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Inside Out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock
Mark Tewksbury is best known as a gold-medal-winning Olympic swimmer. His remarkable sixteen-year athletic career included three Olympic medals, numerous world records, and inductions into three major halls of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Although retired as an athlete, Tewksbury remains a highly respected public figure. He delivered prized swimming analysis for the CBC from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, hosts the Discovery Channel's popular How It's Made show, and is Co-President of the first World Outgames, Montreal 2006.Tewksbury has spoken to millions as part of his eighteen-year speaking career and remains much in demand as an inspirational speaker to companies and organizations around the world. For his active humanitarianism, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Western Ontario in 2001, and in 2005 Tewksbury was awarded the International Person of the Year Award at Sao Paulo Pride in Brazil. He currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
For more on Mark Tewksbury, please visit www.MarkTewksbury.com
For more on Mark Tewksbury, please visit www.MarkTewksbury.com
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 16, 2011
An inspiration for gay, aspiring athletes, and a challenge for similarly-oriented, marquee athletes to do the same
"Gerry B's Book Reviews" - http://www.gerrycan.wordpress.com
I doubt there is a gay person out there who can not relate to Mark Tewksbury’s autobiography, “Inside out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock” [Wiley, 1 edition, 2007]. That is, until he was propelled into international prominence with his 1992, Olympic gold medal performance in Barcelona, Spain; one of only seven gold medals awarded to a Canadian athlete that year.
Until then, however, his story is almost pro forma. Included are his family and his generally unhappy childhood, his early same-sex infatuations, the prevailing fear of exposure—yet being centred-out as gay, anyway; proving, I suppose, that the ‘closet’ has see-through walls at times—and the mindless abuse he suffered on account of it. Through it all, however, his will to achieve never faltered, and it is this that makes his story truly inspirational.
Another inspirational aspect is his steadfast ability to remain true to himself, i.e.
“I gazed around the room slowly. The best swimmers from Russia, Cuba, the United States, Spain, Germany and France were in front of me. And I was different. I was the fag. And in that moment I owned my truth completely. I thought, `If these guys knew how hard it was for me to get here, they wouldn’t believe it. They have no bloody clue what I have been through. Or how strong I am.’”
Having said that, however, the second half of the story is both informative and redundant respecting the International Olympic Committee and its politics; given what was known about it even when the story was first published in 2007. Likewise, the discord with the Gay Olympics, GayGames & OutGames came as no surprise. Sexual orientation does not preclude ideological differences, personal agendas, pecuniary influence, and rabid infighting. In this respect it conforms quite congruently with the wider community.
Albeit, that is the reality of Mark Tewksbury’s experience, and for his part he can only be faulted for trying to crowd all of this into one story. Nonetheless, I can enthusiastically recommend this story as an inspiration for aspiring, gay athletes, and a challenge to similarly oriented, marquee athletes to do the same. Four stars.
"Gerry B's Book Reviews" - http://www.gerrycan.wordpress.com
I doubt there is a gay person out there who can not relate to Mark Tewksbury’s autobiography, “Inside out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock” [Wiley, 1 edition, 2007]. That is, until he was propelled into international prominence with his 1992, Olympic gold medal performance in Barcelona, Spain; one of only seven gold medals awarded to a Canadian athlete that year.
Until then, however, his story is almost pro forma. Included are his family and his generally unhappy childhood, his early same-sex infatuations, the prevailing fear of exposure—yet being centred-out as gay, anyway; proving, I suppose, that the ‘closet’ has see-through walls at times—and the mindless abuse he suffered on account of it. Through it all, however, his will to achieve never faltered, and it is this that makes his story truly inspirational.
Another inspirational aspect is his steadfast ability to remain true to himself, i.e.
“I gazed around the room slowly. The best swimmers from Russia, Cuba, the United States, Spain, Germany and France were in front of me. And I was different. I was the fag. And in that moment I owned my truth completely. I thought, `If these guys knew how hard it was for me to get here, they wouldn’t believe it. They have no bloody clue what I have been through. Or how strong I am.’”
