Reviews #2

"I was literally on the edge of my chair when reading about Mike’s hair-raising moments during the Athens Classic Marathon – one of the world’s most challenging.

Just four years earlier, Mike had been involved in a serious car crash. Fortunately he walked away from it without major injuries. Aged 50 and a successful businessman, he weighed 28 stone and was a stranger to exercise. Feeling like he had been given a second chance, he decided it was time to make some changes.

Mike’s inspirational memoir, aptly titled from ‘From Sofa to Start Line’, is a compelling account of his weight loss journey, which begins with healthy eating, basic exercise and a very determined attitude. As the weight comes off, a chance remark inspires him to start running. He starts with a local 10K and builds up to running marathons. By the end of the book he has lost a whopping 15 stone, has had surgery to remove the loose skin and is quite literally half the man he used to be.

Whether you are trying to lose weight or need some inspiration to overcome obstacles in your own life, this book demonstrates what can happen when you have a strong will to succeed. It is also a fascinating insight into the world of running.

Mike’s frankness and his rather irreverent sense of humour bring it to life and make it a very engaging account. A great cover design and a foreword from Olympic runner Liz Yelling complete it admirably."

Leda Sammarco, Writer's Coach, Surrey, UK