The Power of Choice

My Journey from Wounded Warrior to World Champion

By: Melissa Stockwell

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

“I have had the chance to meet Melissa and hear her amazing story in person. In this book, Melissa shares insight on how she became a warrior and fought back to become the champion she is today. She is a great example of perseverance in the face of what appears to be insurmountable hurdles. Her love of country is strong and carries through her joining the military and representing Team USA in the Paralympic Games. A true champion in many ways.” (Jackie Joyner Kersee)

“Melissa’s story of strength and courage is not only incredibly moving, it is a must-read for anyone facing any challenge. Clearly her passion for country and sport drives every one of her accomplishments. From a young gymnast like I was, to representing the United States in Paratriathlon, Melissa inspires us all with her story of overcoming unimaginable adversity and what it truly means to be unstoppable.” (Shannon Miller)

Melissa Stockwell has been a restless force of nature from the time she was a little girl speeding around her neighborhood on her bike, to her tumbles and spills as a high-level gymnast and Olympic hopeful, to joining the ROTC in college as an outlet for her patriotism and love of America.

After 9/11, she was deployed to Iraq as a commissioned Army officer, where she suffered the injury that would change her life forever. After a long and challenging recovery at Walter Reed Hospital, she exercised her power of choice to channel her energy into competition, winning three Paratriathlon World Championships and medaling at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Her journey weaves service to her country and the heartache of a painful divorce along with founding a successful nonprofit, launching a career in prosthetics, finding new love, and becoming a mother to two children. Along the way, she meets all the living American presidents and inspires others with disabilities - through a story that is riveting, moving, and an inspiration for anyone who would choose to live their life to the fullest.

©2020 Melissa Stockwell (P)2020 Recorded Books

Ready to go climb a mountain

I found this book in a "going down a rabbit hole" kind of way after watching Mel race triathlon in the Tokyo Paralympics over the weekend. Mel and I were crew boat mates in college and I have followed her story since then. She has popped up in the most unlikely places, like in a promo during the Cubs World Series, in an exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and, most recently, in so many commercials during the Olympics. So when I read that she'd written a book, I came here to find it immediately. This book was so well written and Mel's story so well told! It captured her heart and spirit so well and explained so much about why she is where she is today. I listened to it in one day and an hour and wanted there to be another epilogue updating us on the last few months. Mel is an inspiration regardless of her status as an amputee, and is everybody's cheerleader in the most effective way: with her whole heart, spirit, and dimples. I have to go, it's time to climb a mountain.

Empowering

Love this book. What a story of patriotism, grit, resilience, and love. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us and for being such an inspiration.

Triumph over adversity

I had the honor and privilege of riding with Melissa on several Soldier Ride events when I worked as the director of the program for Wounded Warrior Project. Her coach at that time, Mike Durner is also a friend of mine and a combat veteran himself. Hearing her entire story brought back the sense of pride in so many wounded warriors who used adaptive sports to overcome adversity from the terrible wounds of war. I hope her story inspires everyone. That, despite suffering a tragic event, It does not mean it has to be the end, just that you have to do things differently. And as she said, she did so much more after her injury than she ever would have done had it not happened. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Inspirational person, her story in this book meh..

**** this is a book review, not an OER*****

I couldn't get passed the fact that a lot of her story is just her not realizing that she was, and still is, a spoiled brat.

If you really want an inspiration life story check out Can't Hurt Me - by David Goggins.