Destination; Remarkable.

Surviving the Dark Side of Success

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Pub Date Sep 19 2023 | Archive Date Sep 19 2023

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Description

Few that know Mary Grothe today would guess that her childhood was traumatic. That she was raised by an alcoholic mother and abusive father in a filthy house, where tar dripped down the walls from the profusion of cigarette smoke. That at fourteen she watched her childhood auctioned off beneath a big top before fleeing town as a result of her parents’ criminal mistakes. Or that dance, her original love and a ticket to freedom, would be taken from her in an instant. That four whole years of darkness followed. That she briefly married a man so toxic that she had to plot a secret escape to free herself.

What many people do know is that, in spite of all the above, she discovered, to her own astonishment and that of everyone around her, that she was something of a sales prodigy. That her success was meteoric. That her name was synonymous with the number one.

Until now, most also don’t know that all of this “success” led her straight back down into the darkness. Into alcoholism, and from there into the front porch of her neighbor’s house, behind the wheel of one of her two cars. Or that years of healing, and grinding away in the trenches, would only bring her straight back to her knees. That finally, one fateful Christmas morning, from the pit of the bottom, she found Jesus. That again, she thought she’d forever changed her life, only to learn that doing so is easier said than done.

And that’s just the first half of this book.

But this isn’t an ordinary business book or an ordinary autobiography. It’s not merely a rollercoaster, either, but an entire theme park full of them: of being a daughter, a partner, a wife, a mother, a Christian, a founder, and a CEO.

Few that know Mary Grothe today would guess that her childhood was traumatic. That she was raised by an alcoholic mother and abusive father in a filthy house, where tar dripped down the walls from...


Advance Praise

“​​Raw, inspiring memoir of business, faith, and finding a path to success.”
BookLife by Publishers Weekly


“The book’s personal stories are confessional and candid: [...] through them all, Grothe pushes forward.”
Foreword


“A vivid, engrossing account of spunk, determination, and forgiveness [...].”
Kirkus Reviews


“​​Raw, inspiring memoir of business, faith, and finding a path to success.”
BookLife by Publishers Weekly


“The book’s personal stories are confessional and candid: [...] through them all, Grothe...


Available Editions

ISBN 9798887500546
PRICE $29.99 (USD)
PAGES 290

Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

"Surviving the Dark Side of Success" by Mary Grothe is a compelling and deeply personal memoir that unveils the hidden struggles behind the public image of a successful businesswoman. The book delves into the author's traumatic upbringing, filled with alcoholism, abuse, and the challenges of escaping a dysfunctional family environment. The narrative takes readers through Mary Grothe's journey from her tumultuous childhood to her meteoric rise as a sales prodigy, becoming synonymous with success and achievement.

The first half of the book paints a vivid picture of Mary's early life, highlighting the darkness she managed to overcome. Despite enduring hardships and setbacks, she discovered an unexpected talent for sales, propelling her to the top of her field. However, the book takes a turn as it reveals that even after achieving remarkable success, Mary's inner demons resurfaced, leading her down a path of alcoholism and personal struggles.

The author's writing masterfully blends raw vulnerability with resilience, capturing the complexities of her life and the challenges she faced. Through the highs and lows, readers witness her journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. The pivotal moment of finding solace in her faith, particularly on a Christmas morning from the depths of despair, offers a glimmer of hope and transformation.

"Surviving the Dark Side of Success" is far from an ordinary business book or autobiography. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, a candid exploration of Mary Grothe's roles as a daughter, partner, wife, mother, Christian, founder, and CEO. The theme of the book is centered around resilience and the struggle to maintain equilibrium in the face of success and personal battles.

Intriguingly, the book's review suggests that Mary's story doesn't merely conclude with her spiritual awakening. Instead, it hints at a second act that awaits readers in the latter half of the book, promising an exploration of the intricate facets that make up her life's journey. This narrative structure adds depth to the memoir, allowing readers to follow the author's ongoing evolution as she navigates the complexities of various roles and identities.

"Surviving the Dark Side of Success" promises readers a captivating and emotional journey through the life of Mary Grothe. The book is likely to resonate with individuals who have experienced adversity, personal struggles, and the pressures of success. It's a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the human spirit's ability to overcome even the darkest of challenges.

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Few of us find ourselves exactly where we thought we'd end up. In this case, the obstacles made any happy ending impossible—until it became possible. This story clarifies the shockingly great surprise of a disastrous life turning into a beautiful one. The added benefits of blessing so many others made the story even more remarkable.

The story flowed well and captivated my curiosity. I had no idea it was possible for a person from the wrong side of the tracks, inundated with bad outcomes, to turn life around and be an overwhelming gift to others. The title holds true to the book's content and ultimately brings hope to those reading it.

This book is for anyone who started life on the wrong foot or has little hope for a happy and productive future. The story unfolds in a way that helps the reader find ways of duplicating the good experiences and avoiding the bad ones. Regardless of where you believe your destination in life is, a far greater future exists beyond your wildest dreams.

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Destruction remarkable by Mary Grothe and review written by Breanna McLeod . I was given a free review copy of this book. All opinions and feedback are my own.
I really appreciate that the author took the time and energy to write this book having come from a broken family myself, I understand some of her feelings described here. Not all of course, but some the road to recovery takes many forms. She is incredibly open and raw in this piece of writing. There are places where I wish she had gone into more detail, especially about some of her business practices because I don't understand what some of the abbreviations mean. Or what their role is within a business.
Aside from that though, I think this book is well written. Well-rounded and very thought provoking as well as hope. Inducing for people might be in a similar situation

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