Fight or Flight: My Life, My Choices

by Keith Earls, Tommy Conlon

  ★ AN POST IRISH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 WINNER! ★ Fight Or My Life, My Choices is the autobiography of Irish rugby legend Keith Earls.  Keith Earls started out in senior rugby as a teenage star and during the course of his long career has become one of the most admired and respected players of his generation.  A British & Irish Lion at the age of 21, he is now closing in on his 34th birthday and still playing at the top of his game. He has won 93 caps for Ireland and played over 180 games in the famous red of Munster. He started every match of the 2018 Six Nations campaign that culminated in an Irish Grand Slam victory. A lethal finisher blessed with a sprinter’s speed, Earls is the second-highest try scorer of all time for his country. With Munster he is one try short of the all-time total and looks set to break that record next season. Yet, Earls has achieved these milestones whilst being racked by private battles with his mental health for most of his career. A number of crises brought him to the brink of voluntary retirement from the game. A native of Limerick city, Earls grew up in one of its most socially disadvantaged housing estates. Moyross was blighted by crime and violence and he did not escape unscathed from the surrounding fear and trauma visited upon his beloved community. His natural talent brought him into the privileged bastion of elite rugby union. His autobiography tells the story of his long struggle to reconcile the world whence he came with the world opened up by his brilliance with an oval ball. Earls has maintained a low profile throughout his career. For the first time he will talk in depth and at length about the inner turmoil that went unseen by team-mates, friends and fans. It is a confessional, intimate and courageous story of the pain that was a constant companion to the glory. Earls “It’s not me at all to be doing anything remotely like an autobiography. I don’t like talking about myself, I don’t like bringing attention to myself. And I guess that’s one reason why I am doing it. We’re supposed to get out of our comfort zone. I’ve learned enough along the way to know that much. It’s where your progress and growth happens. I hope if I can share some of my life experiences here, it might inspire others.”

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Irish Literature, Sports

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2021

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I did enjoy this book. I liked how openly he spoke about his mental health and I found the sections about this upbringing eyeopening. I definitely had no idea he had been through all this, and I definitely respect what he’s achieved more after reading this book.

I did feel that the book jumped around a lot, the chapters were on themes and not chronological so sometimes it was difficult to keep track of what had happened and what year we were talking about.

I also felt like he went into quite a lot of detail on school matches which I found less interesting.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and would recommend.

[Rutger Gerrits · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best rugby book I've read this year (so far). Earls tells a great story about his time in the red Jersey of Munster and the green jersey of Ireland, but also opens up big time about his mental health, and his bipolar disorder. Seeing that it's men's mental health month, this book was dropped on my doorstep at just the right time. If you want to read one rugby books this year, wether you play or not, I would say this is the one to read.

[Conor Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my fair share of rugby autobiographies but this was a treat. An exceptionally honest look into the world of one of Ireland's greatest servants. His discussions on education and mental health are illuminating.

At a time when the transparency surrounding men's mental health is constantly called into question, Earls is a breath of fresh air as he opens up about his years-long struggle with bipolar disorder and associated anxiety and depression.

An important book for all ages

[Daniel Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly honest & candid read you often don't get in a sports biography. Can't recommended it highly enough.

[Mary Heffernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and inspirational.Will inspire many young minds and hopefully they will follow their dreams like Keith did against all the odds.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. A remarkable story

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Munster fan so I'm biased, but this is by far one of the best books I have ever read! Earls' autobiography is breath-takingly honest, forthright, open and, in my opinion, incredibly important.
Earls holds nothing back. This is a real 'warts and all' book, and I really admired and respected Earls' openness about his mental health struggles. For something that can be intensely personal and private, Earls does not hesitate to share his demons but, just as importantly, how he has and is tackling them. I found it very inspiring to read and also found that it resonated deeply with me. I very highly and wholeheartedly recommend this not just to Munster and Ireland fans, not just to rugby union and sports fans, but to anyone looking for some guidance and inspiration and support for mental health issues. I really believe this book could help a lot of people, and I feel it will go down as one of the all-time time great sports autobiographies.

