Nerves of Steel: Lessons That MS Taught Me

Once upon a time, gritty Texan trial attorney Trace Sherer aspired to be one of the greatest doctors of all time. Instead, he became a patient. A patient of positivity. Despite a terrifying diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1999, Trace sought the good in every moment. A transformed mindset gave him the strength to fight the debilitating effects of primary-progressive MS that tagged him as a corpse within two years.

Nerves of Steel is Trace's compelling, unpretentious and irreverent testimony linking health to positivity. His steadfast focus on setting and achieving bold goals, reframing difficult circumstances and decisions, building resilience, and spreading joy to everyone in his orbit is all captured in an unforgettable read filled with sunlight and giggles.

If you've ever been taken down by illness, loss, change, bad wine, or a bad hair day, you are not alone. But you do have nerves of steel that may just need to be tested and polished to live out their glistening potential.

Trace J. Sherer is an attorney and mediator who has been living (and thriving) with MS for more than twenty years. Nerves of Steel is his debut as an author. He lives in Houston with two diva cats and one dog. Trace is working on his second book, a legal thriller. He loves to hear from readers. Contact him at trace@nervesofsteel.org.

Candi S. Cross is the founder of You Talk I Write, a modern ghostwriting agency. She has co-developed approximately 140 books with authors worldwide. Candi is committed to helping diverse individuals with contemporary stories that make a difference. She lives in New York City with her wife and 24/7 muse, Liza. For more info, visit www.youtalkiwrite.com.

"There is so much that can be revealed about ourselves when we take the time to see life from another perspective. Within pages of starting Nerves of Steel, I was reminded of not only the power, but also, the joy that my choices can create. Admittedly, I've been feeling overwhelmed by the choices available to me, which has led me to a sort of mental and emotional paralysis. I know that it's a paralysis of my own doing. Enter Trace Sherer, a stranger to me by all definitions of the word, to offer me a glimmer of light back to who I know myself to be. I firmly believe readers will find motivation in his story, not because of the successes he shares, but because of the challenges he made his way through to achieve them."

--Antuan Magic Raimone, TEDx Speaker, Hamilton Universal Swing, Author of Becoming Magic: A Path of Personal Reconstruction

"Trace's ability to use positivity in the hardest situations speaks to the power of mindset. In medical practice we often see the most positive patients thrive in the face of death, and his story is a testament to that! His story spreads hope and light and is worth the read for anyone dealing with an unexpected, life-altering challenge."

--Danielle Don Diego, MD, Author of Self-Care RX

"Following the murder of my daughter, I quickly learned about perspective and perseverance. Life is full of amazing people who show us every day that the perspective we put on our lives, combined with amazing perseverance, makes us capable of amazing things. For Trace, it has meant the difference between life and death. Trace teaches us all lessons about going forward from horrible news and determining our own outcomes. In spite of a death sentence due to illness back in 1999, he is able to write today that he is grateful to be alive. His choice to be positive is a lesson for us all as we go forward from our own moments in life."

--Fred Guttenberg, Speaker and Author of Find the Helpers