Combining a gripping personal story with practical advice on such subjects as diet, training, family, romance, and much more, Laila Ali shows readers of all ages and backgrounds how to transform the demons of self-doubt and stagnation into positive, winning energy.
Since her professional debut three years ago, Laila Ali has set the world of women's boxing on fire. The daughter of the world's most famous boxer, she has more than come into her won, winning ten straight fights with breathtaking confidence and poise - including a bout with Jacqui Frazier that was the most highly publicized female boxing event ever.
But Laila's journey to success was not without struggle. In this revealing book, she describes - with striking humility and a streetwise wisdom beyond her years - how she made many mistakes along the way, but eventually managed to overcome every obstacle that life threw at her. In fifteen straight-talking, hard-hitting "rounds," Laila offers her dynamic formula for physical, emotional, and mental power, and demonstrates how to sidestep feelings of self-pity and defeatism.
Some of the life experiences that Laila recounts are ones many young people face, while others are related to her unique circumstances. Born with a proverbial silver spoon in her mouth, she never felt comfortable, as a child, in her parents' mansion - surrounded by maids, celebrity visitors, and hangers-on - and longed for a "normal" existence. As an adolescent, she became increasingly drawn into negative behavior. But after she found herself, at age sixteen, in juvenile hall, Laila realized it was time to make a change in her life. She resolved to become a responsible, financially independent adult, and soon achieved her long-time dream of owning her own manicure business. Ultimately, however, she would find success in another arena: professional boxing.
Revised and updated in 2017.
Author Biography:
Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness expert, TV host, cooking enthusiast, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two. The daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a four-time undefeated boxing world champion, whose stellar record includes 24 wins (21 of which were "knockouts") and zero losses. Laila is heralded as the most successful female in the history of women's boxing. Millions of viewers watched Laila showcase how much of a savvy business "knockout" she is in the boardroom as she competed on the all-new Celebrity Apprentice. Laila is also a regular panelist and contributor for the CBS Sports Network's new all-female sports commentary program, We Need to Talk, the first of its kind in the history of sports broadcasting. A cooking enthusiast, Laila previously appeared twice on Food Network's celebrity edition of Chopped and emerged victorious as the champion. Continuing her passion in the cooking space, Laila was the host of Late Night Chef Fight, an exciting food truck cooking competition show that has aired for multiple seasons on the FYI Network. She has also appeared in various cooking segments on Rachael Ray and The Chew, along with having cooked her famous "oven baked fried chicken" on Steve Harvey's hit daytime talk show. Laila is most excited about her forthcoming cookbook slated to be released in the fall of 2017. For multiple seasons, she hosted "Everyday Health" airing in national syndication on ABC, in addition to being the previous co-host of American Gladiators and former host of All-In With Laila Ali, which aired in weekend syndication on CBS. In 2012 when women's boxing was included in the Olympics for the first time in history. Laila was the first woman in history to provide expert commentary for NBC Sports. For two consecutive years since its conception in 2015, she was selected as host of the first ever televised ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards. Laila is a past President of the Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization that is supported by some of the biggest athletes in the world. Through WST Laila promotes equality for women in the world of professional sports, and she pushes programs that encourage young women to be confident, healthy and strong through sports. She was also a major voice for the 40th anniversary of Title IX which protects women's rights to be included and treated equally in collegiate sports. Always eager to encourage others to live an active lifestyle, Laila Ali was the 2012 "Mombassador" for the Aquaphor New York City Triathlon, a competition she actually participated in and completed impressively in a little more than 3 hours. She's appeared as a guest-star on popular fitness show, Biggest Loser. Also because of her passion for an active lifestyle and wanting to share this with all her followers, she started her own lifestyle blog Laila Ali Lifestyle, where she regularly posts workouts tips, recipes, DIY ideas, marriage and family tips, and so much more! A recognizable and trusted figure whose name and likeness packs a powerful punch, Laila has been an endorser for major brands such Subway and Kohl's. Carefully building a successful branding and licensing empire (a former owner and operator of a successful nail salon in southern California), Laila recently rolled out a signature line of hair styling tools with Hot Tools, a brand subsidiary of hair care powerhouse, Helen of Troy. She is also a major supporter of charitable organizations such as Feeding America and Peace 4 Kids. She is also quite proud of the work she has done on behalf of the American Dental Association to create oral health awareness for children. Laila Ali is a sought after inspirational speaker. She and her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, live in Los Angeles, with their two children, son Curtis Jr., and daughter Sydney.
