Escape from drugs, alcohol and pills - Ronnie O'Sullivan's ESCAPE
There is hardly a person in the world who has not heard the name "Ronnie O'Sullivan". One is even more likely not to have heard of the sport he conquered (snooker) than to have encountered the name of the most brilliant English gentleman in the sport. The Rocket, as the Englishman is aptly nicknamed, is (arguably) the greatest stick-wielding player in history, but also one of the sport's most controversial figures. Loved by millions, the genius has won everything possible in snooker, but the biggest victory in his life was escaping drugs, alcohol and pill abuse.
“At my worst I had to smoke a joint every morning just to function normally. Without him, I became paranoid and restless," says O'Sullivan in "THE RUN" - his autobiographical book, which came out a few years ago.
This book isn't the first to chronicle his career, but it's definitely the read that brings his fans closer to the cost of success and how mentally tough Ronnie was for much of his career. He himself recounts in his book that the first half of his career was "dedicated" to alcohol, drugs and Prozac, which enabled him to stay focused and continue playing snooker despite his mental health.
"Running is my religion, my value system, my way of being calm." This seemingly simple act saves the Rocket's life. Physical activity "saved" both his career and his life, and the autobiographical book traces in depth what the genius went through to stay at the top professionally, but also to preserve himself as a person and a person.
From the throes of gloom and depression to the professional and personal highs, The Run is one of the most compelling autobiographies in the world of sport and a must-read. Whether you know what snooker is or you have no idea what this sport is.