting for a vegan diet is hard enough for regular folk, even more-so when you're running three-day ultraironman triathlon distances. How did he do it?....
The bad: he ne...more
The bad: he ne...more
This is an incredible story of Rich Roll, who as a youngster, had physical limitations (lack of eye/hand coordination) which kept him from participating in team sports. Also, socially he didn't fit in. In his early teen years he found his sport (swimming) and gave it all his heart; he excelled. In college, his swimming prowess brought social success and introduced him to alcohol. He became an alcoholic which lasted into his early 30s. He kicked this habit, but traded it for another equally harm...more
I love endurance sports and learning about nutritional ideas. Knowing that Rich Roll was a fat guy who turned his life around and became one of the most incredible athletes on the planet was inspiring.
Rich goes into some of his early years which sets the stage for things that caused massive trauma in his early college years. If you have an alcohol or drug problem this will be a book that could make a huge different in your life, I don't, but still thought it was impressive that he turned it arou...more
Rich goes into some of his early years which sets the stage for things that caused massive trauma in his early college years. If you have an alcohol or drug problem this will be a book that could make a huge different in your life, I don't, but still thought it was impressive that he turned it arou...more
Feb 21, 2013
Curious Squid
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
health
Can't decide between 2 and three stars. Tempted to say the guy is a psycho. Who would want to do the things he did to his body? Doing 5 Ironman type competitions in 5 days? That is 100% crazy.
But
You can't help being impressed that he was 40 and out of shape and changed his lifestyle to be this superfit endurance guy.
But
His out of shape didn't really seem that extreme (maybe 30 lbs overweight?). And he was a competitive swimmer growing up. Yes I know you can be completely unfit and still not be...more
But
You can't help being impressed that he was 40 and out of shape and changed his lifestyle to be this superfit endurance guy.
But
His out of shape didn't really seem that extreme (maybe 30 lbs overweight?). And he was a competitive swimmer growing up. Yes I know you can be completely unfit and still not be...more
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll is both an autobiography and a guide for those, who want to become more healthy and fit, or even start some serious sports training.
The first half of the book tells the story of author’s life before the pivotal moment, when he decided to change his diet and eventually embraced the endurance training. I didn't find this part particularly interesting.
The second half focuses on Rich’s life as a serious endurance athlete. It provides detailed account of his participation i...more
The first half of the book tells the story of author’s life before the pivotal moment, when he decided to change his diet and eventually embraced the endurance training. I didn't find this part particularly interesting.
The second half focuses on Rich’s life as a serious endurance athlete. It provides detailed account of his participation i...more
I was hoping this would be a really inspirational story about how Rich Roll completely turned his life around going from sedentary guy on a junk food diet to an amazing athlete, but I was less impressed and inspired when I found out that he was a competitive swimmer in high school, spending many hours in training. So it was really like he was just going back to his past, not becoming someone entirely new. That's what I was looking for.
Since I was disappointed when finding out about his impressiv...more
Since I was disappointed when finding out about his impressiv...more
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a little slow at first, I found myself wondering why he was spending so much time on his early life. However, as his journey began to unfold I was thankful to have the insight in to his childhood to connect the why. Once he transitions the story to training for and competing in Ultraman you are sucked into the excitement of the event. As he shares his experience on the Epic5 you are completely immersed in it, he does a great job of conveying the excitem...more
What could I, a 40 year old plus-sized woman, find interesting in a book about running, swimming, and cycling? Plenty!
Rich Roll had a bright future when he enrolled at Standford. He was an amazing swimmer who had already had great success. Unfortunately, he became an alcoholic and that ended his chances for glory in the pool. Years of drinking nearly ruined his professional life as an attorney. He was lucky enough to have caring individuals around him who helped him enter into rehab and find sob...more
Rich Roll had a bright future when he enrolled at Standford. He was an amazing swimmer who had already had great success. Unfortunately, he became an alcoholic and that ended his chances for glory in the pool. Years of drinking nearly ruined his professional life as an attorney. He was lucky enough to have caring individuals around him who helped him enter into rehab and find sob...more
The author tells how addicted he was to alcohol, how he could face it and fix it and then how addicted he was to endurance challenges. As he said repeatedly in the book, he had to go to the bottom, nothing half way.
The book was to long about the drinking problem, which gets boring for someone that doesn't take any alcohol. It could be better if he would dig deeper about the fast food and the adverse effects and also about the vegetarian crap food available in the market.
It was nice to read tha...more
The book was to long about the drinking problem, which gets boring for someone that doesn't take any alcohol. It could be better if he would dig deeper about the fast food and the adverse effects and also about the vegetarian crap food available in the market.
It was nice to read tha...more
Inspiring story. As a vegan and a (very amateur) runner myself, I enjoy reading accounts from vegan athletes. It is important to note though, that Rich Roll didn't simply go from couch potato to completing five Ironman-length triathlons in a week's time on "plant power" alone. He has a will of iron, and significant athletic experience from childhood, as he meticulously documents. He also managed to graduate from Cornell law school and get a job in a high-profile law firm while not only eating th...more
This was referenced by Scott Jurek in the book of his I read recently.
I'd never heard of Rich Roll, but found out he was one of the two first people to complete the Epic5 - 5 full iron distances around the 5 island of Hawaii. What I didn't realize was that Rich was a former alcoholic, also a vegan & went through some pretty rough times in his life.
