Swimming Aimlessly: One Man's Journey through Infertility and What We Can All Learn from It

by Jon Waldman

Using his own journey as inspiration, writer Jon Waldman offers this heartfelt and funny guide for men and couples struggling with infertility. Take a moment to scroll through the contacts on your phone or your friends on Facebook. One in six of them is struggling with infertility. The affected women have most likely reached out to family, close friends, support groups, or online communities. They ask for the help they need, and often get it on behalf of themselves and their partners. But men don’t always handle infertility well. Regardless of the underlying cause, the inability to conceive naturally can be extremely painful. The resulting feelings of inadequacy, shame, and isolation can change how a man acts towards those closest to him. But Jon Waldman wants to change that. In Swimming Aimlessly, Waldman shares his family’s infertility story, a years-long, crazy expensive, physically and emotionally exhausting ride. He also speaks with other couples, doctors, and fertility experts, providing not only the latest science, but more intimate advice about the ups and downs of trying to conceive, keeping the partnership healthy, and dealing with the inevitable losses that come—even when the journey ends in a baby.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2021

About the author

Winnipeg's Jon Waldman is a multi-time published author, journalist, and marketing, communications and event professional.

From an early age, Jon knew that he wanted to enter the world of the written word. While in high school, he wrote for The Jewish Post & News locally and grew his profile in university, writing for Sun Media. Since graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, he has appeared in dozens of publications in Canada, the U.S. and in Europe. His highlight publications include The Globe & Mail, The Telegraph, Toronto Sun, The Free Press, The Hockey News, Winnipeg Men Magazine, CBS Sports and Beckett Hockey among others.

In 2009, Jon expanded his writing to include books, and his shelf now includes six titles across multiple categories. His library includes two books specifically on hockey and two multi-sport publications.

Bookography
1. Canada Life Centre: A Pictorial Celebration of 20 Years of Sports & Entertainment (2024, True North Sports + Entertainment)

2. Swimming Aimlessly (2021, Simon & Schuster)

3. 100 Things Jets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die (2015, Triumph Books)

4. He Shoots, He Saves: The Story of Hockey’s Collectable Treasures (2015, ECW Press)

5. Got’em, Got’em, Need’em (with Stephen Laroche, 2011, ECW Press)

6. SLAM! Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle (with Greg Oliver, 2009, ECW Press)

Reviews

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a bit of courage to write and I commend the author for bringing infertility issues pertaining to men to light. Most of the time when you hear or read about infertility, the focus is on the female. It was interesting to read the emotions involved when a man deals with having less than stellar reports on the fertility scale.

This is a book that will speak to anyone who has ever dealt with - or is currently dealing with - infertility issues.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat book about something I didn't know very much about, and that more people should talk about!

[Kea4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover leads you to think this has to do with a swimming pool. It doesn’t. It’s a conversation about Male Infertility.

I did like hearing about how one lady saved up for IVF but the author neglect to mention if she was successful or not.

He brings up a few reasons for male infertility but I’m sure there are more.

It should be noted that he is Canadian so different rules and health care laws apply.

He offers solutions. Solutions some would be willing to take but others not so much.

But I did like the happy ending.

https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to commend the author Jon Waldman for his extraordinary bravery in sharing his very personal story with us. This book was very educational to me. I enjoyed reading it and was rooting for the author all the way. Highly recommend!

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get that it’s his journey, but it’s not funny or current. Seems like the options haven’t advanced in years.