Rise Above: My 500 Days of Faith, Forgiveness, and Fighting Back

When a sudden accident resulted in a broken leg that could take him out of the game permanently, Seattle Sounders soccer star Steve Zakuani faced his biggest challenge yet. Steve’s road to soccer success hadn’t merely involved athletic challenges; in the years leading up to joining the Sounders, Steve had overcome an upbringing in one of London’s roughest neighborhoods, battled personal apathy, and overcome a serious injury. He found renewed purpose through the influence of a mentor and, through that mentor, found his purpose in God’s call on his life. Yet his early challenges began to look small when Steve suffered an even more severe injury that shattered his leg–and, it seemed, his career. That injury–and his 500 long days of recovery–forced him to grapple with who he was when his identity in soccer and his personal goals were taken out of his hands. This book, drawn from journals written during his recovery, will give you a raw, honest look into Steve’s story. Let him coach you on how to face tragedy with a positive mindset, how to set goals that are bigger than your adversity, how to remain hopeful in your darkest moments, and how to help others in your life overcome their own greatest challenges. Rise Above: My 500 Days of Faith, Forgiveness, and Fighting Back includes a study guide for personal reflection or group discussion.