Nonfiction

Tough: My Journey to True Power

Tough: My Journey to True Power

  • Downloads：2377
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-05-31 06:52:37
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Terry Crews
  • ISBN：0593329805
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
  • Download

Summary

From Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews， the deeply personal story of his lifelong obsession with strength--and how， after looking for it in all the wrong places， he finally found it

Terry Crews spent decades cultivating his bodybuilder physique and bravado。 On the outside， he seemed invincible: he escaped his abusive father， went pro in the NFL， and broke into the glamorous world of Hollywood。 But his fixation with appearing outwardly tough eventually turned into an exhausting performance in which repressing his emotions let them get the better of him--leading him into addiction and threatening the most important relationships in his life。

Now Crews is sharing the raw， never-before-told story of his quest to find the true meaning of toughness。 In Tough， he examines arenas of life where he desperately sought control--masculinity， shame， sex， experiences with racism， and relationships--and recounts the setbacks and victories he faced while uprooting deeply ingrained toxic masculinity and finally confronting his insecurities， painful memories， and limiting beliefs。 The result is not only the gripping story of a man's struggle against himself and how he finally got his mind right， but a bold indictment of the cultural norms and taboos that ask men to be outwardly tough while leaving them inwardly weak。

With Tough， Crews's journey of transformation offers a model for anyone who considers themselves a "tough guy" but feels unfulfilled; anyone struggling with procrastination or self-sabotage; and anyone ready to achieve true， lasting self-mastery。

Download

Reviews

Reed Harrison ，

Fine。 Some good life advice and perspective， but diluted by too many stories and some seemingly contradictory opinions。

John Walden ，

Amazing StoryI don’t think I have seen a single show that Terry Crews has starred in， but I read an excerpt of this book in the Wall Street Journal， and thought it would be a good read。 All I can now say is， Wow！ Terry’s story is amazing！ His description of his college years reads a lot like mine。 Even though I came from a white， middle class background， I struggled with many of the same issues Terry did。 An absolutely amazing story of perseverance， self-discovery and hope that all men should re Amazing StoryI don’t think I have seen a single show that Terry Crews has starred in， but I read an excerpt of this book in the Wall Street Journal， and thought it would be a good read。 All I can now say is， Wow！ Terry’s story is amazing！ His description of his college years reads a lot like mine。 Even though I came from a white， middle class background， I struggled with many of the same issues Terry did。 An absolutely amazing story of perseverance， self-discovery and hope that all men should read。 。。。more

Vanessa Esparza ，

A very honest， open look into the life of someone known throughout the world。 Terry Crews shares so much of his personal life - his successes， faults， traumas， life experiences， mistakes and the changes he's made along the way which have shaped the person he is now。 You truly never know what someone has gone through or experienced。 Highly recommend to anyone and anyone who is a fan of Terry Crews。 A very honest， open look into the life of someone known throughout the world。 Terry Crews shares so much of his personal life - his successes， faults， traumas， life experiences， mistakes and the changes he's made along the way which have shaped the person he is now。 You truly never know what someone has gone through or experienced。 Highly recommend to anyone and anyone who is a fan of Terry Crews。 。。。more

Bonnie ，

I picked this up as a celebrity memoir。 Terry Crews is a delightful member of a delightful cast on Brooklyn 99 and although I didn't know anything else about him， I am always up for checking out a celebrity memoir。 This is， I would say， 60% memoir and 40% self-help book。 I have become increasingly leery of self-help books， because even when I agree with the advice， I don't believe there is a single solution for every person。 I think Crews' story is inspirational enough when just talking about ho I picked this up as a celebrity memoir。 Terry Crews is a delightful member of a delightful cast on Brooklyn 99 and although I didn't know anything else about him， I am always up for checking out a celebrity memoir。 This is， I would say， 60% memoir and 40% self-help book。 I have become increasingly leery of self-help books， because even when I agree with the advice， I don't believe there is a single solution for every person。 I think Crews' story is inspirational enough when just talking about how what he did worked for him without him having to say: this is something that everyone should do and it will work for everyone。 Since this is partly a self-help book， it isn't organized like a normal memoir。 It's not chronological， but instead thematic sections （masculinity， shame， etc。）。 At first I found that confusing， but it did work for what Crews is trying to achieve and I quickly settled into the rhythm。 Crews has a fascinating life story， and he has done one of the hardest things anyone can do - he has changed how he behaves。 By his own admission， Crews was a misogynistic， abusive hothead。 He grew up in an abusive household and was perpetuating what he had been shown。 It is so incredibly hard to recognize the negative behaviors you have and not only that， change how you react to ways different than those ingrained in you。 Crews tells a story about how， after he had gotten into therapy and was working on his anger， his son spilled a drink。 His entire family went still。 Because they expected him to rage at a child for a simple accident。 That was how bad things had been。 But Crews isn't that person anymore， and he was helpful and calm， because he put in the work to change。Crews is also an incredibly talented man。 Not only is he a good actor （I appreciate his comedic timing on Brooklyn 99）， he is also an athlete （who made it to the NFL - a very rare feat）， an artist （he went to college on an art scholarship） and a flautist。 He is truly a Renaissance man。 This is not a book if you're looking for Hollywood gossip。 Almost everything that touches on Hollywood is already a matter of public record （most notably， Adam Venit's sexual assault of Crews）。 I would have loved to hear more about the cast and set of Brooklyn 99， but that is not what this book is about。 This is about Crews' life and the lessons he has learned。 Like Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood， the author's life story and the way it is presented is fascinating enough that I don't even miss the celebrity gossip。 。。。more

