What do you think?
Rate this book
Mind Over Matter: Hard-Won Battles on the Road to Hope
Following the bestselling success of the inspiring All the Way , pioneering Inuit NHLer Jordin Tootoo begins the process of healing in the wake of the suicide and violence that marks his family, only to discover the source of all that trauma in his father's secret past.
For some hockey players, retirement marks the moment when it’s all over. But Jordin Tootoo is not most hockey players.
Having inspired millions when he first broke into the league, Tootoo continued to influence people throughout his career—not only through his very public triumph over alcoholism, but also his natural charisma. And now, years after hanging up his skates, he is more committed to doing things the right way and speaking about it to others, whether it’s corporate executives or Indigenous youth.
But the news of unmarked graves on the grounds of residential schools brought back to life many of the demons that had haunted his family. In a moment of realization that left him rattled and saddened, Tootoo fit the pieces together. The years that were never spoken of. The heavy drinking. The all too predictable violence. His father was a survivor, marked by what he had survived.
As he travels back to Nunavut to try to speak with his father about what haunts him, he encounters the ghosts of the entire community. Still, as Tootoo says, we are continuously learning and rewriting our story at every step. He has learned from his mistakes and his victories. He has learned from examples of great courage and humility. He has learned from being a father and a husband. And he has learned from his own Inuk traditions, of perseverance and discipline in the face of hardship.
Weaving together life’s biggest themes with observations and experiences, Jordin shares the kind of wisdom he has had to specialize in—the hard-won kind.
For some hockey players, retirement marks the moment when it’s all over. But Jordin Tootoo is not most hockey players.
Having inspired millions when he first broke into the league, Tootoo continued to influence people throughout his career—not only through his very public triumph over alcoholism, but also his natural charisma. And now, years after hanging up his skates, he is more committed to doing things the right way and speaking about it to others, whether it’s corporate executives or Indigenous youth.
But the news of unmarked graves on the grounds of residential schools brought back to life many of the demons that had haunted his family. In a moment of realization that left him rattled and saddened, Tootoo fit the pieces together. The years that were never spoken of. The heavy drinking. The all too predictable violence. His father was a survivor, marked by what he had survived.
As he travels back to Nunavut to try to speak with his father about what haunts him, he encounters the ghosts of the entire community. Still, as Tootoo says, we are continuously learning and rewriting our story at every step. He has learned from his mistakes and his victories. He has learned from examples of great courage and humility. He has learned from being a father and a husband. And he has learned from his own Inuk traditions, of perseverance and discipline in the face of hardship.
Weaving together life’s biggest themes with observations and experiences, Jordin shares the kind of wisdom he has had to specialize in—the hard-won kind.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2023
12 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 3, 2023
Thankful for Jordin sharing his story with courage and conviction. He speaks truth for healing. This is a must read/listen. I listened to the audio and to hear Jordin speak was very moving.
November 7, 2023
1/5 ⭐️
Wow… this book is a HARD no. I get where he was going with this book and I understand all the struggles he has been through… but this was not the right way to tell that story.
First off… the foul language!! I am no prude but you do not need the f word in every. single. sentence. I wish I was exaggerating on that statement but the language was just horrible and it wasn’t needed to get his point across at all.
I also felt like there was a lot of “I deserve this and that”. Like, that’s great… advocate for yourself… but please don’t do it in an entitled way. His description of his hockey career was less than appealing.
I dunno… I just was not on board with any of this. I always looked up to Jordin and this really turned me the wrong way.
If the book wasn’t so short I definitely wouldn’t have finished it.
Wow… this book is a HARD no. I get where he was going with this book and I understand all the struggles he has been through… but this was not the right way to tell that story.
First off… the foul language!! I am no prude but you do not need the f word in every. single. sentence. I wish I was exaggerating on that statement but the language was just horrible and it wasn’t needed to get his point across at all.
I also felt like there was a lot of “I deserve this and that”. Like, that’s great… advocate for yourself… but please don’t do it in an entitled way. His description of his hockey career was less than appealing.
I dunno… I just was not on board with any of this. I always looked up to Jordin and this really turned me the wrong way.
If the book wasn’t so short I definitely wouldn’t have finished it.
