What You're Made for - by George Raveling & Ryan Holiday (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"I'm proud to call George a mentor and a friend." --Michael Jordan

Orphaned at just thirteen in a still-segregated Washington, D.C., George Raveling was introduced to a relatively unpopular sport--basketball--in high school. The rest, as they say, is history. Raveling went on to become one of the winningest coaches of all time, a mentor to legendary athletes, and a confidant of the sport's greatest coaches, including Bob Knight and John Wooden. He convinced Michael Jordan to collaborate with Nike on the Air Jordan. He led the 1984 U.S. men's Olympic team to their ninth gold medal. He even once owned the original, handwritten copy of Dr. King's most famous speech after an unlikely stint as a bodyguard during the famous March on Washington.

Here, Coach Raveling tells the story of his extraordinary ascent, sharing incredible behind-the-scenes stories of his days working with the best in the game. But this book is more than a memoir--it's a manual for life that presents surprising methods for harnessing your potential from a man who shaped the careers of so many legends. Raveling imparts lessons learned from his grandmother, his long career in basketball, and his lifelong habit of reading--to which he credits all his success.

Whether you're an athlete, a leader, a parent, a student, or simply seeking to mold your raw talent into greatness, What You're Made For is a blueprint for your life.

Review Quotes

Praise for What You're Made For

"This is a must-read book." --Charles Barkley

"George Raveling has led one of the most incredible lives in sports--maybe of all time." --Manu Ginóbili

"Coach is a person that I admire and count on for career and life advice." --Jay Wright, former Villanova University basketball coach, two-time national championship winner, and 2021 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

"Coach is an inspiring testament to resilience, reflection, and the pursuit of purpose. His journey spans seismic historical shifts, victories, and near-fatal challenges, yet his unique introspection and shared lessons have helped me connect more deeply with my own journey and potential." --Paul Rabil, cofounder of the Premier Lacrosse League and author of The Way of the Champion

About the Author

George Raveling is a renowned basketball player and coach. He played at Villanova University, and was the head coach at Washington State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Southern California. Raveling has been Nike's global basketball sports marketing director since he retired from coaching in 1994. With Mike Lombardi, he is the cofounder of The Daily Coach, a newsletter sharing sports and organizational leadership lessons.

Ryan Holiday is one of the world's bestselling living philosophers. His books, including The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and The Daily Stoic, appear in more than forty languages and have sold over ten million copies. He is a longtime friend and admirer of Coach Raveling and is honored to help him tell his story.