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.
Creating a memoir involves personal experiences and sharing insights with readers.
Effort and passion are crucial in successfully navigating the challenges of publishing a book.
Balancing writing and legal practice requires dedication and meticulous time management.
Reflecting on challenges post-book release emphasizes perseverance and seizing opportunities.
Deep dives
Reflecting on the Book Journey and Sales Growth
The journey of writing the book began shortly after the Epic5 ultraman event, during a period of transition in life when I was seeking my next steps. A conversation with a fellow alum kickstarted the idea of writing a book, leading to the involvement of a book agent, proposal creation, and eventually securing a book deal with an editor at Random House. Despite not being an instant success, the book Finding Ultra has continued to sell steadily over the years, evolving into a long-term, slow-burn success story, reaching more audiences year after year.
Sparking Inspiration Through Personal Experience
The book Finding Ultra emerged as a result of personal experiences, including overcoming challenges and achieving significant feats like the Epic5 ultraman event. It provided a platform to share insights and lessons learned during the journey, resonating with readers facing similar struggles or seeking inspiration and guidance in their own pursuits.
Navigating Challenges of Publishing and Book Creation
The process of creating the book involved meticulous planning, proposal writing, and engaging with a book agent to pitch the project to potential publishers. Despite initial uncertainties and challenges in the publishing world, seizing the opportunity and putting in dedicated effort and passion led to the successful creation and publishing of Finding Ultra.
Maintaining Dual Responsibilities in Writing and Legal Practice
Balancing writing a book while straddling legal practice responsibilities presented a dual challenge requiring meticulous time management and dedication. Juggling between advancing the book project and maintaining a legal career, the process demanded perseverance, hard work, and a commitment to both endeavors for successful outcomes in both realms.
The Challenging Road to Success
The speaker discusses the challenges faced after the book release, highlighting the initial financial struggles despite modest success. The journey involves supplementing income with legal practice, leading to difficulties such as car repossession and financial constraints, until a lifeline opportunity on an organic farm arises.
Navigating The Unpredictable Publishing World
The speaker delves into the nuances of book publishing, revealing insights on New York Times bestseller lists and the gaming potential, with mentions of the self-publishing landscape. Reflecting on personal book experiences, the discussion sheds light on the challenges and strategies within the book industry.
Future Book Prospects and Audience Engagement
The speaker shares aspirations for future book projects while seeking input on engaging email newsletters for the audience. Expressing gratitude for the listener's support, a giveaway of personally inscribed book copies is announced to mark the book's tenth anniversary, inviting subscriber participation and feedback for future content.
Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein Rich Roll and journalist & author Adam Skolnick riff on matters of interest across sports, culture, entertainment, and self-betterment.
Today we dissect top headlines from the world of endurance, celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Rich’s book Finding Ultra, and talk about what makes an impactful memoir. NOTE: This episode was recorded one day PRIOR to the Uvalde school shooting, so this topic is not discussed.