February 4, 2024
Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook. I am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
I don’t read a lot of sports memoirs, but I’m always intrigued by stories that advocate for facing down demons and fighting them the right way. What made this appeal even more to me was the fact that it’s written by an Indigenous Inuk man who played professional hockey, and now works as a public speaker to big corporations as well as within small communities of Indigenous youth. And you know I can’t resist an audiobook narrated by the author.
Tootoo comes from the far north of Canada, where he was exposed to the land and traditional way of Inuit life by his father. However, he also discussed a lot of the dysfunction that he was exposed to as well. It’s clear from the way he speaks about his life that he’s been through therapy, even before he mentions it. His own story isn’t told in a linear fashion—the book focuses more on his present, with tidbits from his past being mentioned as they are relevant to the story. This seems to reflect an aspect of Indigenous storytelling that I’ve noticed, where stories aren’t structured the same way as that of European culture.
While he maintains a hopeful outlook, and discusses not only his personal philosophy, but also the ways in which he lifts up his family and community, and personally gives back to the First Nations Community, there are many heavy topics discussed in this book. Among some, he discusses alcoholism, mental health issues, substance abuse, child abuse, suicide, grief, residential schools, child neglect, intergenerational trauma, and racism in sports. And he drops a lot of f-bombs. If you’re easily offended or don’t like to hear the f-word a lot, this isn’t the book for you.
There was only one thing that I didn’t really like about the book, and it took me a little bit of time to really decide on whether it was an issue that could be controlled or not. I do recognize that Native Americans and First Nations people do tend to have a different rhythm to their speech, and it can take me a minute to slip into that mode and get used to it after hearing something different for the majority of my time. However, I don’t think that was the case here. Tootoo definitely does have that different rhythm, and I actually enjoy it once I’m listening to it. But he also comes across sounding stiff, like he’s reading directly out of a book, and his reading almost sounds a little choppy, as though he’s reading each word individually, rather than going through a sentence at a time and placing expression on the words. All the same, I still appreciate a book read by the author.
One thing that especially stood out to me about this book was the way that Tootoo not only talked about the strengths of being Indigenous, but he also talked about the obstacles that Indigenous people face in today’s world. Some of these were external factors, such as residential schools, intergenerational trauma, lack of family support (including family members actively holding loved ones back when they do succeed), and the large number of unique tribes and the lack of unification amongst the tribes to speak on behalf of the good of all of their people. Others were internal factors, such as an inability to express emotions and share stories (due to suppression of this as a result of colonization), substance use, and playing the victim rather than putting in the work to succeed. At times, his words may come across as harsh, but his tone never does—in fact it’s always supportive and genuinely caring.
This is the kind of book that I enjoy reading when it comes to nonfiction. Actually, it’s a rather short book, but I can see why he’d do well as a motivational speaker, although I hope he tones down the cursing when speaking to kids. Even with the somewhat flat delivery, his charisma shines through, making this the kind of book that feels like a good investment of time and energy. And while Tootoo made his name known in the world of professional hockey, he actually doesn’t talk about hockey that much in the book, making this the perfect kind of memoir for a girl like me who really isn’t into sportsball.
I don’t read a lot of sports memoirs, but I’m always intrigued by stories that advocate for facing down demons and fighting them the right way. What made this appeal even more to me was the fact that it’s written by an Indigenous Inuk man who played professional hockey, and now works as a public speaker to big corporations as well as within small communities of Indigenous youth. And you know I can’t resist an audiobook narrated by the author.
Tootoo comes from the far north of Canada, where he was exposed to the land and traditional way of Inuit life by his father. However, he also discussed a lot of the dysfunction that he was exposed to as well. It’s clear from the way he speaks about his life that he’s been through therapy, even before he mentions it. His own story isn’t told in a linear fashion—the book focuses more on his present, with tidbits from his past being mentioned as they are relevant to the story. This seems to reflect an aspect of Indigenous storytelling that I’ve noticed, where stories aren’t structured the same way as that of European culture.
While he maintains a hopeful outlook, and discusses not only his personal philosophy, but also the ways in which he lifts up his family and community, and personally gives back to the First Nations Community, there are many heavy topics discussed in this book. Among some, he discusses alcoholism, mental health issues, substance abuse, child abuse, suicide, grief, residential schools, child neglect, intergenerational trauma, and racism in sports. And he drops a lot of f-bombs. If you’re easily offended or don’t like to hear the f-word a lot, this isn’t the book for you.
