Bravey
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
The Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker and writer Alexi Pappas shares what she’s learned about confidence, self-reliance, mental health, embracing pain, and achieving your dreams. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE • “Heartbreaking and hilarious.”—Mindy Kaling • “A beautiful read.”—Ruth Reichl • “Essential guidance to anyone dreaming big dreams.”—Shalane Flanagan • “I couldn’t put it down.”—Adam Grant run like a bravey sleep like a baby dream like a crazy replace can’t with maybe When “Renaissance runner” (New York Times) Alexi Pappas—Olympic athlete, actress, filmmaker, and writer—was four years old, her mother died by suicide, drastically altering the course of Pappas’s life and setting her on a search for female role models. When her father signed his bereaved daughter up for sports teams as a way to keep her busy, female athletes became the first women Pappas looked up to, and her Olympic dream was born. At the same time, Pappas had big creative dreams, too: She wanted to make movies, write, and act. Despite setbacks and hardships, Pappas refused to pick just one lane. She put in a tremendous amount of hard work and wouldn’t let anything stand in her way until she achieved all of her dreams, however unrelated they may seem to outsiders. In a single year, 2016, she made her Olympic debut as a distance runner and wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film. But great highs are often accompanied by deep lows; with joy comes sorrow. In Bravey, Pappas fearlessly and honestly shares her battle with post-Olympic depression and describes how she emerged on the other side as a thriving and self-actualized woman. Unflinching, exuberant, and always entertaining, Bravey showcases Pappas’s signature, charming voice as she reflects upon the touchstone moments in her life and the lessons that have powered her career as both an athlete and an artist—foremost among them, how to be brave. Pappas’s experiences reveal how we can all overcome hardship, befriend pain, celebrate victory, relish the loyalty found in teammates, and claim joy. In short: how every one of us can become a bravey.
Reviews with the most likes.
When I was younger, I was quite the fan of Alexi. I loved how quirky she was, how different from other female pro runners: unabashedly racing in lace or Spiderman tops (back when she was unsponsored), sporting her signature messy top bun (which I would try to replicate, to my chagrin, as top-knots are not suited to baby-fine, short hair), and pursuing lofty creative and athletic goals concurrently. However, when I actually dove into her creative projects... I don't want to be scathing, because I still really respect her, but eek. I saw Tracktown in a small Boston theater with 3 of my post-collegiate teammates, and we were the only ones there – and yet, we were still writhing with second-hand embarrassment for how upsettingly awkward the whole thing was. And while I appreciate that she shares poetry on social media, her Instagram poetry is... well, Instagram poetry. I personally find it more cutesy than critically good.
So, I had few expectations for this book. I figured I would walk away as I have from any of her other creative pursuits, thinking: “Well, that was not that great. But for a professional runner... meh, not bad.”
But I had a different experience with this book. It's part memoir, part self-help in a way that actually works. I don't feel like I'm the target audience for this book - but not too many years ago, I would have been - and the younger me would have really loved it. Current me liked it, especially as an audiobook that could distract me from some pretty clunky runs. I felt interested and engaged the whole time, and feel like her distinctive voice (both creative voice, and her actual vocal chord voice) lent itself well to this medium. I love how candid she is about mental health, and about her relationship with her mother, her body, and her dreams. It's not often we get books this honest. It's a good read for fellow distance runners, and probably a great read for younger female athletes.
