Try, Try Again

Format: Paperback, 180 pages with photographs
Published In: New Zealand, 01 September 2009

Jason Barrell has faced more hard knocks than most. Born and raised in Northland, he was dyslexic and found schoolwork almost impossible. He was never diagnosed so was effectively written off by teachers. He left school as soon as he could - semi-literate and with no qualifications - but went on to run a successful family business with his wife before becoming a professional rugby player in the Super 12 league and, briefly, for a club in Wales. When a broken neck ended his playing career, he remained undeterred. Displaying great tenacity and perseverance, he managed to pass all the entry exams and become a police officer. Tragedy struck again, however, when he suffered a series of strokes and, after misdiagnosis and repeated visits to doctors and specialists, underwent a life-threatening operation that left him semi-paralysed, brain injured and unable to work. He was only 32. While others may have rolled over and given in to depression, Barrell knew it wasn't for him and dug deep to find the inner strength that had already seen him through some tough times. He discovered a gift of inspiring others with his story; of moving people and helping them see that there is hope after extreme adversity. He embarked on a career of using his own experiences to motivate others, and is now one of New Zealand's most successful motivational speakers. Try, Try Again tells his story for the first time - the story of one man's courage, determination and sheer bloody-mindedness that is fascinating, amusing, at times heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting. This is the story of one of life's true winners.