There was only one thing that I didn’t really like about the book, and it took me a little bit of time to really decide on whether it was an issue that could be controlled or not. I do recognize that Native Americans and First Nations people do tend to have a different rhythm to their speech, and it can take me a minute to slip into that mode and get used to it after hearing something different for the majority of my time. However, I don’t think that was the case here. Tootoo definitely does have that different rhythm, and I actually enjoy it once I’m listening to it. But he also comes across sounding stiff, like he’s reading directly out of a book, and his reading almost sounds a little choppy, as though he’s reading each word individually, rather than going through a sentence at a time and placing expression on the words. All the same, I still appreciate a book read by the author.
One thing that especially stood out to me about this book was the way that Tootoo not only talked about the strengths of being Indigenous, but he also talked about the obstacles that Indigenous people face in today’s world. Some of these were external factors, such as residential schools, intergenerational trauma, lack of family support (including family members actively holding loved ones back when they do succeed), and the large number of unique tribes and the lack of unification amongst the tribes to speak on behalf of the good of all of their people. Others were internal factors, such as an inability to express emotions and share stories (due to suppression of this as a result of colonization), substance use, and playing the victim rather than putting in the work to succeed. At times, his words may come across as harsh, but his tone never does—in fact it’s always supportive and genuinely caring.
This is the kind of book that I enjoy reading when it comes to nonfiction. Actually, it’s a rather short book, but I can see why he’d do well as a motivational speaker, although I hope he tones down the cursing when speaking to kids. Even with the somewhat flat delivery, his charisma shines through, making this the kind of book that feels like a good investment of time and energy. And while Tootoo made his name known in the world of professional hockey, he actually doesn’t talk about hockey that much in the book, making this the perfect kind of memoir for a girl like me who really isn’t into sportsball.
January 13, 2024
"In today's age, people don't want to accept failure. This younger generation want to know the outcome before they put one foot out the door."
In this second part of his life-journey, Jordin is in control, he is at the end of his playing career, pondering his retirement, married with two kids of his own. Now a husband and a parental figure, he returns to his community after many years, secluded by the COVID-19 pandemic: he notices how substance abuse, desolation and sky-rocketing suicide rates have plagued his town and beyond.
His motivation to write this sequel comes from a desire to give back but also from a need to uncover the truth amidst the historic discovery of unmarked graves that will cause a societal reckoning in Canada's South-North relations forever.
Could this momentous national investigation also hold the key to the Tootoo family burden? Have they, like many others, been victims of this abuse as they've struggled for acceptance, understanding and ultimately survival for decades if not centuries?
"You set yourself up for success by accepting failure. That's what creates mental toughness."
In this second part of his life-journey, Jordin is in control, he is at the end of his playing career, pondering his retirement, married with two kids of his own. Now a husband and a parental figure, he returns to his community after many years, secluded by the COVID-19 pandemic: he notices how substance abuse, desolation and sky-rocketing suicide rates have plagued his town and beyond.
His motivation to write this sequel comes from a desire to give back but also from a need to uncover the truth amidst the historic discovery of unmarked graves that will cause a societal reckoning in Canada's South-North relations forever.
Could this momentous national investigation also hold the key to the Tootoo family burden? Have they, like many others, been victims of this abuse as they've struggled for acceptance, understanding and ultimately survival for decades if not centuries?
"You set yourself up for success by accepting failure. That's what creates mental toughness."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
3.5 A bit disjointed, but it touches on important issues.
Read
October 15, 2023disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all.
I am appreciative to Libro FM, Penguin Canada, & the author for the ALC (this book publishes on October 17, 2023) - I’m providing an honest review on my own accord!
Admittedly, I had no idea who Jordin Tootoo was before I picked up this audiobook. I am not a huge follower of hockey or the NHL, but I found his story very enlightening (he was the first Inuk to play in the NHL!!!), but also devastating. Jordin explores his father Barney’s past trauma (who is an Inuk from Nunavut) in connection to the unveiling of the unmarked graves of residential schools in Nunavut, he uncovers even more community and generational trauma. Tootoo was a straightforward narrator, but I do think if I re read this, that I’d try to read the ebook or physical copy.
Take care while reading, as Tootoo shares many heavy experiences, but it’s important to bring to light, rather than let this history be forgotten. I’m very grateful to Tootoo & his community for so graciously & bravely revisiting & sharing these accounts.
