Sport Book Review: Find A Way: Three Words That Changed My Life

A great read for any athlete or person who has struggled with rough times in their life is book written by former NFL running back Merril Hoge. The title of the book is called Find A way: Three Words That Changed My Life. The book is your typical autobiography on Hoge's life from the time he grew up in Idaho and all the way to his life after football. The book displays Hoge's unbelievable determination to become a football player in the NFL. From the time he was a child, Hoge nailed up the saying "Find A Way", to tell himself that no matter who told him he was unable to do anything, he would find a way to overcome it.

It is your typical overachieving athlete story, but there is quite the twist on it. When Hoge speaks of his life after football, dealing with concussion symptoms and trying to transition into the working world, you can feel sympathy for the pain and suffering he went through dealing with head trauma. This hit home to me very hard since I went through many of the same issues he did with his symptoms of concussions. The book turns and you see the true strength of Hoge when he is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hoge received the news about his cancer while vacationing in his cabin in Idaho with his family. When the news came, he told his kids exactly what he had and what he would have to go through without sugarcoating it. Hoge's daughter came up to him and told him "Daddy, FIND A WAY." Hoge then knew that he was in for the fight of his life, but vowed to himself that he would destroy the cancer within him.

This uplifting and motivational story of Merril Hoge is truly compelling to anyone who has been diagnosed with or knew someone with cancer, or anyone athlete or person who feel that they cannot power through tough times in their life. Hoge's book gives people hope and teaches one of the most valuable lessons of life, the mind is a powerful tool and a gift, and every person who uses this gift will be surprised at what they can accomplish and overcome.

Daniel Wenger, ND Football
Social Foundations of Coaching