About
I am a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic. My stories almost always have a happy-ever-after ending and leave you feeling satisfied that the characters have had or are walking into a life of complete fulfillment. I do, however, enjoy throwing in some thrills and twists along the way.
Along with being an author, I am an entrepreneur, wife, mother of four busy children, and volunteer at my local no-kill animal shelter. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Oklahoma State University and continue to reside in that state where I work with authors through my various companies and affiliates as well as pursuing my own writing. Visit my author site: http://www.LindaBoulanger.com or follow along on my blog that chronicles my latest venture, A Marriage of Necessity, from idea to publishing to marketing as well as giving insight into other insider aspects that may be of interest to authors and readers alike.
The blog: http://writersshelflife.blogspot.com/
Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness
Description
<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>
Story Behind The Book
In April of 2009 I began submitting stories to the weekly challenge of FaithWriters.com. I didn't WANT to, however, the pressure of the hand of my long-time friend and co-writer, Patrick Sipperly, was unbearable against my back. To my surprise, my very first submission was awarded a second place in my level. I was thrilled and encouraged to continue. Since then, the majority of my stories have placed in my level as well as in the Editor's Choice top picks. I decided to compile some of these inspirational stories into a book exploring pivotal times and journeys in life.
While I would not call these stories "religious", they are positive and uplifting. I have always used reading as a time to take a venture outside my own world. I never wanted to go on a "trip" into sadness (even though that is often a part of stories just like in real life). I love the positiveness I can bring to my stories because there seems to be so much negativity in life today. I've fashioned my own writings to help my readers accomplish just that....a trip into the world of uplifting fantasy that hopefully leaves them with a satisfied aaah.
