Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business: Boxing and the Art of Life

by Ed Latimore

We’ve all got a choice. We can get better at fighting or worse at life.

Every day, we absorb body some glancing, others that knock us to the mat. It doesn't matter how well-prepared or tough you think you are. Everyone, at some point, is hit with a haymaker from life. It's the cost of living. And just like in the ring, opting out of pain is not an option.

In Hard Lessons From The Hurt Business, former heavyweight boxer Ed Latimore takes readers on a journey from his hardscrabble childhood in Pittsburgh's public housing projects to his signing with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sport. With honesty and humor, Ed shares how the discipline of boxing served as his rite of passage into manhood and gave him the tools he needed to overcome his childhood trauma and the demons of alcoholism.

Ed’s story is one of learning the hard lessons of maturity in perhaps the harshest way possible—from the hurt business. It’s a story about finding self-mastery in the face of uncertainty, discovering the power of forgiveness, and embracing pain and adversity to design a life of purpose.

Like Ed says, “How we absorb life's blows and rally through bruised and bloodied rounds shows who we are at our core. We sacrifice, weep, heal, and carry on. In hardship, we transcend.”

Genres: Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed Latimore did not have an ideal childhood. Neither did he have the advantages most children have. Nevertheless, Latimore found a way to rise about his circumstances and change the trajectory of his life.

Boxing, of course, was one of the main vehicles that helped Latimore develop the discipline and tenacity he needed to succeed in life.

The beginning of the book is about Latimore's childhood, how he got into fights at school, the difficulties of using public transit, etc. The bulk of the book is about his career as an amateur and then professional boxer, plus the important life lessons he learned along the way.

I was surprised to learn how much Latimore drank during his boxing career. I wonder (and he probably does, too) how much of his potential remained untapped because of drinking so much during those years.

Latimore's story is inspiring because it shows how a person can change and overcome difficult life problems like alcoholism and professional setbacks.

Overall, this is a solid read. It's well written, entertaining, and instructive. I found myself wanting to read further when I had to stop to begin my work day.

[Peter Treacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Profound and Powerful Read...
Latimore’s LinkedIn page refers to him as a ‘Sorta Polyglot’, and nothing could be further from the truth – sorta simply isn’t accurate. He’s taken deep dives in so many of life’s domains – boxing, chess, physics, and writing. It’s in this last area where he’s taken all of the lessons from his lived experiences, distills them, and shares them with us and for our collective benefit. The irony here is that Ed builds community by describing what's been a lonely existence at various times. This irony is his gift to the reader. Funny, sad, and bittersweet at different points, yet insightful and interesting all the way through. Essential reading for anyone, and especially biography and non-fiction folks.

[Chloe Anagnos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed’s story is one of resilience and grit. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs encouragement or who feels “stuck.” This was a fast read and has left me feeling motivated and ready to accomplish more in life.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew a little bit of Ed’s story from his writing, and have followed him since the release of Atomic Habits by James Clear (James mentioned Ed in his book). I had no idea the depth of the struggle that he overcame, not just in growing up but in finding his way. In the parts he describes (driving a car that was apt to break down and struggling to make money) I felt like I was in the moment with him as I went through many of the same things.

I consider myself a late bloomer and the struggle that Ed describes in his book brought me back to past days and reminded me of the lessons learned along the way that I didn’t really take the time to think about.

Worth the read and/or listen.

[Michelle Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of resilience told by someone who actually lived through the wreckage, made the kind of decisions most of us would rather not admit out loud, and then had the guts to dissect them years later.

That’s what makes this book different. You’re not just getting “don’t do drugs, stay in school” bumper-sticker advice. You’re getting the messy thought process of why someone makes the choices they do.

This book should be required reading for anyone under 30 who thinks they’re figuring life out by letting their surroundings define their future.

[Chris M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed Latimore's story was interesting to read about. Through his account, you get a profound sense of what it is like to grow up in poverty and see how easy it can be to get trapped into a vicious cycle. One of the things that stood out was a quote that said " no guidance is just as bad as bad guidance". It can be easy for someone to get lost when they don't have a sense of direction. The book does get long-winded in a few sections, but you'll also learn a lot about the inner workings within the Boxing industry on the ametuer and pro levels too.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed didn't have the ideal childhood. He tells his story about growing up in a single parent household and eventually into his forays into boxing.

I have boxed in multiple gyms where I live as well as flew out to Thailand to do Muay Thai.

Martial arts is not a painless sport to put it lightly! I learned some insider tricks like the politics between gyms.

[Katie Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down (the only thing stopping me from reading it in one day was my baby and my job). It was such an incredible read, raw, real, and inspiring. The second I closed the book I immediately recommended it to friends.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed is a great writer and I really enjoyed learning more about him and his past. I feel that this is a story about forgiveness, and speaks to everyone, from all walks of life, no matter their background.

[Matthew Robison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latimore has led an interesting life and is a good writer. An easy read, with some interesting insights into the boxing industry. A bit scattershot in terms of lessons, and I couldn't point to a single one I remember, but the book works as a memoir, and several scenes stuck with me.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed takes you through his life and learnings with great storytelling, clear points and inspiring lessons.

[S Ahilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book,this guy is a fighter who never gives up
In life no matter how tough life becomes

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Ed Latimore's autobiography. He tells us about his upbringings in a broken home with his addict mother and absent father. Ed is able to turn his life around by becoming a boxer and enlisting in the military. Ed states numerous life lessons.