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Bravey cover art

Bravey

Written by: Alexi Pappas, Maya Rudolph - foreword
Narrated by: Alexi Pappas, Maya Rudolph - foreword
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Publisher's Summary

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.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Real Simple 

“Heartbreaking and hilarious.” (Mindy Kaling)

“A beautiful read.” (Ruth Reichl)

“Essential guidance to anyone dreaming big dreams.” (Shalane Flanagan)

“I couldn’t put it down.” (Adam Grant)

run like a bravey
sleep like a baby
dream like a crazy
replace can’t with maybe

When “Renaissance runner” (New York Times) Alexi Pappas - Olympic athlete, actress, filmmaker, and writer - was four years old, her mother died by suicide, drastically altering the course of Pappas’s life and setting her on a search for female role models. When her father signed his bereaved daughter up for sports teams as a way to keep her busy, female athletes became the first women Pappas looked up to, and her Olympic dream was born. At the same time, Pappas had big creative dreams, too: She wanted to make movies, write, and act. Despite setbacks and hardships, Pappas refused to pick just one lane. She put in a tremendous amount of hard work and wouldn’t let anything stand in her way until she achieved all of her dreams, however unrelated they may seem to outsiders. In a single year, 2016, she made her Olympic debut as a distance runner and wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film. 

But great highs are often accompanied by deep lows; with joy comes sorrow. In Bravey, Pappas fearlessly and honestly shares her battle with post-Olympic depression and describes how she emerged on the other side as a thriving and self-actualized woman. Unflinching, exuberant, and always entertaining, Bravey showcases Pappas’s signature, charming voice as she reflects upon the touchstone moments in her life and the lessons that have powered her career as both an athlete and an artist - foremost among them, how to be brave. 

Pappas’s experiences reveal how we can all overcome hardship, befriend pain, celebrate victory, relish the loyalty found in teammates, and claim joy. In short: how every one of us can become a bravey.

©2020 Alexi Pappas (P)2020 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“This is not only an inspiring look inside the mind of a gifted athlete - it’s an arresting debut by a gifted writer. Alexi Pappas reveals how we can find the courage to face our fears, the grit to achieve our goals, and the resilience to bounce forward after failure and heartbreak. I couldn’t put it down.” (Adam Grant, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Originals)

“Pappas’ extraordinary tale is skillfully told and profoundly inspiring." (Publishers Weekly)

"Inspiring, yes, but more to the point: genuinely empowering. An utterly winning collection of personal essays.” (Kirkus starred review)

Featured Article: 16 Inspirational Audiobooks about Athletes Everyone Should Listen To

From Olympic champions to star athletes, these audiobooks cover sports icons and the biggest names in olympic history. Learn what makes them tick, how they train, or the stories behind the legends.

What listeners say about Bravey

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Must Read for Those Looking to Achieve Greatness

I absolutely loved this. I left inspired and energized. Alexi does an excellent job making us feel connected to her story and empowers us to move forward in our dreams.

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Game Changer

So great! Anyone looking to pursue their own grow can learn something from Alexi - thank you!

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I wanted to love this!

I love seeing and hearing Alexi in interviews and podcasts. unfortunately I had such a hard time getting into this. I had to force myself to finish it. while there are some good moments, she tends to drone on and on and hop around the timeline which I found very confusing. I did however love the forward done by Maya Rudolph.

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Everything was perfect

I don’t say this often, but I didn’t want this book to end. Completely inspired. Thank you

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Outstanding

I cannot even express the extent to which I deeply connected and resonated with this book. Alexi Pappas is smart, articulate, wise and beautifully articulate in her words.

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