Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ – Karri McManus has written a book that chronicles a journey of health, mind and spirit, told through voices that ring true.)
“Most stories don’t start with a yes. They start with a quiet maybe that refuses to die.”
This is Karri J. McManus’ story. It is laid out in her book, “Built by the Bull.” It is woven throughout 158-pages of honesty and strength.
Folks who remember the Eaton Rapids resident before 2024 may not recognize who she has become. The quiet, intelligent, driven woman fought to hide her feelings, sadness and 270 pounds.
“This is for all of us who learned that being seen isn’t about the spotlight. It’s about the courage to stop hiding from your own reflection.”
A college-educated wife, mother, insurance agent and athletic fan, McManus “could hardly walk” at one point in her journey. Add other health ailments, including Lupus and a stroke, and McManus knew something had to change.
“Trust me to know how to train you.”
It began with a visit to Weight Training Technology in Eaton Rapids, and sessions for her daughter Audrey, a high school athlete. McManus admired Tim Semon’s style (The Bull). She gingerly approached him, and he responded, “Tell me when you’re ready.”
The ease of the response and Semon’s manner coaxed her to return, to trust.
“The first win isn’t the lift – it’s the walk through the door.”
McManus did return, and a two-year journey to health began. The book covers the experience through the eyes of the Phoenix (McManus) and the Bull. It is mostly an inner dialogue and examination of the process and the work.
“The exercise was the easiest part,” McManus remembers. The Bull was there to guide and encourage. The results? More than 100 pounds gone, healthy eating and expanding mind.
“I wish I had this book before I started,” McManus laughed. The book indeed is a journey of the spirit as much as the body, a reflection of the process, the unfolding of growth in health and often, happiness.
As we learn about the Bull in the book, we see he is a man of few but far-reaching words. “He meets you where you are,” McManus said.
As the training continued, McManus started keeping notes. “I am a person who wants to understand what I am doing,” she said. And then, she thought, this might be a nice gift for the Bull, to show him how much he helped.
The book would be a great insight for other trainers, even therapists, McManus offered. “Having a book is surreal,” she said, but it is easy to see its evolution. The story unfolds through the thoughts and experiences of the Phoenix and the Bull.
“The hardest lift you’ll ever do is pulling yourself out of your own excuses.”
McManus appreciates the struggle. She knows she has started a journey that will continue. She has learned that discipline is not the enemy, writing, “At first, discipline always looks like punishment….Discipline builds the bridge between who you were and who you promised to become.”
McManus did not find it hard to “put it out there.” Perhaps she was fueled by the Bull’s equation, “Work times Belief equals Change.”
Since publishing the book, McManus is still at the gym early morning or at night after work. She held a book signing in late February at Rottenbucher Pharmacy and Gift Shoppe in Eaton Rapids, and raised money for her friends, the Olejownik family, who are going through challenging health issues.
McManus wrote on Facebook, “What a day. I am a fortunate person and so incredibly grateful for the kindness shown today. I signed a lot of books and sold all but one that I brought with me. And even better? We were able to deliver $275 to the Olejownik family from the generous donations made at this in-person event.”
She will also be holding a book talk and signing at the Eaton Rapids District Library. Books are available at Weight Training Technology, 119 S. Main St., at Rottenbucher Pharmacy, and on Amazon.
McManus hinted there may be a part two. “Change doesn’t end at the milestone. It begins there.”
This book has already started ripples of conversation and encouragement from friends and readers.