Frank Lindt ，

A very open and self-reflective book。 Powerful how the writer is able to discuss his own shortcomings and lessons learned from his experiences。

Sheri Kempton ，

Terry Crews is a prime example that people CAN change and that life is a continuous learning experience。 I admired his brutal honesty and the fact that he owns up to his mistakes and does whatever he can to improve himself and learn from the mistakes。 He is a self made man and I can only see good things in his future。 This biography was very inspiring and I'm better for having read it。 Terry Crews is a prime example that people CAN change and that life is a continuous learning experience。 I admired his brutal honesty and the fact that he owns up to his mistakes and does whatever he can to improve himself and learn from the mistakes。 He is a self made man and I can only see good things in his future。 This biography was very inspiring and I'm better for having read it。 。。。more

Brian Weisz ，

Pretty interesting story。 I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this！ Makes me want to read his bigraphy。 Pretty interesting story。 I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this！ Makes me want to read his bigraphy。 。。。more

Brydon Albers ，

Having read his first book， I wanted to give his second a try because I know he’s been committed to his growth。 A lot of the stories are familiar but I’m happy for him in the progress he’s made in his life and for where his intentions lie。 He’s still got growing to do， and he admits as much; which is humbling and I can look up to that。 You can really tell he’s been doing a lot of reading and he mentions some great books that have helped him。 Praying for you Mr。 Crews。

Jamie Huston ，

Wow！ I couldn't put this one down！ Celebrity memoirs tend to be tame affairs， but not this one。 Crews is painfully， bluntly， vividly honest about his faults and mistakes in life， confessing some scary stuff so he can show us how he's grown。Not surprisingly， the "toughness" that he touts in the title isn't about his giant muscles， it's about learning self control， the ability to rein in his temper and appetites。 Crews shares one story after another about how he was surrounded by moral failure as Wow！ I couldn't put this one down！ Celebrity memoirs tend to be tame affairs， but not this one。 Crews is painfully， bluntly， vividly honest about his faults and mistakes in life， confessing some scary stuff so he can show us how he's grown。Not surprisingly， the "toughness" that he touts in the title isn't about his giant muscles， it's about learning self control， the ability to rein in his temper and appetites。 Crews shares one story after another about how he was surrounded by moral failure as a young man， became a moral failure himself， and slowly--one area of life at a time--became a better man， a man that his wife and children could be proud of。 Everyone should read this book， but especially every man。 I choked up a bit on page 229， not because it was sad， but because it was triumphant。 Crews's observations about racism， sexism， and human nature--all drawn naturally from his experiences--are genuinely thoughtful and productive。 I wish we had more people just like him。I also wish that he'd said a bit more about his faith， although he does have a few fascinating pages about how he's been blessed by observing the Biblical principle of tithing。 Crews escaped some toxic， hypocritical cults from his childhood， and I'd love to know more about how he kept his faith intact when so many these days don't。But that might be beyond the scope of what he was doing here。 As it is， this book was inspiring and eye opening， without being self righteous or preachy。 This is a man who just tells it like it was and like it is。 The value of his story speaks for itself--he doesn't need to waste time controlling his image or selling himself to us。Now that's tough！ 。。。more

Drake Hahn ，

5。00 out of 5。00Just like his first book， it was a powerful， poignant read with many heartfelt and relatable stories。 I don’t have a lot of words， because this book has really left me speechless， but Terry Crews is， without question， one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever read anything from。

