ABOUT BOOK
About Book
Journey through Dr. Christine Silverstein's empowering collection of books, each page filled with wisdom, insight, and practical guidance. Dr. Silverstein's works offer a roadmap to resilience and personal growth.
Explore: Wrestling Through Adversity
Wrestling Through Adversity is an insightful book by Dr. Christine Silverstein that offers practical strategies and heartfelt stories from her experience as a Peak Performance Coach. The book guides overcoming life's challenges with resilience and grace. It can be a great companion for those navigating personal obstacles or supporting others on their journey toward empowerment. Wrestling Through Adversity is also available in audiobook format to reach out to a wider audience, including those who prefer auditory learning experiences and for those visually impaired. Additionally, the book will be translated into Arabic, ensuring accessibility to readers across different linguistic backgrounds.
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As The Author, I Am Your Tour Guide
Each chapter in this book begins with “Pictures at an Exhibition,” an idea based on the work of Russian composer, Modest Mussorgsky, in his musical composition of the same name. He wrote a vivid collection of tone poems or sound pictures referred to as traveling music, as he envisioned himself walking through a promenade at an art exhibit.
Within the context of this book, I will be your tour guide as you experience a walking tour through a collection of my personal and professional memoirs. Through my therapeutic narrative, I will connect you with the topics of discussion in each chapter and with case stories of actual clients—some of whom are genuine wrestlers—that I have highlighted as representative of my work of how I empowered younger generations in my programs to reach their potentials. Below, there is a chapter-by chapter summary of the book for your review.
Following the summaries, there are three dramatic readings from the book in video format of actual case stories that provide examples of how I teach Mindful Toughness® skill sets to young people to help them achieve success.
Book Chapters
Chapter 1 of “Wrestling Through Adversity” shares personal stories from Dr. Christine Silverstein’s life to explore resilience in tough times. It starts with memories of her father’s dedication to coaching young athletes, showing the value of hard work. Then, Dr. Silverstein recalls her childhood struggles, like dental visits and eye surgery, and how she overcame them. These experiences shaped her into a peak performance coach and nurse. The chapter ends with a call to address childhood traumas to build resilience, especially given the mental health challenges facing young people today.
Chapter 2 of “Wrestling Through Adversity” is about the author’s personal journey when visiting her sick mom in a nursing home. She talks about stuff like her car breaking down and getting stuck in traffic, which made her think about her mom’s health getting worse and her own experiences in psychiatric nursing. She shares some intense stories from working at a mental institution during her nursing training. These stories show the challenging parts of taking care of people with different mental health issues. She also talks about how psychiatry has struggled in the past and still today to help people with mental illness.
Chapter 3, penned by Dr. Christine Silverstein, recounts her workshop with wrestling coaches alongside Olympic champion Kurt Angle. Despite skepticism, she demonstrates the influence of the mind on athletic performance. Through exercises like imagining holding a lemon, coaches realize the power of mindset. The chapter concludes with a reminder of resilience, exemplified by Kurt Angle’s victory despite serious injuries. It emphasizes holistic mental and physical health approaches, urging readers to harness their minds for success.
In Chapter 4, Dr. Christine Silverstein recounts an encounter with a young wrestler, Johnny, and his overbearing father. Despite Johnny’s reluctance and his father’s insistence on aggression, Dr. Silverstein focuses on teaching mindful toughness. When the father bursts into the session demanding aggression, Dr. Silverstein stands her ground, protecting both herself and Johnny. Despite the father’s behavior, she emphasizes relaxation techniques and positive reinforcement for Johnny. The chapter sheds light on the complexities of youth sports and parental pressure, advocating for a supportive and holistic approach to athletic development.
In Chapter 5, Dr. Christine Silverstein reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her career path, including encounters with individuals affected by epilepsy and her mother’s medical struggles. Despite challenges and societal skepticism, she pursued nursing education, overcoming age barriers and personal setbacks. Dr. Silverstein’s journey from nurse to entrepreneur unfolds, marked by determination and resilience. She recounts facing prejudice and doubt, from being deemed “overqualified” to enduring accusations of practicing “New Age voodoo.” Undeterred, she navigates bureaucratic hurdles and societal misconceptions, steadfast in her belief in the power of holistic care and hypnotherapy.
In Chapter 6, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her experiences as a nurse in the South Bronx, where she faced formidable challenges. She talks about a scary encounter with a homeless man that left her hurt but determined to keep helping people in need. Dr. Silverstein talks about how poverty and tough living conditions affect kids and families in the Bronx. She explains how important it is for leaders and communities to work together to improve things for everyone, especially kids who need support. She also talks about how bad experiences can affect families for generations. But she believes that if we all work together and support each other, we can overcome these challenges and build a better future for everyone.
