Sign-In
Cart
Break of a Lifetime
Paperback
AthletesOlympics & ParalympicsWomen's Studies
Publisher: CG Sports Management LLC
Published: Dec 8 2025
Pages: 204
Weight: 0.62
Height: 0.43 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
In 1968, 24-year-old Maxine Micki King stood atop diving's biggest stage poised to claim the gold medal in the women's 3-meter event. She'd led for the entirety of the competition, but on the 9th of 10 dives, disaster struck and she finished in 4th place.
But destiny - and diving - was far from done with King, who went on to claim that gold in the 1972 Munich Games while pioneering a new leadership model for women in sports, the military, and public life.
In this inspiring recitation of her journey from suburban Michigan to the White House and beyond, King shares her tale of breaking boundaries and supporting athletes' rights across the full spectrum of Olympic sports.
While King's story is all because of diving, it isn't just about diving; it's about persistence, principle, and paving the way for others to achieve their fullest potential.
Micki, like thousands of children across the country, grew up spending time with friends at her local YMCA. It was at the Y that Micki first discovered the sport of diving and was encouraged to pursue it competitively. As she perfected her craft, she embraced every challenge and realized her full potential with the help of a supportive community.
- Meredith Griffin, Director, Strategy and Quality Practice, YMCA of the USA
Micki King is more than an Olympic Champion; she is a beacon of inspiration and leadership. Her remarkable journey through various careers demonstrates her versatility and commitment to excellence. Micki King's legacy serves as a powerful reminder that greatness is not confined to one arena but can be achieved in all aspects of life. Her example encourages everyone to strive for their best and to lead with integrity and passion.
- Todd Smith, Former Executive Director USA Diving, former president of U.S. Diving Foundation, and former President of Duraflex International.
From being my most ferocious competitor to my hero and best buddy, Micki King has made a lifelong impression on me. Micki distinguished herself on the diving board, in the military, fighting for women's opportunities, and leading all of us who have ever strived for excellence. Micki's journey in this book is one for every age to appreciate.
- Cynthia A. Potter, 28-time USA National Diving Champion, 3-time USA Olympic Diving Team
Knowing Micki has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every day, Micki King's dedication to the Olympic Values motivates me to strive for excellence. Thank you, Micki, for being an inspiration and a role model.
- Cynthia E. Stinger, U.S. Olympian, Executive Director, Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund
Micki King's athletic journey is legendary and has earned her a position in the U.S Olympic Hall of Fame. However, her accomplishments after her competition accomplishments are just as important for the Olympic and women's sports. The US Air Force was fortunate to have Micki as an officer for more than 25 years.
- Tom Gompf, OLY. Past member USOPC BOD
Also in
Athletes
The Badger: The Life of Bernard Hinault and the Legacy of French Cycling
Fotheringham, William
Paperback
Dick Bremer: Game Used: My Life in Stitches with the Minnesota Twins
Bremer, Dick
Bruton, Jim
Hardcover
Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird
O'Brien, Keith
Hardcover
The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer
Tenorio, Paul
Hardcover
We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event
Bennett, Roger
Hardcover
Fight Through It: The Battles, Breakthroughs, and Beauty of Becoming Resilient Enough to Never Give Up
Hall, Roy, Jr.
Paperback
The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool
Dugard, Martin
Hardcover
Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players
Smith, Sam
Jackson, Phil
Hardcover
The Bosses of the Bronx: The Endless Drama of the Yankees Under the House of Steinbrenner
Vaccaro, Mike
Hardcover
Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball
Epplin, Luke
Hardcover
Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher
Strawberry, Darryl
Hardcover
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
Butler, Charles
Long, Matt
Paperback
Duct Tape and Determination: A True Story of Turning Devastation Into Grit
Hunt-Broersma, Jacky
Hardcover
The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball
Miller, John W.
Hardcover
In the Name of Freedom: A Political Dissident's Fight for Human Rights in the NBA and Around the World
Freedom, Enes Kanter
Hardcover
Earned: The True Cost of Greatness from One of Hockey's Fiercest Competitors
Pronger, Chris
Hardcover
How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Formula 1 Designer
Newey, Adrian
Hardcover
The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership
Jamison, Steve
Walsh, Craig
Walsh, Bill
Paperback
Royal Treatment: Jackie Robinson, Montreal, and the Breaking of Baseball's Color Barrier
McLaughlin, Sean J.
Hardcover
The Bookie: How I Bet It All on Sports Gambling and Watched an Industry Explode
Manteris, Art
Birkbeck, Matt
Hardcover
Checkmate: Genius, Lies, Ambition, and the Biggest Scandal in Chess (Large Print Edition)
Mezrich, Ben
Paperback
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
Hamilton, Bethany
Bundschuh, Rick
Paperback
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Coffey, Wayne
Paperback
Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball
O'Brien, Keith
Paperback
The Fight of His Life: Joe Louis's Battle for Freedom During World War II
Roberts, Randy
Smith, Johnny
Hardcover
Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History
Schaap, Jeremy
Paperback
A Life's Calling: The Voice Behind the World's Greatest Horse Races
Shulman, Lenny
Durkin, Tom
Volponi, Paul
Hardcover
When We Were Young and Fearless: Kevin, Russell, James, and the Making of the Modern NBA
Abrams, Jonathan
Hardcover
Just Give Me a Chance to Fail: The Life of NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker Sam Mills
Domowitch, Paul
Hardcover
The Spurrier Effect: How One Coach Transformed Gamecock Football
Miller, Kevin
Silvia, Brent
Hardcover
The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban: How Alabama's Coach Became the Greatest Ever
Talty, John
Hardcover
Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games
Lomong, Lopez
Paperback
Fight Through It: The Battles, Breakthroughs, and Beauty of Becoming Resilient Enough to Never Give Up
Hall, Roy, Jr.
Hardcover
Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship
Ryan, Tom
Paperback
Lambeau: The Epic Life of Earl Louis "Curly" Lambeau, the Man Who Invented the Green Bay Packers
Gould, Herb
Paperback
Ashes to Endzone: The Fight for Identity, Faith, and a Future Bigger Than the Game
Jones, Perris
Hardcover
The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions
Parker, Candace
Hardcover
Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird (Large Print Edition)
O'Brien, Keith
Hardcover
The Making of a Miracle: The Untold Story of the Captain of the 1980 Gold Medal-Winning U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Eruzione, Mike
Boudette, Neal
Paperback
That World Cup Guy: Forty Years, Nine World Cups and One Fan's Incredible Journey
Milne, Andy
Paperback
The Rocket That Fell to Earth: Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball Immortality
Pearlman, Jeff
Paperback
The Skateboard Life: Movers, Shakers, Makers & Rulebreakers: The Quintessential Story of Skateboard Culture
Williams, Neftalie
Hardcover
Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running
Brosnan, Sean
Lear, Chris
Greif, Andrew
Hardcover
American Soccer Nation: The Remarkable 150-Year History of Yanks on a Roll, from Mob Football to the Modern Game
Franek, Mark C.
Paperback
Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son
Cook, Kevin
Paperback
L.A. Story: Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a Season for the Ages
Plunkett, Bill
Hardcover
Running the Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious, the Last Great American Pool Hustler
Wertheim, L. Jon
Paperback
From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Hall of Famer Larry Little
Zagorski, Joe
Paperback
Bart's Heart: A Journey of Family, Friendship, Football and Faith
Lee, David T.
Burrell, Bart
Paperback
Dottir: My Journey to Becoming a Two-Time Crossfit Games Champion
Davidsdottir, Katrin
McKernan, Rory
Paperback