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Above All Else: A World Champion Skydiver's Story of Survival and What It Taught Him About Fear, Adversity, and Success Paperback – September 15, 2011
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"I know and admire Dan as a a man of deep integrity. His heart-felt story of courage and love inspires me."-- Jerry Lynch,Ph.D... author and available at wayofchampions.com
"Dan's story is one that every human being needs to read. It's about the power of the human spirit and it's ability to overcome seemingly impossible odds. This is a story that everyone can benefit from reading."
Chet Holmes, Best Selling author of the #1 sales book, The Ultimate Sales Machine and CEO of Business Breakthroughs
“Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld is a class act and I am grateful to know him as a friend. I have so much respect for him as a man—he not only understands the things we both talk about, he has lived them through extreme stress and has contributed greatly to the lives of others as a result.” (Tony Robbins)
“Whether it’s overcoming a phobia, transcending physical limitations, or going for the gold in sports or your vocation, let Dan’s love of life and principles help you align with success.” (Melody Beattie, author of Codependent No More)
"Dan's story is one that every human being needs to read. It's about the power of the human spirit and it's ability to overcome seemingly impossible odds. This is a story that everyone can benefit from reading."
Chet Holmes, Best Selling author of the #1 sales book, The Ultimate Sales Machine and CEO of Business Breakthroughs
“Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld is a class act and I am grateful to know him as a friend. I have so much respect for him as a man—he not only understands the things we both talk about, he has lived them through extreme stress and has contributed greatly to the lives of others as a result.” (Tony Robbins)
“Whether it’s overcoming a phobia, transcending physical limitations, or going for the gold in sports or your vocation, let Dan’s love of life and principles help you align with success.” (Melody Beattie, author of Codependent No More)
About the Author
Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld has been a national skydiving competitor since 1983. Dan’s extraordinary talent for bringing out the best in others has made him one of the most influential people in the history of sky- diving and one of the most sought-after coaches in the world. Among his most recent successes is coaching the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008 Women’s World Champion teams to victory. As a competitor Dan has lead teams to sixteen National Championship Gold Medal victories and seven World Championships. He lives in Temecula, California.
More About the Author
Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld's team "Airmoves" was involved in a plane crash that killed 16 of the 22 people on board. Dan recovered from critical injuries, rebuilt his team and went on to win multiple National and World Skydiving Championships. He has used the lessons learned from the passionate pursuit of his dreams to help others achieve their own goals in all aspects of their lives including personal, business and relationships. Go to www.danbrodsky-chenfeld.com to see Dan's TED Talk and get a good feel for what he's all about.
A movie based on Dan's life is currently in development.
A movie based on Dan's life is currently in development.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By
FRANK BATTAILE
on September 4, 2011
Format: Paperback
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I bought this book because I'm an amateur skydiver and because Dan has a reputation as a world-class skydiving champion and coach. I expected an exciting story about skydiving and competing, and maybe some nuts and bolts advice on 4-way skydiving competition. Dan's book has all that and much more that I didn't expect. Dan's near death experience with his friend James Layne is gripping. I cannot stop thinking about it. His philosophy on competing, his spiritual approach to being the best that a person can possibly be at whatever a person chooses to do, and his real life experiences confronting fear and overcoming incredible obstacles, whether in acting or in skydiving or in anything else, are inspiring reading for anyone. As Dan says in his book: "The real meat of what it takes to win the world skydiving championships is the same as excelling in any other activity or endeavor."
On top of all that, this book is an authoritative history of modern skydiving told by someone who was not just a first-hand witness to it, but was - and remains - one of the makers of that history.
Highly recommended.
On top of all that, this book is an authoritative history of modern skydiving told by someone who was not just a first-hand witness to it, but was - and remains - one of the makers of that history.
Highly recommended.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By
Jay Lehr
on September 28, 2011
Format: Paperback
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As a writer with 30 books in print, I am jealous: I do not think I could ever write a book as wonderful as this.
Of course, no one else could write it, as it is primarily an autobiography of one of the most extraordinary men I have had the honor to know in my life. But I also do not possess the skill to so artfully tell a story, that were it not true would be unbelievable, and tell it with elegance, beauty, poise, and clarity. Dan Brodsky Chenfeld tells his story with the smoothness and flow of a mountain stream.
No one alive could read this book and come to the finish as the same person. It is a book about determination, courage, and intensity that all will appreciate and benefit from. Part Two is a brief, well-thought-out self-help book that can apply to any profession, though this book is about skydiving. But you could ignore self-help if you wish and just read this amazing story.
For reasons Dan explains he was captivated by flight since childhood, but when he first jumped from a plane with a parachute at the age of 18 he had found a life's work and challenge to become the best competitive skydiver in the world. It is a hobby and profession that pays no tangible benefits other than being the best in the world at a sport few mortals ever experience.
Self-interest alert: I am a skydiver and met Dan soon after his first jump. I watched his riveting determination to be the best develop over the years; he moved to California, where he felt his chances to improve were greater.
