Get a Kick out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age

On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. It was a dream come true―many years in the making. "Like many people, I grew up feeling as though I couldn't catch a break," muses the author, speaker, and NCAA football record holder. "With obstacles and setbacks from a very early age, I struggled to find meaning and purpose. As an adult with no real plan, my self-absorbed lifestyle led to divorce, financial stress, and physical injuries. But in time, I found my faith, my purpose, and my soulmate. If my story says anything, it is that it is never too late to re-imagine what you want your life to be." With degrees in Business Management, Kinesiology, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Leadership, and Teaching, Dr. Thompson’s purpose is to encourage people of all ages to live healthy and fulfilled lives, to discover and reach their full potential, and to develop a deeper faith in the process. Divided into three sections―Body, Mind, and Spirit―Get a Kick out of Life includes tips on goal setting and intentionality, physical fitness and nutrition, finding your purpose, developing deeper relationships with family and friends, and offers suggestions for ditching the “bucket list” for something even better.

Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, D.S.L., M.S., M.A., entered the health and fitness industry after a 20-year career in commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, a Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a Doctor of Strategic Leadership Degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Austin College. Dr. Thompson is an active researcher with numerous co-authored articles in peer reviewed academic journals, and lectures to both lay and academic groups. A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Dr. Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt. On November 14, 2009, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point in a game.

Alice Sullivan is a ghostwriter, author, writing coach, speaker, and editor. Since 2001 she’s worked on over 1,300 titles, including eleven New York Times bestsellers. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Christopher P. Neck is currently an associate professor of management at Arizona State University, where he held the title “University Master Teacher.” From 1994 to 2009, he was part of the Pamplin College of Business faculty at Virginia Tech. He received his Ph.D. in management from Arizona State University and his MBA from Louisiana State University. Dr. Neck is author of Self-Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Personal Excellence (SAGE Publications, 2017); Fit To Lead: The Proven 8-week Solution for Shaping Up Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Career (St. Martin’s Press, 2004; Carpenter’s Sons Publishing, 2012); Mastering Self-Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence, 6th edition (Pearson, 2013); The Wisdom of Solomon at Work (Berrett-Koehler, 2001); For Team Members Only: Making Your Workplace Team Productive and Hassle-Free (Amacom Books, 1997); and Medicine for the Mind: Healing Words to Help You Soar, 4th edition (Wiley, 2012). Neck is also the coauthor of the principles of management textbook Management: A Balanced Approach to the 21st Century, 2nd edition (Wiley, 2017); the introductory entrepreneurship textbook Entrepreneurship (SAGE Publications, 2017); and the introductory organizational behavior textbook Organizational Behavior (SAGE Publications, 2017). Neck is also an avid runner. He has completed 12 marathons, including the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the San Diego Marathon. His personal record for a single long-distance run is a 40-mile run.