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Brutal

My Autobiography

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Brutal

By: Iwan Thomas
Narrated by: Iwan Thomas
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Summary

 Bloomsbury presents Brutal written and read by Iwan Thomas.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR

'Lays bare the realities of a sporting career' -Lord Sebastian Coe
'Gripping, revealing and honest' -Steve Cram OBE
'A gripping read ... Iwan runs and runs and runs, and arrives at himself' -Jeremy Vine

Running has been Iwan Thomas’s life. He put everything into becoming and remaining an elite athlete to such a point that his efforts left him scarred.

Iwan reveals the highs of his career, but also his battles with the dark side of running – the loneliness, the doubts, the hurt and, ultimately, the serious mental health issues.

After a youthful stint as a world-class BMX rider, Iwan dedicated himself to running. Between 1995 and 1998, he became one of the world’s fastest men, taking silver in the 4x400m at the Olympics and gold at the European and World Championships. Yet, although his British 400m record of 44.36s would stand unbroken for 25 years, niggling injuries were already beginning to limit his ability to compete with the best.

His response to setbacks had always been to train even harder, but this was no longer an option. Without the structure of training, the motivation of competition and the buzz of race day, Iwan struggled. He suffered an extended period of anxiety and depression, before eventually coming to terms with his life as a former athlete.

In this deeply reflective, utterly engaging and sensationally open book, Iwan shares an absorbing, sometimes uncomfortable, but totally memorable story, and finally reveals the truth behind his life in sport. Running & Jogging Sports Inspiring Heartfelt Mental Health Health
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Critic reviews

Powerful, frank and inspiring … a superb insight into what athletes will go through to find their best both in and after sport … I couldn’t put it down
Gripping, revealing and honest. An intimate portrayal of a top athlete and the challenges that come with it
Such an enjoyable read… Brutal tells the tale of what it takes to get to the top, and how hard it can be there
A fascinating book … Iwan helps you visualize the races as if you were actually on the start line with him. An honest account of an incredible career from a truly talented athlete... Iwan is an inspiration
A gripping read ... Iwan runs and runs and runs, and arrives at himself
Don’t let the fun, crazy personality fool you… Iwan’s book gives you an insight into how hard it can be battling physical and mental challenges that only a few top sportspeople can overcome
Compelling, honest and motivating … offers a remarkable glimpse into the sporting world and beyond
An amazing read … I loved it
As candid a book as you will find ... lays bare the realities of a sporting career with unflinching honesty ... a fascinating sports odyssey
Amazing honesty
Unflinching and deeply reflective
A great book… searingly honest… a real guide to anyone who is facing a major change in their life
All stars
Most relevant
Remember watching Iwan with his bleached hair on the tv competing when I was a kid. He inspired me then and even more inspired after reading this book. His resilience is something else. He smashed it.

This guy is inspiring

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There's so much more to Iwan Thomas than the 400m. Keeping to typical jovial Iwan style, it is a lighthearted book even when going into detail about the harder, more serious stages of his life. An incredible insight to who he is as a person and the mindset that he has an athlete. Talking about his life after competing, showing his vulnerable side relates to the everyday 'normal' person. This is the best book I've listened to in along time.

insightful and inspiring

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Compelling, engaging and throughly enjoyable. I wasn’t familiar with the story of Iwan but I’m glad I got to read this book

Engaging

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Read and delivered so well. A remarkable story of a man finding himself in such an honesty way.
You will not be disdisappointed

Absolutely Fantastic

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I really enjoyed listening to Brutal. So cleverly interwoven with the 100 mile race to help hold chapters and themes onto. He seems so humble and grateful for all of the tough and good parts of his life. I really enjoyed how open he was about his feelings and mental health and I hope others reading this can see how important it is to be open.

Fascinating Insight into the Sacrifices athletes make

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