Title: Unstoppable
Author: Maggie Nichols
Publication: January 16, 2024
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Pages: 192
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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
In 2015, Maggie Nichols’s gymnastics career was on fire.
Having spent most of her young life training as an elite-level gymnast, Maggie carried the team all-around at the 2015 World Championships, helping to cinch the team gold medal. Next in her sights was the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She was eagerly looking forward to training for the 2016 Olympic Games along with teammates such as Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and Laurie Hernandez. But on the verge of achieving her lifelong Olympic dream, her world came crashing down.
That summer Maggie revealed to her coach that USAG doctor Larry Nassar had been sexually abusing herself and other athletes under his care. What followed was an extensive investigation that would capture the nation’s attention and illuminate for the world the trauma and massive cover-up behind the scenes of one of the country’s most celebrated sports institutions.
Ultimately, Maggie would go on to become an 8-time NCAA champion and an outspoken advocate for the protection of young children, especially young athletes.
This inspirational tell-all offers an intimate look into the world of elite gymnastics, the sexual abuse scandal that shattered lives and dreams, and how Maggie Nichols risked everything in the name of justice. Maggie now tells this story in her a story of hope, trauma, reclamation, and above all, triumph.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I’ve been a huge gymnastics fan since I was 12 and saw the 1997 women’s gymnastics team win gold. I’ve been following since and was a big fan of Maggie Nichols. When she released her book, I knew I wanted to know her story and how she overcame the huge USA gymnastics scandal.
Maggie’s story goes back to when she was a child and started building from there. I enjoyed hearing about how she grew a passion for the sport and then the details of her experience with Larry Nassar. I’ve read a lot about what happened and I have read other accounts, but it was heartbreaking and informative. It was nice to get the perspective of the victim and not in a victim testimony moment such as a trial. The level of emotion she shared is commendable and its nice to hear it straight from her perspective. I also really enjoyed hearing how she overcame and the people who helped get her there and those that helped protoect her when it was most important.
I look forward to see all the things Maggie Nichols will do in her future and the people she will motivate along the way. This is such an inspirational story and a must-read for those fans of the gymnastics community and want to hear more about the USA Gymnastics scandal and how this girl overcame it.
