Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2SaJUVs
Kinde: https://amzn.to/2RWhv6D
Are you an athlete-student with dreams of making it to "the big show"? Will you not be denied and no matter what anyone suggests, going "Pro" is a certainty? Well, today we're going to dive into a book that the main character has that very attitude. We'll check his story out and also chat with the author.
Welcome to "Power Book Barista were we serve up overviews of fun, easy to read fictional "Power Books" designed to help you hack life challenges, obstacles and pitfalls. Oh and we'll also be enjoying select coffees from around the world along the way. If that's something that interests you, consider subscribing.
Today we're jumping into the world of "The Athlete-Student: Freshman Year" written by Eugene D. Holloman. Star High school football player Michael "Tootie" Mayberry is only concerned with being a pro football player after completing his Junior year in college. No other options have entered his mind. Receiving a good education as a backup plan wasn't what he wanted to hear. No matter what his father, his A-student girlfriend or any of the coaches said or suggested, he basically ignored.
Somewhat emotionally repressed and despite his father's efforts to teach him how to suppress his emotions and feelings, he deals with the sadness of his mom's passing from Cancer when he was 2yo, the anger of his big brothers incarceration when he was 12yo, who he sort of idolized, and love for his high school sweetheart. He's an obedient kid but somewhat resents the sheltered life he lives due to his fathers perceived failure of not keeping his big brother safe from the streets.
Despite all that, he's living the dream. He's being scouted for scholarships by all the big schools with designs only on him taking them to a championship, as well as some other schools that may want a championship, but also want him to focus on academics so he has a future after football.
He visited many of the schools but he had narrowed it down to his three top prospects, the Universities of Virginia, Georgia and Miami. However, it would all be for nothing if he couldn't get a decent score on his SAT's. Thanks to his girlfriend Sophia, he gets a good enough score to take his dream to the next level. Eventually his dad gives him the space to begin making life decisions when he's faced with deciding where to attend college on a full scholarship.
Unfortunately for Tootie, like some of you, his dream had become somewhat of a nightmare. It finally dawned on him that he had to decide whether to stay close to home where his girl and, recently released from prison, brother was or take a better step forward in realizing his dream by attending one of the out of state colleges where he felt he could have the best chance at starting as a freshman, winning a championship and being drafted into the NFL.
So when he finally got to the campus, he.....huh? What's that? Which school did he choose? Oh no, you're gonna have to read to chapter six to find that out for yourself. But I did have the opportunity to interview the author of this book and he may be able to give you a hint or two about Tooties decision.
You can see excerpts from that interview in the video overview above or you can watch the full interview by clicking the interview the link/cover.
Now back to the story. Upon arriving at training camp he humbly began getting into the new rhythm. His arrogant, almost cocky, demeanor took a back seat to his desire to learn and earn the 1 in 8 chance he had to secure the only starting position. Even after mimicking and exceeding the top teammate at his position and outperforming the best counterpart on the opposite side of the ball, the coaches still rode him hard. Practices were up and down for him but he was a real contender.
As I said earlier, Tootie had never much thought about academics but when he met with his advisor to schedule his fall classes, his thoughts shifted. Going to the NFL was the only goal he could see but when the advisor pointed out that there would be a lot of life after the NFL, he decided to give a 2nd career some serious thought.
Anxiety before the first game was literally a nightmare but as the time grew nearer he settled down. Tootie has found it tough to balance academics, athletics and a social life but he vowed to do better at both. However, after he puts up some big numbers in a big game is when his new life's adventure really starts. The rest was just the pre-game warm-up.
Questions of the week:
Are you an athlete-student with goals to make it to the top of your given sport? Or are you the parent/family member of an athlete-student that you wish to help navigate the stormy road ahead? Let me know your story in the comments below.
If I told you everything about the book what are the chances you would read it? Yeah I thought so. Just know that the good stuff gets really good...and bad. I'll leave that for you to discover. I know you may think this book would only be geared toward athlete-students but nothing could be further from the truth. This book is crafted with trials that we all face, even as adults. Teenagers dealing with peer pressure, parents with college bound teenage children as well as young children with exceptional athletic ability.
While this is the first part in a multi-part series, it can surely stand on it's own. However, in later volumes, I expect that we'll see Tootie mature, fail, recover and grow from his experiences in college and life. DON'T MISS THIS ONE and be sure to buy the follow-up book, "The Athlete-Student: Sophomore Year" which is available for now.
These books are available on amazon
The Athlete-Student: Freshman Year - https://amzn.to/2SaJUVs
The Athlete-Student: Sophomore Year - https://amzn.to/2UioyrL
and Kindle
The Athlete-Student: Freshman Year - https://amzn.to/2RWhv6D
The Athlete-Student: Sophomore Year - https://amzn.to/2RXfpDm
Make sure you get both. And remember, "Formal education makes you a living. Self education makes you a fortune." Seeya next time.
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