Desolate Warrior

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AVAILABLE SOON!

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for checking out my new book, Desolate Warrior, which is a novel that was inspired by the incredible life story of former Brazilian Olympic boxer and WEC mixed martial arts fighter, Will Ribeiro.

Desolate Warrior is the epitome of a true underdog story that all sports fans will be sure to love, but it’s also an amazingly heartfelt story that millions of people worldwide who all suffer from some form of disability will be able to relate to as well.

It’s an inspirational story about never giving up when life becomes seemingly impossible, so get ready for what many have already described as an incredible rollercoaster of emotions as I take you on my own personal journey to uncover the sad and unbelievable truth behind the modern day fight industry.

Will still fights for a living, only now, it’s not in a ring or in a cage. Will battles against discrimination and prejudice, and hopes to become an example of life for others who might find themselves in a similar situation or worse. He is highly independent, and desires nothing more than to work and to have a purpose in this life. We all need a purpose.

Cheers!
James

Book Quotes

“I do believe Will’s case is a great opportunity to raise awareness, not only towards disabled athletes, but disabled people in general, particularly in Brazil and throughout the world.”—Luciana Bragança Vieira

“I would like if my life story could be seen by people from all over the world. I believe I have become an example of life to many people who have problems a thousand times worse than mine. I want to show the world, the power a person can have inside a brave heart.”—Will Ribeiro

“You can be a normal person who has a thousand friends for your whole life, but turn physically handicapped in a wheelchair, and you will know the truth about who your friends are.”—Wladimir Alves

“God has a plan for us all. He writes straight on crooked lines.”—Royce Gracie

“Will Ribeiro knows what it means to be a fighter. A fighter isn’t that guy who wins a battle. A true fighter is the man who does not give up and always go forward. Will is a great example for us. He has shown everyone how life must be lived—never give up, and always keep going.”—Oliver Fernandes

“Personally, I like MMA, but unfortunately, the industry for the most part treats its fighters like worthless pieces of meat. If they are winning, everyone treats the fighters like heroes, but since that is always short lived, eventually their luck runs out and when it does, they are tossed aside like used tampons and flushed down the toilet.”—Dr. John Williams

“The problem with MMA is that the business model that’s used encourages a lack of respect from the fans. The UFC specifically creates an environment of violence without honour. The Twitter bonuses that each fighter is given is a perfect example of this type of behaviour. Encouraging fighters to be disrespectful just to hype a fight, and then rewarding them for that same behaviour. It sends a clear message to young fans that it is perfectly okay to act like an ass and then follow it up with violence.”—Scott Block

“Pre-Release” Reader Testimonials

“James, your writing has been a great gift, or incredible thorn in the side, for all who have had the chance to read it. I can’t imagine the amount of time, and the stress that this last project has put on you personally. Keep forging forward, my friend, and making your mark on the world.”—Chris Grant

“I finished it late last night and I have to say—it is awesome! The pictures, the detail of all the players involved, and no doubt this will be BIG for Will! I love how it’s laid out. Great job, James! It has love, hate, betrayal, courage, and everything in a great book. I think you hit it big. It hits every human emotion, which is what a good book does. And the quotes are terrific!”—Kevin Cabezas

“James, just finished your book earlier today, and I must say I am disgusted with Ed Soares and his way of treating someone who literally put his life in his manager’s hands. The language barrier never helped the Ribeiro family of course, but at the end of the day, someone in Ed Soares’ position should be taking care of his fighters and treating them like his family. Instead, he did the opposite when his help was needed the most. Perhaps I am naive and expect too much from people, but it really has shocked me with how many lies they were willing to give you, to make themselves look good, and Will/Wladimir look bad. But hey, after reading your book, my conclusion is that Ed Soares is the new Don King of MMA. This book is an eye opener to any MMA fan, and once you’re done reading it, take time and think about just how many things in it you had not seen coming. The Wanderlei stuff is hard for me to accept and understand, because I’ve been a fan of him for so long. I always respected the guy for being so damn brutal in the ring/cage, but outside he’s the most compassionate and nice person ever. Well, whether that is a facade or not, I don’t know now. Truly eye opening.”—John Petersen

“I read your book today, and when I came to the end….only one question remains… have you totally lost your mind this time? LOL”—Mary Lou Ryan (mom)