Rich tells the story of his life & then describes the Ultraman race & the Epic5. He gives a lot of reasons & what it feels like to go...more
I'd never heard of Rich Roll, but found out he was one of the two first people to complete the Epic5 - 5 full iron distances around the 5 island of Hawaii. What I didn't realize was that Rich was a former alcoholic, also a vegan & went through some pretty rough times in his life.
Rich tells the story of his life & then describes the Ultraman race & the Epic5. He gives a lot of reasons & what it feels like to go...more
I was not really expecting to enjoy this book a whole lot because it came off as somewhat self-promotional (he and his wife sell vegan supplements) and also the subtitle kind of grated on my nerves, even though that's a publishing decision. And, in fact, there were whole sections of this book that got on my nerves because it sounded a bit like listening to a dry drunk. That said, the actual story of Roll's remarkable achievements in completing two Ultraman events and the EPIC5 friend-designed se...more
I have read many books in the subject. I find the idea of pushing your body to the limit very interesting. I enjoyed this book. The author is candid and shares many things we take for granted when adopting a lifestyle such as his. For example: he talks about his money troubles and logistics of training for an event. I also enjoyed all of the advice in the are of nutrition and diet. One of the criticisms of this book is that the author advertises a lot. I did not find that to be a problem. The a...more
This is my kind of book.
Love to hear of an inspiring story - & this was. A man who had a hard start in life battling alcohol & then found sobriety... & then let the fun of aging get to him. Rich Roll realized he was missing out on life when at 40 yrs old, he couldnt get up a flight of stairs without feeling like he was going to have a heart attack. He was determined to make changes.... & changes he made. The story of his journey to an ultraman & to a feat that no one had ever...more
Love to hear of an inspiring story - & this was. A man who had a hard start in life battling alcohol & then found sobriety... & then let the fun of aging get to him. Rich Roll realized he was missing out on life when at 40 yrs old, he couldnt get up a flight of stairs without feeling like he was going to have a heart attack. He was determined to make changes.... & changes he made. The story of his journey to an ultraman & to a feat that no one had ever...more
This book CAN be inspiring to certain athletes. I found it enjoyable. It starts as a fantastic and addictive narrative but does tend to drop off on the plant-power section. (Put this in the appendix!) I appreciated the honesty shown with regards the addiction and first marriage. Very inspiring to see someone have it all, throw it all away, and then land on his feet again. Rare? I think so. By the large section of thanks at the end, he obviously had a lot of help along the way. Classy.
The EPIC5 c...more
The EPIC5 c...more
As a long-time vegan, I thought this book might be boring if he droned on about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Not the case at all--virtually all of the diet info is confined to some appendices. Instead what I got was an engaging tale of addiction and recovery, and the story of an overweight, overworked lawyer (like me!) who cleans up his diet and gets fit. Also woven in there is the power of following your passion and how the universe has your back.
The book came to me right when I had star...more
The book came to me right when I had star...more
I really enjoyed this book! The first part is about the author's struggle with alcoholism and all the ways he was in denial. To know that he was in his 40s, overweight, and winded going up the stairs when he decided to turn things around... inspiring! The rest of the book is on his transformation to being an amazing athlete and on his focus on good, healthy eating. He and a friend are the first two people to complete FIVE Ironmans in a week. After just running a marathon, I can't even fathom run...more
I just churned through this inspiring book today after getting it yesterday. Rich Roll nearly lost everything in his life despite seemingly having it all. After getting sober and finding the woman of his dreams he still was heading down the road to death due to the American diet he ate and the lifestyle he cultivated. After an aha moment at almost 40 he turned it all around on a plant powered diet to become one of the world's fittest men.
Over all I liked this book. It was an easy read and full...more
Over all I liked this book. It was an easy read and full...more
A handy guide to the products and services offered by a California entertainment lawyer.
If you like paying for a book that tells a little bit of story and a whole lot about all the other great things you can buy from the same author, you'll love Rich Roll. From the shoehorned chapter about his marvelous PlantPower -- "vegan" to the rest of the world -- diet, to the appendix jam-packed with his Jai sports drinks and Jai eCookbook and Jai cleansing program and Jai meditation program and his wife's...more
If you like paying for a book that tells a little bit of story and a whole lot about all the other great things you can buy from the same author, you'll love Rich Roll. From the shoehorned chapter about his marvelous PlantPower -- "vegan" to the rest of the world -- diet, to the appendix jam-packed with his Jai sports drinks and Jai eCookbook and Jai cleansing program and Jai meditation program and his wife's...more
While stirring and fun to read, Rich Roll's story of transformation from alcoholic couch potato into an ultra-Ironman also left an overly-commercial taste in my mouth. While he does spend most of his time sticking to the story and keeping the narrative going, there are many dropped mentions of products that he happens to offer and their benefits. There were just a few too many plugs along the lines of, 'I totally changed my life with this new diet, and you can too if you buy my cookbook and my n...more
The quality of the writing itself is sub-par. Prepositions start and end sentences that are often fragmented. The quality of the writing is beside the point however, as this book is an achievement in self-understanding and honesty, a masterful exploration of the range from dejection and depravity to elation and glory. At times, he comes across as an infomercial on the vegan lifestyle, but he never becomes overbearing. The food appendices are filled with excellent, concise information. I also adm...more
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Apr 23, 2013 07:15pm