Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What Made Maddy Run summary
Kate Fagan
Brief summary
What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan is a powerful exploration of the pressures and expectations placed on young athletes. It sheds light on mental health and the tragic consequences of living in a society obsessed with perfection and success.
Topics
Table of Contents
What Made Maddy Run
Summary of key ideas
The Haunting Tale of Maddy Holleran
In What Made Maddy Run, Kate Fagan narrates the true story of Madison Holleran, a high-achieving university student who seemed to have it all. A sports scholarship athlete and an excellent student at the University of Pennsylvania, Maddy appeared confident and well-balanced on the outside. However, her public persona hid a private struggle with mental health, resulting in her tragic suicide in her freshman year, revealing the hidden pressures of modern-day college athletics.
The narrative starts by getting us acquainted with Maddy, the golden girl from a small New Jersey town. She was academically top-notch, loved by her friends, and a successful track athlete. With her acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania, it appeared she was on the path towards a bright future.
A Rigid System of Expectations
Things turned sour when Maddy started her studies. Her track performances didn't meet her expectations. Fagan points out the external pressures that athletes face along with the anxiety of maintaining a social media persona that displayed a near perfect life. Maddy felt overwhelmed, isolated and trapped in a web of competencies that seemed impossible to meet. She sank into depression, a mental state that her friends, coaches, and family failed to perceive.
Fagan uses Maddy’s story to expose the issues of the intense pressures and expectations that student athletes face. She highlights the intimidating nature of the transition from high school to college, the struggle to keep up with high academic and athletic standards while maintaining a vibrant social media appearance.
The Silent Struggle
Unable to ask for help, Maddy fought an internal battle with anxiety and depression. Her close ones didn’t recognize the symptoms she was exhibiting. The misunderstanding of mental health was glaringly obvious. The lack of adequate support in the college system contributed to Maddy believing that her situation was hopeless. She couldn’t find a way to control her feelings of worthlessness and despair.
The narrative paints a heartbreaking picture of Maddy’s final days leading to her death. It propels a conversation about the significant lack of awareness of mental health issues, the hardship of overcoming them, and the societal pressures that escalate them.
Lessons from Tragedy
In the aftermath of Maddy’s death, Fagan underscores the need for system-wide change. She calls for more comprehensive mental health services, better understanding of mental illness symptoms, and a cultural shift towards authenticity rather than perfectionism. Schools need to do more to prioritize students' mental health and wellbeing over relentless pursuit of achievement.
In conclusion, What Made Maddy Run offers a harrowing account of the pernicious influence of social pressures, exposing the unseen burdens of mental illness. The book serves as a reminder that behind the mask of achievements and accolades, students may be grappling silently with debilitating internal struggles. It’s a call to change the narrative around mental health and push for a system that values individuals for who they are, rather than for what they achieve.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is What Made Maddy Run about?
This book delves into the tragic story of Madison Holleran, a talented young athlete who took her own life. Through interviews and research, Kate Fagan explores the pressures and expectations placed on young athletes, as well as the impact of mental health issues in today's society. It offers a thought-provoking examination of the factors that contributed to Maddy's untimely death and raises important questions about the pursuit of success and the well-being of young people.
What Made Maddy Run Review
What Made Maddy Run (2017) by Kate Fagan tells the heartbreaking story of a young athlete's struggle with mental illness and the pressures of college athletics. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Featuring in-depth research and personal interviews, it sheds light on the complexities of mental health in sports, initiating important conversations.
- By exploring the notion of perfection and the impact of social media on young athletes, the book offers a thought-provoking examination of our culture.
- Through its compelling narrative and empathetic approach, it humanizes the challenges faced by young athletes, making it a powerful and eye-opening read.
Who should read What Made Maddy Run?
- Individuals who are interested in understanding and raising awareness about mental health issues
- Athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts seeking insight into the pressures and challenges faced by student-athletes
- Parents, educators, and counselors working with young adults and supporting their well-being
Categories with What Made Maddy Run
Book summaries like What Made Maddy Run
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
What Made Maddy Run FAQs
What is the main message of What Made Maddy Run?
The main message of What Made Maddy Run is a powerful exploration of mental health, youth sports, and the pressure to succeed.
How long does it take to read What Made Maddy Run?
The reading time for What Made Maddy Run varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is What Made Maddy Run a good book? Is it worth reading?
What Made Maddy Run is a poignant and eye-opening book. It provides important insights into the pressures young people face and offers valuable lessons on mental health.
Who is the author of What Made Maddy Run?
The author of What Made Maddy Run is Kate Fagan.
What to read after What Made Maddy Run?
If you're wondering what to read next after What Made Maddy Run, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Emergency by Neil Strauss
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser
- Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh
- Do No Harm by Henry Marsh