Bend, Don't Break
A Memoir of Endurance
2nd Edition
Published on 7. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78849-605-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Victory is a life well lived or a day enjoyed.'
Limerick man Frank O'Mara had the athletics career most only dream of, competing for Ireland in three Olympic Games and breaking Irish and world records. After his retirement from running, he settled in the US with his family and made his way to the top of the telecoms industry.
Then at age forty-eight, his life changed forever when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease. The progression was rapid, causing severe muscle cramps, tremors, and eventually the inability to walk and at times even speak.
In this inspiring memoir, Frank recounts his battle with Parkinson's. At first in denial, he eventually found the strength that made him successful as an athlete and in business - using determination, and humour to weather the worst phases of the disease. He learned to face each hurdle as he came to it: to bend, but not break.
One man's life-affirming story of facing adversity with grace and courage.
Updated Edition
Includes a new Afterword by Frank O'Mara
Limerick man Frank O'Mara had the athletics career most only dream of, competing for Ireland in three Olympic Games and breaking Irish and world records. After his retirement from running, he settled in the US with his family and made his way to the top of the telecoms industry.
Then at age forty-eight, his life changed forever when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease. The progression was rapid, causing severe muscle cramps, tremors, and eventually the inability to walk and at times even speak.
In this inspiring memoir, Frank recounts his battle with Parkinson's. At first in denial, he eventually found the strength that made him successful as an athlete and in business - using determination, and humour to weather the worst phases of the disease. He learned to face each hurdle as he came to it: to bend, but not break.
One man's life-affirming story of facing adversity with grace and courage.
Updated Edition
Includes a new Afterword by Frank O'Mara
Reviews / Votes
unflinching...challenging...truly inspiring ... At almost 300 pages it is a challenging read in parts, and truly inspiring in others, with O'Mara's initial denial of the violent clutches of this disease soon surrendering to his willingness to battle on with it. It's not without its humour -- Ian O'Riordan, Irish Times Imagine a sports star writing an autobiography and not including a single paragraph about what is, to most, their biggest achievement. Imagine them sitting down across several years, writing out in painstaking detail, at a painstaking, pedestrian pace, the story of their life, only to deem two world titles unworthy of a mention. Frank O'Mara is different. Always has been. -- Cathal Dennehy, Irish Examiner an in-depth and often inspirational picture of a genuinely remarkable man -- Darragh McManus, Sunday Independent this memoir, moving and inspiring (a letter written to his seriously sick father, when he was 15, reveals a son's love as well as his desire to win), is a story of achievement, fortitude and belief -- RTE Guide not ... the normal sporting memoir ... an incredible read -- Ireland AM's Book Club what a book this is - Jarlath Regan. I loved it - Sonia O'Sullivan -- Irishman Running Abroad pod inspiring ... comes highly recommended -- Limerick Leader really, really inspirational ... one for everyone -- Limerick's Live 95's Limerick Today an enthralling and inspirational read -- Irish Runner Magazine the former middle-distance runner's story of his fight with Parkinson's disease. Though it's a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O'Mara in his battle -- Irish Times, Malachy Clerkin's best sports books of the year a very good read -- Irish Examiner, Sonia O'SullivanMore details
Edition
2nd New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Dublin
Ireland
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78849-605-6 (9781788496056)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Prologue: Sometimes you have to accept the unbelievable
Come and get your love
Play the role as scripted
Don't Fixate on worst-case scenarios
Don't be discouraged
Keep your word
Great Results require great risk
Block out distractions
Stick with it
Stand for something
Don't look beyond your headlights
Take responsibility
Keep an open mind
Take a Walk in their shoes
Stay current, stay relevant
Surround yourself with positive people
There are no shortcuts
Be prepared to go it alone
One step at a time
Reset Expectations Regularly
Epilogue: Don't Fool Yourself
Acknowledgements
Frank O'Mara: Athletic Achievements 283
Come and get your love
Play the role as scripted
Don't Fixate on worst-case scenarios
Don't be discouraged
Keep your word
Great Results require great risk
Block out distractions
Stick with it
Stand for something
Don't look beyond your headlights
Take responsibility
Keep an open mind
Take a Walk in their shoes
Stay current, stay relevant
Surround yourself with positive people
There are no shortcuts
Be prepared to go it alone
One step at a time
Reset Expectations Regularly
Epilogue: Don't Fool Yourself
Acknowledgements
Frank O'Mara: Athletic Achievements 283