John Otterbacher

When John Otterbacher talks about “living out beyond your fears,” he is speaking from experience.

Born and raised in a working-class neighborhood, he has lived a life of extension and adventure;

marathons and triathlons, years in a monastery, several motorcycle tours of American, a doctorate in

clinical psychology, college teaching, an eight-year stint as a state representative and senator, a solo sail

across the Atlantic. That sort of thing.

The heart attacks could have sidelined him, the failed surgical interventions, the grim prognosis. Instead

of retiring to the coach to await death, John spent a year rebuilding his health and the family sailboat,

“Grace”. Then he and Barbara took their two youngest children on a low budget, six-year, 30,000 family

odyssey that included 4 more Atlantic crossings. Their story, chronicled in his book, Sailing Grace, has

been honored as “Best New Non-fiction Book” by the National Indie Excellence Awards and as a finalist

for “Best Book Award” by USA Book News.

John's latest book, What Remains, is an old man's first-person, present-tense account of touring back road America by motorcycle, a journey which deepens his affection for people as they are and reignites his sense of adventure about aging itself.

With the growing acclaim for Sailing Grace John has become a sought-after speaker on the role of

attitude in resilience. When he is not on the road, John divides his time between consulting with clients

and writing.