BOOK CLUB RESOURCES

Is this book right for my club?

Great question! I’m so glad you asked. Secrets of Giants is for anyone who has ever wondered: What am I capable of achieving and how would it feel to chase something far out of my comfort zone?

The book follows my journey as a 40-year-old mom of two to reclaim my body and find out what I might be capable of achieving. You’ll come along on my wild ride the world of competitive strength and hear not just my story, but those of athletes who have healed from trauma, challenged the assumptions that have been thrust upon them, and altered their sense of self. You’ll learn about the way the pursuit of strength teaches us - especially as women - to take up space.

This book won’t tell you how to get big biceps and six-pack abs and it doesn’t end with me getting them either. It’s about the benefits of pushing your limits that you have to look a little harder to see: the way it makes us more resilient and better at handling adversity, how it can make us better and more patient parents and partners, and how it teaches us the value of failure not just in the gym but at work and at home too.

In short: If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to chase something that feels impossible, or to move something that once seemed immovable, this is for you.

AUTHOR ENGAGEMENT

I’m available for in-person (New York or Toronto) and Zoom/Skype/etc (global) book club visits. To inquire, please fill out the contact form.

BULK PURCHASES

Does your book club have 24 or more members? Bulk pricing for Secrets of Giants is available by request.

FREE STUFF!

Book clubs receive really cool Secrets of Giants swag which may include bookmarks, stickers, notebooks and more. For book clubs that host me in-person I will personalize and sign each member’s copy!

FEATS OF STRENGTH

Is your book club feeling inspired to test your own strength? Before you sit down to snack and chat, try this to get your blood pumping, adrenaline coursing, and a sense of the power of your own strength: 3 rounds of 5 push-ups, 10 squats, and 10 tricep dips using the chair you’re going to park your tush in for the next hour.

Longer sample workouts (with or without equipment) are available by request.

RECIPE IDEAS

You can’t get strong without snacks. That’s just a fact. Here are some of my crowd-pleasing favorites!

Sweet

  • Milk Bar Pie Bars (If you don’t eat 5 of these before getting to your book club, you have far more restraint than I do!)

  • Protein Brownies (It’s a book about strength, so of course we have to include one protein-packed snack!)

Savory

  • Buffalo Chicken Dip (If you won’t tell anyone that the recipe came from the label on the Frank’s Red Hot bottle, neither will I)

  • NYC-style Nuts for Nuts dupe (Fun fact about me: I’m a born-and-raised New Yorker who will stop at every Nuts 4 Nuts cart and buy a bag. They’re that good.)

QUESTION PROMPTS

A few prompts to get the conversation started!

1.    How did the book change your opinion or perspective on the meaning and purpose of strength? Did it confirm or contradict any of your assumptions or expectations?

2.    What was the most memorable or impactful story, anecdote, or example in the book? Why did it stand out to you?

3.    Which elements of Alyssa’s story felt particularly relatable?

4.    How did you feel about the pursuit of strength before reading this book and how has your perception changed?

5.    What was the most surprising or shocking thing you learned from the book? How did it make you feel?

6.    How did Alyssa’s choice of how to frame and organize the book impact its effectiveness for you?

7.    Did the book inspire you to take action, change your behavior, or think differently about something?

8.    Did Alyssa surprise you with any revelations or discoveries in the book?

9.    How did Alyssa portray the other featured athletes and characters in the book? What was their influence or impact on the her life choices or outcomes? How did reading their stories impact your experience?

10. How did Alyssa’s story make you reflect on your own life and experiences?

11. How has the pursuit of strength impacted your own life?

12. When was the last time you really questioned, challenged, and pushed your limits? How did that feel?

13. Think of a time when you failed at something. How did that feel? How did you view yourself? What did you do next?

14. What does the word “yet” mean to you when applied to your life and the challenges you face?