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Bend, Not Break
Bend, Not Break
Oct 6, 2024 2:31 AM

Author:Ping Fu

Bend, Not Break

'Bamboo is flexible, bending with the wind but never breaking. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times'

Ping Fu is one of the few women running a tech company in the US. But her story begins long before.

Born on the eve of China's Cultural Revolution, she was separated from her family at the age of eight. She grew up fighting hunger and humiliation and shielding her younger sister from the vindictive teenagers of Mao's Red Guard. At twenty-five she escaped to the United States; her only resources were $80 in traveller's checks and three phrases of English: Thank you,hello, and help.

Yet Ping persevered. Within a year she had completed her English qualifications and started studying computer programming, rising to run the team behind Netscape. She then founded Geomagic, a company that has literally reshaped the world, from personalizing prosthetic limbs to repairing NASA spaceships.

Bend, Not Break tells the incredible personal story of a journey from imprisonment to freedom, from Mao's China to technology start-ups. It is a tribute to one woman's courage in the face of cruelty, and a valuable lesson on the enduring power of resilience.

Reviews

Extraordinary, moving, captivating

—— The Times

There are few people in our world who embody optimism like Ping Fu. She shows us how the human spirit can endure amazing hardship to with find happiness, joy, and astounding success

—— Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why

She tells her story with intelligence, verve and a candour that is often heart-rending

—— Wall Street Journal

I could not put this book down - it's amazing to believe this all happened in one person's life. The lessons Ping Fu has so artfully accumulated are inspiring, heartening, educating, and entertaining.

—— Kevin Kelly of Wired; author of What Technology Wants

Her odyssey from the old world to the new - from the bleakest totalitarianism to the most ebullient flowering of imagination and enterprise - forms a story worthy of a 21st-century Homer

—— Inc. Magazine

There is no more shining role model for resilience (and grace and humility and a whole bunch of other qualities) than Ping Fu

—— Chip Conley, founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality and author of Peak and Emotional Equations

Ping Fu's life story is the stuff of heroic novels

—— Bo Burlingham, editor-at-large of Inc. magazine and author of Small Giants

This is an utterly unique memoir, a fascinating look at one woman's journey from a difficult childhood in Mao's China to the top of the American tech world

—— Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, author of Delivering Happiness

In this outstanding testament to the resilience of the human spirit, Ping takes readers on a journey both heartbreaking and inspiring. Ping's eloquent prose and remarkable attitude shine through in every word

—— Publishers Weekly

The answer is YES!, Now what’s the question?….This is Brian Biro in one sentence. Positive approaches create trust. I have known and worked with Brian for over 20 years. This extraordinary book provides all the lessons that one needs to be successful and most importantly fulfilled at what they do.

—— Keith D. Paglusch, CTO of C Spire

The energy and pure magic that Brian Biro brings to any situation is life-changing, and he has captured that quality brilliantly in his new book There Are No Overachievers. His motivational messages will impact everyone, from entry-level employees to the upper echelon of management professionals.

—— Chris Cicchinelli, President & CEO of Pure Romance

I’ve witnessed Brian lead thousands on a journey to self-discovery. He is an amazing coach with a rare talent to channel a person’s inner desire to spur positive change in their lives. Now he powers that passion for professional and personal development into There Are No Overachievers. This book, like Brian’s presentations in person, is unforgettable!

—— Patty Brisben, Founder & Chairwoman of Pure Romance

There Are No Overachievers is a book you will want to share with your friends, your peers and most importantly your family. Every lesson and every idea in here is pure gold, and Brian wraps his lessons and insights in beautifully told stories and real life examples that make this book impossible to put down. Brian Biro has created a beautifully written roadmap to opportunity, greater success and fulfillment!

—— Meridith Elliott Powell, Professional Speaker and Author

You will emerge from this book with more confidence, energy, and passion than you've ever imagined for your career, your family, and your life. In a world so often focused on obstacles and barriers, Brian Biro brings fresh light to our possibilities, strengths, and breakthrough potential!

—— Melissa Brisbois, Executive Vice President of J. Hilburn

The central thesis behind There Are No Overachievers is that we are all UNDERachievers. Regardless of how great our performance in a particular area, we are all capable of doing and being so much more! I highly recommend it, both as a personal guide for getting more out of your personal and professional life, as well as a teaching aid for managers and leaders who want to bring out the best in their team.

—— Keith Challenger, Managing Partner at KCI.media

Truly inspiring. There Are No Overachievers is filled with stories that moved me, and insights that stuck with me long after reading.

—— Prosper Nwankpa, co-founder and CTO of Avanoo

A masterful presentation of simple, yet transformational principles that can be used immediately to enhance relationships and careers. When you read There Are No Overachievers, you will begin looking at your life through a new lens of passion, gratitude and service.

—— John Locke, Master Networker

Seeing Brian live is always a treat, but reading There Are No Overachievers is like having Brian with me every day. The chapter called “Be Easy to Impress and Hard to Offend” really struck a chord in me. Look for ways to be impressed, and instead of taking offense at criticism you encounter, transform negative feedback into ways to improve, exceed expectations, and generate loyalty. It is at the heart of everything our company is about, and has helped us build the largest global sourcing association in the world. My copy is dog-eared already; I will be referring to for years to come.

—— Dawn Tiura, CEO of SIG: The Executive Sourcing Network

The inspiration and stories in There Are No Overachievers opened my eyes to the many “windows of opportunity” that can help me make a positive difference. It has ignited my own energy and purpose to live this journey called life with more JOY!

—— Dana. L. Stonestreet, Bank Chairman, President and CEO of HomeTrust

Phenomenal! Brian Biro offers us a clear path to increased personal performance and greater success in every area of our lives. And what we get along the way is the life we’ve always wanted.

—— Dr. John B. Waterhouse, Former President and Field Leader of Centers for Spiritual Living

The simplicity of Brian Biro’s message, and compelling nature of the stories he tells makes this book a win for everyone. Read it, follow Brian’s guidance and you are sure to reach the mountain top!

—— Dr. Barbara Waterhouse, Senior Minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Asheville

"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” It’s a question I posed often to our oldest daughter when she was competing internationally. I never thought of it being my own motto – until reading There Are No Overachievers. After nearly 20 years, I am still learning from Brian Biro’s life lessons – and I’m now aware of how important they are in the “transition” stage of my life, both personally and professionally. Thanks so much for the reminder, Brian!

—— Suzan O Sweeney, AVP of External Partnerships at The Hartford

Over the years, I’ve read hundreds of leadership books, but There Are No Overachievers stands alone. It’s an insightful and astute guide on how to be your very best at home and at work. Although I’ve been fortunate to enjoy great success in my career overall, there are so many times that I missed my window of opportunity to positively impact others’ lives. I was too easy to offend and hard to impress. Brian Biro is a life-changer. I enthusiastically recommend this book. It will bring you closer to your colleagues, your friends, and your loved ones.

—— Naomi Cramer, SVP and Chief HR Officer at Banner Health
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