Waking Up: From the Wrestling Ring to the Yoga Mat

How do you start living a life of redemption? For Brendan Higgins, it was putting one foot in front of the other.

At a young age, Brendan became enthralled with professional wrestling, and did everything he could to secure his spot in the ring. He had convinced himself that success was hidden behind a mask. And so, he became Knuckles Nelson. But in the end, he was left confused and searching for more. Brendan found himself broke, and staring addiction square in the face. Inner peace was still elusive as ever.

The decision to jump on his Harley and ride deep into the Blue Ridge mountains of Virgina to hopefully spend time with his childhood hero, Jimmy Boogie Valiant was the first step of many that Brendan took to fill the gaping hole he carried with him. Brendan traded in his wrestling moves for yoga poses. He found solace in the lyrics of a popular Australian rock ‘n’ roll band, Electric Mary. He made connections with people-from small town diner waitresses to popular radio personalities to wrestling greats. Sobriety happened one day at a time.

This book isn’t a woo-woo self-help manual or a book that promises you success in ten easy steps. It’s a play by play of how one person went from living out his most sought-after dream to spiraling through addiction, and then bouncing back into a new reality-a clean finish. A reality of inner peace, trust in himself and others, and finding what he had been searching for all along: true happiness.

Waking Up is his story. And while it may be different from your story, the themes run the same. In Brendan’s tears, you may find some of your own. His happiness might mirror yours. And his love for life and adventure will inspire you to look at your own path and take the next best steps for you.