Canadian Track Sprinter Micha Powell has a Memoir Coming

Commonwealth Games gold medalist Micha Powell’s memoir-slash-workbook titled Sprinting Through Setbacks: An Olympian’s Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome, will be released in Summer 2024 with Strong Girl Publishing. 

Micha is a world-class Canadian Olympic sprinter specializing in the 400m, currently running for New Balance. She is also a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist. Born in Montreal to three-time Olympian Rosey Edeh and Long Jump World Record Holder Mike Powell, athletics is a part of her DNA. Micha is training for the upcoming World Relay Championships and has her sights set on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Her book, co-authored with Strong Girl Publishing founder and longtime author Molly Hurford, will showcase stories from Micha’s decade of professional racing experience, including vulnerable stories of growing up in the shadow of two Olympian parents, navigating injury, and finding the courage to embrace an Olympic mindset. 

“I’m thrilled to share my story about how I accomplished my goals while overcoming setbacks and self-doubt as an Olympic athlete,” says Micha. “I want people to take away from this book that it’s not a linear path to success and embrace the imperfect journey to triumph and use that resilience to accomplish their big goals in life.” 

The collection of essays will cover 10 pivotal races and the lessons learned and will include workbook-style sections so that young readers can apply Micha’s learnings to their own lives. Topics include things like finding balance, personal style, a sense of belonging, imposter syndrome, finding your spotlight, and more. 

What sets this book apart from many of the amazing memoirs from runners is that Micha is writing as she’s still competing, with the 2024 Olympics as her current goal. The book is directed at young women who are still in school or are in the early stages of their sport or career, and the lessons she imparts in each chapter will resonate whether a reader’s goal is a personal best in the 400-meter, getting into their first-choice university, or nailing the interview for their dream career.  

“I’m so excited to bring Micha on board as one of our authors,” says Molly Hurford. “We met while working on a project together for Canadian Running Magazine early in 2023, and almost immediately, I knew I wanted to work with Micha on a project like this.”

“After learning more about her background in digital media and talking about some of her running experiences, I knew that we could create something amazing together, something that would not only inspire the next generation of women athletes but also help them take their journeys in sport to the next level.” 

While the target demographic for Sprinting Through Setbacks: An Olympian’s Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome is young women, people of all ages and genders will appreciate the stories contained in the book. 

Readers and running fans should be sure to follow both @MichaJadaPowell and @StrongGirlPublishing on Instagram and TikTok as they document the writing process and even take some early feedback and share sneak peeks with fans!

Sprinting Through Setbacks: An Olympian’s Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome will be available at StrongGirlPublishing.com in the Summer of 2024