Having said that, however, the second half of the story is both informative and redundant respecting the International Olympic Committee and its politics; given what was known about it even when the story was first published in 2007. Likewise, the discord with the Gay Olympics, GayGames & OutGames came as no surprise. Sexual orientation does not preclude ideological differences, personal agendas, pecuniary influence, and rabid infighting. In this respect it conforms quite congruently with the wider community.
Albeit, that is the reality of Mark Tewksbury’s experience, and for his part he can only be faulted for trying to crowd all of this into one story. Nonetheless, I can enthusiastically recommend this story as an inspiration for aspiring, gay athletes, and a challenge to similarly oriented, marquee athletes to do the same. Four stars.
February 13, 2016
For those who do not know, Canadian Mark Tewksbury is a highly decorated competitive swimmer. You can read just a few of his achievements in his bio below. He also is a highly sought after public speaker. One thing he shared in his book was that Dale Carnegie's advice was to always speaks as if those in your audience were fourth graders. I agree. Keep it simple, keep it clear, keep it from the heart. He managed to do just that with this book as well. I couldn't put it down and consumed it from cover to cover.
This is more than the story of how he began to live a fully open life. This is a story of how the sports world functions, especially the Olympics. It also is made clear that there can be a tremendous personal cost when living in the public eye. Media are always looking for the next story to splash - something negative and shocking preferred - to increase sales. Media can also be used for smear campaigns when someone stands up to criticize the status quo in an established industry.
As I read, there was no doubt in my mind about how difficult his journey was from a young age. Living a double life, feelings of disappointing those around you and carrying secrets all take their toll. The fact you have to hide creates the feeling that something is wrong with you. The inability to talk honestly about it adds to this burden. But Tewksbury shares about his journey not to gain sympathy, but to allow others to understand the cost of living a double life. Somehow the author found the perfect balance in the story line between personal, public and his work to improve the sports industry.
I had to buy this as a used copy. Very sad. This is a book I feel should be made widely available in high school and public libraries. There is not only support for those of diversity struggling with acceptance, but great information for athletes in general.
Kudos Mark Tewksbury. You're now on my list of dying to interview. Perhaps it's time to consider a second edition.
This is more than the story of how he began to live a fully open life. This is a story of how the sports world functions, especially the Olympics. It also is made clear that there can be a tremendous personal cost when living in the public eye. Media are always looking for the next story to splash - something negative and shocking preferred - to increase sales. Media can also be used for smear campaigns when someone stands up to criticize the status quo in an established industry.
As I read, there was no doubt in my mind about how difficult his journey was from a young age. Living a double life, feelings of disappointing those around you and carrying secrets all take their toll. The fact you have to hide creates the feeling that something is wrong with you. The inability to talk honestly about it adds to this burden. But Tewksbury shares about his journey not to gain sympathy, but to allow others to understand the cost of living a double life. Somehow the author found the perfect balance in the story line between personal, public and his work to improve the sports industry.
I had to buy this as a used copy. Very sad. This is a book I feel should be made widely available in high school and public libraries. There is not only support for those of diversity struggling with acceptance, but great information for athletes in general.
Kudos Mark Tewksbury. You're now on my list of dying to interview. Perhaps it's time to consider a second edition.
June 19, 2025
What a great book. This really is reflective of being gay in the 80s and 90s in Alberta. Life was way different for LGBTQ folks than it is today. The risks were very real. Losing your job or being evicted happened to people I knew. Being cut off from your family, disowned, ostracized from friends and family, this really happened. Threatened physically by a truck full of farm boys driving around Calgary on a Saturday night, happened to me and my friends. (sadly the police didn't care and didn't do anything about it) Thank you Mark for shedding some awareness and sharing your experiences. I had no idea, other than public speaking, what happened to you or where life took you after the Olympics.
June 1, 2025
I remember checking this book out from the library the summer before I applied to grad school. I read part of the first chapter, and then my grandma died and I had to fly out for the funeral, so I returned the book, planning on reading it later.
