Playing the Game Without a Coach: How Courage, Resilience, and Forgiveness Helped One Man Seize the American Dream

by Benjamin Raymnd

One Man’s Incredible Journey from Foster Kid to Million-Dollar Entrepreneur

At thirteen years old, Benjamin Raymond made a life-changing decision. The son of a white mother, who often broke down under the strains of her mental illness and drug addiction, and a black father, who had long since disappeared, Ben took control of his destiny and put himself in foster care.

While he struggled to find a stable home, Ben had a gift that could catapult him to a better life. He was a major talent on the basketball court. His natural athleticism and fierce drive won him a college scholarship, but earning a double degree was only the beginning. He was determined to play at a championship level in every area of life.

As he mastered the game in corporate America, Ben transitioned from award-winning salesperson to thriving business owner. He also became a committed husband and father and a mentor to young men, executives, and entrepreneurs. Along the way, he uncovered painful family secrets as he unraveled the truth of his identity as a child of two races, two cultures, and two troubled parents.

A raw portrait of growing up in a family burdened with mental illness and domestic violence, building relationships through prison walls, and discovering what living a rich life really means, Playing the Game without a Coach is a story of courage, resilience, and ultimately, forgiveness.

Genres: Memoir

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Shannon Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me more than I initially expected it to. Every emotion that exist, I felt while reading Ben's story. Empathy, happiness, sadness, hopeful...the list goes on. There are so many aspects of his life that reminded me of my own. Analyzing his story, and the many paths he took to end up where he is now in life, pushed me to examine the abilities I have to reach new and higher levels of success in life as well. (as least, my own version of success) I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who has had a hard life or upbringing and you want to defeat the odds. Also a great read for someone whose been fed with a silver spoon all their life and would like insight into what it's literally like to achieve great success from nothing. I've also found Ben to be a phenomenal story teller. This was great, get the book!

[Jonathan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Great Book

I love this book
One of the best autobiographies I’ve read
What makes this story so good is that it is an everyman’s story
The author is a black kid (mixed) who grew up up in a single mom household who was addicted to drugs
Through foster care, athletics, sales jobs, meeting his father as an adult, losing his father back to the prison sentence, and eventually starting a very successful insurance business, he was able to claw his way from poverty to moderate wealth
There were no ahas in this book
Just a very well written book with a storyline that many kids can see themselves achieving
I recommend this book to every kid who is going through a dysfunctional family to learn that you can legitimately grow yourself out of property through grit and sales jobs

[Robert K. Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because of an interest in the foster care system. It is honest and sheds light on the subject. There is such a need for understanding of these types of children who need hope and encouragement to deal with their unfortunate circumstances.

I read this book because of an interest in the foster care system. It is honest and sheds light on the subject.

[Dalton Engledow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

I never give reviews on the books I read but this book absolutely touched my heart. There are SO MANY children that are hurt and abused by their parents way love. I am SO proud Benjamin persevered and made something of his life and was still able to still love his mother and father through it all. Truly touched my heart.

[H. Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Happy for his success, but he needs a better editor.

[Laura Arechiga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this three times.. did I book report on it