Finding Good: My Journey Through Cancer, Addiction, and Learning to Live Again

“If you are wondering how you can overcome life’s challenges and need the inspiration to conquer your own, then you must read Mike’s story. Guaranteed to leave a lasting impression that will change your attitude.”
- Jim Nantz CBS Sports

Diagnosed with leukemia at age 10, Mike Thompson would endure four total cancers, two bone marrow transplants, more than 75 surgeries - including a 12.5 hour tumor removal and jaw reconstruction - and hundreds of blood transfusions, chemo and radiation treatments, along with endless negative side effects. After overcoming the scourge of addiction to opioids due to chronic pain, Mike eventually set out to reclaim his life.

He started by rejuvenating his childhood passion for sports, beginning with a 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe with his bone marrow donor, Steve, while raising money for cancer research. He then transitioned to competing in triathlons making it all the way to the Ironman World Championship on the Big Island of Kona, Hawaii in 2012. A few years later, Mike summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with a dozen other cancer fighters.

Inspired by countless loved ones lost and his own personal bucket list victories, Mike dedicated years to nonprofit service before eventually returning to academia to finish his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and during this time found the love of his life.

As Mike puts it, "Finding Good is about living your best life by being positively selfish, surrounding yourself with good people, and doing your part to leave the world better than you found it."

This heartfelt, unflinching memoir of resilience and redemption will empower you to find the good in your life, too. It's a reminder that even in the darkest moments, good can be found within and beyond them.

If you enjoyed memoirs such as The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin or Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox, you'll be inspired by Finding Good.