Preorder, on sale July 16th, 2026

By Paul Zanon with Connie Henry MBE

Includes profiles of Olympic gold medalist Daley Thompson MBE, silver medalist Fatima Whitbread MBE, Nike triathlete John McAvoy, boxing promoter Frank Warren, and Olympic icons Lord Sebastian Coe and Dame Denise Lewis.

For every success story, there’s always a back story. Behind The Brilliance will shine a torch behind the superstardom, whether it be in sport, entertainment, business etc…. and the journey that person has had along the way to reach that brilliance.

Tales of death, destruction, terror and heartache feature in some of the biggest rollercoaster anecdotes which either happened before the fame or ran parallel to it. How each person comes to terms with these episodes varies chapter by chapter, as does their methods employed to bouncing back from challenge in the face of adversity.

Whatever the vocation of the individual featured in this book, exercise has been a path to redemption, helping to contribute to their state of well-being and mental health, not to mention the influence of sport to those around them and in society.

How and when exercise presented itself will differ person by person, but the fundamental difference it makes to each individual will certainly have similarities and to the reader, they will have a combination of empathy and inspiration whilst reading each story.

As this book rides through a rollercoaster of emotions from nostalgia, to happiness, fear and determination, it will also, very importantly serve as a source of hope for those battling depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

In addition to an abundance of inspiration throughout each story, each chapter will have a ‘Behind The Brilliance Mantra’ at the end. A short, succinct message that each reader can takeaway and add to their own toolkit in life. We genuinely believe each story will Inspire, Educate and Change Lives.

Combining deeply personal stories from renowned sports stars and celebrities with cutting-edge scientific research, the book aims to shed light on the transformative connection between physical activity and mental health.