Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs

Deeply personal interviews and time-tested, empathetic heartfelt advice for finding healing and new resilience after setbacks: a cutting-edge look at the uplifting discovery of how we can thrive in the face of challenges.

Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Breakthroughs radically shifts our perspective on adversity. Author Michaela Haas, PhD, explores the new science of posttraumatic growth through her moving personal story, encounters with survivors from all walks of life—from soldiers to surfers—and a practical take on the latest scientific research. Filled with powerful insights and more than 60 tried-and-true methods to grow in five areas of your life, this treasury of wisdom will shine a light when life seems overwhelming.

Michaela Haas presents twelve inspiring stories from survivors of cancer, addiction, PTSD, the Holocaust, loss of mobility, loss of a loved one, and childhood abuse to show how to transform pain into a journey to wisdom, love, and purpose. This book will help you become more resilient, stronger, and happier in the face of life’s inevitable setbacks. The author immersed herself into her subjects’s lives, and even interviewed the late Dr. Maya Angelou, who shares with us how her childhood trauma led her into a passionate life of meaning; ex-POW Rhonda Cornum, who found a new purpose after being captured in Iraq; renowned autistic pioneer Temple Grandin, who overcame crippling panic attacks; and famed jazz guitarist Coco Schumann, who played for his life in Auschwitz.

In Bouncing Forward, Michaela Haas draws upon powerful storytelling, psychology, history, and twenty years of Buddhist practice to reshape the way we think of crisis. You’ll walk away with a deep understanding of the strength of your spirit and five powerful practices to transform your own life. It’s also a great gift for friends who are going through a rough time.

“One of the most inspirational books of 2015” —Cyrus Webb, Conversations Book Club

“So beautiful! The world needed that!” —Jenny McCarthy, Sirius XM

“A great message of hope.” —Claire Fordham, The Huffington Post

“Some of the most interesting research I`ve ever read. I don't think this has ever been done before.” —Sheila Hamilton, Kink FM Radio

“This book is phenomenal!” —Allen Cordoza, Answers for the Family LA Talk Radio

"Michaela Haas' latest book "Bouncing Forward" breaks through our great confusion around how to be happy. Full of goodness, this book shares stories, including her own, of people who have suffered in many ways and come through it into strength and love. Together, these varied, living examples reveal an important truth: ultimately there is no way to avoid pain in life, and turning toward our challenges, whatever they may be, "is "the way to real happiness."----Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness

"In this volume, Michaela Haas applies the wisdom of Buddhist mind training to real-life experiences in the modern world, thereby enriching the Buddhist tradition as well as our current understanding of ways to fuitfully transcend the miseries of the past, present, and future."----B. Allan Wallace, author of Genuine Happiness and The Attention Revolution

Michaela Haas has written one of the most helpful, engaging, informative nonfiction books I've read in a long while. It will be useful for absolutely everyone. Highly recommended.----Samantha Dunn, author of Failing Paris and Not by Accident

In this volume Michaela Haas applies the wisdom of Buddhist mind training to real-life experiences in the modern world, thereby enriching the Buddhist tradition as well as our current understanding of ways to fruitfully transcend the miseries of the past, present, and future.----B. Alan Wallace, author of Genuine Happiness and The Attention Revolution

"Bouncing Forward shows us how adversity can turn us toward our deepest inner resources of trust, wisdom, and love. Through a wonderful mix of inspirational interviews, current science, Buddhist teachings, and her own deep understanding, Michaela Haas guides us in discovering the sacredness and grace that flows through these human lives."--Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

"In Bouncing Forward, Dr. Haas weaves engaging stories of modern survival with uplifting and often surprising takeaways. Readers are given tools for not only surviving life's inevitable tough times, but consciously thriving because of them."--Gay Hendricks, PhD, NYT Bestselling author of The Big Leap and Conscious Loving

Bouncing Forward" propels our entire understanding of posttraumatic growth to a new level. Dr. Haas s integration of the life stories of survivors-thrivers with the latest scientific research about discovering the advantages of adversity and finding meaning in the messiness and her very practical tools for working with difficulties, even disasters, shows the reader how to cultivate the mindset of resilience that can catalyze healing and growth from catastrophe. Brilliant, inspiring, to be read, re-read, and treasured.----Linda Graham, MFT, author of Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being."

"Bouncing Forward" is a testament to the strength, resilience, and hope of the human psyche and spirit. Michaela Haas deftly weaves interviews with a dozen individuals from across the world combined with her experiences, ideas, and guidance to help readers understand that we are stronger than we think. "Bouncing Forward "is a wonderful and entertaining read as well as a reasoned and reasonable guide to resilient living.--Sam Goldstein, PhD, co-author of The Power of Resilience and Raising Resilient Children"

Bouncing Forward shows us how adversity can turn us toward our deepest inner resources of trust, wisdom, and love. Through a wonderful mix of inspirational interviews, current science, Buddhist teachings, and her own deep understanding, Michaela Haas guides us in discovering the sacredness and grace that flows through these human lives. --Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge"

In Bouncing Forward, Dr. Haas weaves engaging stories of modern survival with uplifting and often surprising takeaways. Readers are given tools for not only surviving life s inevitable tough times, but consciously thriving because of them. --Gay Hendricks, PhD, NYT Bestselling author of The Big Leap and Conscious Loving"