In this deeply personal and unflinchingly honest memoir, Mark Turnipseed invites you to walk alongside him through 20 years of addiction, heartbreak, and self-discovery. From the age of 15, addiction consumed Mark’s life, leading to countless relapses, incarceration, and moments of despair. Yet even in his darkest hours, he began to find the first glimmers of hope that would eventually lead to profound transformation.
Through raw and candid storytelling, Mark explores the lies that shaped his identity, the trauma that kept him stuck, and the inner strength that helped him rise. He shares how fitness, self-reflection, and a relentless pursuit of truth led him from being a suicidal, 230-pound alcoholic and heroin addict to completing an Ironman triathlon—and most importantly, to embracing his bisexual identity with pride and clarity.
Mark doesn’t shy away from his struggles or mistakes. Instead, he lays them bare to show that even the most broken life can be rebuilt. His story offers hope to anyone battling addiction, struggling with identity, or trying to make peace with their past.
This book is more than a story of recovery—it’s a powerful testament to resilience, authenticity, and the freedom that comes from owning your truth.