Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion

by Anthony Robles

Overview

The powerful and inspiring story of an all-American wrestler who defied the odds—soon to be an original movie produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, starring Jennifer Lopez, Jharrel Jerome, Don Cheadle, Michael Peña and Bobby Cannavale!

Anthony Robles is a three-time all-American wrestler, the 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, and a Nike-sponsored athlete. He was also born without his right leg. Doctors could not explain to his mother, Judy, what led to the birth defect, but at the age of five, the one-legged toddler scaled a fifty-foot pole unassisted. From that moment on, Judy knew that her son would be unstoppable.

Anthony first began wrestling in high school; he was the smallest kid on the team and finished the year in last place. But he completed his junior and senior years with a 96–0 record to become a two-time Arizona State champion. In college, he faced personal hardships which almost forced him to drop out. But Anthony remained focused on his goals and won the NCAA National Championship in March 2011. Unstoppable is the story of one man whose spirit and unyielding resolve remind us all that we have the power to conquer adversity—in whatever form.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592408047
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/03/2013
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	265,420
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Anthony Robles is a three-time all-American wrestler and motivational speaker, and is ESPN's NCAA Wrestling Analyst and Expert. A graduate of Arizona State University, he is the 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Champion. In 2011 Robles received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs and received the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Introduction: Mother Knows Best xi

Chapter 1 I Want to See My Son 1

Chapter 2 You're Not My Son 15

Chapter 3 Take a Knee 29

Chapter 4 Hunger 45

Chapter 5 "Just Keep Doing What You Do" 57

Chapter 6 "You're Gonna Be a Champion" 71

Chapter 7 Leverage and Loyalty 87

Chapter 8 "I've Seen You on the News" 93

Chapter 9 A Teammate, but Not a Friend 97

Chapter 10 "Finish What You Started" 105

Chapter 11 Hell Week 119

Chapter 12 Decision Time 139

Chapter 13 Robles-Ashmore II 145

Chapter 14 I'll Dolt 151

Chapter 15 Nationals 155

Chapter 16 Finals 165

Chapter 17 Unstoppable 179

Acknowledgments 201

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Unstoppable is filled with passion, empowerment, hope, and encouragement. Anyone who reads this book will walk away with a sense of self-motivation to go out and accomplish their dreams.”
—LaDainian Tomlinson, former NFL running back and Most Valuable Player

Editorial Reviews

That he didn’t quit, that he came back for one final season in the sport “God put him on this earth to do,” as Judy puts it, is a reminder of the amazing things that can happen when we don’t give in; when we hang on for just a little longer than our bodies and minds are telling us to…The guy thinks he’s Superman. Look at what he’s done already. Who are we to argue?” — Jay Leno, from the foreword

"Unstoppable is an inspirational narrative that captures the essence of conquering fears, breaking down barriers, and never letting one’s dreams be shattered.  This is truly the American spirit.”
—Condoleezza Rice
 
“I am inspired by his courage… [Anthony] is a reminder of the amazing things that can happen when we don’t give in; when we hang on for just a little longer than our bodies and minds are telling us to.” —Jay Leno, from the Foreword
 
"Unstoppable is a really touching and absorbing account of Anthony's journey. I've really enjoyed the way he's taken me there to share it with him. This is a great book!"
—Serena Williams
 
"Anthony Robles beat the odds by becoming unstoppable on the mat and in life. He's an inspiration."
—Michael Oher, author of the New York Times bestseller I Beat the Odds
 
“Unstoppable is filled with passion, empowerment, hope, and encouragement. Anyone who reads this book will walk away with a sense of self-motivation to go out and accomplish their dreams.”
—LaDainian Tomlinson, former NFL running back and Most Valuable Player

From the Publisher

Three-time all-American wrestler. The 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Champion. Nike-sponsored athlete (with his brand-name "Unstoppable" apparel). Robles would seem to have it all, but he was born without a right leg. Here's the story of how he persevered; he's already big on the high school and college talk circuit.

Library Journal

An absorbing account of achievement by a one-legged college athlete who beat the odds and won the 2010-2011 NCAA individual wrestling championship. In 2012, Robles, who is now an inspirational speaker, was awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The author attributes much of his success to the encouragement he received from his mother, who was 16 and unmarried when he was born with one leg. "There is nothing wrong with you," she told him constantly, a sentiment that has stuck with him. With assistance from Murphy (co-author: The Happiness of Pursuit: A Father's Courage, a Son's Love and Life's Steepest Climb, 2011, etc.), Robles describes his determination in the face of defeat, beginning in elementary school when he stood up to bullies. He played flag football but gravitated to wrestling where he could use his overall body strength more effectively. In middle school, he joined the wrestling team, and a supportive coach helped him develop an individual wrestling style (dropping "down low on the mat" where, he explains, he "was much more dangerous"). Despite his disability, with the help of crutches, he was able to keep up with the rigorously brutal training regimen that was required. Wrestling is a vigorous sport, requiring the exertion of almost every muscle in the body, and it demands mental as well as physical discipline in order to successfully counter an opponent's moves. Robles also describes his experiences with the politics of college athletics. An inspiring, eye-opening introduction to a sport not to be confused with commercial wrestling.

Kirkus Reviews