This book had me in tears! Such an excellent memoir that I couldnt put down!

I had no idea the type of mental struggle she was experiencing and I feel that this important discussion of mental health needs be the norm in sports and in society.

Every athlete should read about her personal journey to have a better understanding on how much of a mental toll Sports and life can have on you.

I absolutely loved this book. Pappas shares her grief and triumphs in such a clear, moving way, that they resonated long after I put the book down. Not just for athletes (although as a runner I deeply appreciated that part of her narrative), this book is a must for any young woman.

This was the perfect book to start off 2021! Motivational, raw, emotional, honest, inspiring. Alexi Pappas talks about role models and finding female figures in her life to look up to after her mother committed suicide. But, I think Alexi is the prime example of a role model, a Bravey who has overcome so much and is still known for her humor and glowing personality.

A real look into mental health, Alexi shines a light on depression and how it truly feels to be at your lowest low and then tackling that depression head on. For the runners like myself who look up to Alexi not only for her mental strength but her athletic prowess, you get an inside look into Olympic training and what actually happens at the Olympics, professional running contracts and sponsorships and how that works. Above all, you see what it takes to totally commit to something, to not just be interested but to commit to a dream to make it a reality.

All I can say is thank you to Alexi Pappas for her brutal honesty in this book and sharing it with us. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Bravey:

"And when we love ourselves, Braveys, everything is possible."

Bravey by Alexi Pappas is a collection of essays and poems reflecting on the author's life and experiences with depression and mental health, running, and her early career. It's a bit difficult to nail down exactly what this book is about, but it encompasses what is means to be a bravey, Pappas describes a bravey as "a self-identifier for those who are willing to chase their dreams even though it can be intimidating or scary."

I've followed Alexi Pappas' career for a few years now. It was surprising to learn how she struggled for many of the years I've seen her compete. I appreciate her honesty in sharing about those early years of her career now that she's lived with depression and come out the other side. While Pappas is a filmmaker and Olympian, her essays are deeply relatable. Her reflections on her marathon debut and needing to reframe her goals reminded me of my own first marathon. Living with depression in her early career is something many twenty-somethings, including myself, can relate to and learn from. While she writes about how she has struggled, I also found this to be a joyful and uplifting book. I would recommend this book to anyone in their twenties or college who is trying to figure out their life. While anyone could benefit from reading this book, I would especially recommend it for athletes.

Reviewing this one for a major magazine. Love it, but mostly love how brave she is and how down to earth inspirational. Plus, I loved reading about her Olympics experience. Who knew they had a hairstylist?

I wasn't aware of Alexi Pappas before reading this. But her story instantly captivated me. She's inspiring to young girls and I'd recommend this to teens and 20-somethings that need a little inspiration. Alexi you have a new fan!

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Alexi Pappas' memoir is not only inspiring but also incredibly well written. She talking about her mental health, her mom's suicide when she was young, as well as her experience going to the Olympics. Along with these raw, emotional accounts of her life, Pappas ends each chapter with a clever or inspirational poem. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, even those who might not be familiar with Alexi.

An intimate and empowering story of passion and purpose. Readers needn't aspire to Olympic notoriety to appreciate the lessons in resiliency and teamwork, self care and mental health.

What an inspirational book of someone who has gone through so much in life - overcome so much in their childhood and so much struggle with mental health with the family and herself. I picked up this book thinking it was going to be a comedy and was not disappointed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I received this advance digital copy, I had no idea who Alexi Pappas was. Therefore, I knew nothing about her story. I went into this book totally blind. But, I wanted to read it for two reasons. One, I like the cover, and two, Maya Rudolph wrote the Foreword. I like Maya and I am/was a diehard supporter of her mother the late great Minni Riperton. Although I went into this memoir without knowing much about the author. I was 100% invested within the first few pages of reading the book.

An Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker and writer, at the age of four years old, Alexi’s mother died by suicide, drastically altering the course of her life. In this book Alexi shares what she’s learned from her experiences, while offering advice on achieving your dreams.

This is the most honest, heartfelt, transparent and emotionally vulnerable account of the affects mental illness and suicide can have on a child. Not only is this memoir entertaining, but more importantly it is informative. Alexi took me into her life and her emotions. There were moments my heart wept for her. Reading about her mother’s mental illness was gut wrenching. She did a phenomenal job of capturing her emotions and the confusion she lived with, as a result of being a girl living without a mother.

Alexi’s vulnerability was also on full display as she wrote about her own battle with post-Olympic depression. A topic very few athletes discuss. She walked me through the entire journey, from beginning to end. It was very eye opening.

But don’t get me wrong, this book definitely had moments that made my heart sing. Reading how she overcame the issues of her past, and becoming an Olympic runner was inspiring.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It contained everything I look for in a great memoir. I recommend this book for everyone, especially #YA readers, and anyone dealing with mental illness. This book offers hope for a better tomorrow. And that my friends, is why this book deserves 5⭐️s.

This book was super good. It was super original and I flew through it. It didn't feel like anything I've read in the past. Can't wait to read more from the author!!

A well written autobiography that shows the drive and strength Pappas has had during her professional running career. Would be a great independent study for students with interests in pursuing sports or writing beyond the high school level and would allow for discussions on goal setting and perseverance along with grief and personal development.

Alexi Pappas is an interesting person. Interesting enough to carry her book of self help and memoir. Readers who are familiar with her role as Olympian an filmmaker will find even more joy in this book.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful and harrowing book.

Papas shares her experience as an Olympic athlete, delves into her mother's mental illness, and shares dark points in her own life.

Approximately the first 3/4ths of the book are about Papas' life before the Rio Olympics. The rest are anecdotes and thoughts about life, dating, and mental health. The book doesn't quite feel like a memoir because it's about more than Papas' life as an Olympian but her searches for female role models reads as both tragic and inspirational.

It's a captivating read that's hard to put down!

A fun memoir from an incredible woman. I couldn’t put it down and I felt like I know Alexi. I highly recommend reading this, five stars.