Finding Ultra

positives: the journey he made is obviously impressive and exceptional. i respect anyone that can do what he did, regardless of how they got it done.

interesting: it's extremely clear through the whole book that he has a high amount of economic privilege. it's especially effusive as his life story progresses and he starts working out. there's no question, save for one short episode, about doing anything related to his training. this isn't bad, it's just a part of his struggle that is sort of alienating. sure, hire a coach, buy carbon fiber bikes, kit, buy exclusively organic food and obsess over your Vitamix, choose to work wherever you want, etc. he stopped being #relatable when he started getting in shape, basically.

negative: Roll perpetuates vegan diet myths and puts emphasis on the wrong things in my opinion. for one, the section on soy is simply incorrect. it's funny reading him have tantrums about when he couldn't eat perfectly due to...being poorly prepared, and could only eat, say, vegan plebian thai takeout. he really seems to be on that rich Hollywood vegan stereotype train.

probably the biggest negative relating to the content of the book, however, is the fact that it feels like an ad in a lot of ways. instead of just talking about his plant based diet, Roll must mention his “special” (it's not) PlantPower (there might as well be an ® or ™️ after it) diet and his Vitamix every single page. certainly felt like it.

overall the book was okay, i guess. he seemed to really focus heavily on his personal life for a long time, then he went really hard on the series of triathlons he did, and then it just ended. i felt it cut off early and without enough commentary or insight, but it was fine. i felt his transition to fitness was lacking in detail as well, and that made it somewhat hard to grasp at times. wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone that isn't a big fan of his. i like his podcast and all, but that's much more about the guests than this guy.

read a Scott Jurek book instead imo.