Out There

By: David Clark

Narrated by: Al Kessel

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

David Clark went from the rock bottom of bankruptcy, addiction, and obesity to becoming an accomplished athlete. In this compelling story of his life, he not only shares his journey with complete honesty, but he also lays out a blueprint for change that anyone can use to redefine what is possible.

Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery is the story of a man who never had a chance to find out who he was. Growing up in the hardest of circumstances, poor, homeless, and traveling the country in his father's pickup truck, David Clark was no stranger to the hard knocks of life. Yet, without the benefit of any formal education in his early years, he lifted himself all the way up to owning a chain of 13 retail stores by the time he was 29 years old only to lose it all to addiction, poor choices, and tough economic breaks. In the aftermath, David started spiraling toward death, spending years eating recklessly, drinking and drugging himself, and growing farther and farther away from everyone around him. One day the thought occurred to him: "if I don't change today, I will die." David went on to completely redefine himself, his values, and his very way of looking at life. He lost over 150 pounds and kept it off - not only that, but he went on to compete in some of the toughest endurance events in the world. Today David is a loving father of three, running coach, sponsored runner, speaker, and gym owner. He dedicates his time to sharing the story of how we can all change everything about ourselves if we want to badly enough. Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery is the unwashed and unfiltered reality of David's journey. It is brutally and unflinchingly honesty and a testament to the power of redemption and the human spirit.

©2014 David Clark (P)2015 David Clark

Story of ultra recovery

Any additional comments?

I expected this audiobook as the typical rock-bottom story of addiction and survival. But it’s so much more than that.. It’s exciting and raw and riveting—a real-life story about a guy who just refused to give up. David Clark pulls no punches in telling us what he’s been through, and it will be a long, long time before I get this book out of my head. It is a inspiring book.

11 people found this helpful

Could have been better

This book could have been so much better (for me) if the writer had condensed the first half about his years of drug addiction down a little. Actually by about 2/3. After the first ten chapters (that's right I said ten chapters) of explanation we finally get to the running part. However, the writing overall and the narration is excellent and made even the first ten chapters bearable. I have to admit, I got this book for its running theme, not the addiction stuff.

My suggestion: If you want to read about running, skip most of the first ten chapters and just take my word he had a bunch of addiction issues. If you are interested in his addiction days, read (or listen) to it all. I don't think you will be disappointed either way.

I listened to it all and gave it a four star overall...but it could have been better

7 people found this helpful

Sort of disappointing

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

I think this is a book for men only, or women without a family. I think if you are an alcoholic is would be good too.

Would you ever listen to anything by David Clark again?

No

What aspect of Al Kessel’s performance would you have changed?

The issue I had was that the tone of his voice didn't match the tone in the book. I think in another book he would be good, but he seemed a little goodie goodie for a story like this.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Out There?

OMG - I would get rid of all of the reflecting during the long runs on his childhood. None of the info came up in the beginning about them being religious or living in a van and not being able to afford food. The long beginning about the family just indicated they they moved around and no info on digging in dumpsters. I would have touched on it there. Also, the extreme detail of drinking over and over throughout the first half of the book could have been condensed.

Any additional comments?

My main disappointment in this book was his inability to see that he traded one addiction for another at the expense of his family. I would love his ex wife to write a book and give her and the kids perspective on it. He assessed that his wife left him because of the affair, but realistically he was a hardcore alcoholic who then became a hardcore runner who worked on the road and when he was not working he was training for extreme runs. When I was 30 with no kids I trained for a marathon and worked full-time, this left me very little time for other things, so I imagine all the training he described was sucking up any time he had and his wife was home working (at least for some of the time, per the book) raising three kids and taking care of the house and all his needs when he was there. Without knowing her side I can only assume that the affair was the final nail in their marital coffin, vs. her reason for leaving him.

Though I view his charitable work as kind, and trading the addiction from alcohol to running to be a great idea, I found his description of his life, his goals and himself to be extremely selfish.

3 people found this helpful

Loved every min!

Definitely one of the best. So honest in its storytelling. Every person should read/listen to this book. Incredible

2 people found this helpful

Nexus of Two Different Worlds

I was intrigued by the title and thumbnail. I am in recovery and have completed a half dozen marathons. As an orthopedic surgeon friend told me, I am now an endorphin junkie. Perhaps so. If so, David has left me in the dust. As I looked through some of the reviews before mine, if one reads it only from the perspective of one community, recovery or running/ultra running, one will most probably feel far too much of the story is allocated to the other perspective. But realizing that the alcoholic/addict lifestyle prior to entering recovery was almost as much of a marathon as the recovery, training and ultra running became, one must realize that both facets of the journey were long and grueling. I did find myself thinking more than a few times, however, that there can be no true 'ultra' recovery until one dies clean, sober and at peace. To me, that is ultra recovery. Until then, I'm still "trudging the road of happy destiny."

2 people found this helpful

Recovery story

Interesting story of addiction, recovery and overcoming the odds. Nice narration. Gives hope and healing to those still suffering from addiction and obesity.

2 people found this helpful

very good story

I really loved the book, my only complaint is that the addiction phase of the book takes 10 chapters. I feel this could have been cut in half and still told the full story.

I would recommend the book to friends.

2 people found this helpful

Need an inspirational story? Read on!

What made the experience of listening to Out There the most enjoyable?

Out there is an autobiography of David who encounters all the bad things--job loss, addiction, and weight issues. He overcomes it all with tenacity and the support of his long-time wife. The best thing about this story is Mr. Clark's raw honesty.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Out There?

I was moved by the author's relationship with his father. My father recently died, and it was a little cathartic to hear the wise words taken to heart.

What does Al Kessel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought Al Kessel did a terrific job of bringing the right cadence to the story. I felt as if I was listening to the author and not someone just reading the story.

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

The whole thing. I have had similar problems on a smaller level--it made me feel much better to know that there are many out there with challenges.

Any additional comments?

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

2 people found this helpful

Not much running

I enjoyed the description of the various races but that was toward the end of the book. Mostly it was a story of self abuse, which was pretty much a downer until his recovery.

2 people found this helpful

Great Listen

It is a little long, but enjoyable.
Take the time and listen to a great story. Second half is great.

2 people found this helpful

Ultra Torture!

As a keen runner i was expecting to be entertained and informed by someone who has definitely 'been there and got the T shirt'.

And, like a good endurance athlete i stuck with it to the bitter end, hour upon hour of torturous and irrelevant detail about his personal life and battle with various addictions.

But the real problem with this book is that, as relevant as some of the details might be, its just badly written.

Not all singers get to perform in front of thousands, likewise not all artists have there work on display in top gallery's, there just not at that level yet, and as an author 'David Clark' is just not at the level necessary to keep an audience entertained and interested.

3 people found this helpful

Very very long winded

About half of the book is about the authors fight with addition and how he over came it.
Whiling it’s inspiring, I was expecting more content on the running aspect. Well done to him for fighting his demons and knocking out the ultra marathon

Fantastic book - a must read

An honest and frank story from start to finish, brutally honest and open. Truly inspiring and makes you believe that anything is possible with the right frame of mind and training.

Amazing book

Brilliant just Brilliant!
He has shared his life and changed mine.
Get out there and LIVE

Awesome story

A truly epic story of a man who turned his life around. I recommend this to everyone I know who is aiming at some kind of transformation, or people looking for motivation. Fantastic