Former professional MMA Fighter and amateur boxer takes us through his journey from his post college graduate days of hard core drug addiction and alcoholism to sobriety and the competitive sports world of amateur boxing and professional MMA fighting, only to be sidelined by a devastating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from repeated blows to the head.
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Former professional MMA Fighter and amateur boxer takes us through his journey from his post college graduate days of hard core drug addiction and alcoholism to sobriety and the competitive sports world of amateur boxing and professional MMA fighting, only to be sidelined by a devastating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from repeated blows to the head.
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In the blunt and honest book, Mark Allen narrates his life story Based on A True (Traumatic) Brain History: A Short Memoir. Covering topics like his struggle of living with a brain injury, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and some deep reflections about his ways of coping with difficult circumstances, Allen gives readers a look into his world with the hope that his story will help others.
The book is divided into multiple short chapters, but you can trace a clear pattern between the first and second half. The first part deals with his early life, college, experiences as a professional MMA fighter, while the second part deals with the challenges that come with TBI, feeling suicidal and mental health struggles. In the course of the memoir, you�ll learn that the author struggled with substance addictions, but he overcame them and went on to donate a kidney to his ailing mother. Likewise, the author felt heartbroken after the traumatic brain injury (TBI) because it took away his passion, but he managed to sail on.
The best part of this book is that the author never dwells on self-pity. It�s more about the journey and process, how an individual deals with unforeseen circumstances with a practical approach, and how to find a purpose in life. His positive outlook towards life gives the readers hope, rendering a universal appeal to the story. The book starts off candidly as if the author is sitting right in front of you in a coffee shop and having a casual chit-chat. He keeps this conversational tone alive throughout the book, occasionally tinged with his refreshing humor.
The storytelling is honest and easy-flowing. The language is lucid. It gives the readers a glimpse into the author�s life so far, his battles, his practical approach to move ahead in dark times, and his realizations. There is no preaching, only heartfelt expressions and actual incidents recollected from the author�s memory.
Based on A True (Traumatic) Brain History: A Short Memoir is more than just the story of Mark Allen�s life. This through-provoking book is an excellent read for those struggling with addiction, medical injuries, TBI, or anyone that just needs a quick motivational read.
