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George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You
George Foreman knows what it's like to get knocked down -- in the ring and in life -- and he knows how to get back up again. Two-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, he knows what it takes to succeed. He has a wealth of life experience to share, and in George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You Down he does just that. Here's what George has to say about:
TAKING ADVICE: "The real answers you are looking for are inside of you. The hard part is being able to hear them."
BEING AFRAID OF CHANGE: "Be afraid to stay where you are in life. Stepping out...is what makes you good, better, and even the best at what you're doing."
GETTING OLDER: "Old age is not something that happens to you; it's a choice you make. You can look in the mirror and cry...or you can look in that mirror...and dream another dream."
LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES: "I try to let the past stay where it is and let today speak for itself....Learn from your mistakes but don't be chained to them."
DETERMINATION: "There are always others trying to get to the same goal you are, only they decide to stop halfway down the road. And when they walk away, they leave the road paved for you."
MARRIAGE: "Let every day be like the first day you fell in love. It's about trying to put your best self forward, not just to others but to the one you've pledged your life to."
CHILDREN: "I believe how you teach your kids life's lessons is as important as what you teach them. You've got to love kids into another gear."
TAKING ADVICE: "The real answers you are looking for are inside of you. The hard part is being able to hear them."
BEING AFRAID OF CHANGE: "Be afraid to stay where you are in life. Stepping out...is what makes you good, better, and even the best at what you're doing."
GETTING OLDER: "Old age is not something that happens to you; it's a choice you make. You can look in the mirror and cry...or you can look in that mirror...and dream another dream."
LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES: "I try to let the past stay where it is and let today speak for itself....Learn from your mistakes but don't be chained to them."
DETERMINATION: "There are always others trying to get to the same goal you are, only they decide to stop halfway down the road. And when they walk away, they leave the road paved for you."
MARRIAGE: "Let every day be like the first day you fell in love. It's about trying to put your best self forward, not just to others but to the one you've pledged your life to."
CHILDREN: "I believe how you teach your kids life's lessons is as important as what you teach them. You've got to love kids into another gear."
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
George Foreman
50 books12 followersGeorge Edward Foreman was an American former professional boxer, entrepreneur, minister and author. As a professional boxer, he was nicknamed "Big George" and competed between 1969 and 1997. He was a two-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist. As an entrepreneur, he was known for the George Foreman Grill.
After a troubled childhood, Foreman took up amateur boxing and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Having turned professional the next year, he won the world heavyweight title with a stunning second-round knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier in 1973. He defended the belt twice before suffering his first professional loss, to Muhammad Ali in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Unable to secure another title opportunity, Foreman retired after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977.
Foreman had been ranked by BoxRec among the world's 10 best heavyweights 17 times, the third most in history, reaching his career-high ranking of No.2 at the conclusion of 1972, 1973 and 1974. His fights against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in 1973 and 1974 received a 5-Star rating from BoxRec. Foreman had been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Foreman as the eighth-greatest heavyweight of all time.[8] In 2002, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of the past 80 years by The Ring.[9] The Ring ranked him as the ninth-greatest puncher of all time. He was a ringside analyst for HBO's boxing coverage for 12 years until 2004. Outside boxing, he was a successful entrepreneur and known for his promotion of the George Foreman Grill, which had sold more than 100 million units worldwide. In 1999, he sold the commercial rights to the grill for $138 million.
After a troubled childhood, Foreman took up amateur boxing and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Having turned professional the next year, he won the world heavyweight title with a stunning second-round knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier in 1973. He defended the belt twice before suffering his first professional loss, to Muhammad Ali in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Unable to secure another title opportunity, Foreman retired after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977.
Foreman had been ranked by BoxRec among the world's 10 best heavyweights 17 times, the third most in history, reaching his career-high ranking of No.2 at the conclusion of 1972, 1973 and 1974. His fights against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in 1973 and 1974 received a 5-Star rating from BoxRec. Foreman had been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Foreman as the eighth-greatest heavyweight of all time.[8] In 2002, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of the past 80 years by The Ring.[9] The Ring ranked him as the ninth-greatest puncher of all time. He was a ringside analyst for HBO's boxing coverage for 12 years until 2004. Outside boxing, he was a successful entrepreneur and known for his promotion of the George Foreman Grill, which had sold more than 100 million units worldwide. In 1999, he sold the commercial rights to the grill for $138 million.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 21, 2016
I was surprised to find this book quite interesting. I learned quite a bit from this old pro, who just happens to have a good outlook on life itself.
April 18, 2025
I picked this book up because George Foreman past away this year 2025. I grew up playing George Foreman's boxing on super Nintendo as a kid and when I first moved out at a young age I lived off hamburgers using my small George Foreman grill. So when he passed away I bought three of his books. I started off with this one and I enjoyed it!
