Shatterproof: How I Overcame the Shame of Losing My Parents to Opioid Addiction

by Lauren Sisler

She lost her parents to secret opioid addictions.
She lost her voice when the shame shattered her heart.
But when she fell in love with her story, she became shatterproof.

College football fans have welcomed Emmy Award-winning ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler into their homes weekly since 2016. But the popular journalist known for asking insightful questions and for the viral videos dancing her signature “sideline shimmy” shielded a tragic secret behind her smile for nearly two her mother and father died within hours of each other, victims of their hidden battle with prescription drug addiction.

In Shatterproof, Sisler enters the dark and mysterious pasts her parents hid from everyone but each other. She applies her skills as a reporter to uncover details of the double lives they led even as they loved and supported her athletic career as a gymnast. She also lays bare her shock and grief after their deaths, confessing the lengths to which she went to avoid facing the unimaginable truth.

Only by summoning the courage to honestly confront the tragic story has Sisler been able to redeem it. She’s been freed to grieve her parents while appreciating the loving legacy they left her. And she’s embraced her calling as an inspirational speaker and addiction awareness advocate, helping audiences to fall in love with their own stories—and to recognize that they, too, are shatterproof.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened over Spotify! I didn’t really read much of the description other than the brief synopsis that Lauren was a sports reporter for ESPN. I’m big on women in sports so it was an easy selling point. I anticipated the book being about how she got to ESPN but instead it was 75% about her family life and how that shaped her. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it! Lauren is a great storyteller and her chapters were compelling. Highly recommended for a quick and easy read! TW: as the cover mentions, there is a lot of information regarding prescription drug abuse and death

[Ryan Rench · Rating 5 out of 5]

A standout book this year, recommended to me from a lady in our church. Excellent story and potentially right there in front of all of us.
Lauren Sisler was an olympic-level gymnast, but without giving away too many details, her life was completely shattered by hidden drug addictions in the family. Outwardly, they were a faithful Christian family, but she realized in college how much she had missed growing up.
It's one of those books that feels important. Helpful to see some of the underbelly of the world of pain killers.

[bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Read

For anyone remotely touched by trauma and/or addiction this is a must read. Lauren’s story is inspiring and powerful. #keepgoing

[Margeaux Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ what an incredible story! 💔

[Annie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of perseverance, and learning how and why to fall in love with you story!

[elizabeth w · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you’ve heard of Lauren Sisler and her story, this book is like pulling back layers of an onion in the best way. The first 2/3 of Shatterproof feels like having Lauren Sisler personally tell you her story down to the dangs and y’all’s used in the book. Her voice and her truth come through as crystal clear as if she’s sitting beside you. The spectrum of emotions for the reader to experience this page by page alongside Lauren will make you cry and laugh but it’s impossible to not feel connected to the story and Lauren herself.

The last 1/3 of the book is what connects why sharing her story in writing now is important and what profound gift her story has brought to the world which is that you are not your past and it doesn’t define you. Making peace with her past, processing and understanding her own story is what gives Lauren the power she has to encourage others to love their story no matter how insignificant they may think it is; everyone can help someone by sharing. Her mantra of “fall in love with your story” is exemplified by the others who have already been encouraged to live their truth and share it. Imagine what the world would be like if we were all that brave?

[Holland Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Sisler thought she had it all: a gymnastics scholarship to Rutgers, a future medical career, and a tight-knit family that loved her deeply. Then, in the space of five hours, she lost both her parents to their secret battle with opioid addiction. As the losses mounted, Lauren's shame piled even higher until it threatened to topple everything she had dreamed of.

In Shatterproof, Lauren recounts a harrowing story of addiction, loss, and suffering, but she also tells a tale of perseverance, compassion, and faithfulness. Most importantly, Lauren shares how she learned to fall in love with her story, the tragic chapters as much as the thrilling ones. She also shares how ordinary tools can help others face life's darkest challenges with a shatterproof mindset.

[Tyler McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a memoir in a while, and I’m glad I got back into them with this one. While there were times I wished for a bit more in her career and personal life, the amount of passion, character, and heartbreak that carries throughout is mesmerizing. You really get to know who Lauren is as a writer and person throughout her life, and that personal connection really makes the pages stand out. For those who want an inspiring and engaging memoir, I recommend this one.

[A.P. Dannenfeldt]

Recommended to me by family who read with a book club or some such. An easy read and engaging. I had never heard of Lauren Sisler, but the autobiographical-style story was interesting. The parents self- (and other-) deception with mounting casualties and consequences for themselves and those around them reminds of the need for honesty and a clear-eyed approach to assessing things. That things were allowed to go on and on with the medication prescribing and un-scrutinizing doctors is shameful.

[Holly Tedeschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most POWERFUL stories I have read. Easy to read, honest, and raw. Lauren speaks about the loss of family through addiction. Where most people would fall from this story, Lauren rises high above and even motivates and encourages others to be able to fall in love with their stories. I highly recommend this book.

[Tony Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the author through sports media as a delightful professional. Now she has my additional admiration for overcoming one of life's cruelest obstacles & turning into a passion to serve others as well as herself. Wonderful story of personal integrity.

[Douglas C. Meyerdirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than my expectations. Lauren’s story was so well written and she included several deep themes that convicted me and inspired me. I feel like she is a friend now! I look forward to football season and hearing more of her stories, sharing the lives of others.

[Judy Guarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing true life story of resilience, courage, love and faith

This book with its real life story of loss, strength, and preservation will stick with me forever. Lauren's powerful and inspiring message is unforgettable

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook.

[Lindsay Moreau-Verlaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent listen on Audible, narrated by Lauren herself, a fabulous story-teller with just the right tone, energy and emotion. Highly recommended audiobook.

[taylor crampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully told, heartbreaking, and healing story❤️