Women in Sports: Inspirational Biographies and Memoirs

In this explosive tell-all memoir, an Olympic figure skater reveals her battle to survive mental illness, eating disorders, and the self-destructive voice inside that she calls “outofshapeworthlessloser.”

From the nine-time women’s basketball icon and two-time Olympic gold medalist — a raw, revelatory account of her unfathomable detainment in Russia and her journey home. Coming Home is both a story of survival and a testament to love — the bonds that brought Brittney home to her family, and at last, to herself.

Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion, reveals for the first time her life both on and off the field. Guided by her personal journey into social justice, brimming with humor, humanity, and joy, she urges all of us to ask ourselves: What will you do with your one life?

An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice.

Written with heart and verve, Good for a Girl is Lauren Fleshman’s story of falling in love with running, being pushed to her limits and succumbing to injuries, and fighting for a better way for female athletes. Drawing on not only her own story but also emerging research on the physiology and psychology of young athletes of any gender, Fleshman gives voice to the often-silent experience of the female athlete and argues that the time has come to rebuild competitive sports with women at their center.

Featuring both the story of an historic, unforgettable win and insight into the life of an indelible champion, Choosing to Run is a truly inspirational memoir from Boston Marathon winner and Olympian Des Linden, sharing her personal story and what motivates her to keep showing up.

The forgotten story of a pioneering group of five Black ballerinas and their 50-year sisterhood, a legacy erased from history — until now. Captivating, rich in vivid detail and character, and steeped in the glamour and grit of professional ballet, The Swans of Harlem is a riveting account of five extraordinarily accomplished women, a celebration of both their historic careers and the sustaining, grounding power of female friendship, and a window into the robust history of Black ballet, hidden for too long.

Let Your Mind Run is a fascinating intimate look inside the mind of an elite athlete, a remarkable story of achievement, and an insightful primer on how the small steps of cultivating positivity can give anyone a competitive advantage.

The legendary six-time CrossFit Games champion and Olympic athlete shares lessons from her inspiring story of leveling up her performance, embracing failure, and fiercely taking on impossible goals.

The Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker, and writer Alexi Pappas shares what she’s learned about confidence, self-reliance, mental health, embracing pain, and achieving your dreams.

When Diana Nyad arrived on the shore of Key West after 53 hours of grueling swimming across an epic ocean, she not only set a world record — becoming the first person to swim the shark-infested waters between Cuba and Florida with no cage for protection — she also succeeded in fulfilling a dream she first chased at age 28 and at long last achieved when she was 64. Now, in a riveting memoir, Diana shares a spirited account of what it takes to face one’s fears, engage one’s passions, and never ever give up.

A memoir chronicling Emma Lovewell’s incredible path to physical — and mental — fitness that traces her journey to becoming a beloved Peloton instructor and inspires readers to live, learn, and love well.