Eric ，

This was one of the most enjoyable biographies I have ever read to date。 Terry Crews pours his heart and soul out onto each and every page as he details his upbringing in Flint， Michigan to his rise to stardom。 It was a somber yet inspiring read for me。 For me， reading this book was about lessons in redemption and overcoming strife in all aspects of life。 Crews is not afraid to be vulnerable about his past traumas and admits it took him an entire lifetime to achieve the peace that he currently e This was one of the most enjoyable biographies I have ever read to date。 Terry Crews pours his heart and soul out onto each and every page as he details his upbringing in Flint， Michigan to his rise to stardom。 It was a somber yet inspiring read for me。 For me， reading this book was about lessons in redemption and overcoming strife in all aspects of life。 Crews is not afraid to be vulnerable about his past traumas and admits it took him an entire lifetime to achieve the peace that he currently enjoys。 I found myself in reflection upon finishing every chapter。 Crews acknowledged his ego and how relying on bravado and toxicity is never a winning ingredient for long-term success。I believe Crews wants us to learn from him on what makes a better life。 I didn't find this book to be preachy or complicated like some biographies or some self-help books can be。 It was an easy read and I find myself a better man for having read it。 There were some slight typos that threw me off here and there， but those did not stop me from enjoying this book。 A definite recommendation for any library。 。。。more

Kurt Dahlke ，

The best self-help book masquerading as an autobiography out there。 A must read for men。 Crews runs through his life in cycles， starting over each chapter with a different aspect of his journey。 He burns bridges， he's incredibly open。 Something for everyone to learn here。 The best self-help book masquerading as an autobiography out there。 A must read for men。 Crews runs through his life in cycles， starting over each chapter with a different aspect of his journey。 He burns bridges， he's incredibly open。 Something for everyone to learn here。 。。。more

Torres Lai ，

I can truly feel the transformation from Terry and his emotional journal toward healing his traumatic childhood。 Men should all be honest about there flaws and face directly。

Anton Forte ，

Childhood trauma， masculinity， and what it means to be strong and in control。 Alright， a little bit 'ranty'， but a sweet read。 Childhood trauma， masculinity， and what it means to be strong and in control。 Alright， a little bit 'ranty'， but a sweet read。 。。。more

Brennan Lauritzen ，

The first half is like a different version of "Educated，" the second half is Therapy 101 mixed with anecdotes。 I do wonder a little bit if Terry Crews is a victim of an implanted memory from recovered memory therapy or whether a real repressed memory just came up while talking about how he's interacting with his parents。 The memory I'm referring to is mentioned a few times。 The first half is like a different version of "Educated，" the second half is Therapy 101 mixed with anecdotes。 I do wonder a little bit if Terry Crews is a victim of an implanted memory from recovered memory therapy or whether a real repressed memory just came up while talking about how he's interacting with his parents。 The memory I'm referring to is mentioned a few times。 。。。more

Jason Weber ，

4。25 starsI am a fan of Terry Crews， so when I saw his book， I grabbed it！Really liked it， Terry tells a ton of stories that seemed honest and genuine。 He pulls no punches， and i am even a bigger fan after this book。

Sophia ，

Tough: My Journey to True Power by Terry CrewsPublished April 26， 2022 <3 This was not at all like I anticipated--in a GOOD WAY。 I had several epiphanies listening to Terry narrate his truth。 I love him as a comedic actor and his discipline to maintaining that Mandingo Statuesque Presence。 Listening to a fellow ACA （ADULT CHILD OF AN ALCOHOLIC AND OR DYSFUNCTIONAL UPBRINGING） and his journey that led to his mental and emotional health issues were instrumental in allowing me to recall some trauma Tough: My Journey to True Power by Terry CrewsPublished April 26， 2022 <3 This was not at all like I anticipated--in a GOOD WAY。 I had several epiphanies listening to Terry narrate his truth。 I love him as a comedic actor and his discipline to maintaining that Mandingo Statuesque Presence。 Listening to a fellow ACA （ADULT CHILD OF AN ALCOHOLIC AND OR DYSFUNCTIONAL UPBRINGING） and his journey that led to his mental and emotional health issues were instrumental in allowing me to recall some traumas that I too buried。 Yes it was trauma triggering but also validating。 More men （Black Men Specifically） need to work through their issues in a professional capacity。 My hope is that the Black Men in my family and community will follow his lead and let all the shit just hang out and let go of the shame that they inherited genetically and historically or inherited through nature and or nurture。 His views towards， spending， earning， hoarding/collecting， tithing and the #METOO movement were especially revealing。 He recommended a couple of books some of which I have read and the others I have added to the top of my TBR list。 His humility and transparencies had me loving and hating him as I listened to this audiobook。 Ultimately， I have to give him props for revealing EVERYTHING--all the hurt that he suffered AND dished out--as well as the healing and vulnerability he put out there for the world to see/hear。 We all got something！ I am glad he went into therapy and done the work to bring peace to himself and do the ongoing work to heal from his traumatic， dysfunctional and violent childhood。 I too will continue to do the same。 <3Terry Crews spent decades cultivating his bodybuilder physique and bravado。 On the outside， he seemed invincible: he escaped his abusive father， went pro in the NFL， and broke into the glamorous world of Hollywood。 But his fixation with appearing outwardly tough eventually turned into an exhausting performance in which repressing his emotions let them get the better of him—leading him into addiction and threatening the most important relationships in his life。 Now Crews is sharing the raw， never-before-told story of his quest to find the true meaning of toughness。 In Tough， he examines arenas of life where he desperately sought control—masculinity， shame， sex， experiences with racism， and relationships—and recounts the setbacks and victories he faced while uprooting deeply ingrained toxic masculinity and finally confronting his insecurities， painful memories， and limiting beliefs。 The result is not only the gripping story of a man's struggle against himself and how he finally got his mind right， but a bold indictment of the cultural norms and taboos that ask men to be outwardly tough while leaving them inwardly weak。With Tough， Crews's journey of transformation offers a model for anyone who considers themselves a “tough guy” but feels unfulfilled; anyone struggling with procrastination or self-sabotage; and anyone ready to achieve true， lasting self-mastery。 。。。more

