Audiobook….read by Andi Arndt
…..10 hours and 10 minutes
Alpine skier,
American ‘Gold’ Olympian champion,
Lindsey Vonn won four Women’s World Cup overalls championships —
We learn about Lindsey’s successes, failures, fears, worries, training, competition, injuries, surgeries, rehab, the grueling hard work, race days, winning, crashes, travel, other setbacks, personality traits, family history, friendships, depression, mental health, political athleticism, and other challenges (including joy) in the life of a competitor skier.
“There are some things you just can’t make up”.
We get to know Lindsey as a woman too — and her connection to normalcy with the world beyond skiing. (we meet her dog, Lucy) … 🐾
Learning to love oneself ‘unconditionally’ (self-worth regardless of success or celebrity status), for a professional athlete — or any highly successful person, can be quite challenging. It makes sense to me.
Many life lessons are highlighted throughout—
….over coming multiple difficult situations…
….compassion …
….unbiased judgments…
….self ongoing learning
….virtues of ethics
….faith, family, health… etc.
I enjoyed spending time with Lindsey. No question - no shame in my choice audiobook….
She’s as genuine as can be….
and learning more about the professional career she lived was fully engaging.
….a few funny-bone tales to boot! (but the deeper life themes are what remain with me most).
This memoir - (perhaps not a choice-pick for many readers), but I use to ski. Downhill skiing ended for me in college after a spiral tibia fracture and a shattered ankle, leaving me with a bionic foot today—
Lindsey’s spiral fracture of her humerus bone-the instant screaming - driving in a car over every bump on the way to the hospital—excruciating pain —
reminded me of my own break. I had reoccurring dreams for years flip-flying landing on my back - (3 large plaster leg casts over a seven month period… before rehabilitation started) …
but even if I hadn’t had my own ski experiences,
I would have connected with this audiobook.
The combination of mental - emotional- physical- and spiritual harmony were all there! ⛷️ …. Excellent eye-opening - thought- provoking life lessons… and thoughts about love.
It even inspired me - that maybe I ‘can’ bounce back from my own damaged spin.
“Being injured is humbling”…. Ha…. Isn’t that the truth!!!
By the time I finished this book — I became clear of my own rating truth: (flaws and all)…. 5 stars!!
A big thank you to Skip. I knew instantly I wanted to listen to this story after he inspired me with his review!!!