Synopses & Reviews
The incredible true story of the author's remarkable transformation, at the age of 40, from out-of-shape average Joe into one of the world's best endurance athletes.
On the eve of his 40th birthday, Rich Roll was in bad shape. His days were filled with work, stress, and junk food, and his nights were spent on the couch, remote in hand. Taking out the trash was the closest he came to exercise, and, at 50 pounds overweight, a walk up the stairs left him winded. He decided it was time to make a change. After undergoing a diet detox, adopting a vegan lifestyle, and pushing his fitness regimen to undreamed-of heights, he was profiled by Men's Fitness as one of the world's 25 fittest men. Among Roll's many jaw-dropping athletic feats: he completed the unprecedented "Epic 5" — five back-to-back Ironman-distance triathlons on five different Hawaiian islands in under a week — an achievement many said was impossible. This is the story of that remarkable transformation, a complete physical and spiritual rejuvenation that proves that anyone can "find ultra" if they know how.
Review
"Rich Roll's Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what's possible." John Brenkus, Creator and Host of ESPN's Sport Science and New York Times bestselling author of The Perfection Point
Review
"If you liked Born to Run, you'll love Finding Ultra...one of the best books about health and fitness that I've ever read."
Neal D. Barnard, MD, President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Review
"Finding Ultra is the ultimate story of hope, perseverance and endurance against life's biggest challenges." William Cope Moyers, New York Times bestselling author of Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption
Review
"Roll has accomplished amazing things, but it is his ability to draw inspiring and uniquely insightful lessons from his experiences that sets him apart from other extreme athletes. Finding Ultra is a fascinating read full of practical tips." Dean Karnazes, nationally bestselling author of Ultramarathon Man
Review
"Finding Ultra is about a journey we all take as human beings, when we decide to pursue the impossible and live a life of mission. When I need to dig deeper, push harder, and find a little boost, Rich Roll is the guy who comes to mind. He is inspiration embodied."
Sanjay Gupta, M.D., Emmy Award-winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN and New York Times bestselling author of Chasing Life and Cheating Death
Synopsis
"Finding Ultra blends Rich Roll's story of superhuman personal transformation with an amazingly practical guide to plant-based living. It's also an enlightened manifesto for anyone wanting to transform their life."--Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Zones books
"An incredible story of mental, emotional, and physical endurance."--Michael Greger, MD, FACLM, New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die
On the night before he was to turn forty, Rich Roll experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he could see where his current sedentary life was taking him--and he woke up.
Plunging into a new routine that prioritized a plant-based lifestyle and daily training, Rich morphed--in a matter of mere months--from out of shape, mid-life couch potato to endurance machine. Finding Ultra recounts Rich's remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman competition, which pits the world's fittest humans in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. And following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the EPIC5--five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.
One of Men's Fitness Magazine's "25 Fittest Men in the World," Rich has become one of the most recognized advocates of plant-based living. In this newly revised and updated edition, he shares the practices, tools, and techniques he uses for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, including diet and nutrition protocols. Rich reflects on the steps he took to shift his mindset and leverage deep reservoirs of untapped potential to achieve success beyond his wildest imagination, urging each of us to embark on our own journey of self-discovery.
About the Author
Rich Roll has been featured on CNN and has been named “one of the world’s 25 fittest men” by Men’s Fitness magazine. He is a graduate of Stanford University and Cornell Law School. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children and, when he isn’t training or competing, manages the entertainment boutique Independent Law Group, LLP.