{"product_id":"brace-for-impact-a-memoir-9780593241370","title":"Brace for Impact: A Memoir","description":"\u003cb\u003eA powerful and redemptive story of how the dazzling world of roller derby helped one young woman transform her fear and self-doubt into gutsy, big-hearted, adventurous living \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A universal story of healing and triumph, made all the more beautiful, wild, and free by Gabe's fierce love for roller derby and her team, who become her family.\"--ABBY WAMBACH, Olympian, activist, and author of the #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eWolfpack\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eGrowing up queer in a conservative Midwestern town, Gabe Montesanti never felt comfortable in her own skin. A competitive swimmer, she turned to perfectionism and self-control to create a sense of safety, only to develop an eating disorder and constantly second-guess her instincts. When she enters graduate school in St. Louis, she is determined to put the baggage of her childhood behind her. With no prior experience, she joins Arch Rival, one of the top-ranked roller derby leagues in the world. Gabe instantly falls in love with the sport's roughness, intensity, and open embrace of people who are literally and figuratively scarred. She soon finds community and a sense of belonging, reveling in the tattoos, glitter, and campiness. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut when Gabe suffers a catastrophic injury, she can no longer ignore the parallels between the physicality of roller derby and the unresolved trauma of her upbringing. Rendered inactive, forced to be still, Gabe realizes she needs to heal her emotional wounds as much as her physical ones; she must confront her fear and self-diminishment in order to feel truly alive. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTold with unflinching honesty and a giant dose of wonder, \u003ci\u003eBrace for Impact \u003c\/i\u003eis a tender, inspiring memoir about the everyday heroism of pursuing a life less ordinary, and the deeply human need to be at peace with who you are.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Dial Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/24\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780593241370\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 416\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.25lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/01\/2022 pg. 76\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/07\/2022\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Gabe Montesanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41993220915381,"sku":"9780593241370","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_26513ce7-1156-457e-ba5c-91d6a946ebaf.jpg?v=1648524728","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/brace-for-impact-a-memoir-9780593241370","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}