What Made Maddy Run

The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen

By: Kate Fagan

Narrated by: Kate Fagan

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The heartbreaking story of college athlete Madison Holleran, whose life and death by suicide reveal the struggle of young people suffering from mental illness today in this number one New York Times Sports and Fitness best seller. If you scrolled through the Instagram feed of 19-year-old Maddy Holleran, you would see a perfect life: a freshman at an Ivy League school, recruited for the track team, who was also beautiful, popular, and fiercely intelligent.

This was a girl who succeeded at everything she tried, and who was only getting started. But when Maddy began her long-awaited college career, her parents noticed something changed. Previously indefatigable Maddy became withdrawn, and her thoughts centered on how she could change her life. In spite of thousands of hours of practice and study, she contemplated transferring from the school that had once been her dream.

When Maddy's dad, Jim, dropped her off for the first day of spring semester, she held him a second longer than usual. That would be the last time Jim would see his daughter. What Made Maddy Run began as a piece that Kate Fagan, a columnist for espnW, wrote about Maddy's life. What started as a profile of a successful young athlete whose life ended in suicide became so much larger when Fagan started to hear from other college athletes also struggling with mental illness.

This is the story of Maddy Holleran's life, and her struggle with depression, which also reveals the mounting pressures young people - and college athletes in particular - face to be perfect, especially in an age of relentless connectivity and social media saturation.

©2017 Kate Fagan (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"It is impossible not to be affected by Holleran's heart-wrenching story. An appropriate (if difficult) read for current and future college athletes, their coaches, and parents." (Library Journal)

"A compassionate and frank look at depression and the social pressure faced by many college students as seen through the eyes of one young woman." (Kirkus)

"Fagan's book is well-researched and the message is timely and important." (Publishers Weekly)

Amazing, agonizing story

An incredibly powerful story that is difficult to listen to because the subject matter is so painful. A must-read for parents whose children experience the constant pressure of social media and the pressure to succeed.

strong story until the end

This was the first audible book I purchased and I’d been wanting to read/listen for a while. The story is, of course, very tragic. You learn that from the title. I enjoyed the first 75% or so of the book. Strong narrative and very detailed. I felt the end kind of just “happened” and that was that. I would’ve like to have had the last part be as good as the first. It is still a good book and eye opening, just don’t hold your breath for the ending (not what happens, just the story itself).

An exceptional inside look.

The author of this book did an exceptional job telling Madison’s story. This story was so real, so important, and truly needed to be told. As someone who works in Higher Education, I can truly say the content of this book will guide my professional practices differently having heard it. We often times forget people are people, and people have lives. Thank you to the Madison’s family to allow this book to be written in order to help others.

Powerful Message

Loved the tact in which Kate tackled this subject. Many girls and parents would benefit from lessons included here

powerful

such a powerful book. I'm a mom of a college athlete and a teen athlete. Definitely. asking me focus more on them and start looking into the little things. prayers go out to the family of this beautiful girl. it breaks my heart the pain she endured. If people would only understand how much suicide hurts the ones around you. heart breaking. so well written showing how this Beautiful mind was of this young women. wi definitely share this book with other parents of athletes.

Wow

So well written and captivating!! I felt like I was living this young girls journey! So insightful and recommended for all high school and college students!! Well done KF!!

Gripping and Powerful

A story that will move everyone, but as a parent, one I think should be required reading for anyone with kids who is or may someday make that crucial transition from high school to college. Kate's narrative is outstanding.

Heavy heart

I'm feeling sadness learning of this family's loss and heartbreak. I pray that this book will help others in need. Thank you for sharing.

Good Read for Parents of Stressed Teens

Worthwhile read for parents of stressed children. I didn’t particularly like the author’s insertion of her own story, nor the authors assumptions of how Maddy was feeling. I was able to overlook my issues and still felt it was a worthwhile read. I also attended UPenn, lived near the suicide scene, and my roommate died 2 months into my freshman year in college. Fast forward, my 14 year old daughter is perpetually stressed. So, this story is close to my heart and put me on alert to be sensitive to my daughter’s pressures.

Thank You Kate

Thank you for sharing this story...I cried, was angry and maybe a bit at peace by the end. I hope parents and schools take the message here and help all students. RIP Maddy...your storm has subsided. Joe Gargiul