I followed his career for years as he climbed the ladder of excellence until it all ended, I thought, in a plane crash that killed 17 of 22 skydivers aboard, including one of his and my best friends, the amazing James Layne.Read more ›
Of course, no one else could write it, as it is primarily an autobiography of one of the most extraordinary men I have had the honor to know in my life. But I also do not possess the skill to so artfully tell a story, that were it not true would be unbelievable, and tell it with elegance, beauty, poise, and clarity. Dan Brodsky Chenfeld tells his story with the smoothness and flow of a mountain stream.
No one alive could read this book and come to the finish as the same person. It is a book about determination, courage, and intensity that all will appreciate and benefit from. Part Two is a brief, well-thought-out self-help book that can apply to any profession, though this book is about skydiving. But you could ignore self-help if you wish and just read this amazing story.
For reasons Dan explains he was captivated by flight since childhood, but when he first jumped from a plane with a parachute at the age of 18 he had found a life's work and challenge to become the best competitive skydiver in the world. It is a hobby and profession that pays no tangible benefits other than being the best in the world at a sport few mortals ever experience.
Self-interest alert: I am a skydiver and met Dan soon after his first jump. I watched his riveting determination to be the best develop over the years; he moved to California, where he felt his chances to improve were greater.
I followed his career for years as he climbed the ladder of excellence until it all ended, I thought, in a plane crash that killed 17 of 22 skydivers aboard, including one of his and my best friends, the amazing James Layne.Read more ›
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By
Amit Ranjan Dubey
on August 26, 2011
Format: Paperback
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An inspiring story about Dan's journey from a novice skydiver to a multiple world championship winner in spite of the tremendous setbacks and losses he suffered. It is a compelling read with a narration that flows smoothly and I often found myself turning pages with anticipation. One is easily touched and motivated by Dan's passion, commitment and courage to pursue his dreams. I also enjoyed reading about the places and people who have shaped the world of competition skydiving and how Dan was in the middle of it all.
Dan shares the insights he has developed over the last few decades in building, leading and coaching world class teams and the processes, attitudes and tools that create success. These techniques can be used by everyone in their daily lives to perform at their best. There are sections in the book (e.g. Visualization, Peak Performance) that I have already gone back to a few times and I pick up something new every time.
I feel there is something for everyone in this book. Highly recommended.
Dan shares the insights he has developed over the last few decades in building, leading and coaching world class teams and the processes, attitudes and tools that create success. These techniques can be used by everyone in their daily lives to perform at their best. There are sections in the book (e.g. Visualization, Peak Performance) that I have already gone back to a few times and I pick up something new every time.
I feel there is something for everyone in this book. Highly recommended.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Céline Pelletier
on February 16, 2012
Format: Paperback
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I wish I had the chance to have read Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld's book earlier in my life. I found it so inspirational, and so full of practical hints to actually being able to achieve my goals or make my dreams come true (I mean real hints, not only the "Believe it hard and it will happen" stuff, you know) that I often think that my life would have turned slightly different than it did.
But you know what? It's never too late! And I look forward to what's coming up next, because I feel ready now, I know what to do if ever I want my life to be as exceptional as his, if I am ready to commit myself enough to choose happiness and success ..."above all else."
Just one last thing though... Sure, it's a story about skydiving, but you don't need to be a surgeon to enjoy medical TV shows, do you? So even if you've never jumped out of an airplane, you will learn a lot, and certainly love reading Dan BC's book.
But you know what? It's never too late! And I look forward to what's coming up next, because I feel ready now, I know what to do if ever I want my life to be as exceptional as his, if I am ready to commit myself enough to choose happiness and success ..."above all else."
Just one last thing though... Sure, it's a story about skydiving, but you don't need to be a surgeon to enjoy medical TV shows, do you? So even if you've never jumped out of an airplane, you will learn a lot, and certainly love reading Dan BC's book.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Steven P. Briggs
on September 6, 2011
Format: Paperback
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This book is a great read. Brodsky-Chenfield writes about his life competing to win the world skydiving championship. Along the way he gets fleeced by his first business partner, almost flunks out of college as a theater major, nearly dies in a skydiving plane crash that kills his "little brother", and then not only recovers but goes on to achieve his ultimate goal. Brodsky-Chenfield writes with great humor and insight which provides emotional impact to what are already dramatic events. Competitive skydiving is an arcane endeavor that has not previously been explored in an autobiography. The closest predecessor is "Jumping Fire" by Murry A. Taylor who describes his career as a fire fighter in remote forests accessible only by parachute. Both Brodsky-Chenfield and Taylor explore the difficulty of building and sustaining relationships with women while pursuing a career that demands nearly all their time and emotion. "Above All Else" goes beyond most adventure books that describe a thrilling and dangerous career by including life lessons that are learned by Brodsky-Chenfield in the most painful ways. The author's self-deprecating humor keeps the book fun without confusing the message. "Above All Else" is an outstanding addition to this genre. It reminded me of the introspective, "On the Ridge Between Life and Death", by David Roberts, the extreme climber and mountaineer. He too lost friends while engaged in an addictive but dangerous sport. Roberts explores his motivations for risking life and limb purely for fun. Brodsky-Chenfield never questions his motives; it's a given that jumping out of airplanes is the coolest thing in the world! Instead of asking why, Brodsky-Chenfield asks how. His book is the answer to that question. In fact, the book is comprised of two parts.Read more ›
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