Age Is Just a Number

Achieve Your Dreams At Any Stage In Your Life

By: Dara Torres, Elizabeth Weil

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

From legendary Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres comes a motivational, inspirational memoir about staying fit, aging gracefully, and pursuing your dreams.

Dara Torres captured the hearts and minds of Americans of all ages when she launched her Olympic comeback as a new mother at the age of forty-one—years after she had retired from competitive swimming and eight years since her last Olympics. When she took three silver medals in Beijing—including a heartbreaking .01-second finish behind the gold medalist in the women’s 50-meter freestyle—America loved her all the more for her astonishing achievement and her good-natured acceptance of the results.

Now, in Age Is Just a Number, Dara reveals how the dream of an Olympic comeback first came to her—when she was months into her first, hard-won pregnancy. With humor and candor, Dara recounts how she returned to serious training—while nursing her infant daughter and contending with her beloved father’s long battle with cancer.

Dara talks frankly about diving back in for this comeback; about being an older athlete in a younger athletes’ game; about competition, doubt, and belief; about working through pain and uncertainty; and finally—about seizing the moment and, most important, never giving up. A truly self-made legend, her story will resonate with women of all ages—and with anyone daring to entertain a seemingly impossible dream.©2009 Dara Torres; (P)2009 Random House

Dara Torres is a stud!

Dara's account is honest, courageous and hits the target! The book is a page turner and gave a glimpse into the life and struggles of elite athletes and 41 year old Olympians. Truly inspiring.

Decent book but narrow application

Great to hear she fought through and succeeded. Clearly she has/ had resources that very few people do and this made the story seem a bit less heroic. Amazing feats, but Physically unique and wealthy family just makes it bit less heroic feeling.

Age is only a limit for those who make it one

What did you love best about Age is Just a Number?

I am not a swimmer but I love sports. As a runner I can appreciate the extreme conditioning and how it has to be part of your life. I'd heard of Dara but didn't realize just what she had accomplished. This was a very inspiring book and you don't need to be a swimmer or even an athlete to feel motivated.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Age is Just a Number?

I felt like I was right there with Dara when she talked about her Olympic experience. But I also like that when the other athletes got jealous and got her kicked of the team, she picked herself up and fought back and it made her stronger and faster.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a book that inspires you, I highly recommend this one.

A touching and an exciting story to read.

One of the best sports relating story. Give us hope and possibility to live full life.

great story

as an age group swimmer in the 70s and 80s, I knew of dara torres in her early years. this is an awesome story to fill in everything I did not know about her and her determination. great story.