In Chapter 7, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her harrowing journey through miscarriages. Each loss was a painful blow to her dream of a big family. From scary skiing accidents to dealing with insensitive doctors, she faced a rollercoaster of emotions and physical pain. But Dr. Silverstein didn’t give up. She turned to meditation and mindfulness to cope with the stress and boost her chances of having a baby. Despite setbacks, she eventually welcomed four healthy children. Her story highlights the struggles many women face with miscarriages and the need for better support and understanding in healthcare. Dr. Silverstein offers hope and comfort to others facing similar challenges by sharing her journey.
Chapter 8 follows Dr. Christine Silverstein’s energetic childhood, from climbing telephone poles to dominating roller-skating races. Despite being labeled as having “ants in her pants” in school, she excelled academically and athletically. However, she faced challenges with authority figures and struggled with ADHD and math. Despite setbacks, she persevered, eventually succeeding as a nurse manager and peak performance coach. Dr. Silverstein emphasizes valuing and harnessing one’s energy to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
Chapter 9 explores when Dr. Silverstein was just a kid; she stumbled upon her father’s old violin and felt drawn to it despite his discouragement. Overcoming doubts and her struggles with playing, she persisted and prepared for a recital with the help of hypnosis and a supportive friend. Despite challenges, her performance amazed everyone, showing that with determination, anyone can find healing and strength through music. Dr. Silverstein shares stories of famous composers like Beethoven and Gershwin, who also found solace and resilience in music despite facing their struggles.
In chapter 10, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her journey from the operating room to coaching elite athletes, drawing parallels between her experiences and college students’ challenges. Reflecting on her early days as a nurse, she recalls the pressure and mistakes she encountered, emphasizing the importance of resilience. Transitioning to the struggles of college athletes, Dr. Silverstein highlights the mental health crisis among students, citing tragic stories of suicide. She urges better support systems and holistic approaches to wellness, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in empowering young adults to navigate life’s challenges.
In Chapter 11, Christine talks about Sarah, a woman nearing 60, who seeks help with her driving anxiety, particularly her fear of making left turns. Through coaching with Dr. Christine Silverstein, it’s revealed that her fear stems from past traumas, including the loss of her parents and a battle with cancer. Despite initial reluctance, Sarah eventually embraces a Plan B mentality, facing her fears head-on and successfully navigating life’s challenges, including surgery and personal losses. The chapter emphasizes the importance of resilience and confronting past traumas to overcome obstacles and succeed.
In Chapter 12, “Keepers of the Trees,” Dr. Christine Silverstein shares heartfelt anecdotes of her childhood encounters with trees, including a belief in a guardian angel during a fall from an apple tree. She recounts her battles to protect trees in her community, facing opposition from neighbors and legal challenges. Reflecting on trees’ resilience and interconnectedness in forests, Dr. Silverstein draws parallels to human communities, emphasizing the importance of compassion and inclusivity. She shares personal struggles during her doctoral journey, highlighting the need to stay true to oneself despite skepticism.
Visualize A Happy Summer Camp Experience For Your Child
This video describes the challenges felt by Carlton, a 13-year-old teen on the autism spectrum, who is anxious about leaving home for the first time and wishes to have a happy camp experience.
Mindful Toughness For Children In Sports
This video describes the difficulties experienced by Jerry, a 9-year old boy who is a talented wrestler but freezes in the championship round of tournaments.
Teaching Positive Self-Talk To Children For Sports
This video describes the frustration experienced by George, a 12-year old boy who is a talented wrestler and baseball player but lacks self-confidence in key moments of competition.
Wrestling Through Adversity is Available In Three Formats please click on your preferred format to buy the book
Book Chapters
Chapter 1 of “Wrestling Through Adversity” shares personal stories from Dr. Christine Silverstein’s life to explore resilience in tough times. It starts with memories of her father’s dedication to coaching young athletes, showing the value of hard work. Then, Dr. Silverstein recalls her childhood struggles, like dental visits and eye surgery, and how she overcame them. These experiences shaped her into a peak performance coach and nurse. The chapter ends with a call to address childhood traumas to build resilience, especially given the mental health challenges facing young people today.
Chapter 2 of “Wrestling Through Adversity” is about the author’s personal journey when visiting her sick mom in a nursing home. She talks about stuff like her car breaking down and getting stuck in traffic, which made her think about her mom’s health getting worse and her own experiences in psychiatric nursing. She shares some intense stories from working at a mental institution during her nursing training. These stories show the challenging parts of taking care of people with different mental health issues. She also talks about how psychiatry has struggled in the past and still today to help people with mental illness.
Chapter 3, penned by Dr. Christine Silverstein, recounts her workshop with wrestling coaches alongside Olympic champion Kurt Angle. Despite skepticism, she demonstrates the influence of the mind on athletic performance. Through exercises like imagining holding a lemon, coaches realize the power of mindset. The chapter concludes with a reminder of resilience, exemplified by Kurt Angle’s victory despite serious injuries. It emphasizes holistic mental and physical health approaches, urging readers to harness their minds for success.
