Roll On: The Art Of Memoir

May 26, 2022

Adam Skolnick, a journalist and author known for his insights on endurance sports, joins the conversation to explore impactful memoir writing. They discuss the tragic murder of cyclist Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson and the upcoming sub-7-hour Ironman project. Tune in for advice from 90-year-old runners, and pop star Cody Simpson's surprising swim triumph. Skolnick also reflects on his journey through writing, the lessons learned from Rich's 10-year anniversary of Finding Ultra, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

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ANECDOTE

Mo Wilson Murder

Rising star gravel cyclist Moriah "Mo" Wilson was murdered in Austin, Texas.
The alleged perpetrator is Caitlin Marie Armstrong, the girlfriend of another cyclist, Colin Strickland, with whom Wilson had a brief relationship.

ANECDOTE

90-Year-Old Runners

The New York Times featured 90-year-old runners offering advice.
Their main message: keep moving and have a love for racing.

INSIGHT

Sub-7 Ironman

The Sub-7 Ironman attempt, similar to Kipchoge's sub-2 marathon, aims to break barriers.
It uses illegal pacing and drafting strategies, showing what's theoretically possible.

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Can't Hurt Me

Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

David Goggins

In 'Can't Hurt Me,' David Goggins shares his astonishing life story, from a childhood marred by poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse to becoming a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The book reveals Goggins' philosophy, known as the '40% Rule,' which suggests that most people only tap into 40% of their capabilities. He provides a wealth of practical strategies and principles for personal development, emphasizing self-discipline, accountability, and the necessity of embracing discomfort to unlock personal transformation. Goggins' story and advice serve as a blueprint for readers to push past their perceived limits, confront their fears, and unleash their full potential.

Finding Ultra

Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Top Ultrarunners

Rich Roll

Finding Ultra recounts Rich Roll’s remarkable journey from an out-of-shape, mid-life couch potato to one of the world’s top ultrarunners. The book chronicles his battle with alcoholism, his transformation into an elite endurance athlete, and his adoption of a plant-based lifestyle. It includes his experiences in the elite Ultraman competition and the EPIC5, five Ironman-distance triathlons completed in less than a week on different Hawaiian islands. The revised and updated edition provides practical tools, practices, and strategies for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, making it a guide for anyone seeking to transform their life through self-discovery and a healthier lifestyle.

Into Thin Air

A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

Jon Krakauer

In 'Into Thin Air', Jon Krakauer recounts the true story of a 24-hour period on Mt. Everest when members of three separate expeditions were caught in a devastating storm. The book details the catastrophic events that led to the worst single-season death toll in Everest's history. Krakauer, who was on the mountain as a client of guide Rob Hall, provides a meticulously researched and emotionally charged account of the disaster, reflecting on the risks, judgments, and heroism involved in high-altitude climbing. The narrative explores the commercialization of Everest, the psychological and physical challenges faced by climbers, and the author's own struggles with survivor's guilt and mortality.

Outliers

The Story of Success

Malcolm Gladwell

In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success. He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck. The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role. Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success. The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.

One breath

Adam Skolnick

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens

The novel tells the story of Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family in the marshes of North Carolina. Kya learns to survive and thrive in the natural world, forming deep connections with the creatures of the marsh. The story intertwines Kya's coming-of-age with a murder mystery involving Chase Andrews, a local celebrity whose body is found near the marsh. The novel explores themes of isolation, love, survival, and the profound impact of the natural world on human life. Delia Owens' vivid descriptions and atmospheric narrative bring the marshland and its inhabitants to life, making this a compelling and emotionally deep read[2][4][5].

Shadow Divers

Robert Kurson

Shadow Divers tells the story of John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, two weekend scuba divers who discover a World War II German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey. Over six years, they lead an elite team of divers in a quest to identify the U-boat, facing treacherous conditions and personal sacrifices. The book is a thrilling and emotionally complex account of their journey.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Haruki Murakami

In this memoir, Haruki Murakami reflects on his experiences with long-distance running and how it has influenced his writing. He started running in the early 1980s and has since completed over twenty marathons and an ultramarathon. The book delves into the parallels between running and writing, highlighting the discipline, perseverance, and mental fortitude required for both. Murakami shares his training regimens, memorable races, and the philosophical insights he has gained from his running experiences, which have significantly impacted his creative life.

Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert

In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.

Into the Wild

Jon Krakauer

The book tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a well-educated young man from a middle-class family who, after graduating from college, gave away his savings, abandoned his car, and set out on a journey to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The narrative, written by Jon Krakauer, explores McCandless's adventures, his interactions with various people he met along the way, and the circumstances leading to his untimely death. Krakauer's investigation involves interviewing McCandless's family, friends, and people he encountered, as well as visiting the places McCandless had been. The book delves into themes of idealism, rebellion, and the allure of the wilderness, presenting a nuanced and gripping account of McCandless's life and death.

Behind the beautiful forevers

Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity

Katherine Boo

Behind the Beautiful Forevers is an interview-based narrative that delves into the lives of the residents of Annawadi, a makeshift settlement near the Mumbai airport. The book follows characters such as Abdul, a Muslim teenager who sees opportunity in recyclable garbage, and Asha, a woman navigating political corruption to improve her family's life. It intricately plots the intersections of individual hopes with broader global truths, including the impacts of economic envy, religious tensions, and social inequality. Boo's work is praised for its intimate and unforgettable portrait of India's urban poor, drawing parallels to the works of Dickens and Zola.

A heartbreaking work of staggering genius

Dave Eggers

Dion Graham

This memoir by Dave Eggers chronicles his life after his parents' deaths from cancer within a short period. At 21, Eggers became the legal guardian of his 8-year-old brother Toph and moved to California. The book is known for its innovative writing style, which includes stream-of-consciousness narratives, humor, and poignant reflections on grief and family. Eggers's story delves into the challenges of raising a younger sibling, dealing with personal and emotional struggles, and navigating the complexities of growing up under extraordinary circumstances.

The Zanzibar chest

Aidan Hartley

The Zanzibar Chest is a deeply affecting memoir that chronicles Aidan Hartley's experiences as a journalist in Africa during the 1990s, alongside a personal journey to uncover the secrets of his family's past. The book explores themes of colonial legacy, love, and loss, set against the backdrop of Africa's tumultuous history.