Warrior: A Memoir

In this inspiring memoir of personal transformation, a former female Marine platoon leader recalls the wars she has fought—on the playing field, the battlefield, and inside her own soul—revealing how overcoming the harrowing circumstances in her life helped her ultimately redefine what it means to be strong and what “perfect” really is.

Theresa Larson has lived multiple lives. At ten she was a caregiver to her dying mother. As an adolescent, an All-Star high school, college, and professional softball player. As a young adult, a fitness competition winner, beauty pageant contestant, and model. And as a grown woman, a high-achieving Lieutenant in the Marines, an Iraq War veteran in charge of an entire platoon while deployed in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Theresa was battling bulimia nervosa, an internal struggle which ultimately cut short her military service when she was voluntarily evacuated from combat. Theresa’s mental health journey to wellness required the bravery to ask for help, to take care of herself first, and abandon the idea of “perfect.” In Warrior, a compelling story of eating disorder recovery, she lays bare all of these lives in intimate and vivid detail, examining extremely personal and sometime painful moments and how, by finally accepting the help of others, she learned to make herself whole. From growing up in a log cabin outside Seattle to facing down the enemy in Iraq, Theresa’s journey demonstrates that good health and happiness is a daily, intentional act that requires persistence and commitment.

Theresa hopes that through sharing her story, she will help inspire others to empower themselves, embrace their inner warrior and re-define strength. Startling and funny, terrifying and triumphant, heartbreaking and inspirational, Warrior is at heart a story of overcoming adversity and success—of a determined woman who is model for everyone struggling to conquer their own demons. Theresa shows that asking for help can be an act of courage, and that we are stronger than we think when faced with seemingly impossible odds.

In this raw and honest military story, discover the real meaning of strength:

• A Woman in Combat: Experience the grit and reality of leading a platoon of Marines on the front lines in Fallujah, Iraq.
• The Secret War Within: A raw look at the devastating, private battle with bulimia nervosa while maintaining the exterior of a perfect, high-achieving officer.
• Redefining “Perfect”: The powerful journey of letting go of an impossible standard and discovering that true strength lies in vulnerability and asking for help.
• An Inspirational True Story: From a log cabin in Seattle to the battlefields of Iraq, a story of perseverance that shows how our deepest struggles can become our greatest strengths.

Theresa Larson has lived multiple lives: At ten she was a caregiver to her dying mother. As a teenager and into her twenties, she was an all-star high school, college, and professional softball player. As a young adult, she was a fitness competition winner, beauty pageant contestant, and model. And as a grown woman, she was a high-achieving lieutenant in the Marines, in charge of an entire platoon while deployed in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Theresa was battling bulimia nervosa, which ultimately cut short her military service when she was voluntarily evacuated from combat. Theresa’s journey to wellness required the bravery to ask for help, to take care of herself first, and abandon the idea of “perfect.” In Warrior, she lays bare all of these lives in intimate and vivid detail, examining extremely personal and sometimes painful moments, and showing how she eventually overcame harrowing battles from both inside and out. Theresa’s journey demonstrates that the pursuit of good health and happiness is a daily, intentional act that requires persistence and commitment.

Startling and funny, terrifying and triumphant, heartbreaking and inspirational, Warrior is at heart a story of perseverance and success—of a determined woman who is a model for everyone struggling to conquer their own obstacles. Theresa shows that asking for help can be an act of courage, and that we are stronger than we think when faced with seemingly impossible odds.

“By turns honest and heartbreaking, Larson’s book is a celebration of inner strength. It is also a poignant reminder that the mark of a true warrior is not just someone who fights wars but who also knows how to ask for help in times of crisis. A courageous and inspiring memoir.”—Kirkus

“A vivid and intensely personal account of Dr. Theresa Larson’s extraordinary life as caregiver, high-level athlete, combat veteran, and bulimia survivor. The book is powerful, inspirational, and underscores how we can all be both strong and vulnerable at the same time.”—Kelly and Juliet Starrett, CEOs of MobilityWOD and San Francisco CrossFit and cofounders of StandUpKids.org

“I have always believed that being vulnerable does not imply weakness, but rather the courage to live as who you are, not as the person others expect you to be. Theresa shows us what it means to be a warrior, and anyone will identify with her struggles and learn that they too can be resilient, healthy, and a true warrior. A must-read!”—Eva Selhub, M.D., author of Your Health Destiny, former instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and associate in medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital

“Raw. Real. Rousing. Theresa has crafted a memoir that will leave readers finding parallels to their own lives. From the pain of losing a loved one to struggles with food and self-esteem, Larson dives deep and looks back to get at the ‘why.’ Warrior is a story of hope and transformation, of calling on the strength that already lives inside. You’ll put it down and ask, ‘What’s possible for me?’ It’s that good.”—Steph Gaudreau, bestselling author of The Performance Paleo Cookbook and The Paleo Athlete

“Marines are tough. Marines are hard-core. Marines cannot fail. Warrior reveals the struggles that come along with this desire for perfection. Theresa shows that real strength happens when you summon the courage to conquer these addictive and doomed expectations. Theresa’s willingness to share her journey makes her a true hero and one of the bravest Marines I know.”—Mike Burgener, former Marine, senior international weightlifting coach for the United States, head strength coach for CrossFit

“Theresa Larson’s memoir reveals the complex self-savagery of surviving bulimia in a war zone. The conflict may have looked like Iraq on the outside, but the real enemy was her own mind. This book is a rare glimpse into the secret world of a bulimic and exposes the multiple traumas that coalesced into this disease as a means of coping. As a former bulimic, I was at once repulsed, enthralled and redeemed by Theresa’s willingness to be so vulnerable on every page. A must-read for those in mental health, armed services and health & fitness fields.” - Jill Miller, author of The Roll Model: A Step by Step Guide to Erase Pain, Improve Mobility and Live Better in Your Body

“Theresa Larson’s memoir reveals the complex self-savagery of surviving bulimia in a war zone... This book is a rare glimpse into the secret world of a bulimic and exposes the multiple traumas that coalesced into this disease as a means of coping.” - Jill Miller, author of The Roll Model: A Step by Step Guide to Erase Pain, Improve Mobility and Live Better in Your Body

“Larson’s tale will inspire readers to think more deeply about gender and mental-health issues in civilian and military life.” - Booklist

“Warrior is an interesting and enjoyable read, and the journey Theresa takes us on has elements many can relate to: dealing with loss, the struggle to be perfect, and the pressure to look and act a certain way as a female. I highly recommend Warrior.” - Mayim Bialik, actress

“The book is powerful, inspirational, and underscores how we can all be both strong and vulnerable at the same time. Theresa opens her heart and soul on every page and we closed the book feeling uplifted by her amazing spirit.” - Kelly and Juliet Starrett, CEOs, MobilityWOD & SanFrancisco Crossfit, co-founders of StandUPKids.org

“heresa shows that real strength happens when you summon the courage to conquer these addictive and doomed expectations. Theresa’s willingness to share her journey makes her a true hero and one of the bravest Marines I know.” - Mike Burgener, former Marine, Senior International Weightlifting Coach for the United States, Head Strength Coach for Crossfit

“So many times, we have said and heard ‘Suck it up Marine.’ This story reminds me to look through strength and beauty, realize a person’s struggles, and dedicate time to take care of them.” - Alyce Fernebok, former Marine Captain

“Few women are raised in a man’s world and serve in war not just as physical equals but superiors in prowess and rank. While Theresa “gets” men, a strength of this compelling memoir is how clearly she understands what women uniquely bring to both the armed services and the planet.” - Susan Weinsten, author of The Anarchist's Girlfriend and Paradise Gardens

“By turns honest and heartbreaking, Larson’s book is a celebration of inner strength. It is also a poignant reminder that the mark of a true warrior is not just someone who fights wars but who also knows how to also “ask for help” in times of crisis.” - Kirkus Reviews

“I have always believed that being vulnerable does not imply weakness, but rather the courage to be authentic, to live as who you are, not as the person others expect you to be. Theresa Larson walks us through her journey to get to authenticity. She shows us what it means to be a warrior and anyone will identify with her struggles and learn from her, learn that they too can be resilient, healthy and a true warrior. Bravo Theresa Larson. A must read!” - Eva Selhub, MD, author of Your Health Destiny, stress and mind-body medicine specialist, and former instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Associate in Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital

“Theresa Larson walks us through her journey to get to authenticity. She shows us what it means to be a warrior and anyone will identify with her struggles and learn from her, learn that they too can be resilient, healthy and a true warrior. Bravo Theresa Larson. A must read!” - Eva Selhub, MD, author of Your Health Destiny, stress and mind-body medicine specialist, and former instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Associate in Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital

“Raw. Real. Rousing. Warrior will challenge your beliefs about real strength. Theresa Larson has crafted a memoir that will leave readers finding parallels to their own lives. From the pain of losing a loved one to struggles with food and self-esteem, Larson dives deep and looks back to get at the ‘why’. Warrior is a story of hope and transformation, of calling on the strength that already lives inside. You’ll put it down and ask, ‘What’s possible for me?’ It’s that good.” - Steph Gaudreau, bestselling author of The Performance Paleo Cookbook and The Paleo Athlete

“From the pain of losing a loved one to struggles with food and self-esteem, Larson dives deep and looks back to get at the ‘why’. Warrior is a story of hope and transformation, of calling on the strength that already lives inside.” - Steph Gaudreau, bestselling author of The Performance Paleo Cookbook and The Paleo Athlete

“Warrior is a vivid and intensely personal account of Dr. Theresa Larson’s extraordinary life as caregiver, high-level athlete, combat veteran, and bulimia survivor. The book is powerful, inspirational, and underscores how we can all be both strong and vulnerable at the same time. Theresa opens her heart and soul on every page and we closed the book feeling uplifted by her amazing spirit.” - Kelly and Juliet Starrett, CEOs, MobilityWOD & SanFrancisco Crossfit, co-founders of StandUPKids.org