Tootoo also heads the Team Tootoo Foundation, which aims to spread awareness for suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs for at-risk youth ❤️🩹
Cw: colonization, violence, child abuse, residential schools, alcoholism, addiction, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts
I am appreciative to Libro FM, Penguin Canada, & the author for the ALC (this book publishes on October 17, 2023) - I’m providing an honest review on my own accord!
Admittedly, I had no idea who Jordin Tootoo was before I picked up this audiobook. I am not a huge follower of hockey or the NHL, but I found his story very enlightening (he was the first Inuk to play in the NHL!!!), but also devastating. Jordin explores his father Barney’s past trauma (who is an Inuk from Nunavut) in connection to the unveiling of the unmarked graves of residential schools in Nunavut, he uncovers even more community and generational trauma. Tootoo was a straightforward narrator, but I do think if I re read this, that I’d try to read the ebook or physical copy.
Take care while reading, as Tootoo shares many heavy experiences, but it’s important to bring to light, rather than let this history be forgotten. I’m very grateful to Tootoo & his community for so graciously & bravely revisiting & sharing these accounts.
Tootoo also heads the Team Tootoo Foundation, which aims to spread awareness for suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs for at-risk youth ❤️🩹
Cw: colonization, violence, child abuse, residential schools, alcoholism, addiction, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts
October 7, 2023
A long and winding (but interesting) memoir of a critical NHL player
June 12, 2024
Disclaimer: I don't like to rate memoirs -it's your story to tell, who am I to judge how you tell it.
This is Jordin Tootoo's second book and it picks up, for the most part, in the second part of his life - sober and looking at his life and his family with a clear lens.
Jordin is introspective, realistic and honest about his trauma and his responsibility for things he's said and done. He's also understanding of the trauma that others go through and how that affects them. The book is well done, told in his exact voice with all the questioning and thought processes right out in the open.
I will likely read his first...I should have probably done that before this one.
This is Jordin Tootoo's second book and it picks up, for the most part, in the second part of his life - sober and looking at his life and his family with a clear lens.
Jordin is introspective, realistic and honest about his trauma and his responsibility for things he's said and done. He's also understanding of the trauma that others go through and how that affects them. The book is well done, told in his exact voice with all the questioning and thought processes right out in the open.
I will likely read his first...I should have probably done that before this one.
November 1, 2023
Jordin has a message for this book which is worthwhile. The interplay between intergenerational trauma, addictions and suicide among the Inuit population is epidemic and the solutions need to come from within the community. Doing the work of getting sober, facing his demons though rehab and therapy and courageous conversations with others has put Jordin in a unique position to address these issues. There is no easy answer and he rightly calls out the government and church to step up and take a role in providing supports after the abuse and broken promises. Not an easy book to read, but hopefully it was healing for Jordin to write and my best wishes to him, his family and those of Rankin Inlet as they struggle to step out from the long shadows left by the residential school system.
December 11, 2023
A lot of really important messaging regarding the disproportionately high rates of suicide and substance abuse that remote Indigenous communities face as a product of residential schools, written through an emotional, firsthand account. I don't feel like I was necessarily the target audience of this book; I think men, especially those who have experienced the stigma around men's mental health and sports, would have resonated with this the most.
Some of the other reviews mentioned how much swearing there is in the book but I think the choice of language really helped to instill Jordin's voice into the narrative and made the book feel much more like a conversation than a personal history, which I thought created a much stronger emotional impact.
Some of the other reviews mentioned how much swearing there is in the book but I think the choice of language really helped to instill Jordin's voice into the narrative and made the book feel much more like a conversation than a personal history, which I thought created a much stronger emotional impact.
Read
December 23, 2023Mind Over Matter is a memoir told in vignettes by Jordin Tootoo, the first player of Inuk descent to play in the NHL.
Parts of this were really compelling, from Jordin's discussion of substance abuse in the NHL to his reflections on generational trauma rampant in his community.
But the book itself isn't cohesive; it jumps around a lot while simultaneously being too repetitive at times. I think it's best listened to as if it were a podcast mini series. It may also work better for those who have recently read his previous book, All the Way.
Thank you to libro.fm and Penguin Canada for a free ALC of this title.
Parts of this were really compelling, from Jordin's discussion of substance abuse in the NHL to his reflections on generational trauma rampant in his community.
