Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike (2016)

If anyone knows me, you all know how much of a fangirl I am of Nike. Whether it had been the timing within my own personal life or the persons who had been pushing me to be the greatest version of myself; this book came out and had instantly changed my life.

The stories told throughout the memoir illustrate how the Nike co-founder, Phil Knight, struggled with business trials, personal dilemmas and etching out a space in each house hold across the world to fit his brand.

Within a prologue, 2 parts and an epilogue; Phil Knight beautifully shines light upon the struggles and tribulations of starting a company from the nothing but an idea, forming a family and of course driving the Nike ethos home.

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few" - Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

The memoir begins with a love letter to sports; specifically running. Describing how athletes are crazy. The runners who run mile after mile after mile are crazy. How the whole world is built from an endless supply of crazy ideas. Telling yourself that you're running to a certain goal or destination, chasing a rush of euphoric tones, but really you run because the alternative, stopping, scares you to death. This is the start of the "running" metaphor that is engrained into every chapter.

1962 - Knights own Crazy Idea had started to manifest in the twenty-four year olds mind. Consuming his thoughts and even giving his future potential. He wanted to distribute Japanese manufactured shoes into the American market. Ideally to disrupt the market share Adidas had. Arguing that Japanese manufactured shoes had the same quality and aesthetic compared to their German counterparts.

Flash forward nearly a year, Knight had begun a business partnership with Onitsuka Co. using his "company" Blue Ribbon Sports. The partnership allowed Knight to import Tiger's to the American market. Tiger's at the time were the trending shoe within the professional running demographic. Knight landed this partnership despite his early self doubt and cultural differences of business techniques and mannerisms.

1971 - After having a falling out with their Japanese manufacture, Knight is left with no other choice but to continue the business without them. So with the help of legendary track and field coach, Bill Bowerman, Blue Ribbon Sports gets a operational and design change. "Nike" is born. Named after the greek goddess of victory, the Oregon company is now ready to make waves on their own terms.

Nike had their first sponsored athlete. Signing one of the most controversial athletes at the time, Ilie Năstase. The no. 2 ranked tennis player at the time. Coining the term "anti-country club", sporting bright clothing and long-messy hair during competition. Nike ran with this controversy. Continuing with his outlandish outfit choices, letting him speak whatever came to his mind and backing his game with top quality shoes and equipment. Nike had now begun to make undeniable noise within the sporting world.

The following year they signed Steve Prefontaine. Later nicknamed the soul of the company. Arguably the greatest runner at the time, and Bill Bowerman's prized athlete on his track and field team. Once again Nike focused on getting an electric athlete to rep the brand. "Pre" let Nike stand on multiple podiums across the US, Europe and South America. Unfortunately after passing away at the age of twenty-four, Pre never got the opportunity to see his influence within the running world, Nike sphere nor his political outreach.

Years passed; millions of shoes were sold and Nike has become a house hold name around the world. Still sticking to original ethos, of giving sport not products of sport. Nike has become the largest sports company and the 2nd largest fashion company in the world. Having some of the greatest athletes under their name such as; Micheal Jordan, Tiger Woods, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lebron James and Russel Wilson.

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So why did this book resinate with me so much? As someone who could be called an ex-athlete, the use of metaphors relating back to sports made the stories relatable and easily comparable. The doubt, the stress, the urge to be greater and the passion for selling the ethos of sport and not a product; is my same struggle and passion. All throughout the book Phil Knight talks candidly about self doubt, financial issues and the outside world spewing nonsense. He began to teach me that putting on the brave face of confidence entering uncomfortable or professional situation, all while hearing his own mind tell him "what are doing?" is normal. It's just about not letting the self doubt consume the mind; to cover up the potential greatness.

This book allowed me to understand the idea of believing in yourself before seeing anything. Obviously still trying my best to consistently see that in my own mind, but even Knight had lapses. Where reason tried to occupy dreams. But just as runners foolishly take stride after stride towards that endless finish line, Knight can teach you that life and running can be the exact same.

"Life is growth. You grow or you die" - Phil Knight, Shoe Dog A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

For any sports fans, for any business enthusiasts, and for anyone wanting to get a glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential men to ever live; I would highly recommend this book.

Final Score: 9.5/10