I've been privileged to watch Earls for his entire professional career, and to say I am a fan of his would be an understatement, he is quite simply a legend as far as I'm concerned, not just for his many successes on the rugby pitch in red and green, but also for the man he is off the pitch, he epitomizes everything that is great about Munster Rugby, and he's a proud Moyross boy too, he's done his home and people proud time after time.

Seriously, please read this book. It is superb and you won't regret it. Thank you to the man and legend that is Keith Earls for sharing your story with us, and inspiring us once more.

[John Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally don’t read autobiographies. Got this for Christmas though and delighted I did. Really interesting insights into Keith Earl’s journey over last few years. If ever you needed an example of not knowing what’s going on behind closed doors for people in their own lives, this is it. Everybody has their own problems that they are dealing with no matter how successful they look from the outside. A very honest and thought provoking read. Four stars as an autobiography. Probably only a 2.5 or 3 star read for me personally if comparing to all other books I’ve read and loved but as a sports autobiography it’s a 4 star.

[Roisin Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid Munster fan I was delighted to read an autobiography of one of my favourite players. But it was more than just a rugby book as it also dealt with mental health and how appearances can be deceptive. Keith was diagnosed with Bipolar, appears to have dyslexia (not diagnosed) and comes from what was once a very rough neighbourhood in Limerick but he overcame it all to become a star of both Munster and Ireland rugby circles. So this book is very much about overcoming the odds and succeeding in what you want in life.

[Daryl Feehely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh, honest, brave and entertaining account from Keith Earls of his life inside and outside of rugby. Keith opens up about experiencing imposter syndrome early in his career, his upbringing during a turbulent time in Limerick's history, and then his battle and eventual diagnosis with bipolar disorder, all of which he tells with a level of condor and realism that is in equal measure commendable and inspiring.

Even if you know nothing about rugby, I guarantee you will learn some life lessons from Keith Earls in this book.

[Fiona O'Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brave -insights into Keith’s challenges with mental health & potential dyslexia.
As a rugby fan I enjoyed his chapter on defending! Great to see an attacker write about the importance of defence.
Written in a very simple & conversational way to allow people‘like him’ to enjoy & understand it. Deservedly won Irish Sports Book of the year . Keith’s voice & his working class background come through ( kudos to Tommy Conlon)

[Robert Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but and it’s a very very big but, the reader of the audiobook is absolutely horrendous. He mispronounced names of people and places constantly. Throughout the book he calls Keith Earls wife Edel to rhyme with the shop Lidl. You should hear the way he says Killiney. It’s hard to imagine someone from Ireland getting so many things wrong. I wonder has Keith Earls heard this? Shocking stuff.

[Timothy Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for rugby fans

Brilliant read about the highs and lows of one of Ireland’s best rugby players!
Shows candidly what can go on behind the scenes of sports people, and how they can struggle just as much, sometimes more, than what ‘normal people’ do.
One of my favourite sports autobiographies

[Ann Stuart]

Excellent read

A great insight into the world of professional rugby. Bought this book as I'm a fellow Limerick person. Very well written and such an honest account of Keith's license far. I trust it will give someone the courage to face their own deamons. I would highly recommend this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very honest and thought provoking book that shows how even at the top of your sporting career you can have some mental health problems.
It is worth reading if only to see his journey to get through his demons.

[Beth McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book that gives you an engaging perspective on Earl's journey in rugby. It really comes into his own when focusing on his mental health and where he comes from. It is one of the best sports autobiography's I have read!

[Elaine Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very honest loved every word of this book

[Eoin O'Sé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most unique rugby biography I've read in a while, a very gracious look into a hardworking player. Excellent read

[Matty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far more insightful than rugby autobiographies tend to be. Inspiring read.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!! So many memories shared, so many highs and lows! What a career he’s having! Would highly recommend!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best sport autobiographies I’ve read, a real honest insight into the life of Keith Earls, his highs and his lows. Fantastic servant to Irish rugby

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the rugby, I usually have one eye on the match and the other on my kindle. I decided if I’m going to read during the match, maybe I should read about one of our key rugby stars, Keith Earls. I’m not one that typically reads sports autobiographies, but I knew that there was more to this story than the blood, sweat and tears.

