Off Balance

A Memoir

By: Dominique Moceanu, Paul Williams, Teri Williams

Narrated by: Dominique Moceanu

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In this searing and riveting New York Times best seller, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu reveals the dark underbelly of Olympic gymnastics, the true price of success…and the shocking secret about her past and her family that she only learned years later.

At 14 years old, Dominique Moceanu was the youngest member of the 1996 US Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team, the first and only American women’s team to take gold at the Olympics. Her pixyish appearance and ferocious competitive drive quickly earned her the status of media darling. But behind the fame, the flawless floor routines, and the million-dollar smile, her life was a series of challenges and hardships.

Off Balance vividly delineates each of the dominating characters who contributed to Moceanu’s rise to the top, from her stubborn father and long-suffering mother to her mercurial coach, Bela Karolyi. Here, Moceanu finally shares the haunting stories of competition, her years of hiding injuries and pain out of fear of retribution from her coaches, and how she hit rock bottom after a public battle with her parents. But medals, murder plots, drugs, and daring escapes aside (all of which figure into Moceanu’s incredible journey), the most unique aspect of her life is the family secret that Moceanu discovers, opening a new and unexpected chapter in her adult life. A mysterious letter from a stranger reveals that she has a second sister - born with a physical disability and given away at birth - who has nonetheless followed in Moceanu’s footsteps in an astonishing way.

A multilayered memoir that transcends the world of sports, Off Balance will touch anyone who has ever dared to dream of a better life.

©2012 Dominique Moceanu and Paul Williams (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Amazing!

Would you listen to Off Balance again? Why?

If time allows, YES!

What did you like best about this story?

Gripping, and easy listening

Have you listened to any of Dominique Moceanu’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Anger about her coaches and her father's action

Any additional comments?

Love the book

I really enjoyed this book

I enjoyed getting an inside look to Dominique's gymnastics story and her life. I definitely appreciated that she didn't try to sugar coat her story,. I also really liked that she read it--I feel like hearing it in her own voice added to the telling

Eye Opening!!!👀

Great memoir from Dominique. She is a very admirable girl who has a lot of courage. Loved the whole book and would highly recommend to all who love gymnastics.

Dominique Is An American Hero!

I loved this book! Dominique Moceanu goes deep into her personal and professional life in this book! She was/is truly an American Hero ... one of the greatest gymnasts of all time! Riveting story! I pray God's blessing over the next chapters in her life!

VIP Access to a VIP

I chose this book because Dominique was one of my idols as a young girl. I remember watching her at the '96 Olympics, a bonding experience for my dad and me. I remembered being stunned when I heard the news of Dominique's birth sister who had been put up for adoption, so I was crossing my fingers hoping to learn more both about Dominique's career and also her family.

The book totally delivered on my hopes. It was personal and honest, and I personally loved that Dominique didn't editorialize whatsoever. I'm amazed, given the stories she told, that she was so generous and fair to the many villains in her story. I am even more impressed with her as a person than I thought I would be.

The reason I give it 4 stars is that I'm not sure it would mean as much to someone who didn't already care about Dominique. The writing is very simple, sometimes even plain and clichè, and absolutely nothing is sensationalized. If you're looking for an incredible book in its own right, this may not be it, but if you're looking for an incredible human, look no further.

Great book

I have always loved Dominque Moceau and this book gave a great inside view on what happened throughtout her career and afterwards. I enjoyed this book very much

Great story about gymnastics and life

Thank you for sharing your story. I remember watching the Magnificent 7 win team gold in 1996.

exposing & insightful

There is much to learn from Dominique's experiences as a USAG gymnast, as a Romanian immigrant, as a person who believes in God, as an American citizen, as a person who has suffered abuse & trauma. I appreciate her candor and respect her full honesty.

Riveting Characters!

Loved this memoir even more than "Open" by Andre Agasi. Loved listening to her describe particular routines and then looking them up on YouTube. Crazy characters like the Karolis and her Dad keep the storyline intriguing.

Great book

Really enjoyed this book! It's written simply but we'll done. Loved hearing about her experience of training for the Olympics and her family story