Survivor: The Shocking and Inspiring Story of a True Champion

by Fatima Whitbread

Fatima Whitbread had the worst possible start in life. Abandoned as a baby, she spent much of her childhood in and out of children's homes. A brief, disastrous stay with her birth mother saw her raped by her mother's drunken boyfriend - while her mother held a knife to her throat to 'quieten her down'. Fatima was only twelve at the time. Athletics was her local athletics coach Margaret Whitbread took the young Fatima under her wing, eventually adopting her. Fatima competed in three Olympics, winning bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. In 1986 she set a world record, and the following year in Rome became world champion and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. But then Fatima faded from the public eye, leaving many to wonder where she had gone. After the cheering stopped, Fatima faced prejudice, penury, scandal and heartbreak. Survivor describes how she defeated all her demons to rise triumphantly from the ashes once again, this time as queen of the jungle. Almost 13 million people watched her on I'm a Celebrity, and after surviving 20 days in the Australian heat, she has millions of new fans eager to know more about Fatima the the forthright, focused, slightly bossy, charismatic single mum who knows how to transform even the most devastating experiences into lessons in life. This is the unforgettable story of a true champion, who triumphed against the worst hardships imaginable.

Genres: Memoir, Biography

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2012

Reviews

[Patty Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!!

What an absolutely colourful life Fatima has had. We just saw the athlete and the lovely smile but never what was behind it.
Felt like everything was out there and put into this book but like she said she’s a survivor and an inspiration.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring story shows you that no matter where you begin. where your roots are you can triumph through guts and determination Fatima is one remarkable woman

[Kazimiera pendrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

fatima is a truely remarkable woman and this book is really worth a read

[Gail Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

I’ve read a few autobiographies and don’t even need all the fingers of one hand to count how many I’ve enjoyed but Fatima’s autobiography is fascinating.

Who knew the girl with the muscles completing those amazing throws had led such an eventful and traumatic life?

I knew none of her background and found the book absolutely absorbing. She’s a woman who just wants a strong, loving family but the odds seem against her as she hits one crisis after another. Reading this book produces a deep respect for the athlete and woman that is Fatima Whitbread.

A must read!

[Sarah Stocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew a little of Fatima Whitbread’s life, but never realised the heartbreaking life of this amazing woman. From being brutally abandoned at birth to the desperation of children’s homes run by people who should never have been allowed to be near children, it is amazing she was able to rise above all the disadvantage and find love and strength with the whitbread family. There are many parts of her life story that brought me to tears and anger at the incompetence of the child care system...how many children are lost because of this?
Inspirational on every level....this is a must read...

[Vanessa Kersey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I found so interesting about this book was its focus. Fatima gives a really brutal and bare account of her childhood, and some very trying moments in her life, whilst the pinnacle of her athletic career - which you would expect to be the focus - is discussed with a feather touch. I found that refreshing for a sporting autobiography. She's had an extraordinary life, and this is a great read.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brave. You can hear the voice of the little girl and the adult woman. The care system saves and scars in equal measure.

[Sarah Woolhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

[David Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching story.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatima Whitbread is simply amazing. This book is a really fabulous tribute to her. Being in care doesn’t seem to have changed too much over the years- which is an atrocity. I hope one day councils will learn from their mistakes. I’m just blown away by Fatima’s ability to rise up, no matter what life throws at her.
I went to a conference where she spoke, the other day. Even now she is working hard to make others lives better. I just think she is brilliant.

[tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would of known

What a inspirational women
I have no interest in sport in general nor in Fatima Whitbread but when Fatima spoke on the in a celebrity legends about her past i had to read this book.
What a hero she is ,no what a legend she is
How she came from that little girl in the care home to where she is today
Truelly inspirational
A great read

[Vanessa Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survivor!

Fatima is the epitome of a survivor!
A role model for any generation, an amazingly beautiful person inside and out.

[Eileen Blundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

So many ups and downs. An amazing and inspiring read, a reminder to put one for in front of the other each and every day. Thank you Fatima for sharing your story.

[Catherine D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good little read :)

[Julie Bayliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story, what a life! Very inspiring..

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy to read