In Chapter 4, Dr. Christine Silverstein recounts an encounter with a young wrestler, Johnny, and his overbearing father. Despite Johnny’s reluctance and his father’s insistence on aggression, Dr. Silverstein focuses on teaching mindful toughness. When the father bursts into the session demanding aggression, Dr. Silverstein stands her ground, protecting both herself and Johnny. Despite their father’s behavior, she emphasizes relaxation techniques and positive reinforcement for Johnny. The chapter sheds light on the complexities of youth sports and parental pressure, advocating for a supportive and holistic approach to athletic development.
In Chapter 5, Dr. Christine Silverstein reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her career path, including encounters with individuals affected by epilepsy and her mother’s medical struggles. Despite challenges and societal skepticism, she pursued nursing education, overcoming age barriers and personal setbacks. Dr. Silverstein’s journey from nurse to entrepreneur unfolds, marked by determination and resilience. She recounts facing prejudice and doubt, from being deemed “overqualified” to enduring accusations of practicing “New Age voodoo.” Undeterred, she navigates bureaucratic hurdles and societal misconceptions, steadfast in her belief in the power of holistic care and hypnotherapy.
In Chapter 6, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her experiences as a nurse in the South Bronx, where she faced formidable challenges. She talks about a scary encounter with a homeless man that left her hurt but determined to keep helping people in need. Dr. Silverstein talks about how poverty and tough living conditions affect kids and families in the Bronx. She explains how important it is for leaders and communities to work together to improve things for everyone, especially kids who need support. She also talks about how bad experiences can affect families for generations. But she believes that if we all work together and support each other, we can overcome these challenges and build a better future for everyone.
In Chapter 7, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her harrowing journey through miscarriages. Each loss was a painful blow to her dream of a big family. From scary skiing accidents to dealing with insensitive doctors, she faced a rollercoaster of emotions and physical pain. But Dr. Silverstein didn’t give up. She turned to meditation and mindfulness to cope with the stress and boost her chances of having a baby. Despite setbacks, she eventually welcomed two healthy children. Her story highlights the struggles many women face with miscarriages and the need for better support and understanding in healthcare. Dr. Silverstein offers hope and comfort to others facing similar challenges by sharing her journey.
Chapter 8 follows Dr. Christine Silverstein’s energetic childhood, from climbing telephone poles to dominating roller-skating races. Despite being labeled as having “ants in her pants” in school, she excelled academically and athletically. However, she faced challenges with authority figures and struggled with ADHD and math. Despite setbacks, she persevered, eventually succeeding as a nurse manager and peak performance coach. Dr. Silverstein emphasizes valuing and harnessing one’s energy to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
Chapter 9 explores when Dr. Silverstein was just a kid; she stumbled upon her father’s old violin and felt drawn to it despite his discouragement. Overcoming doubts and her struggles with playing, she persisted and prepared for a recital with the help of hypnosis and a supportive friend. Despite challenges, her performance amazed everyone, showing that with determination, anyone can find healing and strength through music. Dr. Silverstein shares stories of famous composers like Beethoven and Gershwin, who also found solace and resilience in music despite facing their struggles.
In chapter 10, Dr. Christine Silverstein shares her journey from the operating room to coaching elite athletes, drawing parallels between her experiences and college students’ challenges. Reflecting on her early days as a nurse, she recalls the pressure and mistakes she encountered, emphasizing the importance of resilience. Transitioning to the struggles of college athletes, Dr. Silverstein highlights the mental health crisis among students, citing tragic stories of suicide. She urges better support systems and holistic approaches to wellness, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in empowering young adults to navigate life’s challenges.
In Chapter 11, Christine talks about Sarah, a woman nearing 60, who seeks help with her driving anxiety, particularly her fear of making left turns. Through coaching with Dr. Christine Silverstein, it’s revealed that her fear stems from past traumas, including the loss of her parents and a battle with cancer. Despite initial reluctance, Sarah eventually embraces a Plan B mentality, facing her fears head-on and successfully navigating life’s challenges, including surgery and personal losses. The chapter emphasizes the importance of resilience and confronting past traumas to overcome obstacles and succeed.
In Chapter 12, “Keepers of the Trees,” Dr. Christine Silverstein shares heartfelt anecdotes of her childhood encounters with trees, including a belief in a guardian angel during a fall from an apple tree. She recounts her battles to protect trees in her community, facing opposition from neighbors and legal challenges. Reflecting on trees’ resilience and interconnectedness in forests, Dr. Silverstein draws parallels to human communities, emphasizing the importance of compassion and inclusivity. She shares personal struggles during her doctoral journey, highlighting the need to stay true to oneself despite skepticism.