Synopsis
From three-time Olympian and Olympic champion Kyle Shewfelt, this is the inside story of his pursuit of gymnastics glory, his courageous comeback from two broken legs and how the difference makers in his life guided him along the way.
Kyle Shewfelt was at the top of his sport: a polished performer with an unrelenting drive to be the very best carried him to the pinnacle of men's gymnastics and a historic Olympic gold medal for Canada on the floor exercise. But when a mistimed landing in a training session at the world championships leaves him with two broken legs just eleven months before the next Olympic Games, Kyle's self-belief is cast into doubt and he is forced to awaken a new level of determination to realize his final goal.
Make It Happen is a motivational memoir that explores every aspect of Kyle's journey through sport. From his early years of cartwheeling around his home and falling in love with gymnastics, to his battles with perfectionism, taunting from a cruel bully and a stint of teenage rebellion, Kyle gives a gripping and honest glimpse into the pursuit of his Olympic dream. He takes readers behind-the-scenes to the epic Olympic after-parties and on the wave of post-Olympic fame while also shedding light on the darkness of injury, the intensity of elite training and the pressures of expectation. Throughout, he shares how he conquered fear and self-doubt with the help of dedicated family, friends, teammates, coaches and mentors – first to reach the Olympic Games, then to stand on top of the podium, then to comeback in the wake of a devastating injury and finally, to find a new sense of purpose in his life after retiring from elite sport.
With his trademark candor and spirit, Kyle pays tribute to the difference makers in his career and shares a fresh perspective on how to nurture a champion. He details his winning formula and the factors that led to his triumphant success at the 2004 Athens Olympics and highlights the positive power of sport. This is a story of hope and resilience, and what it takes to "make it happen", no matter what the goal.
PRAISE FOR MAKE IT HAPPEN:
"Make It Happen has made a positive impact in the way I approach training, competition and life. Kyle blazed a new trail for Canadian gymnastics and showed us all that reaching the top of an Olympic podium is actually possible. He has been a difference maker in my life and his book continually filled me with new insights and fresh inspiration. I believe every athlete can benefit from reading it!"
- Ellie Black, 2x Olympian, 2017 World All-Around Silver medalist and 10x Pan Am Medalist
"Make It Happen is a must-read for all athletes, parents and coaches. Kyle's journey is a great example of what it means to be athlete driven and parent/coach supported. I loved the honesty in which he shares his inner dialogue as he progressed and matured from a young tumbler to a world-class gymnast. This story is as much about Kyle's journey as a person as it about his journey as an Olympic Champion.
- Marnie McBean, OC, OLY, 3x Olympic Rowing Champion
"Kyle's account of a life in sport is honest and raw. It brought laughter, surprise, excitement, tears, and above all, hope. . . The glimpses of his parents' pragmatic and unwavering support, coupled with their commitment to raising and a young man rather than an elite athlete, impacted me more than any how-to book on the same topic could ever accomplish. Make It Happen is compulsory reading for today's sport parent.
- Krista Thompson, Parent
About the Author
A lifelong devotee of gymnastics since learning how to do a cartwheel as a young boy, three-time Olympian Kyle Shewfelt made history by winning gold on the floor exercise at the 2004 Athens Games, the first and only medal for a Canadian in artistic gymnastics. Today a motivational speaker, gym owner, broadcaster and father, Kyle believes his success stemmed from the positivity fostered by his parents, coaches and mentors that guided him throughout his career. Kyle is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, and is a proud champion for Special Olympics. He resides in Calgary with his family and he continues to enjoy cartwheeling and doing handstands around the house.
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