Ultra
Michele Graglia
Michele Graglia left Italy for Miami in 2007 to expand the family business. Caught in a thunderstorm, he ducked into a Johnny Rockets, got scouted by a renowned agent, and walked out a professional model.
An elite modeling career brought expensive cars, penthouses, parties, and celebrities, but his accidental “American Dream” was never his own.
Feeling the emptiness of a shallow, dark lifestyle, Michele set out for adventure and fulfillment, finding it in the unlikeliest place—a book about ultramarathon running.
Within a few short years, his passion and dedication for ultrarunning placed him among the top endurance athletes in the world. Running hundreds of miles in the extremes of the frozen Yukon and the scorching heat of Death Valley, he pushed his body and mind beyond every limit imaginable.
Ultra is not about winning. It’s not about running. It’s a means to return to Nature and a journey to find your purpose, giving your all on the quest for your best self.
Press & Praise
"Most of us will never run an Ultra, mere mortals that we are. Michele Graglia's inspiring and engrossing book helps us understand the 'why' and that the boundaries are only there to be pushed. His pivot from supermodel to his first failed race to becoming one of the best ultra athletes and finding his spots in the Guinness world record book is a remarkable one. Ultra traces this personal journey through Inspiring quotes and fascinating and emotional stories from his races. But it's a lot more than that, it's the chronicle of one exceptional athlete, who has lived so many diverse lives in his young years, connecting with nature, and transcending himself, and, along the way, encouraging all of us to discover our own true strength and resilience.
This is a great read for anyone considering athletic challenges or in search of some greater personal goal. There is no telling where this book might take you."
"An honest and compelling story that offers a true insight into the life journey of one of the most extreme ultra runners on the planet. Anyone interested in endurance, mindset, or accomplishing BIG goals needs to read this book."
"A revealing and unexpected plot twist of what compelled an international top model to ditch the limelight and jet setting lifestyle of high fashion to pursue a life of self-discovery at the frontiers of human endurance."
