Books

Not Too Late book cover

Not Too Late

The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age

Available June 18, 2024 — Pre-Order Today

A testament to the power of reimagining our limits at any age — and a roadmap to make it happen.

In Not Too Late, author Gwendolyn Bounds takes readers on the journey of her unexpected five-year path of transformation from an unathletic office executive glued to her screens into an age-group medalist and world championship competitor in obstacle course racing — a demanding military-style sport requiring speed, endurance, mobility, and strength.

Woven through Not Too Late are insights from scientists, longevity doctors, a philosopher, elite athletes, and performance experts. Their tools and wisdom can be applied by anyone looking to unleash their full potential.

Advanced Praise

“There’s a lot of wisdom packed into Not Too Late, but it's also a fantastic page-turner of a story. Bounds’s dreams and doubts and insecurities are highly relatable for anyone staring into the headlights of middle age, and the way she tackles them will get you out of your chair — and perhaps down in the mud, crawling under some barbed wire."
— Alex Hutchinson, bestselling author of Endure: Mind, Body & the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance
"Intriguing discoveries weave through the narrative, which takes us on an adventure-filled journey of [Bounds'] transformation sure to appeal to others on similar paths….An inspiring guide on how to unearth a 'second wind,' from someone who’s been there."
— Kirkus
"No matter your age, Not Too Late will inspire you to make big positive changes — to do hard things you didn't think you could and conquer the extra mile (and mile after that). Importantly, it'll also arm you with the information you need to make those changes. Read Not Too Late and ride its inspiration and advice to a new you."
— Michael Easter, bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain.
"Not Too Late captures the essence of reinvention with raw energy and heart. Through a vivid tale of personal resilience and strength, Bounds proves that fulfillment and self-discovery are accessible to anyone — at any age. A must read for anyone at a crossroads!"
— Rich Diviney, Retired Navy SEAL & bestselling author of The Attributes
"Not Too Late is brilliantly motivating no matter your age or skill. Gwendolyn Bounds offers a no- nonsense, everything-to-gain approach to a life without boundaries that was so addicting I was torn between reading another page and getting out the door to power through a run."
— Deena Kastor, Olympic Medalist, marathon and bestselling author of Let Your Mind Run
"In a world plagued by isolation, alienation, and apathy, Not Too Late is an ode to the value of sport: a sense of belonging, intimacy, and mastery that's good for not just the body and mind but also the soul. Bounds inspires and shows how you can reap these rewards at any age."
— Brad Stulberg, bestselling author of Master of Change and The Practice of Groundedness
“I always say – if you are alive – it's "Not Too Late” !!! Gwendolyn Bounds delivers a captivating and relatable story of resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. As she navigates the challenges of middle age, Bounds's journey will inspire readers of all ages to push beyond their limits, embrace change, and discover new possibilities. Packed with wisdom and practical advice, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to break free from the constraints of age and redefine what is possible in their life.”
— Joe De Sena, Spartan Founder & CEO, and bestselling author of 10 Rules for Resilience: Mental Toughness for Families and Spartan Up!
“Not Too Late is a gripping sports narrative: screen-bound, middle-aged workaholic transforms her mind and body—hauling sandbags, throwing spears, crawling under barbed wire, leaping across fire—in a quest to win gold. But even more important, it’s a serious, scientific exploration of how we age and what we can do to face down the inevitable march of time. Bounds has written a book full of both drama and sound advice for challenging preconceptions and living our very best lives."
— Stefan Fatsis, bestselling author of Word Freak and A Few Seconds of Panic
Wow, what a ride! Not Too Late is a breathtaking work of jelly-legged genius. Writer slash (unexpected) action hero Wendy Bounds dove deep into the pain cave for this one, and emerged with a captivating memoir about the transformative power of mud, sweat, and suffering. Though it’s sure to strike a chord with the cultish community of obstacle course racers, this book has even broader appeal. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered if there’s more juice to squeeze out of life. So — basically everyone. This book is for everyone.
— Scott Keneally, writer/director of Rise of the Sufferfests: A Film about Mud, Masochism, and Modern Life
"A soul-nourishing smoothie of science, philosophy and personal memoir, Not Too Late will resonate with anyone who has hit midlife only to wonder: Is this it? (Spoiler: It's very much not, with a "growth mindset.") The joy of self-discovery through athletic challenge comes through on every page."
— Jeff Bercovici, author of Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age.
"In Not Too Late, Gwendolyn Bounds captures the powerful lure of discovering 'flow' in midlife as she embraces something bold and once unimaginable. There are important lessons in this book that help us to put aside our fears, forget feeling foolish and try something new. Such a reset of who we believe we are, and what we are capable of doing, can help us to move from the weight of the world (which is easy to store up) to the wonder of the world."
— Chip Conley, bestselling author of Learning to Love Midlife
"Honest, humble and very funny, Not Too Late will inspire any mortal to push personal limits — whether it's on the playground monkey bars or in one of the planet's craziest endurance competitions. Gwendolyn Bounds has written an absorbing, age-defiant classic that embraces the hidden warrior inside all of us."
— Jason Gay, bestselling author of I Wouldn't Do That If I Were Me and Little Victories
"Wendy Bounds is an inspiration! In Not Too Late she proves that reinvention is possible at any age — and gives you the tools you need to triumph over your fears and embrace your next adventure. Wendy not only changed her own life; her irresistible story will change yours."
— Joanne Lipman, bestselling author of NEXT! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work
"Wendy Bounds was 45 years old, 5-feet 10-inches tall, and weighed 122 pounds. She could. Not. Do. Five. Pushups. She was, though, and clearly still is, possessed of an iron will. In Not Too Late, Bounds takes us along on her emotional and at times harrowing journey to do the hardest physical thing she could imagine. Those of us tethered to our devices or trapped by our own perceived limits will find inspiration here. Not Too Late is a later-in-life search for…something. As Spartan Racers say, you’ll know what that is at the finish line."
— Kai Ryssdal, Host, Marketplace
"I’ve always known Wendy Bounds was a badass. As it turns out, I think I might have even known it before she did. Her journey to that self-discovery, to embracing the inner badass that rests within so many of us, even if we don't think it does, is something that anyone who has ever felt the pull of the couch and midlife malaise will want to dive into. This story of a grand pivot to something dangerous just might change your life."
— Matthew Futterman, author of Running to the Edge
"There are piles of books on how to win in your career, but scarce few grapple with the ultimate quest for purpose, meaning, and inspiration as life’s finish line approaches. Gwendolyn Bounds’ Not Too Late is an intimate first-person story of pivoting in midlife to embrace challenge, persevere, and triumph."
— R. Douglas Fields, PhD, author of Electric Brain and Why We Snap
Little Chapel on the River cover

Little Chapel on the River

A Pub, a Town and the Search for What Matters Most

A love story about a place — and the people who bring it to life.

The critically-acclaimed Little Chapel on the River recounts Bounds experiences at an old Irish pub in New York’s historic Hudson River Valley after being uprooted from her downtown Manhattan apartment after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Captivated by the bar’s charismatic but ailing owner and his charming, motley clientele, Bounds becomes one of the rare female regulars at the old pub and is quickly swept up into its rhythm, heartbeat, and grand history.

Honors

  • Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Pick
  • New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice
  • USA Today Summer Sleeper Pick

Praise

"Timely and meaningful…extraordinary…highly recommended."
— Library Journal
"Bounds captures the warmth of the place and the rootedness it [Guinan's] symbolizes."
— Booklist
"Compelling."
— Chicago Tribune
"Bounds's elegiac tale of transformation is a story filled with sweet surprises that never becomes cloying..."
— New York Post
"In an age of spiky-heeled chick-lit, this book is a refreshing change."
— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Gwendolyn Bounds has perfectly captured the sounds, flavors — indeed, the soul — of a quickly disappearing kind of small town life."
— Billy Collins, poet laureate, author Picnic, Lightning
"I would set aside a huge chunk of time to read Little Chapel on the River as it is a so superbly woven tale, putting it down would cause heartache."
— Malachy McCourt, author of A Monk Swimming
"Stunning. Little Chapel on the River is beautifully written, artfully crafted and lovingly told...This is the rare first-person book that forces you to take a deep breath and reconsider how you live your life."
— Stefan Fatsis, author, Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
"Every writer knows that there is no more compelling story than an honest and close observation of a life, and Gwendolyn Bounds has surely done this.... charged with writing that glows with sensitivity and rings with truth.... I could not put it down."
— Dennis Smith, author of Report from Engine Co. 82, A Song for Mary, Report from Ground Zero, and San Francisco Is Burning
"Reading Wendy Bounds's very fine book is much like a delightful night spent visiting a pub in Ireland: 'You remember it as you remember time spent in good company out in God’s country.'"
— Frank Gannon, author of Mid-Life Irish
"A layered and vivid chronicle of perseverance and possibility. With a reporter's eye for detail...Bounds weaves the strands of disparate lives, her own included, into a seamless, shining tale."
— Nancy Cobb, author of In Lieu of Flowers: A Conversation for the Living