Let Me Be Real with You: Inspiring Lessons on Living a Life of Service

From the celebrated athlete and award-winning author, an inspirational collection of personal stories and lessons that will spark change within you and transform how you contribute to the world.

Arshay Cooper believes in bringing people together, seeking out opposing ideas to collaborate and find consensus rather than focusing on differences and "othering." In Let Me Be Real with You, he reflects on his personal journey--from the trials he faced as a young Black boy from the West Side of Chicago to finding international recognition as an athlete and philanthropist--sharing insights to guide you on your own journey.

The stories in Let Me Be Real with You will help you navigate difficulties and challenges with grace, awareness, hope, and even humor, and fortify your commitment to a life lived in service to others without sacrificing your own self-care. Arshay introduces you to the eight essential tenets of wellness--mental, physical, environmental, vocational, financial, intellectual, social, and spiritual--and teaches you how to incorporate them into daily life. You'll discover:

How to tell and own your stories.The importance of unlearning so you can learn.The balance between pushing yourself and recovery.

Cooper reveals how a wellness mindset and practices became an integral part of his life and success and how they can become central to yours as well. A memoir and inspirational guide, Let Me Be Real with You is for all of us who want to change our lives and find the courage to "do it afraid."

Author: Arshay Cooper
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperOne
Published: 10/14/2025
Pages: 240
Weight: 1lbs
ISBN: 9780063426566

About the Author
Cooper, Arshay: -

Arshay Cooper is a rower, bestselling, and award-winning author, a two-time Golden Oar recipient for his contributions to the sport of rowing, a motivational speaker, and the protagonist of the film A Most Beautiful Thing, based on his memoir as the captain of America's first All-Black high school rowing team. Arshay is the co-founder of the national award-winning nonprofit, the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, which introduces thousands of under-resourced youth to the sport of rowing around the world.