Mike ，

I’ve always loved Terry Crews， from his acting to his cooking， and this book made me like him even more。 I learned a lot about his past， but more than just tell stories he interpreted them in the larger context of his life to provide insight and lessons for everybody。 I especially loved how he started personal with his own thoughts and feelings， then by the end he had expanded out to tackle huge topics like racism and general life philosophy。 I listened to this as an audiobook， which I highly re I’ve always loved Terry Crews， from his acting to his cooking， and this book made me like him even more。 I learned a lot about his past， but more than just tell stories he interpreted them in the larger context of his life to provide insight and lessons for everybody。 I especially loved how he started personal with his own thoughts and feelings， then by the end he had expanded out to tackle huge topics like racism and general life philosophy。 I listened to this as an audiobook， which I highly recommend if only for the storytelling aspects。 Reading that somebody was called the N word isn’t nearly as powerful as that person reenacting it for you。 。。。more

jo wallace ，

i actually dig this dude

Jessica ，

This memoir is unfiltered and raw。 Terry goes through his struggles in life and how counseling has helped him grow into a better husband， father， and person。 Terry's no non-sense， no pulled punches way of writing leaves the reader with a raw and detailed picture as to who he is and what he has been through。 Most importantly what he stands for。Religion plays a prevelant role in this book。 I love how he shines a light on the often ignored darkness of organized religion。 Despite a toxic relationshi This memoir is unfiltered and raw。 Terry goes through his struggles in life and how counseling has helped him grow into a better husband， father， and person。 Terry's no non-sense， no pulled punches way of writing leaves the reader with a raw and detailed picture as to who he is and what he has been through。 Most importantly what he stands for。Religion plays a prevelant role in this book。 I love how he shines a light on the often ignored darkness of organized religion。 Despite a toxic relationship with religion Terry maintains his faith。 It is clear that is a huge part of his life。 A tiny section of part 4 seemed a little preachy but it was brief。 That section also reads a bit "self-helpy"。 I think this is a great book for people who feel the need to control the world around them。 Obviously for fans of Crews as well 。。。more

Shane Fitz ，

I really liked this book by Terry Crews。 There were a lot of good stories。 I felt the author was very honest about their life and experiences。 Highly recommended 👌

Deb VanCura ，

I highly recommend Terry Crews' memoir， "Tough"。 Such brutal honesty and crisp wisdom - quite an intimate and most powerful share。 Enjoy！ I highly recommend Terry Crews' memoir， "Tough"。 Such brutal honesty and crisp wisdom - quite an intimate and most powerful share。 Enjoy！ 。。。more

Alex Rozenstine ，

Just saw the book available on NetGalley - fingers crossed I'll get accepted because yessss to a memoir by one of my favourite people in television！！ （and if I don't get an ARC I'll just pre-order it！！） Just saw the book available on NetGalley - fingers crossed I'll get accepted because yessss to a memoir by one of my favourite people in television！！ （and if I don't get an ARC I'll just pre-order it！！） 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Tough: My Journey to True Power

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Tough: My Journey to True Power&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Tough: My Journey to True Power&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0