• Finding Ultra

  • Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
  • By: Rich Roll
  • Narrated by: Rich Roll
  • Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (4,267 ratings)

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Finding Ultra  By  cover art

Finding Ultra

By: Rich Roll
Narrated by: Rich Roll
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Publisher's summary

An incredible but true account of achieving one of the most awe-inspiring midlife physical transformations ever.

In October 2006, the night before he was to turn 40, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly 50 pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he saw where his sedentary lifestyle was taking him. Most of us look the other way when granted such a moment of clarity, but not Rich. Plunging into a new way of eating that made processed foods off-limits and prioritized plant nutrition and daily training, Rich morphed - in mere months - from out-of-shape midlifer to endurance machine. Ninety days into his physical overhaul, Rich left the house for a light jog and found himself running a near marathon. It was time to scale up his goals.

How many of us take up a sport at age 40 and compete for the title of the world’s best within two years? Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman World Championship competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans against each other in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. Following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the Epic5 Challenge - five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.

This is more than an inside look at a series of jaw-dropping athletic feats or a practical training manual for those who would attempt a similar transformation. Yes, Rich’s account rivets and instructs, providing information that will be invaluable to anyone who wants to change their physique; but this book is most notable as a powerful testament to human resiliency, for as we learn early on, Rich’s life has posed numerous physical and social challenges, including a fierce battle with alcoholism.

Ultimately Finding Ultra is a beautifully written portrait of what willpower can accomplish. It challenges us to rethink what we’re capable of and urges us, implicitly and explicitly, to “go for it”.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Richard David Roll (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“You walk away from reading this book knowing you have the total power to transform your life on every level.... Roll is immensely likeable, a most compelling storyteller, and a true shaman of health and fitness!” (Kathy Freston, New York Times best-selling author)

“Rich Roll’s Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what's possible.” (John Brenkus, creator and host of ESPN’s Sport Science and New York Times best-selling author)

“I loved this. A rare book, unusual for its honesty and willingness to bare all, that really does deserve such superlatives as ‘riveting’ and ‘compelling.’ I was moved by watching Roll conquer his demons and felt privileged to share in his eventual enlightenment. By laying it on the line, Roll absolutely wins us over.” (Rip Esselstyn, New York Times best-selling author)

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incoherent melodrama

I have done several ironman triathlons & marathons and I have been interested in doing ultras so I was looking forward to this. The story line of a talented elite athlete squandering his talent because of alcohol then turning his life around (partially) through proper diet and sport is an inspiration. The story as written inspired me to turn it off. His musings are contradictory and idiotic. In one statement, he will claim that his time away from work to train didn't affect his family's finances. Soon after, the attorney with a rich client base states that he couldn't buy food during a long ride as his bank account was overdrawn. To make the tale even more illogical, he then claims his out of body experience was not the result of low blood sugar (an experience that many an athlete has experienced) but rather an epiphany or other mystical event. When he started in on the spiritual gods of the Hawaiian volcanoes, I just could take any more and had to cut my loses.

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150 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great book....but

I really found this book most enjoyable and inspiring. Being read by the author (who does an excellent job of it) also given credibility. It would be great, however, if the appendices with Rich's recipes etc could be made available as a pdf for download because those elements of the book don't lend themselves to audio.

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39 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Impressive but not recommended

His athletic and other accomplishments are impressive, no question.

But I feel the title and description are misleading.
A more accurate (and unwieldy) title might be "Confessions of a College Athlete: How Alcohol Ruined My Life and How I Rebuilt It With Training, Veganism, and Spirituality ."

What I liked:

* whatever his background, his transformation is indeed inspirational
* the description of the training prescribed by his coach offers good pointers for more research
* however flawed his reasoning, it's great to see someone dispelling harmful stereotypes about vegans
* he certainly is honest
* self-narration adds something

What I didn't like:

* Endless melodrama. I didn't need an unabridged confession of his many alcohol-related sins.
* Misleading: he started out as a world-class athlete.
* Ridiculous arguments: "I switched to cheese pizza and didn't feel great. So vegetarianism is bad; you have to go vegan."
* Ridiculous spiritualism: "Some guy warned me away with a gun when I was relieving myself on his property in the middle of the night with a flashlight. It must be because I didn't show proper respect to the island deities."
* Poor science: most of his nutritional advice is backed by "I drink/eat this and I'm an ultra man."
* Conceitedness: to his credit he cites instances of this as his failures. But still I get the impression of thinly-veiled contempt for non-vegans.
* Self-promotion: this is minor, but I still found off-putting the few times he mentions that "by the way I sell a vegan power drink"

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37 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Two Different Books

The first half (first file of the download) focuses on the authors struggles with alcohol. The real story of the ultraman begins in the second half. It is a fantastic story of what a person can accomplish and endure at any age. I was inspired to workout harder and eat different. Beginning with vegan dinner and we will see how it goes from there.

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28 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not all there...

Any additional comments?

The story is really interesting. I listened to the entire book very quickly, however... resources are referenced within the appendices of the book many times. The resources are not provided with the purchase of this audio book though... very disappointing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Helped Change My Life!

What made the experience of listening to Finding Ultra the most enjoyable?

While his semi-nasal, dispassionate voice drives others that happened to hear some of it crazy, I really liked the fact that this was read by Rich Roll himself.

Any additional comments?

I'd already committed to my program of getting fit and healthy prior to listening to to this. Listened to some books like It's Not About The Bike (Lance), I'm Here To Win (Macca), read Iron War and been working out consistently and changing my diet. That being said, I took a lot from Rich's book and applied it to my life.I could relate to Rich's journey as I'm a similar age and was even more unfit. I never dealt with the addiction issues (closest would be food for me) that Rich had to and remember feeling like that section was pretty long but I related to or hope to relate to the rest of the book. The story was quite enjoyable and kept me listening and interested. I loved the further insight into ultra endurance events. And my family has adopted many dietary changes that Rich mentioned. We haven't gone vegan (and probably won't) but are still feeling much better from eating more in line with his philosophy. I liked that these details, as the other technical information, were shared in context of his story rather than a non-fictional guide.I do admit that I regret not having the appendixes and access to some of the reference data that is mentioned.All in all, transformational book for me.

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24 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding!!! Rich Roll is my new hero.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Finding Ultra is an inspirational and moving account of a man not only facing his addictions, middle age and personal fears, but conquering them as well. Mr. Roll has become a role model (pun intended, ;o) for me. This is a true mid-life coming of age story that proves anything is possible if we are willing to do the footwork.

The author holds nothing back as he explains, in detail, how he eats and why. The appendices -- especially -- are filled with copious amounts of information and resources that will get anyone started in the right direction towards better health. I can’t wait to start my new Plant Power Diet.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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SELFISH PURSUIT should be the title of this book

While I enjoyed the details of Rich Roll's training and healthy eating habits this book fails to deilver the power Born To Run gave its listeners. The author's own selfishness oozes out from your ipod as you listen, in rather overdramatic fashion, the length he went to fulfill his passion.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Insightful conquering life's challenges

Where does Finding Ultra rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is great. It starts you off right in the moment of the race. It is read by the author himself which leaves it more genuine. Full of great information on finding ways to change your life for the better through understanding Rich's life story. If you love running or find yourself at the a fork in the road you might like this book.

What did you like best about this story?

His determination to conquer during challenges.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to say I liked the whole book. Fascinating.. that someone can turn their life around and reach such fetes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Inspiring!

Any additional comments?

Look forward to future books by Rich!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very Interesting

What did you love best about Finding Ultra?

The struggle of a lost soul, to a man who survived and soared!

Because I could relate to Part 1, I really enjoyed the whole book. I learned quite a bit.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Ultra?

Winning the struggle to survive.

Which character – as performed by Rich Roll – was your favorite?

I liked them all. Great job.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Look at me now!

Any additional comments?

I just hope I can find another book as informative and told as well.

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