Eric Fisher – Author Anthony Avina

The Synopsis

Addiction has been given various explanations – some regard it as a choice, a habit, a disease, a moral failure, brought on by traumatic experiences, or a combination.

The Martial Art of Recovery offers a unique metaphorical approach to treating addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Techniques and concepts from American Kenpo, a martial arts style, intersect holistically with mental health and addiction treatment.

Striking self-sabotage begins with a single move.

The following is a brief summary of the book’s contents:

Sixty-six American Kenpo martial arts techniques translated for addiction treatment.

Ninety-eight martial arts terms have been translated and presented with practical examples to aid in addiction recovery.

Techniques from the American Kenpo martial arts style are translated into coping skills and strategies for anxiety, depression, and trauma.

A section that provides information, examples, and techniques related to the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual domains that play a role in the recovery process.

The “Five Swords” for addiction treatment and mental health.

How to view the addiction as “The Opponent.”

How to practically apply martial arts techniques and concepts in daily life.

The Review

For such a unique and creative new take on the battle of addiction and mental health, the author’s book felt both relatable and driven in a way that people familiar with the struggle should be able to relate to. The book’s title may seem to indicate that martial arts is the key component to this technique. Instead, the author does a great job of using martial arts as a creative mindset and viewpoint, focusing on mentally transforming these struggles into external forces that can be combatted.

The book’s slow, steady pacing and the author’s inspirational writing will stay with readers long after it ends. The haunting reality of addiction and mental health is not shied away from, but instead harmoniously brought together with the authors’ unique way of bridging the gap between recovery and martial arts mindsets and training. The book tackles not just the physical but also the mental in a healthy way. It even takes on philosophical, psychological/medical aspects as well, exploring the impact of grief and how the brain itself can be mapped and explored in depth.

The Verdict

The expressive, entertaining way the author writes and the heartfelt message of hope that the author’s writing and techniques promise make this a truly compelling must-read nonfiction book. The way the author incorporates everything from different fighting techniques to the other belts that martial artists earn, and how he relates these to mental health awareness, as well as the at times light and empathetic way he uses his voice, will keep readers hanging on to every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

The Synopsis

In the book, Buried Alive, the author tells of the near-death experience of his father, who almost dies during an expedition to dig up Native American artifacts. The perspectives from all three men involved in the event are examined. Four self-help strategies are linked in practical ways to the scary event that happened on February 12th, 2000, in a rural area of Tennessee.

Through the immersive and daunting story of the near-fatal accident, the author shows how challenging circumstances can shed light on strategies for dealing with life’s challenges. Through an intense story about survival and recovery, you’ll gain practical suggestions that will help you find increased awareness, fortitude, and direction.

The sections discussed in the book are as follows:

1. How to find balance in particular areas, which includes perfectionism, spirituality, toxicity, vulnerability, expectations, self-care, emotions, planning, open-mindedness, comparisons, and trauma.

2. The CIA acronym for personal growth: curiosity, introspection, and agency. The four principles of agency and entropy are described and explained. The importance of understanding how entropy applies to self-development.

3. Learning the different ways of connecting with yourself, others, and a local community. The blocks to connection are explored.

4. The power of the “W” word when it comes to life fulfillment, direction, and taking action.

Each chapter applies the self-help content to the true story being told in a documentary fashion. For each self-help component, practical strategies and techniques are given to the reader. The concluding chapter integrates all the content with practical, real-life scenarios.

The Review

What a compelling and engaging story and guide. The author did a remarkable job of finding the perfect balance between telling his father’s story and relating it to the lessons life has to offer. The author’s writing style is so unique, moving between honest conversation and insightful dialogue that address issues that can lead to detrimental problems in a person’s life, from toxicity to the impact media has on a person’s mindset, and so much more.

I loved how the author laid out his father’s and the other two people’s personal experiences of the incident slowly throughout the book. This style allowed the reader to not only consume the story in an almost episodic format but also see how each part of the story applied to the lessons the author imparted, from self-care and confronting trauma to even getting the wife’s perspective, discussing how his mother dealt with the accident, and so much more.

The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Eric Fisher’s “Buried Alive” is a must-read inspirational nonfiction read. The way the author writes in a way that feels almost therapeutic, allowing him to express the feelings and emotions that came from a powerful incident for so many people while also giving readers a guide that gives them the tools to examine their own situations, made this book feel so important and valuable that readers will turn to it time and time again in their lives. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10