Keith grew up on the “wrong side of the tracks”, yet was within touching distance of the home of Munster rugby, Thomond Park. He was stigmatised because of his address, being told he wouldn’t amount to much by teachers and turned away from Supermacs because he looked and dressed in a certain way.

He faces the classist elitism within rugby, and the self imposed pressure of making up for the opportunity his father never had. He doesn’t appreciate the travel and trips away, as he only feels at peace in his safe zone in Moyross/Limerick.

The theme throughout is “Hank”, the voice of disapproval within his head. He said he faced anxiety from the age of 12 after a number of deaths close to him. From then on he struggled with panic attacks, fear, imposter syndrome and it wasn’t until he got tested, diagnosed for bipolar, consistently took his medication, read up on his nutrition and self- help and applied this new knowledge that he was able to navigate life a lot easier. Hank started to quieten, his breathing got better and he started loving rugby again.

Eye-opening read. You definitely don’t know what’s going on, on and off the pitch for sports stars! Would have loved to hear more about his coffee roasting business.

[BMG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about his physical and mental health issues that I was not previously aware of. His bravery to speak about mental health and personal issues / insecurities seems to be the main talking point about the book and should be commended.

It gave a few insights into his team mates and teams he played for, but nothing earth-shattering on this regard.

The fact the chapters were not in chronological order made it a less enjoyable read for me. Might not bother others as much, but I felt he was jumping around too much between different stages in his life/career. Think his story could have been told better if it was structured across a linear timeline.

Also seemed to be a bit too much about moyross , his childhood there and the impact growing up there had on him (there was 1 full chapter and the bulk of a second chapter about this).

Rating 3.7

[Lisa Wynne]

I really appreciated reading Keith Earls's story in his own words. It's nicely organised into thematic chapters rather than a chronological memoir, but this does lead to some repetition of information. I particularly appreciated the chapters touching on literacy and schooling and how bluntly he describes his experiences and their impacts. As a major fan of Irish rugby, it's always nice to read a player's account of those big moments you remember - it feels half like reminiscing and half like seeing whole new dimensions to them. This book was written before the historical series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand in the summer of 2022, and reading his consternation with his past defeats over there I only wished he had been able to write about that series win too.

[Colm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I can’t imagine how Keith Earls performed as he did going through what he was going through. Physical pain. Mental anguish. He’s made of different stuff to most, of that there can be no doubt. A good read for anyone looking for hope that they can overcome. A good read for anyone from what others consider “the wrong side of the tracks” and obviously a must for any Munster supporter.

[Turlough Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Keith and Tommy for all the hours this must have taken.
Keith’s family sound stellar and what a life he’s had thus far. Wishing Keith and his loved ones a healthy and blessed future. This book is candid and honest - a worthy winner of Irish sports book of the year in 2021. Keith should be proud of his openness and bravery in sharing his story

[Owen Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book and Keith is so generous in sharing his thoughts and feelings so honestly in his sports and personal life. He's inspirational in how he's dealt with real challenges to be the legend and the fantastic guy he is today.
I love his pride and loyalty across all aspects of his life.
His modesty and shyness is gas but 100% understandable.

[Derry Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book got very good reviews. I’m not sure they are warranted. I found it very interesting but I think that was in large part because I live near the setting and am familiar with the cast of characters. I also support Munster and Ireland so that lent another layer of interest for me.
I think the USP for this book is his opening up about his mental health issues. I found these parts of the book tedious and over laboured.
Overall it was ok and I don’t regret reading it. I wouldn’t recommend it strongly to others.

[Vicky Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, but such a shame Earls didn’t narrate it himself. Poor pronunciation was frustrating throughout. Overall though such an inspiring life story and an amazing example to aspiring players from all walks of life.