What the book is saying...

All of us seek success and happiness in life, but for many of us there are some very real obstacles, or hurdles, that we must get over in order to reach our goals. Four of the most common hurdles are:

1. "I can't" and "You can't" do this or that.

2. Past failures and/or fear of failure - an obstacle that can paralyze us into inaction, and stop us dead in our tracks.

3. Handicaps - whether physical, psychological, financial or career-based.

4. Knowing yourself / self-knowledge - for many, the most difficult hurdle to get over.

Overcoming these hurdles begins with a positive mental attitude and a firm commitment to improving one's lot in life.

This inspiring book by former LSU basketball Coach Dale Brown - one of the top motivational speakers in America - is brought to life by intriguing stories of people who overcame life's hurdles, including athletes, entertainers, writers, and everyday people. (Introduction by former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal.)

The book features...

Inspiring stories of famous and not-so-famous people who got over the hurdles of life - and how they did it.

Shaquille O'Neal
LSU and NBA basketball superstar

When he was age 13 and a high school freshman, his coach told him he'd never make it as a basketball player - because he was supposedly too slow, too clumsy, etc.

Albert Einstein
Brilliant Scientist

He was branded "the dopey one" early in life and was not expected to contribute much to society.

Oprah Winfrey
TV show host, director, actor

She was born into poverty in rural Mississippi, sexually abused as a child, pregnant at age 14, and considered suicide. But she worked her way into a new life in the broadcast media, later hosting her own self-help TV show and becoming a movie actor, Broadway producer, magazine publisher and billionaire philanthropist.

Rudy Ruettiger
Notre Dame football hero

One of only two Notre Dame football players ever to be carried off the field by fellow players, he was told many times that he was too small and too slow to play college football.

Walt Disney
Builder of entertainment empire

He went bankrupt at age 21 while trying to make a living as a cartoon animator.

J.K. Rowling
Author of Harry Potter books

Her manuscript for the first of the Harry Potter books was rejected by several publishers. She gathered strength from past failures.

Bill W.
Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

He overcame the handicap of chronic drunkenness to become the founder of A.A., which has helped millions of men and women all over the world to stop drinking.

Pete Maravich
LSU and NBA basketball superstar

He got to know his true self only later in life after he experienced a profound spiritual awakening.

Mariah Carey
Singer

Following an emotional and physical collapse due to over-work, she finally took control of her life when she grew in self-knowledge, recognized her human limitations, and learned to say "no" to over-work and over-commitment.

Kay Vandiver
One-armed bowling champion

A right-handed bowler who lost her right arm in an auto accident, she discovered within herself the will and fortitude to return to bowling, and not only to return but to win.

Paul Anderson
"The strongest man in the world"

As a child he was diagnosed with terminal kidney disease and was not expected to live past age 12, but he built himself up to be an Olympic Gold Medal weightlifter.

Don Meyer
College basketball coach

After losing a leg and nearly losing his life in an auto accident, he returned to coach his Northern State University team (in Aberdeen, S.D.) and emerged as the winningest college coach in NCAA history.

Steven Spielberg
Movie director

One of the most talented and successful American movie directors ever, he was turned down three times for admission to the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television. Nor did he make it into the UCLA film school.

Elvis Presley
King of Rock 'n' Roll

He was told he would never make it as a singer, didn't have the voice.

About the Author...

COACH DALE BROWN, who served as head coach of the LSU basketball team for 25 years, (1972-1997), is one of the top motivational speakers in the U.S. The creator of a syndicated radio program called Motivational Moments on NPR, he also served as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and ABC.

As LSU coach, he was twice named National Basketball Coach of the Year, led his team to two Final Fours and four Elite Eights, and emerged as the second-winningest coach in SEC history. He is also known as the recruiter of Shaquille O'Neal, one of the top basketball players ever at LSU and the NBA.

Coach Brown's philosophy is based on winning, leadership, conviction and personal growth, whether in a small company, a giant corporation, a group of athletes or individuals.

For additional info, please visit: www.coachdalebrownspeaks.com.