Fitness Biography

Pete Sampras is arguably the greatest tennis player ever, a man whose hard-nosed work ethic led to an unprecedented number one world ranking for 286 weeks, and whose prodigious talent made possible a record-setting 14 Grand Slam titles. While his more vocal rivals sometimes grabbed the headlines, Pete always preferred to let his racket do the talking. Until now.

Rich Piana: Beyond the Iron offers readers a gripping and unfiltered look into the extraordinary life of bodybuilding sensation Rich Piana. This biography goes beyond the bulging muscles and chiseled physique to reveal the raw truth about a man whose journey was marked by both triumphs and tribulations. Rich Piana's impact on the fitness industry was seismic, and this book provides a brief overview of his profound influence. But its true purpose is to delve into the man behind the muscles, peeling back the layers to uncover the relentless pursuit of excellence that defined his life. The ...

Candace Cameron Bure first became known to millions as a costar on the hit ABC television series Full House. Today, like her brother Kirk Cameron ( Growing Pains, Fireproof), she is the rare Hollywood actor who is outspoken about her Christian faith and how it helps overcome certain obstacles.

From legendary Brazilian jujitsu and MMA master Rickson Gracie comes a riveting, insightful memoir that weaves together the story of Gracie’s stunning career with the larger history of the Gracie family dynasty and the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, showing how the connection between mind and body can be harnessed for success both inside and outside the ring.

Writing from both the cutting edge of scientific discovery and the front-lines of elite athletic performance, National Magazine Award-winning science journalist Alex Hutchinson presents a revolutionary account of the dynamic and controversial new science of endurance.

A liberating journey through the life and times of Brittany Renner. This book details the experiences of a woman whom some love and others love to hate. It's a behind-the-scenes look into her life. Some may categorize and prejudge without knowing her story, but here is her truth. Written in a raw and real voice with wittiness and humor, Brittany allows you to walk a mile in her shoes. Depending on your appetite for truth and reality, this book may make you laugh, cry, cringe, or all of the above. You should never judge a book by its cover.

Discover the uncompromising life and legacy of Mike Mentzer—bodybuilding’s most cerebral iconoclast. Mike Mentzer: The Man Behind Heavy Duty is a definitive exploration of the man who transformed high-intensity training into a philosophy, not just a method. From his strict upbringing in Pennsylvania to the mental crucible of the U.S. Air Force, and from the infamous 1980 Mr. Olympia controversy to his final years as a philosopher-coach, this book captures the full depth of a man who reshaped bodybuilding by demanding logic where others offered lore. Mentzer’s story is not just one of ...

De’Aaron Fox: Racing to Greatness is the definitive biography of one of the NBA’s fastest, most dynamic guards. From Houston’s gritty playgrounds to leading the Sacramento Kings with poise and precision, Fox’s story is not just about athleticism—it’s about calculated evolution, leadership under pressure, and mastering the mental game. This book goes beyond the highlights. It explores Fox’s formative years, his pivotal season under Coach Calipari at Kentucky, and his breakout as a high-IQ, clutch performer in the NBA. Through behind-the-scenes detail, readers witness how Fox ...

Legendary magician Penn Jillette was approaching his 60th birthday. Topping 330 pounds and saddled with a systolic blood pressure reading over 200, he knew he was at a dangerous crossroads: If he wanted to see his small children grow up, he needed to change. And then came Crazy Ray. A former NASA scientist and an unconventional, passionate innovator, Ray Cronise saved Jillette's life with his wild "potato diet". Outspoken, frank, and bitingly clever, Presto is an incisive, rollicking listen.

This is the story of Joseph Pilates, a gifted man who immigrated to the United States at forty-three with no assets or credentials. He not only invented an exercise regimen—which today is practiced by more than ten million people—but in the process, reinvented himself. John Howard Steel brings Joseph Pilates and his eponymous exercise regime to life from his unique perspective as a student, friend, and confidant. Joe’s influence profoundly changed Steel’s life; in turn, Steel was crucial for the survival of the Pilates Method and Joe’s legacy.

