What readers are saying

There are many bright minds within my family, so I wasn’t surprised when he brought it up to me, and I couldn’t be more excited to be included. While reading the book, I made a lot of notes, especially on my main takeaways. To begin with, I loved the usage of juxtaposition and how it was displayed as the main focus. This is seen during the first few chapters as it highlights the importance of private vs. public views of yourself — specifically, how to manage what gets seen and what doesn’t.

The message was clear to me from the start: many athletes work extremely hard behind the scenes, and the success that is made accessible makes people see it as an effortless matter or a naturally given talent, which is not necessarily true for everyone. So, my takeaway from when I first began reading and when I finished was the same: proper work-life balance, or as Orlando says, Athletic Balance, is crucial.

The imagery of “leaks” in daily life used throughout the text — how small, unnoticed issues can snowball or chip away at what really matters — is a powerful reminder of the importance of our routines. The visuals in the chapters are both striking and unforgettable, helping me visualize how to apply these concepts to my own life even before I finished each chapter.

The interconnectedness of all the pillars in The Athletic Balance Pyramid was fascinating as well. This reinforces the idea that each part of your life is interconnected and built upon the same foundation. The writing feels conversational, almost as if Orlando is speaking directly to the reader. That is especially valuable when it comes to addressing an issue that one may not notice — hiding in plain sight. The first chapter introduces real athlete examples, which I found especially effective because they help readers relate to the advice and understand how to apply it.

Connecting one-on-one with your audience is an essential addition to a book such as this because it helps build the author’s credibility. One moment that truly aligns with this was when Orlando shared his personal experience: “My last season at Northwestern during COVID ended with no wins.” It highlights his vulnerability, which makes him so relatable and trustworthy.

The chapter that resonated with me the most was Chapter 9, Protecting the Mind. It was about how to manage anxiety and the overwhelming spirals you may get yourself into. During my tennis seasons, I often fall deep into a hole of overwhelming thoughts and questions of what I’m doing wrong. But some of the activities he suggested helped me to further ground myself, and I will definitely keep them in my toolbox when school comes around again. Scripture is also implemented, not as a suggestion, but as another part of the journey an athlete goes on, which can help them to stay grounded as well.

Overall, Built in the Dark is a vital resource for athletes to not only identify the challenges they face but also to embrace the concept of Athletic Balance in their lives. If I had received a book like this during my tough tennis matches, I would’ve felt so much more supported and on track towards the many goals I was trying to achieve. Nevertheless, now that I have something like this to go back to, I will for sure utilize the tips and tricks. I can’t recommend it enough!