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Smile, or You're Doing it Wrong: A Journey from Rock Bottom to Redemption
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Ultrarunner Andy Glaze has spent years moving through landscapes that test the limits of the human body—hundred-mile races, multi-day marathons, mountains and deserts that demanded everything. But the toughest endurance challenge Andy faced wasn’t found in any of those miles, it was in rebuilding a life shattered by addiction, institutional abuse, and a childhood full of chaos. This is the unfiltered story of how a kid fell hard but got back up even harder.
From a wilderness rehab program where kids hiked for days without food, to a “therapeutic” boarding school run by predators, Glaze survived places that were meant to break people. But this isn’t just a story about the wreckage. It’s about what comes after.
Firefighting. Fatherhood. Finding peace on trails where every step hurts like hell but heals something deeper. Because the difference between a life ruled by fear and a life guided by possibility comes down to one simple taking the first step.
This memoir is about endurance in its rawest the endurance to keep moving forward even when it feels impossible, to rebuild a life one step at a time, and to discover that sometimes the only way through the darkness is to keep going—and smile, or you’re doing it wrong.
From a wilderness rehab program where kids hiked for days without food, to a “therapeutic” boarding school run by predators, Glaze survived places that were meant to break people. But this isn’t just a story about the wreckage. It’s about what comes after.
Firefighting. Fatherhood. Finding peace on trails where every step hurts like hell but heals something deeper. Because the difference between a life ruled by fear and a life guided by possibility comes down to one simple taking the first step.
This memoir is about endurance in its rawest the endurance to keep moving forward even when it feels impossible, to rebuild a life one step at a time, and to discover that sometimes the only way through the darkness is to keep going—and smile, or you’re doing it wrong.
- GenresAudiobook
296 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 7, 2026
Smile or you’re doing it wrong.
Do hard things.
Simple mantras with profound wisdom.
Thank you Andy for sharing your story through this book and social media. Your transparency with the demons you face and the importance of having the right attitude, support system, and medical intervention to deal with those demons is a message that more people need to hear. I’m typing this review while wearing a Metal Health Awareness shirt. The stigma around discussing mental health will only fade away if we keep chipping away at it. You are doing powerful things in this regard.
I am an ultra runner having completed a handful of 50k races and a 50 mile race. I am competing in my first 100 mile race in two weeks. I appreciate your honesty about how hard this is by sharing your DNF stories along with your successes. I’ll never be at a point to win one of these races. That’s not the point for me. I want to see what I’m capable of. I am the only one I am competing against.
And your call to action at the end of the of the book challenges people to find their own things that test their limits. Even if that’s running a 5k, committing to walk a mile 3 times a week, or hiking a trail they’ve never been to. Getting up and moving heals so much.
I listened to the audio book and can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to come in. Love this book. I will be gifting it to many.
Do hard things.
Simple mantras with profound wisdom.
Thank you Andy for sharing your story through this book and social media. Your transparency with the demons you face and the importance of having the right attitude, support system, and medical intervention to deal with those demons is a message that more people need to hear. I’m typing this review while wearing a Metal Health Awareness shirt. The stigma around discussing mental health will only fade away if we keep chipping away at it. You are doing powerful things in this regard.
I am an ultra runner having completed a handful of 50k races and a 50 mile race. I am competing in my first 100 mile race in two weeks. I appreciate your honesty about how hard this is by sharing your DNF stories along with your successes. I’ll never be at a point to win one of these races. That’s not the point for me. I want to see what I’m capable of. I am the only one I am competing against.
And your call to action at the end of the of the book challenges people to find their own things that test their limits. Even if that’s running a 5k, committing to walk a mile 3 times a week, or hiking a trail they’ve never been to. Getting up and moving heals so much.
I listened to the audio book and can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to come in. Love this book. I will be gifting it to many.
March 7, 2026
I’ve been following Andy Glaze recently since he started sharing his runs on TikTok and they were inspiring when I began ultra running. It was incredible to read about the whole journey and learn more about what lead to the Smile motto. Well worth reading and an amazing journey. Can’t wait to find Andy on a run or cheer from the trails
Review of advance copy
Grab your tissues for this one...
Andy Glaze’s new book, Smile, or You’re Doing It Wrong unexpectedly dropped on Audible last night and I couldn’t have downloaded it faster. I pre-ordered it back in December (physical copy comes out at the end of the month) and I’ve been anxiously awaiting its release ever since.
