Authenticity at its finest‼️ I’m really becoming a major fan of memoirs. It’s something about seeing a person be so vulnerable and allow readers into their personal lives that I find to be quite captivating. Trotter’s story pushes the narrative that it’s hard surviving in an environment designed to destroy you. When faced with adversity you’ll either sink or swim.

“Everyone’s life is defined by a constant state of change, but what does it mean when those changes all come with cortisol-spiking traumas, death, and loss?

The Upcycled Self is broken down into four parts that provide a detailed explanation of what made Trotter the man he is today. Recounting stories that shaped him Trotter discussed the setbacks he experienced, his relationship with his mother, trauma, love, loss, and music. 

“OUR LIVES ARE A RESPONSE to the call of our childhoods. Somewhere in the middle echoes of the past, we find our truest selves.”

Overall, I enjoyed this memoir and definitely recommend. It’s fast-paced, very well-written, has a seamless flow with engaging storytelling. It was so easy to connect and sympathize with his personal experiences. The encounters with his mother is where his vulnerability was most evident. “Losing my mother was my greatest motivation, but it was only one of many losses.” Special thanks to the author & @oneworldbooks for my gifted copy‼️