About Me
Hi, my name is John Willkom, and I love to read sports books. So much so that I wrote one in 2018 about my journey as a basketball player and how my experiences on the court opened up so many doors for me off of it.
I grew up reading Matt Christopher books from our public library. That eventually led to some quiet time every day with the sports section of the newspaper or the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. Some authors say they enjoy reading after they've written a book; I always loved it.
When I penned my basketball memoir, Walk-On Warrior, in 2018, I had zero ambitions about selling it. The satisfaction for me was in telling a story that meant something to me and sharing it with people that I loved. It took a minute to get comfortable with a question that was inevitable: Are you sure you want to share all of this with the public?
What I didn't understand then is that one person's story can mean a tremendous amount to someone else. We all face adversity and unique struggles. But, what unites us all is that quest to be better than we were yesterday, to fight through our challenges, and ultimately, that deep desire to succeed.
Walk-On Warrior was the #1 college basketball book on Amazon for more than 50 weeks. People from all over the world sent me notes about the book, and each time, it meant a great deal to me that even one person found value in it.
Fast forward to 2023, and I just launched my second book titled No Fear In The Arena about former NBA player, Travis Diener. I never thought I'd write a second book, but as I learned more and more about Travis's story, it was simply something I felt called to do.
Both of these books have a deep meaning to me; stories that I felt just needed to be shared. With that, I hope you find value in this website. Like the books, I figured I could do the world some good by sharing some thoughts on books that moved me, create a place where friends and strangers can contribute, and have some fun with the blog. Please note that not all posts are written by me. I'll regularly bring in other writers, contributors, and experts on various topics and sports.
Enjoy the site and happy reading!
I grew up reading Matt Christopher books from our public library. That eventually led to some quiet time every day with the sports section of the newspaper or the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. Some authors say they enjoy reading after they've written a book; I always loved it.
When I penned my basketball memoir, Walk-On Warrior, in 2018, I had zero ambitions about selling it. The satisfaction for me was in telling a story that meant something to me and sharing it with people that I loved. It took a minute to get comfortable with a question that was inevitable: Are you sure you want to share all of this with the public?
What I didn't understand then is that one person's story can mean a tremendous amount to someone else. We all face adversity and unique struggles. But, what unites us all is that quest to be better than we were yesterday, to fight through our challenges, and ultimately, that deep desire to succeed.
Walk-On Warrior was the #1 college basketball book on Amazon for more than 50 weeks. People from all over the world sent me notes about the book, and each time, it meant a great deal to me that even one person found value in it.
Fast forward to 2023, and I just launched my second book titled No Fear In The Arena about former NBA player, Travis Diener. I never thought I'd write a second book, but as I learned more and more about Travis's story, it was simply something I felt called to do.
Both of these books have a deep meaning to me; stories that I felt just needed to be shared. With that, I hope you find value in this website. Like the books, I figured I could do the world some good by sharing some thoughts on books that moved me, create a place where friends and strangers can contribute, and have some fun with the blog. Please note that not all posts are written by me. I'll regularly bring in other writers, contributors, and experts on various topics and sports.
Enjoy the site and happy reading!
My Books
"Walk-On Warrior: Drive, Discipline, and the Will to Win" by John Willkom: A basketball journey like no other. The incredible autobiography of a college season at Marquette, a summer with Hall of Fame coach, Rick Majerus, and a court-side seat with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
Small town. Undersized. Not enough talent. John Willkom heard it all as a young basketball player growing up in rural Wisconsin. Despite the odds, John dedicated his life to the game, an arduous journey that challenged the very core of even the most disciplined. As John's hard work lands him amongst basketball's elite, it is the workouts, the people, and the behind-the-scenes interactions that not only change his skill set but how he lives his life. Both heartfelt and funny, Walk-On Warrior takes you into the mind of an athlete from John's perspective. Take a journey that will reignite your passion for life, challenge your perspectives on toughness and fear, and ultimately, inspire you to maximize your talent.
"Walk-On Warrior: Drive, Discipline, and the Will to Win" by John Willkom: A basketball journey like no other. The incredible autobiography of a college season at Marquette, a summer with Hall of Fame coach, Rick Majerus, and a court-side seat with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
Small town. Undersized. Not enough talent. John Willkom heard it all as a young basketball player growing up in rural Wisconsin. Despite the odds, John dedicated his life to the game, an arduous journey that challenged the very core of even the most disciplined. As John's hard work lands him amongst basketball's elite, it is the workouts, the people, and the behind-the-scenes interactions that not only change his skill set but how he lives his life. Both heartfelt and funny, Walk-On Warrior takes you into the mind of an athlete from John's perspective. Take a journey that will reignite your passion for life, challenge your perspectives on toughness and fear, and ultimately, inspire you to maximize your talent.
"No Fear In The Arena" by John Willkom: Travis Diener’s rise to basketball stardom wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t gifted athletically, pushed by trainers growing up, or born into a hotbed of basketball talent. He was average. At every level, critics rightly questioned everything that he wasn’t but forgot about everything that he was. From Marquette University to the NBA to the Italian League, Travis Diener was going to make it; he was going to be successful.
No Fear In The Arena is a story of unrivaled belief, incredible perseverance, and the artificial ceilings that we put in place, some intentionally, others subconsciously. It’s a story about family, and the relationships that can either pull down or transform the human experience. Last, it’s a story about leadership and exploring the realities of what it truly takes to be great.
Take a journey that will challenge your perspectives on growth and just how far we can go when we put it all on the line.
"No Fear In The Arena" by John Willkom: Travis Diener’s rise to basketball stardom wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t gifted athletically, pushed by trainers growing up, or born into a hotbed of basketball talent. He was average. At every level, critics rightly questioned everything that he wasn’t but forgot about everything that he was. From Marquette University to the NBA to the Italian League, Travis Diener was going to make it; he was going to be successful.
No Fear In The Arena is a story of unrivaled belief, incredible perseverance, and the artificial ceilings that we put in place, some intentionally, others subconsciously. It’s a story about family, and the relationships that can either pull down or transform the human experience. Last, it’s a story about leadership and exploring the realities of what it truly takes to be great.
Take a journey that will challenge your perspectives on growth and just how far we can go when we put it all on the line.
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BOOKS ABOUT SPORTS
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