Proud: My Autobiography

By: Gareth Thomas

Narrated by: Matthew Gravelle

Gareth Thomas had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon. He was a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself.

This is the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him. Something that might devastate not only his own life but the lives of his wife, family, friends and teammates. The only place where he could find any refuge from the pain and guilt of the lie he was living was on the pitch, playing the sport he loved. But all his success didn’t make the strain of hiding who he really was go away. His fear that telling the truth about his sexuality would lose him everything he loved almost sent him over the edge.

The deceit ended when Gareth became the world’s most prominent athlete to come out as a gay man. His gesture has strengthened strangers, and given him a fresh perspective. Gareth’s inspiring and moving story transcends the world of sport to tell a universal truth about feeling like an outsider, and facing up to who you really are.

©2014 Gareth Thomas and Michael Calvin (P)2014 Random House Audiobooks

Powerful.....

Very much enjoyed hearing this audio book. His story is powerul and I can relate to a certain point. Definitely a must if you are looking for inspiration on how to empower yourself to live to your full potential

Emotional Roller Coaster

Spoke to me on many levels. Congratulations Gareth Thomas for making such a difference with your life. Very touching and open the detail in emotion and setting were amazing.

Marc

I enjoyed this book very much. It was not an easy listen as it could be quite emotionally draining as Gareth’s honesty holds no bounds. I think that it can still be difficult to relate to unless your life followed a similar path to his. I would, absolutely certainly, recommend this book to people in a similar position to Gareth as he will help people make a lot of sense of the trials and tribulations of , what must be, an extremely tough obstacle to overcome especially in his line of work. Well done Gareth. Unless people read these insights they will never understand what you went through and the person you have become at the end of this journey. You must be very proud.

Apparently an honest and intriguing autobiography

As a welsh rugby fan and having watching Thomas play I was intrigued by this autobiography and it did not disappoint. Other than that he was gay and that he played rugby really well, I knew quite little about Thomas but the book was very enlightening and very honest and a fascinating read and I enjoyed it so much that I am about to read his second book.

A conscious and feeling gay man’s truth

Gareth’s biography is a notably compelling reveal of himself in a star rugby players’ journey to succeed in life itself as a feeling conscious alpha male who happens to be gay. A leader as a rugby captain and a leader sharing personal struggles to know and love himself as a gay man with support from family teammates friends and a male partner Eon. A diligent insightful and humbling search for honesty and personal humanity. J W.