Rating: 4 out of 5

I’d added it to my list after reading the sample, which I loved; the combination of running and positive psychology instantly grabbed me.

I hadn’t heard of Deanna before, but I know one of the athletes often mentioned in the book: Paula Radcliffe. Being a Brit, Paula was a household name, so it was fascinating to read about Deanna as part of that cohort of world-class runners.

I really enjoyed following Deanna’s career, watching her progress, and quietly rooting for her in races from years gone by. I even had to pause reading at one point to do a quick Wikipedia fact-check to see how a certain race ended (yes, I cheated!).

The best part of the book was following how her mindset truly affected her running. You see the positivity psychology in action, not just as a theory.

The only thing that felt a bit jarring was the final section, “The Optimist’s Guide.” It’s well-written, and I highlighted a few thoughts and paragraphs in it, but it felt like a total gear change from the rest of the book. I’m not sure I needed that specific structure tacked onto the end of the memoir. I’ll keep the book on my Kindle, and I might go back to that self-help chapter, but I’ll do it deliberately, separate from the main memoir.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. It’s engaging, warm, and inspiring.

Originally posted to my Goodreads account