MY LIFE AS AN ASTHMANAUT Post Book Birthday & MAJOR Endorsement News!

After almost three years of development, I'm writing to you after one of the most stellar days of my life. Yesterday was the book birthday of my traditional publishing debut, MY LIFE AS AN ASTHMANAUT! It felt like forever to get to that milestone. Then, when the birthday came, the hours just flew by as I celebrated with friends on social media and tried to come to terms with the whole concept of having a book published. I sometimes felt like I was in a dream. I wrote a book? And it has beautiful illustrations by the talented Adriana Predoi? And it's out now for everyone to see and read and form opinions about? Am I in a kidlit twilight zone?

It's all starting to finally sink in now, as well as the reality of selling the book and fulfilling the mission of why I wrote my story to begin with: to help people. I'm on the first step of a big journey, one filled with unknown possibilities. It's a bit scary as a newbie in the book world, but also exciting. And I feel so blessed to have such a supportive publisher in my corner who believes in the same mission that I do.

But there is one part of this whole process that still feels like a fantasy: the endorsements I received. A few months before publication, I decided to reach out to some prominent figures I admired who had asthma or knew someone who did, in hopes that they could help support the book. I was not really expecting much success, but I thought to try at least. And I was surprised by who got back! Here are my three main celebrity endorsements!

My first blurb is from none other than accomplished swimmer Peter Vanderkaay, who competed and won medals in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics.

“This book is a great read for children and families navigating asthma, especially from the perspective of someone who has lived—and succeeded—with it at the highest level. As a former world-class swimmer with asthma, I found My Life as an Asthmanaut to be a powerful, relatable, and encouraging resource that helps show kids that their condition doesn’t define their limits. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to inspire confidence, resilience, and a sense of possibility.”

—Peter Vanderkaay, 3-time Olympian for Team USA

Did this news blow you out of the water, too?

My next blurb came from British former marathoner Paula Radcliffe.

“Jake has found a lovely way to turn the fear of living with asthma and the spectre of an attack into an adventure. The book brings real-time advice, information, and coping techniques through a space adventure, effectively turning each child living with asthma into a superhero space explorer. A perfect way to give children the power to live with and manage their asthma without letting it restrict the way they live their lives.” 

—Paula Radcliffe OBE, Former Marathon world champion and record holder.

And last but not least, I'm over the moon to reveal that I got a heartfelt endorsement from Disney show creator Chris Nee!

“I wish this book existed when my son was young and struggling to manage his asthma. It would have made him feel less alone.”

—Chris Nee, creator of Doc McStuffins

All of these inspiring, thoughtful, and powerful words fill my heart with joy. I hope these kinds of endorsements will help spread asthma awareness while reminding asthmatics that they are not alone and can not only live with this condition, but thrive with it.

Expect more news soon!!!