Speed skater Apolo Ohno has come to symbolize the very best of the competitive spirit, remaining equally gracious in victory and defeat, always striving to improve his performance, and appreciating the value of hard work as much as any reward it might bring. Here he shares his inspiring personal story, as well as his secrets for achieving total focus and mental toughness. This book is also a portrait of a father-and-son relationship that deepened over time and was based on respect, love, and unshakable faith in each other. The young Apolo found it difficult to balance his natural gifts with an admittedly wild streak. After lack of preparation caused him to finish last at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1998, a week of solitary soul-searching at the age of fifteen led him to recommit himself, and at the 1999 world junior championships he achieved one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history.--From publisher description.