Review — Finding Ultra

For some reason I always end up reading a book once a year about someone who battle substance abuse. In this case the recovered is a gentleman named Rich Roll who ended up battling back alcohol and became an endurance athlete while abiding by a plant based diet. I know, overachiever right? But it’s a good story and a good summer read.

“Finding Ultra” is the essentially Roll’s story until his early 40’s. It’s capped with him doing 5 Ironman’s on 5 different islands in Hawaii in 6 days. There was no “race” so to speak, just a race against ones self. An impressive feat no matter the age, diet, abilities or what not but it was even more impressive for someone in his early 40’s and on a plant based diet.

The thing I really appreciated about Roll’s book was and is his dedication. Once he puts it in his head he’s on board with it regardless of the consequences. I suppose some would call it an addictive personality and I guess that would be a more accurate description but it is still impressive. From his early days as a swimmer to his dedication to alcohol to getting in shape to doing Ultraman to the aforementioned 5 Ironman’s in 6 days. Once he has mentally checked in, it’s on and that wasn’t always a good thing in his life but it has turned out alright.

In the end Roll’s book is a good read for this time of year. If you get inspired (which you should) you could head out on a run or a bike or at the very minimum look in the mirror and see if you can be a better version of you.