Rising Above: Inspiring Women in Sports

Some of the most accomplished and famous athletes in the world—tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles, World Cup superstar Carli Lloyd and others—faced earthshaking challenges in their youth. But they refused to give up. Through hard work and determination, they rose above their circumstances and went on to conquer the sports world. This collection of mini biographies, complete with firsthand content drawn from in-depth interviews, is a source of inspiration and self-empowerment for kids and sports fans of all ages.

Included in the book: Venus and Serena Wiliams (tennis), Simone Biles (gymnastics), Carli Lloyd (soccer), Wilma Rudolph (track and field), Mo’ne Davis (Little League baseball), Swin Cash (basketball), Elena Delle Donne (basketball), Bethany Hamilton (surfing), Ronda Rousey (mixed martial arts), and Kerri Strug (gymnastics). 

Rising Above is a motivational book that will appeal to anyone—athletes and non-athletes alike. Each chapter focuses on one athlete who is a legend in their field. However, even for these elite athletes, life threw unexpected challenges their way, including chronic illnesses, injuries, harsh criticism, and racism. For example, basketball player Elena Delle Donne had to overcome criticism about her body and her choices. In addition, she had to overcome having a chronic illness.  

Each athlete’s story is told using specific examples, quotes from the athlete and others who knew them, and motivational advice anyone can apply to their lives. For example, soccer player Carli Lloyd said, “You’ve got to work hard to turn negatives into positives…That’s really the key in life.” Even though most readers will never have the intense public scrutiny that these athletes were forced to face, readers will find each athlete’s story motivational and inspiring.  

One theme that comes through in every athlete’s story is the need to bounce back from failure. After having polio as a child, Wilma Rudolph became an African American Olympic legend in track. Along the way, she learned, “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. If you pick up after a crushing defeat and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.” Each athlete admits that they are not perfect and that they had to turn to others for help. “Turning to a friend, parent therapist, or other person for help or guidance isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it can be the best way to deal with life’s trials.” 

The book’s afterword summarizes the similarities in each athlete’s situation and recaps their important life lessons. By reading Rising Above, you will see how athletes faced serious setbacks and rose to overcome them. Autor Gregory Zuckerman wrote: “The stories from Rising Above can serve as useful life lessons for those facing their own challenges.” Whether you dream of being a sports star or being a nurse, you can take the stories in Rising Above and apply the athletes’ lessons to your own life.  

Sexual Content  

• While in the ocean, Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark. “Out of nowhere, Bethany saw a flash of grey. A split second later, she felt two lightning-fast tugs and then tremendous pressure on her left side. Bethany saw the jaws of a huge, fourteen-foot tiger shark covering the top of the surfboard and her entire left arm. Almost immediately, the water around her turned red.”

Violence  

• Ronda Rousey’s father was paralyzed in an accident, and he “had to deal with a rare disorder that made it impossible for him to stop bleeding.” Her father was in extreme pain and “unable to deal with the unbearable pain and with no hope in sight, Ronda’s father had taken his own life.” 
• When Ronda Rousey was a child, she began training in judo. The kids would tease her about being muscular. “One day, a boy crept up behind Ronda and grabbed her throat. Ronda reacted with unusual quickness and strength, throwing the boy over her hip on the cement, stunning him.” 
• When Ronda was in eighth grade, a girl challenged her to a fight. “Ronda defended herself and earned respect from her classmates for refusing to accept the abuse. Ronda dropped the eighth grader with a single punch.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

• Simone Biles’ mother “suffered from drug and alcohol addictions,” causing her to lose custody of her children. 
• After Simone competed in the Olympics, “hackers released the medical files of various Olympians, a leak that showed Simone was taking a drug that was on the prohibited list. . .Simone acknowledged taking the medication since childhood for ADHD. . .She had permission for the drug and wasn’t ashamed.” 
• Elena Delle Donne contracted Lyme disease and “began taking about fifty different supplements to keep her disease under control.” 
• Basketball player Swin Cash was injured. She said, “Sharp movements would feel like someone was stabbing me with a steak knife.” Because of the pain, she took painkillers and injections. 

Language  

• While playing tennis, Serena Williams dealt with racism. She said, “I heard the word nigger a couple of times. I couldn’t believe it.” 
• When Wilma Rudolph, an African American Olympic runner, was young, white kids taunted her, saying, “Hey, nigger, get out of town.”  
• Wilma Rudolph was nicknamed “the Black Gazelle” and “mosquito, ” and some referred to her as “gorilla.” 
• While shopping in Honolulu, a white woman saw three African Americans window shopping. The woman said, “What are you natives doing out in the streets?” 
• Ronda Rousey was bullied, and kids called her “Miss Man.” 
• Pissed is used twice. 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• People criticized Simone because of her muscular build. She says, “Love your body. You were born with it. God has blessed it. Don’t pay attention to negativity.” 
• When Elena Delle Donne quit college to go back home, “some criticized Elena for squandering her God-given talent.” 
• After losing her arm in a shark attack, Bethany Hamilton had to be resilient. “Bethany says her religious faith also helped her. She felt God had a plan for her and was guiding her and helping her adjust to living with only one arm.” 
• When basketball player Swin Cash was injured, she said, “You cry out to God, and you’re trying to understand, ‘Why is this happening to me?’” She eventually overcame the pain. “It was a lot of prayer, a lot of family, and a reevaluation of my life.”