The book is an easy read and it's full of pretty solid advice. I've read a lot of self help and psychology books so I wasn't expecting any revelations but I was happily surprised with some of the wisdom in this book! Especially the chapter on forgiveness and tell your children the truth.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book.
-Too many parents hide the truth from their kids. Don't let your children grow up embracing lies, because the lies you tell them when they’re young can come back around to trip them when they grow up. Don’t give them facts of life that don’t exist.
-I have been pained by all the unrest and hatred that are happening in the world, but I don’t go into that with my kids, That's because I never want to call “time’s up” too soon on their childhoods. Let them run and sing as long as they can, The serious side of life will be waiting for them soon enough.
-If we can let an animal off for doing something that angers or annoys us, we can let a human being off, as well. Some of us hold on to things that people have done to us for a lifetime—not just a day or a month, but a lifetime. You have to understand that a lot of people are ignorant; they're not self-aware. Most people don’t realize how hurtful they can be to another person.
-Remember that evil lurks where disappointment lodges. Make sure you don't let hard times shape you into another person - one you wouldn't be proud of.
-It's so important to recognize that how we live is at least as important as how long we live.
-Fear of change. Change of any kind scares most people... Some people can even be in a hornble situation, and they still feel more comfortable sticking with what they know. The known makes them feel safe, even if they know how bad it is. WHO they are seems tied to WHERE they are and WHAT they’re doing.
-Success is about your spirit
Theirs plenty more qoutes in this book that are excellent. I definitely recommend reading it. Rest in Piece George Foreman. You will never be forgotten and you changed this world for the better. Thank you for being apart of my life growing up and now as an adult I can enjoy your books.
The book is an easy read and it's full of pretty solid advice. I've read a lot of self help and psychology books so I wasn't expecting any revelations but I was happily surprised with some of the wisdom in this book! Especially the chapter on forgiveness and tell your children the truth.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book.
-Too many parents hide the truth from their kids. Don't let your children grow up embracing lies, because the lies you tell them when they’re young can come back around to trip them when they grow up. Don’t give them facts of life that don’t exist.
-I have been pained by all the unrest and hatred that are happening in the world, but I don’t go into that with my kids, That's because I never want to call “time’s up” too soon on their childhoods. Let them run and sing as long as they can, The serious side of life will be waiting for them soon enough.
-If we can let an animal off for doing something that angers or annoys us, we can let a human being off, as well. Some of us hold on to things that people have done to us for a lifetime—not just a day or a month, but a lifetime. You have to understand that a lot of people are ignorant; they're not self-aware. Most people don’t realize how hurtful they can be to another person.
-Remember that evil lurks where disappointment lodges. Make sure you don't let hard times shape you into another person - one you wouldn't be proud of.
-It's so important to recognize that how we live is at least as important as how long we live.
-Fear of change. Change of any kind scares most people... Some people can even be in a hornble situation, and they still feel more comfortable sticking with what they know. The known makes them feel safe, even if they know how bad it is. WHO they are seems tied to WHERE they are and WHAT they’re doing.
-Success is about your spirit
Theirs plenty more qoutes in this book that are excellent. I definitely recommend reading it. Rest in Piece George Foreman. You will never be forgotten and you changed this world for the better. Thank you for being apart of my life growing up and now as an adult I can enjoy your books.
November 20, 2022
Abridged audiobook read by George foreman
February 19, 2015
So Inspirational! I enjoyed hearing Mr. Foreman talk about his hardships and how he overcame them. He's so positive and so full of wisdom. I actually learned a couple of things by listening to this CD.
What I really admire about him is that he came from a very poor background. He's more relatable than listening to someone who has been rich all their life (practically born with a silver spoon their mouth) trying to give advice about life and how difficult it can get at times. Mr. Foreman has always strived to do better and be better. Which is what I think we all hope to accomplish someday.
So, I recommend this cd to anyone who wants a quick message but at the same time life changing.
What I really admire about him is that he came from a very poor background. He's more relatable than listening to someone who has been rich all their life (practically born with a silver spoon their mouth) trying to give advice about life and how difficult it can get at times. Mr. Foreman has always strived to do better and be better. Which is what I think we all hope to accomplish someday.
So, I recommend this cd to anyone who wants a quick message but at the same time life changing.
May 31, 2008
George could be Rocky's mentor! Read this book and benefit from George's experiences. As he tells his stories and truths you will gain insight. Although only 124 pages, the book is thick with wisdom.
June 30, 2010
This short book contains a great deal of pithy wisdom that Rev. Foreman offers from his life experience. It would be a great gift book for men or any young man trying to find his way in life, as Foreman did. It is not a boxing book. It's inspirational and motivational.
January 21, 2016
I like how short the chapters are and how each one had a clear message. It gave me a lot to think about.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews