Knocked Sideways
As featured in Metro, April 2024
Message from the author"I have been Knocked Sideways many times and have first-hand experience of knowing how heartache can impact your life. Immense loss and pain can make you feel like you have no idea how you are going to make it through each day. I felt deeply compelled to create a book to share stories to offer support and inspiration, so that you can see the blue skies again.If this book helps you or if you would like to get in touch with your own Knocked Sideways story then I’d love to hear from you – please email me at sarah@writenowcoaching.co.uk."ABOUT THE BOOKKnocked Sideways tells 21 powerful stories from everyday people who have faced immense challenges. Each chapter is honest, emotional and often hard-hitting; but highlights their incredible resilience to find inner strength, courage and determination to move forward.Knocked Sideways is a book of hope. Its aim is to give you inspiration, comfort and support, so you believe that through your darkest moments there can still be happiness in your future.At the end of each chapter, Sarah McGeough offers encouraging reflections and simple life lessons that serve as a source of motivation. Ideas to remind you to take little steps.You cannot change what has happened, but you can change what happens next.
Knocked Sideways is out now.Limited edition signed hardback
£15.99
Paperback
£12.99
Contributors
Joshua Robertson
Joshua had a quad bike accident aged 11 and was told he'd never walk or talk again. By 19 he was gigging as a stand-up. Now a professional comedian, actor, writer and father of two, he performs stand-up around the world, including the UK's top venue, The Comedy Store in London."I wanted to write my story because I have constantly been 'Knocked Sideways', but managed to always find a path to get back on course. I want to inspire others. And I hope both of my children will read this book one day."
Anna Garratt
Anna lives in Warwickshire with her three wonderful daughters, supportive husband and a ‘mini zoo’ pet collection! Anna works in investigation for a legal regulator, loves creating and organising things and describes herself as a bit of a clean freak!"The last few years of my life have been challenging with many ups and downs. When I was invited to be a part of Knocked Sideways it felt such an honour. Writing my story has been a fulfilling experience which has made me appreciate how far I have come. I hope it will resonate with you."
Gloria Battini
Gloria lives in Bedfordshire with her partner. She enjoys long walks, reading and a little kitchen dancing to rock music or while she cooks. Gloria is a certified Personal Performance Coach and trained Medium and Energy Healer, who has triumphed over the trials of narcissistic abuse and transformed her life from self-loathing and survival to self-love and emotional liberation."I wanted to be part of this project because it’s shouting from the rooftops, 'You’re not alone!' During my own healing journey, I read inspirational stories and it’s largely because of them that I had the courage to do something. To be included in this book is an honour."
Karl Perry
Karl is a coach, copywriter, author and speaker. He lives in Cheshire with his wife and loves hiking and cycling in the hills. His playlists rarely leave the 80s – along with his dance moves! Karl survived a cardiac arrest at home in May 2019; something that comes with an incredibly low survival rate of 8% in the UK. He was dead for 11 minutes and wrote a book about his experience, You Only Live Thrice."Being included in Knocked Sideways is a wonderful way of sharing my story, which, along with those from the other contributors, will hopefully resonate and offer support to readers going through their own, personal challenges. Perspective really is a superpower!"
Anne Stephens
Anne lives in Cornwall with her two rescue dogs, Bessie and Phoebe. She enjoys long walks on the beach and singing with her local choir. Her world was shattered when she was told her son Toby had died by suicide. Ever since, she has been determined to live her best life and give others hope for the future, all in memory of her beautiful boy."I tell my story to inspire other parents and to show people that even after a devastating loss, you can rebuild a meaningful life and feel happy again. It is not easy and there is no magical solution, but in time you can learn to live with your loss and ensure something positive comes out of your worst nightmare."
Paola Palmieri
Paola loves life. She is a mom, wife, daughter, sister, educator and loves the outdoors, yoga, dance, books, beach, sunsets and sunrises. She was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroendocrine cancer in June of 2017. It was this diagnosis that made her want to live life with fierce passion and intensity."I chose to be part of Knocked Sideways because somewhere in my cancer journey, I realised how important it was for me to share my story. Finding a community who understand is vital. You must seek them out. Once I started learning from other patients in my age group, I realised how helpful and healing these conversations can be."
Emma Morgan
Emma is a proud single mother, working and living in Birmingham with her son, Harrison. In her spare time she loves exploring green space, the occasional park run and visiting theatre. She loves creative endeavours and is am currently writing a crime novel. Her favourite place is being tucked up in bed with a book."I wanted to be involved in Knocked Sideways as I believe sharing stories, particularly ones where we overcome hardship, is one of the most powerful ways we can offer hope to others. All the work I’ve done, in relation to my breakup, has been to help others find a way to start their healing journey and to feel empowered to rebuild new fabulous lives."
Fiona Myles
Fiona lives in Manchester with her husband and adopted daughter, Georgie. She loves vintage jewellery, especially brooches and is an avid writer. The author of five books, including Adoption Trauma. Fiona became a Christian which helped her break the cycle of her own addiction and she has managed to re-build her life."My first thought was yes please I'm in. I’ve been Knocked Sideways, backwards and forward in my life and I felt it was the right time to share what’s happened to me. Life is not easy at times, but I'm thankful I am able to extend a hand to anyone who reads my story."
Etya Vaserman Krichmar
Etya is retired and lives in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, with her husband and two miniature dachshunds. She has two children and three grandchildren and enjoys gardening, needlepointing and reading, but is also a keen writer. She was born in 1954 in Kazakhstan, one of the Republic of the former Soviet Union. In 1977, claiming religious discrimination, her family applied for asylum in the USA and on March 7, 1978, they started a new life."I wanted my personal story to be part of the Knocked Sideways anthology as it serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and portrays resilience and perseverance. Prejudice should have no place anywhere on earth"
Richard Thomas
Richard is a passionate Welshman and Liverpool FC supporter, born and bred in Aberystwyth. He now lives in London with Sue, his wife, where they enjoy retirement. Their two children and four grandchildren are a constant in their lives, with grandparenting skills called upon frequently. Richard is a keen photographer who loves exploring, having travelled with a camera ever since he was young. In recent years he has turned his adventures into two books, the kind he loved as a child."I wanted to be part of Knocked Sideways as I believe it was time to share and give back. The pain has subsided, so I want to help others realise there is a way through being bullied."
Des Reynolds
Des lives in Stratford upon Avon with wife Liz, stepson Henry and son Jack and works as a receptionist in a special educational needs school. He enjoys many sports and is also interested in coaching and personal development."I especially wanted to share my experience of losing a child with a view to helping anybody who is going through something similar. ‘Bouncebackability' is used in sporting context, but I use this phrase a lot as I feel there are coping strategies that will help people recover from whatever life throws at them. Men are not very good at opening-up, and If I can help even one person it will have been worth it."
Chris Duncan
Chris lives in the beautiful state of Missouri, USA with her fun-loving son. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, going to outdoor festivals and basking in nature, be it on the beach or amongst the trees._"Since my first kidney transplant at age 17, I’ve shared my story with anyone who would listen in hope of encouraging others; this is why I asked to be part of Knocked Sideways. Over the years, I have shared my story through the United Organ Sharing Network (USOS) and in churches across North America.
Tanith Lee
Tanith lives in Haywards Heath, West Sussex with her husband, son, cat Kieko and Kevin the Jack Russell. Her favourite things to do are reading, gardening, walking and sharing stories with friends. She is known as Mrs Menopause."Sharing personal stories is the best way to feel connected to others, versus feeling separate and alone. Sharing helps people identify with their feelings and experiences. Being involved in a book like Knocked Sideways ensure these types of topics are brought out of the dark and into the light, inspiring people to see there is hope in overcoming them."
Carly Michael
Carly was brought up in Cornwall and now lives in North London with her two children. She has a passion for photography, design and music and recently renovated her home."I love routine and stability, but at 43 after being married for 15 years, I found myself having to make a decision that would change my life. I was overwhelmed and terrified. I desperately searched for stories to help me, but I didn’t find much at all. It’s my hope that by sharing my story, I can help others. You are not alone; you have got this. If I can, so can you!"
Marc Skinner
Marc lives in Lincolnshire with his partner and her two children. He also has three children. He works as a lifeguard, loves amateur dramatics, has been in many pantomimes and featured as an extra in a few blockbuster films, including Harry Potter."When I was asked to be involved in Knocked Sideways I didn’t hesitate as I wanted other people to understand it's OK not to be OK, I have lived with being raped for over 30 years, and it has moulded me into the person I am today. I have a strong family unit around me and as a dad I want them to know no matter what happens I will always be there for them."
Jan Ross
Jan lives in Liverpool with her son, Theo. She loves the outdoors especially cycling with her son. She enjoys cooking, eating out with friends and Netflix. She has a strong faith, reads the Bible and attends church."Just the words ‘Knocked Sideways’ resonated and described the way I had felt at times throughout my life. Hopefully my journey may touch you with a relatable story, knowing that we all go off track and lose our way at times. These life lessons propel you into your destiny. You find out who you really are when you are stretched and shaken."
Fiona Setch
Fiona is a passionate Geordie who lives in Newcastle with her husband Koo, son Jamie, two cats Groot and Luna and a three-legged border terrier called Millie. She loves countryside walking, writing, cooking, listening to music and is often known for bursting into song. She has a real love of water, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving and is a mermaid at heart."I always appreciate life and friends would describe me as a person with a glass brimming over. However, the impact of COVID-19 emptied my glass, shattering it, leaving me lonely and sad. I wanted to share my story as I went to rock bottom. With all my personal experience and training, I couldn’t be there for my darling Mum."
Indira Mahun
Indira is a mum, grandmother, sister and daughter; but most of all she wants to shout from the rooftops ‘I am me’. She lives in Birmingham with her partner, works as a teacher for children with special needs and enjoys travelling, reading and writing. She describes her greatest accomplishment as her children, the light at the end of the tunnel."I’m honoured to be a small part of something quite amazing. Sharing my story in Knocked Sideways is so important because I know there are others out there just like me. It’s a way of reaching out, offering hope and saying, ‘it’ll be ok’."
Ray Vincent
Ray has been a Baptist Minister for sixty years, is a Chaplain in the University of South Wales and an active member of St David’s Uniting Church in Pontypridd. Brought up in an English-speaking part of South Wales Valleys, he has learned Welsh since he retired. He is interested in languages, travel, family and local history, but his main hobby is writing and he hosts his own blog. He has published three books to share his passion for the Bible as an inspiring but not infallible expression of the experience of God."I hope my contribution to Knocked Sideways will give encouragement and hope to those who are still struggling to be accepted, and to accept themselves, as who they are."
Kathleen Findlay
Kathleen has two children and loves being a grannie. She still works as a HR Consultant and is enjoying setting up her brand-new home with a sea view. She feels she is now in her third phase of life, where she needs to put the experience of three sudden deaths to some use."Now I know that ‘being resilient or seen to be ‘coping’ wasn’t always the right thing to do and I want to share my story and show some vulnerability, in the hope that it helps others."
Shaun Greenaway
Shaun is a male fertility coach and advocate. He lives in Cornwall with his wife and twins. Life and hobbies revolve around the four of them, so spending time together, being outdoors, going to the beach and travelling in their campervan. Shaun is fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning to surf. Having been diagnosed as infertile in 2018, he experienced the heartache, shame and secrecy attached to being a man with no sperm."I now share my story to let other men know they’re not alone. I’m honoured to be part of such a powerful book. Knocked Sideways captures many ways in which life can deal huge blows, but also how we cannot just survive, but thrive in spite of them."
Order the Book
Limited edition hardback copies of Knocked Sideways, signed by Sarah McGeough, are available now for shipping to the UK, the USA and Europe.RRP normally £18.99
Super Early Bird Offer: only £15.99
NEW: the paperback is now also available:
£12.99
If you are local to the Brighton & Hove area and would like to avoid postage, please contact me to arrange a local drop-off.
Order Received
Thank you!Your order has been received and you will receive an email confirmation shortly.Your book will be shipped shortly.Thank you, Sarah 🚀Any problems, contact me.