Mat Fraser is undisputedly the fittest man in CrossFit history for winning the CrossFit Games an unprecedented five times. A student of engineering, Fraser optimized his body like a machine, and his absolute dedication to the training program he designed for himself is now legendary. Fraser became a master of identifying his weaknesses and then seeking out training methods to improve them, and he's idolized in the fitness community for his relentless pursuit of peak performance. It's not hard to see why he achieved so much success - but how is a different question.

Jay Cutler didn’t just lift weights—he dragged the sport of bodybuilding through its most competitive era and walked away with four Sandow trophies to prove it. The book is the raw, unsentimental story of how a blue-collar kid from Massachusetts muscled his way into an elite sport ruled by genetics, politics, and ego. This book isn’t some sugar-coated fan tribute. It’s an unfiltered breakdown of how Jay built one of the most durable and dominant physiques in modern bodybuilding—using discipline, calculated steroid use, a brutal training split, and a refusal to stay down after ...

An inspirational memoir about how Jennifer Pastiloff's years of waitressing taught her to seek out unexpected beauty, how hearing loss taught her to listen fiercely, how being vulnerable allowed her to find love, and how imperfections can lead to a life full of wild happiness. Centered around the touchstone stories Jen tells in her popular workshops, On Being Human is the story of how a starved person grew into the exuberant woman she was meant to be all along by battling the demons within and winning.

Lou Ferrigno didn’t just build muscle—he built a legacy out of silence, discipline, and sheer force of will. Train Like Lou Ferrigno is the unflinching, brutally direct biography of one of the most iconic bodybuilders and cultural figures of the last fifty years. From a childhood marked by profound hearing loss and bullying, to the green-skinned superstardom of The Incredible Hulk, to training routines that redefined dedication, Ferrigno’s story is one of relentless forward motion. This book strips away the gloss and dives deep into the raw details of Ferrigno’s rise—from cement-...

8 Times a King pulls back the curtain on Ronnie Coleman’s legendary Olympia reign. From his days as an unknown police officer placing dead last in shows, to the era-defining battles against Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Jay Cutler, this book traces every year, rivalry, and controversy of Coleman’s unmatched eight-year run. Set inside the sweat-soaked walls of Metroflex Gym and judged under the bright lights of the Olympia stage, Ronnie’s transformation wasn’t just physical—it shifted the standards of an entire sport. Built from meticulous research, each chapter dives into ...

It's the untold story of the renegade burger chain that evokes a passionate following unlike any other. In fast-food corporate America, In-N-Out Burger stands apart. Begun in a tiny shack in the shadow of World War II, this family-owned chain has steadfastly refused to franchise or be sold. It is a testament to old-fashioned values and reminiscent of a simpler time when people, loyalty, and a freshly made, juicy hamburger meant something.

The best-selling author of Born to Run now travels to the Mediterranean, where he discovers that the secrets of ancient Greek heroes are still alive and well on the island of Crete, and ready to be unleashed in the muscles and minds of casual athletes and aspiring heroes everywhere.

In January 2023, bestselling author Johann Hari started to inject himself once a week with Ozempic, the diabetes drug that produces significant weight loss. He wasn’t alone—credible predictions suggest that in two years, a quarter of the U.S. population will be taking this class of drug. Proponents say that this is a biological solution to a biological problem. While 95 percent of diets fail, the average person taking one of the new drugs will lose a quarter of their body weight in six months, and keep it off for as long as they take it.

From the beginning, Geneen Roth was told she was too sensitive, too emotional, too curious, too demanding, too intense, and too big. Yet gaining and losing weight for decades did not improve her self-worth or reduce other people's criticisms. Like most women who struggle with their weight, she believed that if she could resolve what seemed to be the source of her self-hatred - how and what she ate - she would be thin, happy, and free. That belief, she discovered, was false.

Jay Cutler: Evolution of a Champion is a compelling narrative that delves into the life and career of one of bodybuilding's most iconic figures. This book offers a detailed exploration of Jay Cutler's journey, from his early days in Massachusetts to his rise as a four-time Mr. Olympia champion, and onto his inspiring adaptation to fitness post-50. In this insightful read, readers are taken through the rigors of Cutler's intense training routines during his prime, highlighting the discipline and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of bodybuilding. The book contrasts these with his ...