In July 2009, Jim Stynes was diagnosed with cancer and given less than a year to live. The diagnosis caught him by surprise; he was 42, healthy, fit and he didn't have time for illness: he was director of the Reach Foundation, president of Melbourne Football Club, father of two primary school-aged kids, husband of Sam.

In July 2009, Jim Stynes was diagnosed with cancer and given less than a year to live. The diagnosis caught him by surprise - he was 42, healthy, fit - and he didn't have time for illness: he was director of the Reach Foundation, president of Melbourne Football Club, father of two primary school-aged kids, husband of Sam. Knowing his odds weren't good, but with so much to lose, Jim put everything he had into trying to beat the disease. Jim's ability to use mind over matter, to never give in, to overcome pain, to believe in himself and his will to succeed gave him two extra years on the prognosis. He had more than 25 tumours removed from his brain and stomach, and defied expectations time and time again. He was well equipped to beat the odds - he'd been getting the most out of himself in every aspect of life since he was a kid in Ireland. This book is Jim's legacy. Unflinching in its detail, Jim talks about what he found out about himself when things were at their worst - about what really counts when you're stacking it all up. It's a moving, inspiring story of a life lived fearlessly.

Jim Stynes grew up in Dublin playing Gaelic football, and was recruited by Melbourne at the end of 1984 as part of the 'Irish Experiment''. He would go on to win the game's highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal, in 1991, as well as four Melbourne best-and-fairest awards. His 264-game career included a record streak of 244 consecutive matches. Jim was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, and was twice named Victorian of the Year for his work with Reach, a foundation he established to help young people fulfil their potential. He took over the presidency of the Melbourne Football Club in 2008. Jim died in March 2012 after a very public journey with cancer that lasted almost three years. Warwick Green became a mate of Jim Stynes when they were studying at teachers' college together in 1985. Warwick played a handful of games for St Kilda. Warwick is a sports journalist with the Herald Sun, and has been sports editor of the Sunday Age, The Age and the Sunday Herald Sun. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and three children.