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It's Not About Perfect
- Competing for My Country and Fighting for My Life
- Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Sports
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"When the odds were against me, I was always at my best."
When she retired at age 19, Shannon Miller did so as one of the most recognizable gymnasts in the country. The winner of seven Olympic medals and the most decorated gymnast, male or female, in US history, Shannon tells a story of surviving and thriving. A shy, rambunctious girl raised in Oklahoma, Shannon fell in love with gymnastics at a young age and fought her way to the top.
In 1992 she won five Olympic medals after breaking her elbow in a training accident just months prior to the games. Then, in 1996, a doctor advised her to retire immediately or face dire consequences if she chose to compete on her injured wrist. Undeterred, Shannon endured the pain and led her team, the "Magnificent Seven", to the first Olympic team gold medal for the United States in gymnastics. She followed up as the first American to win gold on the balance beam.
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What listeners say about It's Not About Perfect
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kenna Anavisca
- 03-02-17
Loved it!
My only disappointment is that I'd like to have Shannon read it. I think Bio/Memoirs are so much better when the author reads it! You feel more of their emotion in their voice.
2 people found this helpful
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- LRK
- 10-07-16
Entertaining and Empowering
Any additional comments?
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't stop listening. She has a wonderful talent for giving detail and not lingering too long on anything. I love how this book motivated me and empowered me. Her strength is contagious, and I highly recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Callie
- 15-08-21
Good Story from an Elite Athlete
This story was very good and I loved her stories of being young. She talks about her mindset and how she was able to focus at such a young age. She transitions from athlete into regular life and she expresses how hard that is for her. Later on she describes her joys too of being a parent.
Even if you aren't a gymnastics fan you will find this an enjoyable listen. You will find her an amazingly driven person who eventually came into her own and found her own sense of balance (and I don't mean on the balance beam).
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- Sandra L Dennis
- 16-04-21
Good book
Interesting story with lots of dramatic twists and turns. Plenty of background information about the world of elite level gymnastics. Very encouraging for anybody that has gone through cancer.
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- cyz mtrz
- 14-12-20
great story
i like when the author reads better, but this was agreat book overall. it is amazing what these athletes go through.
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- Doug Pacheco
- 06-07-16
Shannon's story is incredible!
As a former gymnast myself I purchase this book to read about the adventures and struggle of Shannon Miller's life. after listening to her story I could appreciate her long hours of hard work and the satisfaction she felt from competing at such a high level. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read her story