MSI Press Blog

  Balance was always hard for me, though I loved walking on the raised edges of sidewalks as a kid—and falling off, getting on again, falling off again. Not your most graceful "athlete"—no one would consider me an athlete (and I still don't, just someone initially enamored with the Ninja Warriors and now staying strong as a 75-year-old single mom of two disabled adults for whom I am physically and medically responsible. You might call me clumsy, at least until the U.S. Army got hold of me. Those morning calisthenics improved everything about my physicality, including my balance. And the obstacle courses—fun (except for the 6-foot wall—challenging for someone less than 5-feet tall)—really helped with understanding body and space. Proprioception —that’s the word. When Brittany got hold of me, she realized that I needed work on balance. Balance integrates proprioception, muscular coordination, and mental focus. She realized I needed help with all of these. We began with ...

  Coming soon! Watch for it!  Grandma's Ninja Training Diary  (Leaver and Renz). Read precerpts every Friday. Grandma’s Ninja Training Diary  is the inspiring true story of a 70-year-old grandmother who dares to dream big—by training for  American Ninja Warrior . Teaming up with coach and trainer Brittany Renz, she embarks on a three-year journey to build strength, resilience, flexibility, balance, and endurance—starting from scratch. Told in a dynamic mix of diary entries, coaching insights, and behind-the-scenes reflections, this book chronicles the ups and downs of late-in-life athletic training. From gym workouts to rock climbing, yoga to injury recovery, sleep to mindset—every aspect of the transformation is explored with honesty and humor. Grandma shares what she’s learning; Coach Brittany explains why she’s right—or wrong. Together, they offer a realistic, encouraging look at what it takes to pursue an extraordinary goal at any age. Part training manual, ...

  August 15 has long marked moments of transformation—India’s independence, Japan’s surrender in WWII, and the opening of the Panama Canal. These events remind us that movement, whether geopolitical or personal, reshapes the world. In honor of National Wellness Month , we spotlight movement not as routine gym culture, but as resilience in the face of challenge. At MSI Press, we publish stories that redefine what fitness looks like—across decades, circumstances, and limitations. These four titles prove that wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about motion when motion feels improbable: 🚴‍♂️ Racing Against Time by Jeffrey Weiss At 61, Weiss placed in a triathlon—after 11 years of Ironman races, ultramarathons, and long-distance cycling. (Yes, he started in late mid-life.) His story is a masterclass in fitness over 60, proving that age is no barrier to endurance. 🥋 Grandma’s Ninja Training Diary by Leaver & Renz Fitness over 70? Absolutely. This diary-style narrative ch...

  Coming soon! Watch for it!  Grandma's Ninja Training Diary  (Leaver and Renz) Grandma’s Ninja Training Diary  is the inspiring true story of a 70-year-old grandmother who dares to dream big—by training for  American Ninja Warrior . Teaming up with coach and trainer Brittany Renz, she embarks on a three-year journey to build strength, resilience, flexibility, balance, and endurance—starting from scratch. Told in a dynamic mix of diary entries, coaching insights, and behind-the-scenes reflections, this book chronicles the ups and downs of late-in-life athletic training. From gym workouts to rock climbing, yoga to injury recovery, sleep to mindset—every aspect of the transformation is explored with honesty and humor. Grandma shares what she’s learning; Coach Brittany explains why she’s right—or wrong. Together, they offer a realistic, encouraging look at what it takes to pursue an extraordinary goal at any age. Part training manual, part motivational memoir,...