Breaking Through

What if the world's greatest athletes were not only defined by their talent but also by their perseverance?

Every champion has a story. Not just the highlight reels or the medals, but also the private battles, crushing defeats, and quiet moments of determination that forged them into legends.

In Breaking Through, Hannah Blake introduces you to 20 iconic athletes-from Olympic

gold medalists to groundbreaking pioneers-who faced adversity and chose to rise. Whether they were born with physical limitations, faced devastating injuries, overcame personal trauma, or broke barriers of race, gender, or expectation, each one shares a powerful truth: greatness begins long before victory.

Meet athletes like:

• • Jim Abbott, who pitched a no-hitter in the major leagues with only one hand.
  • Simone Biles, who reminded the world that mental health is strength, not weakness.
  • Muhammad Ali, who stood by his beliefs and paid the price, but never backed down.
  • Bethany Hamilton, who returned to surfing mere weeks after a shark attack changed her life forever.
  • LeBron James, who turned his childhood struggle into a platform for education and empowerment.

Through captivating storytelling and rich character insights, Breaking Through reveals the mindset behind the medals. It's not just about sports; it's about what it takes to succeed when the odds are against you and how to turn hardship into fuel.

Perfect for:

• • Teen readers seeking real-life role models
  • Parents, teachers, and coaches who want to inspire resilience in young people
  • Fans of sports, personal growth, and biographies with heart
  • Anyone who's ever faced doubt, defeat, or the fear that they're not "enough"

Each chapter concludes with practical, teen-friendly life lessons that readers can apply to their own lives. These lessons address topics such as confidence, discipline, self-belief, adaptation, focus, and finding purpose through pain.