Unbreakable by Mary Kom

Last updated: Sep 24, 2023

Summary of Unbreakable by Mary Kom

Unbreakable is an autobiography written by Mary Kom, a renowned Indian boxer and Olympic medalist. The book provides a detailed account of her life, struggles, and achievements, offering readers an inspiring and insightful journey.

The book begins with Mary Kom's childhood in a small village in Manipur, India. She describes her humble beginnings, growing up in a poor family, and her early interest in sports. Despite facing societal and cultural barriers, Mary Kom's determination and passion for boxing led her to pursue her dreams.

Mary Kom narrates her journey of discovering boxing and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated sport. She shares her experiences of training rigorously, facing discrimination, and overcoming societal expectations. Her relentless dedication and hard work eventually paid off, as she became a national champion and gained recognition in the boxing world.

The autobiography delves into Mary Kom's personal life, including her struggles with balancing her boxing career and family responsibilities. She discusses the sacrifices she made, the support she received from her family, and the challenges of being a mother and a professional athlete.

Mary Kom's story takes a dramatic turn when she faces a career-threatening injury. She describes the emotional and physical pain she endured during this period and her determination to make a comeback. Her resilience and perseverance enabled her to overcome the setback and achieve remarkable success in international boxing.

The book also sheds light on Mary Kom's experiences representing India in various international competitions, including the Olympics. She shares her triumphs, disappointments, and the lessons she learned from each competition. Her journey to becoming a five-time World Amateur Boxing champion and an Olympic bronze medalist is a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Throughout the book, Mary Kom emphasizes the importance of self-belief, hard work, and never giving up on one's dreams. She inspires readers with her story of overcoming adversity, breaking barriers, and achieving greatness.

In conclusion, Unbreakable is a captivating autobiography that chronicles Mary Kom's extraordinary life. It offers a comprehensive and inspiring account of her journey from a small village in Manipur to becoming one of the most celebrated boxers in the world. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.

1. The Power of Perseverance

In her book, Mary Kom emphasizes the importance of perseverance in achieving one's goals. She shares her own journey of facing numerous challenges and setbacks but never giving up on her dreams. Despite facing financial difficulties, societal pressure, and gender biases, she continued to train hard and push herself to become a successful boxer.

This takeaway is actionable as it reminds us to stay committed to our goals even when faced with obstacles. It encourages us to develop a resilient mindset and keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey may seem. By embracing perseverance, we can overcome challenges and achieve our desired outcomes.

2. Embracing Fear as a Motivator

Mary Kom discusses how fear can be a powerful motivator if we learn to embrace it. She shares her own experiences of feeling fear before important matches and how she used that fear to fuel her determination to win. Rather than letting fear paralyze her, she transformed it into a driving force.

This insight is profound as it encourages us to view fear in a different light. Instead of avoiding or suppressing it, we can use fear as a catalyst for growth and success. By acknowledging our fears and channeling them into motivation, we can push ourselves to achieve great things.

3. The Importance of Self-Belief

Mary Kom emphasizes the significance of self-belief in her book. She shares how she had to overcome self-doubt and develop a strong belief in her abilities to become a champion. She highlights the power of positive self-talk and visualization techniques in building self-confidence.

This takeaway is original to general knowledge as it highlights the role of self-belief in achieving success. It reminds us that our mindset and beliefs play a crucial role in determining our outcomes. By cultivating a strong belief in ourselves and our abilities, we can overcome self-doubt and achieve our goals.

4. The Value of Discipline

Mary Kom emphasizes the importance of discipline in her book. She shares how she followed a strict training regimen, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and made sacrifices to achieve her goals. She highlights how discipline helped her stay focused and motivated throughout her journey.

This insight is actionable as it reminds us of the significance of discipline in achieving success. It encourages us to develop a disciplined approach towards our goals, whether it be in our personal or professional lives. By practicing discipline, we can stay committed, overcome distractions, and make consistent progress towards our desired outcomes.

5. The Impact of Supportive Relationships

Mary Kom acknowledges the role of supportive relationships in her success. She shares how her family, coach, and teammates played a crucial role in her journey. Their encouragement, belief in her abilities, and unwavering support helped her overcome challenges and achieve her goals.

This takeaway is profound as it highlights the impact of positive relationships on our personal growth and success. It reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us and uplift us. By nurturing supportive relationships, we can receive the necessary encouragement and motivation to overcome obstacles and reach our full potential.

6. The Power of Goal Setting

Mary Kom emphasizes the significance of goal setting in her book. She shares how she set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals throughout her career. By setting clear goals, she was able to stay focused, track her progress, and make necessary adjustments along the way.

This insight is original to general knowledge as it highlights the power of goal setting in achieving success. It encourages us to set meaningful goals that align with our aspirations and break them down into actionable steps. By setting clear goals, we can enhance our focus, motivation, and overall chances of success.

7. Overcoming Gender Stereotypes

Mary Kom discusses the challenges she faced due to gender stereotypes in her book. She shares how she had to prove herself repeatedly in a male-dominated sport and break societal norms. She highlights the importance of challenging stereotypes and pursuing one's passion regardless of societal expectations.

This takeaway is actionable as it encourages us to challenge gender stereotypes and pursue our dreams without limitations. It reminds us that our gender should not define our capabilities or limit our potential. By breaking free from societal expectations, we can pave the way for gender equality and inspire others to do the same.

8. The Importance of Mental Strength

Mary Kom emphasizes the significance of mental strength in her book. She shares how she developed resilience, focus, and determination to overcome challenges and perform at her best. She highlights the role of mental training techniques, such as visualization and positive self-talk, in building mental strength.

This insight is profound as it highlights the importance of mental strength in achieving success. It reminds us that our mindset and mental resilience are crucial factors in overcoming obstacles and achieving our goals. By prioritizing mental well-being and adopting mental training techniques, we can enhance our performance and navigate challenges with greater ease.