Then I tried to check it out again, and the library had lost it, and I didn't have the chance.
Until today, 17 years later, when I finally remembered it and saw that my library had an ebook edition, which I figured couldn't get lost, so I checked it out and read it.
As a work of sports memoir, it's entertaining. Lots of what he wrote definitely echoed and felt familiar. It was a quick and easy book to get through, but felt honest. It did feel like there were a few too many details about how nice various hotel rooms were, but they were in service of making a larger point so I can't be too upset about that (right?). All in all a very interesting and honest story... I wish I'd read it back in 2008 but reading it in 2025, after I got to go to the Olympics (as a spectator) really helped it hit home... I do hope that things have changed between when the book was written and now, at least in terms of the IOC, and I'm glad that Tewksbury went on to live what looks like a very exciting, rich life.
Then I tried to check it out again, and the library had lost it, and I didn't have the chance.
Until today, 17 years later, when I finally remembered it and saw that my library had an ebook edition, which I figured couldn't get lost, so I checked it out and read it.
As a work of sports memoir, it's entertaining. Lots of what he wrote definitely echoed and felt familiar. It was a quick and easy book to get through, but felt honest. It did feel like there were a few too many details about how nice various hotel rooms were, but they were in service of making a larger point so I can't be too upset about that (right?). All in all a very interesting and honest story... I wish I'd read it back in 2008 but reading it in 2025, after I got to go to the Olympics (as a spectator) really helped it hit home... I do hope that things have changed between when the book was written and now, at least in terms of the IOC, and I'm glad that Tewksbury went on to live what looks like a very exciting, rich life.
December 20, 2009
Life story, largely about how his life was impacted by the fact that he was gay in a straight world. For this reason, the appeal may be to a select audience. Setting personality aside, I certainly related to much of what was said about the feeling that "if people really knew me they would not allow me in". Even after one knows better, the internalization of that thinking is hard to erase. Despite all he has accomplished, he still seems to see himself as peripheral, and the psycho-social side effects are apparent.
Besides that, there was interesting discussion of the Olympic Committee politics, though I suspect this comes from a very personalized point of view.
I was not enthralled, but I am glad I read the book.
Besides that, there was interesting discussion of the Olympic Committee politics, though I suspect this comes from a very personalized point of view.
I was not enthralled, but I am glad I read the book.
July 11, 2016
When I started to read this book I had no idea who this Mark Tewksbury was. I wanted to read it, because I thought it would be interestimg to read a coming out story of someone famous.
And interesting it was. Everything he went through to become a Olympic champignon and in the process completely ignoring his own feelings and emotions. It shows how difficult it was (is) in the world of sports to be your own person.
Also the shocking experiences he had with the IOC and other sporting organisations made it compelling reading.
Now I know I who Mark Tweksbury is and I am glad to have read his life story!
And interesting it was. Everything he went through to become a Olympic champignon and in the process completely ignoring his own feelings and emotions. It shows how difficult it was (is) in the world of sports to be your own person.
Also the shocking experiences he had with the IOC and other sporting organisations made it compelling reading.
Now I know I who Mark Tweksbury is and I am glad to have read his life story!
October 11, 2015
Mark Tewksbury is apparently a Canadian sports icon. Unfortunately, I was unaware of this fact. I just happened across this biography and picked it up because I liked the line "straight talk from a gay jock". Despite not knowing who he is, he has been influential in the Canadian LGBT sports community, and the gay community at large. His story was great to read and it made me proud that he is representing LGBT interests in the world of sport. I wish him well and if I ever get the chance to meet him, I will definitely thank him for all he has done for our community in Canada.
October 28, 2010
Interested in the Olympics, this is a good book for you. Follow Mark's career from the beginning through the controversies of the 90's and the "change" in Olympic leadership. His story is moving, the writing is not great but there is a story that deserves telling.
November 3, 2016
Funny and a great incite into the world of the Olympics and coming out.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews