Turning This Thing Around

by Keith Maginn

Turning This Thing Around is an inspiring memoir of overcoming personal struggles. This brutally honest, deeply personal account of redemption takes readers on a moving spiritual journey.

Confronted with a myriad of obstacles–a debilitating arthritic disease, narcolepsy, anxiety and depression–the author was outwardly happy, but inwardly miserable. Pushed to the lowest point of his life after being abandoned by a manic-depressive fiancée, he discusses how he gradually turned things around and used his experiences to grow as a person.

Supplemented by quotes from Gandhi to Dr. Wayne Dyer to Eckhart Tolle, Turning This Thing Around has universal themes that speak to nearly everyone, as we all must face challenges as part of being human. It is a self-help memoir of The author discusses not only what he had to overcome, but how he did so–and how others can, too.

Unlike many popular memoirs on the market, this is a story that more people can relate to. The author didn’t grow up in an eccentric family (Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle, memoirs by Augusten Burroughs), nor did he travel to Italy, India and Indonesia, as Elizabeth Gilbert did in Eat, Pray, Love. Rather, Turning This Thing Around is a story of a normal young man’s resiliency when battling extraordinary circumstances.

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

Keith Maginn feels writing to help and inspire others is his life's purpose. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, the youngest of four children, Keith attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, as an Evans Scholar. After earning his bachelor's degree in sociology, he relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee, to work for AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity.

After spending ten years in Tennessee, Keith returned to Cincinnati, where he enjoys being surrounded by family and friends. Writing is his passion, and he also likes sports, meditation, yoga, reading and live music. In addition to writing, Keith currently flies around the world as a flight attendant.

Keith released TURNING THIS THING AROUND, an inspiring self-help memoir of overcoming personal struggles, in December 2010. In January 2013, he self-published GOODWILL TOUR: PAYING IT FORWARD, detailing a 3,000-mile philanthropic pay-it-forward road trip through the southeastern United States. (EXTRA)ORDINARY: INSPIRATIONAL STORIES OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE, released by KiCam Projects in August 2016, tells seven inspirational stories of people the author knows personally. A spin-off of book three, (EXTRA)ORDINARY: MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE, highlights ten remarkable individuals from all over the world and was released in October 2017. (All four books are available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.com or at keithmaginn.com.)

Email: maginnka@gmail.com
Website: keithmaginn.com
Twitter: @Keith_Maginn

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review can be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).


As a former sufferer of depression and anxiety, this book was something I really wanted to read. While it wasn't the best memoir I've ever read, it was still alright.

I like the title of this book. It fits in well considering Keith turns his life around. It's super fitting.

The cover may be plain, but the one picture works well especially when it comes to any kind of disease whether mental or physical.

I found the pacing of this book started off at a decent pace. However, the second part of the book slowed way down, and I found myself skimming over some of the paragraphs and pages.

It was interesting to read about Keith's tumultuous relationship with Mary. My heart went out to both of them, and I found myself relating to a lot of what was happening. I wanted Keith and Mary's relationship to work, I really did. It was interesting to read about how Keith coped when he came to Mary.

The second half became a bit too spiritual for me, and I found my interest waning. When I say spiritual, I don't mean godly. To me, it focused a bit too much on meditation. Plus, it became too quote heavy. It seemed that Keith was quoting a book or movie on almost every page. I'd rather have just read Keith's words as he's quite a good writer judging by this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Keith was able to mostly overcome all the negative in his life, and he made some really good points and gave good advice, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Overall, Turning This Thing Around is a decent read. I think those that are into spirituality and possibly those that are in the throes of depression and anxiety would benefit the most from this book.


(I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review).

[Nuala Galvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

insight in Molly Martens disturbed personality

For anyone interested in the murder of Jason Corbett by Molly Martens this gives a good insight to her disturbed personality

[Lara Girdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clinical Depression…
I have Depression, this is not an easy thing to say, it’s not something one wants to admit – even when (clinically) diagnosed, they still fight it tooth and nail.
I also have anxiety – that just makes the depression that much worst
For anyone with depression and anxiety merely talking about it can be difficult enough, never mind putting your struggles out there for the world to read about. It’s just unheard of. Not something anyone truly wants to talk about, mental illness is hidden from the public eye – it becomes a private battle. Keith Maginn puts his struggles right out there for the world to see, he talks about it with a level of honesty that sometimes will make the reader go “seriously? Um ok” But it’s that level of honesty that causes us to connect with him on a more personal level, the reader can relate to his struggles. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety (thankfully now medicated) I felt for him, I understood Mary’s disease about as well as one can, while each individual’s process of coping and healing is different – on some level I understood.
A well written memoir of the caliber to pull the reader in from the beginning captivates the audience with powerful , meaningful, and inspirational quotes and passages, many of which I’ve borrowed for my own blog, highlight the authors’ journey, sometimes better explaining his through process and feelings much better than one sometimes can on their own. The only downside I found to reading this memoir was that it seemed a tad unorganized, not sure if the author was going for a chronological telling of his story, or if he was all over the place in his thought processes. That aside, this memoir will pull at your heart strings and keep the reader engaged from the first word on the first page. Something I will highly recommend to anyone struggling with anxiety, depression and any other mental illness they deal with alone.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review is posted here:

http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...

Depression is a horrible disease. It can be triggered by bad events in life, but it can also be triggered by a disbalance of chemicals in the brain. It affects not just the person who suffers, but his/hers entire family and friends. Depression doesn't kill you, but it can make you kill yourself.

In Turning This Thing Around, Mr. Maginn tells his story, his own journey through the disease. Without any makeovers, he simply tells the truth, the way he survived. He still struggles with depression, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The story is fullfilled with citations of famous self -help books, which complements the story well. I could easily feel the pain the author struggles, he is so honest about the things that happened to him.

This isn't a story from the type "Eat, Pray, Love", it is not fullfilled with glorious journeys around the world. Even that I loved that book, and Mr. Maginn citates quotes from it, this is totally different. It is well written memoir that describes author's struggles in life and love, a story for trying to keep the head above water. He describes not just his disease, but its connection with physical pain that he suffered in years.

I've never had any personal experience with depression. But I have medical education and I know what depression is. Reading this memoir can help you get the advice you need, so give it a chance. It is good to know that you are not alone.Depression is long-term fight that you have to win.

[Marilou George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith Maginn has written a memoir pulsating with the realities and challenges he faced coping with debilitating anxiety and depression while outwardly trying desperately to hide it. When he realizes that this is something that he needs help to get through only then does he ask for it. This is a success story of how you can personally fight to find a resolution and seek the necessary help to do so.

This book also brings to light the struggles that a person with severe depression experiences on a daily basis. The Author also relates to the reader how he is affected by his girlfriend’s difficulties coping with her own problems as he desperately tries to keep going. You are reminded that you can’t fix others until you yourself are unbroken.

I am a person who suffers from depression and anxiety and was able to relate to this on a very personal level. I believe that it is hard for people to understand and relate to a person who suffers from these conditions. The common phrases is “Just get over it” and believe me I wish it was just that simple, but is not. It is a process, as conveyed in this book, of self-discovery and not feeling shame but being brave enough to seek the help you need.

This is a courageous story of being honest with yourself and demanding the help that you need. It is a story of great despair and ultimately taking control of your life and getting on a path of self-discovery and health.

I highly recommend this book as it is truly an inspiring story.

[Vonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody has their own problems, small or big. We work on our problems in many different ways to help us stay stable and happy. In this memoir, Keith Maginn had many extreme issues but how he dealt with them was inspiring.

The first half of the book was very strong. We came to learn who Keith was and what his problems were. He was a very active person who didn't know how to relax, which affected his emotions and physical health. He also described his relationship with his fiancé. Their relationship was very chaotic. Keith's emotions were very evident during this portion of the book. I sympathized with him and could not begin to imagine the turmoil he was in.

The second half of the book was about how Keith began to heal, and it was a little bit weaker. He began to find out what he had and began to learn how to help himself get better. His emotions and experiences were not as strong here since the majority of his telling concentrated on quoting other works. I did enjoy the quotes because they were thought provoking and they gave a sense as to what was going in Keith's mind, but I would have liked to have seen more of his own writing in this part.

In the end, I found myself feeling very proud of Keith. He went through so much, to the point that many would have given up. I was very glad to read that he didn't but instead had faith to keep going. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to show that there is still hope.

[Chrissy (The Every Free Chance Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Did I enjoy this book: Friends, you know how I feel about writers who sneak poetry into their texts. Well. Maginn may not have changed my mind, but he’s almost certainly changed my heart. I don’t want this to be another “blah-blah this book changed my life we have so much in common blah” review, so I’ll simply say this: I understand.

If I were, say, a gal who’s struggled with mental illness my whole life, I’d give Maginn five stars just for having the cojones to put his story out there (mine, if you’re wondering, is safely tucked away in the back of my sock drawer). If, though, I were the same gal, only one who also has experience with mentally ill loved ones, yoga, meditation, medication, psychiatrists, self-help books, and self-medicating, I’d say…

You’re brave, Keith Maginn, and although the writer in me takes issue with your gratuitous use of poetry and self-help book quotations, I’m going to let it slide because, well, you’re braver than I am. Well done.

Would I recommend it: Yep. Go for it. You’ll finish it in an evening, and you’ll learn a little something in the process.

Will I read it again: No, but I’d like to have a coffee (and/or a margarita) with Mr. Maginn.

As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.

(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

http://everyfreechance.com/2014/02/re...

[5amWriterMan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I began reading this book, I felt as if we were living parallel lives: I suffer from social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. On top of that, I have sleeping issues too. I grew up as an anxious, depressed child but always put up a front and pushed through, because that's what my parents did and that's what they expected. I've taken meds, visited psychologists, practiced mindfulness meditation, and am currently trying rTMS - therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulated a specific part of the brain.

The struggles I have with this book come mostly in the second half with the notion of God and spirituality. Maybe I'm not there yet, but as a gay man, it's a very difficult thing for me since part of my shame, fear and anxiety has been initiated from the idea that godly people view homosexuality as a sin. Growing up Catholic, I lived in a world of fear and shame, and now I also deal with rage. I'm hoping to find a similar balance. At this point, I'm a little skeptical and perhaps that's my cue that much more work is needed on my end. Furthermore, I still struggle to find any peace when trying to use mindfulness techniques and mediatation.

I appreciate that you shared your story. I hope to one day to be able to share mine. Currently, I have only been able to so in fiction by subjecting some of my experiences to my protagonists.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
From the beginning, the author pulls you into the struggles that he faces on a daily basis. Mental illness, while slowly being accepted, still carries a large stigma, and a large burden of people not understanding it. If you don't suffer from depression or anxiety, or any of the plethora of different emotional illnesses out there, you can't really understand it. It doesn't always just have a psychological reason, sometimes, like the author, if you're put into a great deal of physical pain, that can send you into a spiral of emotional debilitation.
As a person that has gone through clinical depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and generalized anxiety, I could completely relate to his struggles. It was inspiring to me to see that someone could pull themselves through, with professional help, instead of the daily battles that sometimes ensue without professional help.
I do have to warn future readers however, this book can be a trigger, if your issues are not under control. I thought I had a pretty good leash around my PTSD and anxiety, but this book triggered me and sent me into an anxiety spiral. It ended up for the best because now I do have a better hold of my anxiety, with help.

[Debbie Brueggemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a day while the kids were at school. This book really touched me as a mom and as a friend. I met Keith this Fall when he started working at the Kenton County Library. Keith is a good guy and after getting to know him a bit during our breaks, he told me about his books. I thought I would read one to get to know him better. Well, I sure did with this book! Keith comes from a good family and just wants to do good in the world. He overcame this very tough time in his life and had the keen sense to start writing his shit down. I wonder if I should start writing my shit down! As I mentioned earlier, I was touched by this book as a friend, but more so as a mom. Keith writes about himself in high school and then in college and I couldn't help but keep picturing my own son (who is only 12 now). I was sad for him alot and I even cried a few times because a mom doesn't want to see her kids struggling. The outcome is that even after all of the emotional and physical pain that Keith endured, he found a way (through writing) to pull himself out of depression and to choose to do good in the world. I could not ask for me more of anyone, and I can only wish for my son to do "good" on his journey in life.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turning This Thing Around is a moving account of the author's life and his inspiring quest to overcome a combination of personal challenges.

Readers are given a first hand look into the life of Keith Maginn as he details his thoughts, feelings, and various attempts to "cure" his problems. Eventually, Keith meets Mary and they fall deeply in love. Mary struggles heavily with mental illness and although Mary and Keith believe their love will be enough to see them through, it is the ending of their relationship which starts Keith on a path to healing.

I liked the open and honest nature of Keith's story. I found his struggles compelling and the fact that he forged ahead even when things looked bleak reminded me that we all have the will to survive.

On the road to recovery, Keith has learned a great deal and continues to be enlightened everyday. In an attempt to give others hope, he shares his ordeal and the steps he has taken to ensure he, and others, enjoy a life full of good health and happiness. I recommend picking up a copy of Turning This Thing Around.

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book was the way the author wrote it. He was telling his story, and not judging. He had a lot of issues and he was just trying to help people realize the same symptoms. I would love to see a sequel where we learn more about Mary. I applaud Keith for all he did for Mary and I wonder how many other couples are living out there with the same problems that never get help. I am so happy that Keith gave his Doctor's name so that as others read this book that have the same ailments, or know someone who does, know where they can get help. This is a great memoir and it gives hope to all those affected by personal and health issues. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from the author, however all opinions are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Told with honesty and wit, the author details his physical and mental struggles. While reading I felt he had just scratched the surface and I thought it could have been more in-depth but maybe that's just me. He did offer some good tips for others going through personal problems. It's definitely a worthwhile read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading... will likely read again. Good insight & easy to read. It made me cry more than once, it made me think & it gave me hope and reminded me that even when I feel that no one could understand what I've been through... I am not alone. I highly recommend it.

[Suey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at one guy's experience with depression and other issues.