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  • Finding Ultra

  • Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
  • By: Rich Roll
  • Narrated by: Rich Roll
  • Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,215 ratings)
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Finding Ultra cover art

Finding Ultra

By: Rich Roll
Narrated by: Rich Roll
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Summary

An incredible but true account of achieving one of the most awe-inspiring midlife physical transformations ever.

In October 2006, the night before he was to turn 40, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly 50 pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he saw where his sedentary lifestyle was taking him. Most of us look the other way when granted such a moment of clarity, but not Rich. Plunging into a new way of eating that made processed foods off-limits and prioritized plant nutrition and daily training, Rich morphed - in mere months - from out-of-shape midlifer to endurance machine. Ninety days into his physical overhaul, Rich left the house for a light jog and found himself running a near marathon. It was time to scale up his goals.

How many of us take up a sport at age 40 and compete for the title of the world’s best within two years? Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman World Championship competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans against each other in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. Following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the Epic5 Challenge - five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.

This is more than an inside look at a series of jaw-dropping athletic feats or a practical training manual for those who would attempt a similar transformation. Yes, Rich’s account rivets and instructs, providing information that will be invaluable to anyone who wants to change their physique; but this book is most notable as a powerful testament to human resiliency, for as we learn early on, Rich’s life has posed numerous physical and social challenges, including a fierce battle with alcoholism.

Ultimately Finding Ultra is a beautifully written portrait of what willpower can accomplish. It challenges us to rethink what we’re capable of and urges us, implicitly and explicitly, to “go for it”. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Richard David Roll (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“You walk away from reading this book knowing you have the total power to transform your life on every level.... Roll is immensely likeable, a most compelling storyteller, and a true shaman of health and fitness!” (Kathy Freston, New York Times best-selling author)

“Rich Roll’s Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what's possible.” (John Brenkus, creator and host of ESPN’s Sport Science and New York Times best-selling author)

“I loved this. A rare book, unusual for its honesty and willingness to bare all, that really does deserve such superlatives as ‘riveting’ and ‘compelling.’ I was moved by watching Roll conquer his demons and felt privileged to share in his eventual enlightenment. By laying it on the line, Roll absolutely wins us over.” (Rip Esselstyn, New York Times best-selling author)

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great listen.

unfortunately the last couple of chapters are a vegan shopping and lifestyle listen. other than that really enjoyed it !

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing

Absolutely loved this. First audio book I've listened to all the way through. Very inspirational.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A pleasure to read

Great book, great read, inspiring and real about the struggle. informative too. Transformative on so many levels and ways. I enjoyed the read and the journey.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Yawn

I've read several ultra/sport books and they were great, almost all five stars. But this turned into a diet bash, at which point I zoned out, I don't want to listen to someone push their diet and bash other people's choices totally out me off, switched off and about to delete sadly!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

I loved the author biography and numerous nutrition and training explanations. I have started to look more in details on the nutrition side of this book, and it has expanded my proficiency.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Awsome

Awesome story from rich roll!
I loved his honesty in the book and learnt alot about fitness and foods, will be recommending.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fastest I've consumed an Audio book

Came for the information about Ultra running
Stayed for the storys and got caught up in the people.
Not too preachy regarding the vegan lifestyle.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Simply Vegan!

That's just an amazing intro to the world of Green based nutrition and training! Breathtaking!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A Vegan preachathon filled with product placements

It's read so dull that I had to bump the audio speed up a notch to make Rich Roll's voice more spritely.

The book covers a bit of Roll's life struggling with alcoholism, work and relationships that all destroyed his opportunity to become a successful swimmer in his youth.

There's a quickly told story about completing the Epic 5 challenge (still going strong today, if you have the $8500 entry fee and several thousand more to pay for your helpers, flights etc) that he and a friend came up with.

The rest of the book is a spiritual preachfest about veganism and product placement and nods to sponsors.

As a whole, and the way it's read, lots of Americanisms and 'bro' chatter high fives and chest bumps, feels VERY narcissistic and self-congratulatory. I found it impossible to develop any sort of liking for this guy, though I appreciate and applaud his ability to turn his life around. Fair play.

Not a book for me. Probably not a book for anyone else either. There's better books out there. Don't waste your time on this nonsense.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful and Inspiring

Really interesting audiobook would recommend to anybody looking to make improvements to their life great or small

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