“I’m on page 42 of your book, and Will’s story. I had to stop, and reach out to both you and Will on Facebook. I am deeply moved by it, and understand what Will is going through. I am a retired war vet and purple heart recipient. Both of you are wonderful human beings.”—David Saucier

“Well, I finally got my copy and have been at it as hard as I could for the last week. I’m nearly finished. Only two more chapters to go, and I must say that this is one amazing story and the character of yourself, Will, and his “friends” is simply put, OUTSTANDING! Props for all your support and to Will. I’m behind you both all the way.”—Blake (aka Discipline)

“I am really enjoying the book, and I can’t put it down. I really have Will Ribeiro in my heart now. You did an excellent job and I am really proud of you, and I hope Will gets more help.”—Debbie Srigley

“Will Ribeiro is the definition of a real fighter. Watching him walk again, really almost brought tears to my eyes. Ok, ok, I teared up, but that just means I’m human. Now that’s some inspiration. Thank you, James. Keep it up Will, you are one of my heroes, up there with Jesus, Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, and Mike Tyson.”—Matt Betzold

“I wish there were more MMA journalists and bloggers that had the balls to question the upper echelon of the MMA industry without fear of retaliation. It sickens me that not every MMA fan and fighter knows of the plight of Will Ribeiro. Is James Ryan really the only one out there with some dignity and balls?”—Dave Ellinger

Ongoing Impressions from Jerry Sargeant, Owner of Fierce Fitness, Napier, New Zealand

“Hey James, I started reading your book this week, mate. Wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it would be good. I suppose I didn’t really expect anything…but I didn’t expect this…if any of that makes sense. What can I do from here to help this cause, mate? This fella has been through the mill. I mean seriously been through the mill. He has faced a mountain of shit and is still there staying strong. This guy is a legend. Will Ribeiro is a legend. Man, I have the utmost respect for this guy. Let me know how I can help you help Will!!!”

“I read another 60 pages today. This is a bit of a roller coaster. I know people get taken for a ride in the fight game—not just in MMA, but other fight sports also, but I just had no idea that this book was partly about this particular subject. I know I have not finished, but fuck man….I just had to talk to you about it a bit more. There are some arse hole managers or individuals that are business orientated and take less business focused fighters and stick it in their arse, but really, this is beyond any of that. This is taken to an extremity of heartlessness (I know I’ve not finished it yet, and maybe my view will change before the end of this book), and even if a manger didn’t have a fighter’s best interest at heart (not saying that I approve), you would think that after such a terrible accident, putting a fellow human being in a crippling position, that compassion towards a fellow warrior, human, person, start to kick in and think ‘fuck it…we need to sort our shit out and help this guy.’ Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions too early in the book, but hey, as I said, just had to talk to you about this. This must have smashed you emotionally, my friend. Good on you. Many would have let this ride, as it was a massive task for you. I respect you brother. You have put yourself on the line to get this message out and maybe made some enemies, but the truth in this situation has to come out and well done to you for doing it. Massive respect from me…huge big respect!!! I will come back to you in a few days when I have finished. Respect.”

“Hi James, just finished the book, mate. Well, on one hand, I don’t really have anything more to say about it. On the other, I have loads. His management team let him down big time! For me, the thing that I am really surprised about is that Dana White agreed to help and didn’t even bother to follow up. I expected more from him, didn’t you? I suppose Ed Soares got straight in his ear and changed his mind once they had left Will. But hey, I am speculating. I do hope that they get Will involved in the Brazil show. This has been a great read, James.”

“Reflecting on it all, I just feel sorry and gutted that a fellow warrior has had to endure so much. No one deserves that kind of treatment and agony. If he was here near me, I would be giving him so much time to help get him better mentally and physically. Sounds like he needs more friends with encouragement and a positive vibe to make him strong again. Oh, and yeah…brother…you should be proud of this…you will have opened some eyes. I think it is awesome that you have done this book and written it like this. My hat is off to you man!! Jerry.”

Head Kick Legend Book Review by Justin Faux

“The word inspirational is thrown around a lot these days, but the story of Will Ribeiro isn’t one of these cases. I got my copy of the book a few nights ago and literally didn’t stop reading from the moment I began. Whether you are a fight fan or not, you will be touched by the story of Will Ribeiro.”…READ MORE

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