A Life Without Limits

A World Champion's Journey

By: Chrissie Wellington, Lance Armstrong - foreward

Narrated by: Polly Lee, Chrissie Wellington

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A Life without Limits is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, to the trails of Argentina, and finally, across the finish line.

Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced - from anorexia, to near-drowning, to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sport also presents an opportunity to improve people's lives.

A Life without Limits reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training, and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.

©2012 Chrissie Wellington (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Chrissie winning, on repeat

There's an interesting start to this book. Lance Armstrong narrates the foreword and I can't help but think of the doping scandal that overshadows his achievements now. His foreword kind of primed me to look out for machismo, for ego. This set the scene for me to feel sceptically about elite athletic pursuits and I wasn't much helped out of it by not warming to Chrissie as much as I'd have hoped.

I picked this up because I've read and loved books like "Into Thin Air" by Krakauer and "Born to Run" by McDougall. I was looking for an inspiring read, an insight into the mind of a person who pushes her body to the limit. While I found Chrissie to be very self-aware insightful and honest. I also couldn't help feeling like it was all a little too glossy. Challenges and set-backs are described, but over all it was success story after success story and I felt a little hit over the head with it.

I did learn a lot about the world of triathlon and ironman, as I'd hoped, but it didn't have the inspiring effect on me that Born to Run did. I didn't ultimately find Chrissie that accessible and did't feel a sense of inclusiveness around the description of her experience.

I think readers with an interest in adventure/sport stories or in biographies will get the most out of this. Chrissie is an exceptional woman and has used her success to raise the profile of charities. She's certainly a role model, I just don't know that she spoke that much to me personally.

One-dimensional, Self-Aggrandizing Pap.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

If you love hearing people talk about how amazing they are, in a way that is completely disconnected from other people's experiences, this book is for you! In the few moments where there appeared to be an attempt at humility or humanity, the writing was so poor and hackneyed it induced literal head shakes of disbelief.

What was most disappointing about Chrissie Wellington and Lance Armstrong (foreward) ’s story?

Having a lying sociopath write the intro is a great way to prepare one for this listen.

What character would you cut from A Life Without Limits?

I would cut Chrissie from this story--as the author, not the main character.

Any additional comments?

Chrissie's story could have been motivational, inspiring, and riveting, if this book had been written by someone who knew how to structure a narrative, provide perspective, use metaphor, and provide room for empathy and introspection.

Just get past the first few chapters

I almost returned this book. I found the first few chapters difficult to get through. Later on you learn they are necessary in laying the foundation of Chrissie Wellington. Wellington is synonymous with Ironman. If you know Ironman you know her name. What you don’t know is what it took to for her to be where she is. After the first few chapters, I could not stop! Great insight into the life of a champion. She leaves it all out on the table. She shared things most people wouldn’t make public. Thank you CW!

So Inspiring!

I loved this book, I'm not a triathlete but I found this incredibly inspiring. I have listened to Chap 14 & 15 several times, including while driving to my first half marathon in almost 5 years. I will listen to this book anytime I need some inspiration. She is an incredible athlete and person.

I was caught off guard by the intro by Lance Armstrong. I did read an article that she did regret that.

I have enjoyed many Ironman youtube videos since listening to this book. Who knows maybe I will give it a whirl!

A for Awesomeness

I listen to books about running while running. This is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it.

Slow start but gets good toward the middle.

You have to be patient on this one. It takes a while to get rolling, but once it does, it will not disappoint.

A Champion's Journey is a great title

What made the experience of listening to A Life Without Limits the most enjoyable?

Chrissie Wellington when you meet her is bigger than life. Her bubbly smile and charm captures everyone's attention. This book gave me a new and more complete understanding of who Chrissie is as a person and a human being, she is more than just the champion of triathlon. She is doing more of things more of us should be doing - living life without limits.

Any additional comments?

Life is like a triathlon, long, enduring, one seemingly endless event one after another, and as an athlete (weekend warrior), I found the book refreshingly different as Chrissie described details about her personal challenges I would have never expected her to reveal. She has yet again demonstrated her inner strength and willingness to live and completely expose herself to everyone, a clear picture of a champion in life. I highly recommend this book if you follow Ironman events. It truly painted a picture of who I believe Chrissie really is every single day.

A nice way to hear about a champion's story

I liked the way it unveiled her story.
It felt authentic. It was in a way humble and proud storytelling.
Sometimes moving and others inspiring.

Excellent. Listened in 1 day

I’m not a triathlete but love watching it. I’m an endurance cyclist and enjoyed the books in depth details of her training regimen, battle with anorexia and how she overcomes injury.
I wanted the book to continue.
I highly recommend.

Powerful and Inspiring

It's been a while since I read this book but the message and drive of Chrissie kept me com8ng back for me. It is a powerful book about mind over matter and sheer determination to win. I commend Chrissie on all levels for the superb athlete she became and continues to be.