But the book itself isn't cohesive; it jumps around a lot while simultaneously being too repetitive at times. I think it's best listened to as if it were a podcast mini series. It may also work better for those who have recently read his previous book, All the Way.
Thank you to libro.fm and Penguin Canada for a free ALC of this title.
April 28, 2025
This was a difficult book to read. The youngest generation of hockey players I’ve read to date. There was a lot of swearing in Seth Rogan’s book but be prepared for angry swearing throughout the book. Okay, besides that, though it’s too bad it’s the first comment that stands out for me, like the other hockey players, it’s important that his story was told because it’s likely very different from a lot of other hockey players on the league. Yet, there were many similarities between all the Indigenous hockey players I’ve read about (so far this is my fourth Indigenous hockey player memoir this year).
Issues that are similar and cross all the generations was the racism, the violence, the life style changes, the connection to communities. Tootoo’s is different from them because of his experience as an Inuk from the North of Canada. His voice and experience is important to hockey history as well as Indigenous and Canadian history.
Issues that are similar and cross all the generations was the racism, the violence, the life style changes, the connection to communities. Tootoo’s is different from them because of his experience as an Inuk from the North of Canada. His voice and experience is important to hockey history as well as Indigenous and Canadian history.
January 5, 2024
I first read Jordin's first book "All The Way" and would rate that book 5 stars all day long so when this book came out I had really high hopes. I thought we would hear more about how the news of mass graves being uncovered at residential schools affected the community members and members of Jordins family but I feel like that was rarely talked about throughout the book. I also just found really jumbled and kind of all over the place, as much as I wanted to really like this book, I just couldn't .
January 1, 2025
My book for December 2024. Wasn’t so much about the hockey, but more about a population of people and problems they face that I knew nothing about. Never knew how deep rooted alcoholism, abuse, and trauma from residential schools are with Inuk people. Also about “the land” and how well HE was doing wasn’t really about what was happening to him in life, but how connected he was to the land. Or at least a balance of both. Felt a little dragged out at times, but he’s a hockey player not an author so don’t blame him
November 15, 2023
I am in. O way a prude. I use the F word regularly but when I get to page 6 and I’ve already read it about 10 times that’s just too much. It isn’t necessary. It adds nothing to the story and it tells me that the author is not someone I would want to meet. Oh well, on to the next one.
January 1, 2024
A collage of motivation, inspiration, real life shit, insight, lessons, tragedy, hockey, comedy and an array of f-bombs this book was a page turner and something I want my son to read one day… when he’s older;)
August 30, 2024
As a Sport Social Worker who worked in an Indigenous community early in my career, I wish I had this early in my career. Jordin's willingness to open up and be vulnerable is admirable. I like how he discussed the wide range of his own experiences as well as his people.
December 10, 2024
He has a unique way of telling a story and of bridging the gap between being on the land and his life down south. I found this book to be about his search for who he is in discovering who the people closest to him are especially his dad.
February 27, 2025
This is a good book. It is interesting to see other people's views on life and how they handle themselves in different aspects. I like how Jordin is just himself in the book and does not sensor anything. I will be reading his first book as well.
January 29, 2024
Tootoo’s prose comes off like he’s a character from Letterkenny but without the charm or the wit.
Read Avery’s book instead.
Read Avery’s book instead.
February 5, 2024
After working in the North it was a great book to read, inspiring and educational. Lots of f bombs but I really learned a lot.
April 16, 2024
Well told. Professional hockey player, grew up in Rankin Inlet. An honest reflection on success and significant struggles
July 8, 2024
The book jumped around a bit too much.. lacked a good flow. But I'm sure writing it felt the same way.. a lot of emotion. The book itself wasn't my favorite, but the story is inspiring.
August 21, 2024
This is an excellent book! I’m a big hockey fan, and this was a great hockey book! I really enjoyed reading it!
November 11, 2024
This is a powerful story about navigating a good path and reconciling the impact the past has had on it.
March 11, 2024
DNF at 18%
Listened to audiobook
Listened to audiobook
January 25, 2024
Nope couldn’t even get through it
March 12, 2024
Une histoire poignante que celle racontée par Jordin Tootoo. Cependant, il y a beaucoup d'éléments de répétition et on a l'impression de tourner en rond par moment.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews