TBH, I didn't know a whole lot about Josh Gad before reading this. I just picked it up as part of my commitment to myself to read about people/things that I have no knowledge about. All I knew about him was that he was in The Book of Mormon and was the voice of Olaf.
But I'm glad I read this. A lot of the insights he has about taking risks and parenting really inspired me. I read this through Libby, but think this will be one worth actually buying on Audible/Kindle/hardcover.
For non-believers, this should be a fascinating biography on a strange and unique person. For the believer (as I am), it's a testament that God calls imperfect people to carry out his work. I don't feel justified in my own short-comings, but I feel comforted in knowing I'm in good company when I don't meet that all to common “be thou perfect” expectation that is felt at times within the Church.
I see my own life reflected in this book. I'm currently in the beginning stages of something similar to where Alex was in the first three chapters and this book just fuels my fire. I look forward to re-reading this as I progress through my own journey. This book was simply amazing with so many important takeaways in every chapter.
The story telling was top-notch and beautifully described the emotions of the athletes. I honestly had no idea the Tarahumaras were such badasses. The lengend of Caballo Blanco (the gringo that went to live among the tribe) and the science explained in this book has made me want to put on my shoes (actually, take them off and replace them with running ‘huaraches') and pound the track again. I don't think I have any Raramuri blood in my ancestry, but I feel a desire for spiritual connection with these people.
I couldn't put the book down. If you can get past the f*bombs sprinkled all throughout the book, there is a lot of blunt, real advice that can shake you awake. Particularly the principle that you are responsible for everything that happens to you, especially the meaning you attached events and happenings in your life. As I went through this book, it sparked very radical and profound thoughts that made my heart flutter and mind race. If I act on these impressions and thoughts in the near future, my life could take a very unique course for the next year or two.
I recommend this book to anyone that has read other self-help books and found them to be too woo-woo or to ‘light' and not blunt enough to tell it like it is. There really isn't anything new in here you couldn't find in books by other more well-known authors, but the way it's presented with its coarse language is refreshing.
I'm two chapters in and am already questioning the validity of this work. George says that baseball is the favorite sport of America. But that's wrong because everyone knows baseball blows....
That being said, I really liked his suggestions. There are many practical examples in this book and deserves to be re-read. I also like that it's 90% applicable content and only 10% Trump-praising.