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Maha Al Fahim

Maha Al Fahim

About

Maha Al Fahim graduated with the highest honors in Public Policy from Princeton University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Policy at Stanford University.

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

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<p><b>The absorbing, definitive account of CrossFit's origins, its explosive grassroots growth, and its emergence as a global phenomenon.</b><br /> <br />One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, <i>Learning to Breathe Fire </i>combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die. <br /> <br />The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals. <br /> <br />In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that  cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out. </p>

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SHAOLINA I came across this book by chance while in pursuit for a motivating and thought-provoking novel. And what a surprise! This book was unlike any other book that I have read, and has taken a life of its own. Shaolina combines an atmosphere of spirituality with China's Shaolin Temple (the home of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu) and the glitz and glam of Hollywood celebrities following the adventures of the protagonist &quot;Li&quot;. Everyone can relate to the book in some way. The book gets more engaging with time and the plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. I appreciated how the author is actually knowledgeable about martial arts (she had experience training at the Temple!) and the interesting insights about the monastery. The writing style itself at times reads like a piece of art. I found myself pausing to reflect several times on certain sentences. Here's some: &quot; Our breaking point is our making point&quot; and &quot;Sometimes we sleepwalk through life, and only when we are about to die do we truly awaken.&quot; A very inspiring and positive novel. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for an original, uplifting and action-packed book.