This book is well-written and organized and while I listened via Audible, it sounded easy to read as well. It grabbed your attention right from the start and I listened to it from start to finish in one sitting. Andy takes you on his life’s journey from his substance abuse as a teen and his college days to new fatherhood and getting started in ultra running. The pain he felt through multiple deaths and how it shifted his mindset and life trajectory. A career change, his struggles with PTSD, building his life and his platform into what it is today, and everything in between. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And I’m pretty sure I cried from start to finish.
Andy is proof that people can change. People can grow and evolve. They can choose to rewire their brains and do a complete 180 to better their lives. That physical wellbeing really does help one’s mental wellbeing. And that our bodies and minds are capable of more than we think.
Andy Glaze’s new book, Smile, or You’re Doing It Wrong unexpectedly dropped on Audible last night and I couldn’t have downloaded it faster. I pre-ordered it back in December (physical copy comes out at the end of the month) and I’ve been anxiously awaiting its release ever since.
This book is well-written and organized and while I listened via Audible, it sounded easy to read as well. It grabbed your attention right from the start and I listened to it from start to finish in one sitting. Andy takes you on his life’s journey from his substance abuse as a teen and his college days to new fatherhood and getting started in ultra running. The pain he felt through multiple deaths and how it shifted his mindset and life trajectory. A career change, his struggles with PTSD, building his life and his platform into what it is today, and everything in between. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And I’m pretty sure I cried from start to finish.
Andy is proof that people can change. People can grow and evolve. They can choose to rewire their brains and do a complete 180 to better their lives. That physical wellbeing really does help one’s mental wellbeing. And that our bodies and minds are capable of more than we think.
March 12, 2026
I came across Andy on Instagram a few years ago when he posted about running from Redlands to the beach on the Santa Ana River Trail and immediately realized how close he was to where I grew up and live. After that I followed him because I felt inspired by his grit, determination, encouragement of others and his moto. I didn’t know much about his life (other than he’s got a gorgeous wife and he’s a firefighter) that led him to run. We all face demons, some have experienced bigger, meaner and longer lasting demons. But how we get over and ultimately get through is the biggest part. I’m just a mediocre marathon runner but I always feel inspired seeing his weekly updates on Instagram and this book was an even better glimpse into why he has the mindset he does. I listened to the audiobook version because there’s just something about hearing the author and the raw emotion in their voice when they tell their story. Great and easy read! Now I think I’m ready to run my first ultra???
March 11, 2026
Andy reads this book himself. I love that.
Since Andy isn’t a professional narrator, it was a bit monotone and rushed in parts. And on the other hand, deeply emotional in parts.
Some of the book felt repetitive and the word precision was used too much - BUT this is how the points were driven home and I get it. I listened to a lot of the book while running and it was very motivating.
Shall I sign ups for an ultra? After this, I’m actually tempted.
Since Andy isn’t a professional narrator, it was a bit monotone and rushed in parts. And on the other hand, deeply emotional in parts.
Some of the book felt repetitive and the word precision was used too much - BUT this is how the points were driven home and I get it. I listened to a lot of the book while running and it was very motivating.
Shall I sign ups for an ultra? After this, I’m actually tempted.
Review of advance copy
What a legend. Andy shows us that no matter your background you can keep getting back up and do hard things. I listened to this while I was running, as I felt this was the best way. This is a must read!
Review of advance copy
Andy completely changed my life a few months ago after finding his Instagram. Now I run almost every day and have never felt better.
Andy is one of the greatest to do it not only in ultras but in life in general. His story should be carried on to show what’s possible.
Andy is one of the greatest to do it not only in ultras but in life in general. His story should be carried on to show what’s possible.
Review of advance copy
March 10, 2026Wonderfully written! Interesting stories and very inspiring!
Review of advance copy
Love Andy. Love his easy mantras. This is a great book that a fast read.
March 11, 2026
I loved Andy before, but after reading his story it’s grown even larger. This book is filled with all the emotions - highs, lows, and in between. So inspiring!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️s! So good and so raw, love Andy sm!! couldn’t wait for it to came out so listened to the audio book
Review of advance copy
Refreshing book compared to other runners books. Cried multiple times.
Review of advance copy
Amazing story. Thank you Andy for opening up and being vulnerable with us all. Very motivating.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a beautiful human. This book made me cry about 6 times… happy, smiling, tears.
March 15, 2026
Listened to this on Audible mostly on my runs.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews