About The Authors
Strength to Strength: Make Your Life Unbreakable was conceived and authored by Marc Thompson and Barry Purcell.
Their personal experiences feature alongside the other real-life examples and observations that inform and illustrate the book.
Marc Thompson was born in Bradford and left school aged 15. Alone on his 32nd birthday, he looked at the sawn-off shotgun he kept for his own protection and realised that, despite the roll of banknotes he kept in his pocket, his life was going nowhere.
After walking away from everything he had – a decision that left him homeless, friendless and deeply in debt – Marc drew upon the principles and ideas that he has now outlined in Strength to Strength. He went on to find professional success and personal fulfilment, founding a successful telecoms company, Avant Corporation, and selling it in 2008 for a multi-million pound sum. He no longer needs to work, but has embarked upon a range of new business ventures. He lives near Leeds, in a house purchased from a Premiership footballer, with his wife and their seven-year-old son.
Marc also writes a popular personal development blog.
Barry Purcell hit rock bottom aged 20. He was led away from the factory floor on which he worked after crippling panic attacks escalated into a nervous breakdown. When he tried to speak, he couldn’t get the words out. When people spoke to him, he burst into tears. His hands shook. Before long, his hair began to turn white.
Using the principles and ideas that he explores in Strength to Strength, Barry was able to turn his life around. Setbacks have not dented his stride; today he is talkative, confident and content. A family-run food business, which Barry founded with his wife and two friends in 2001, has a multi-million pound turnover. Married for 26 years, he lives in Wakefield and has three adult children, all of whom are enjoying successful careers of their own.
Marc and Barry are two successful people and longtime friends, who grew together and wrote Strength to Strength to share their ideas and inspirations. Ten per cent of book sale profits are donated to The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
The authors are also in demand as motivational speakers.
