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Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery Hardcover – November 15, 2022
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In the nineties, Ryan Dusick and his friends Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael dreamed about making it big . . . and against all odds, they did. This inside story recounts Maroon 5’s founding and their road to becoming Grammy-winning megastars, told through the eyes of former drummer Ryan Dusick. He takes readers behind the scenes of the band’s meteoric rise to success—and the grueling demands that came with it—as well as his personal struggles with anxiety and addiction after his departure from the band.
For Maroon 5, fame came with a platinum debut record, jam sessions with Prince in his own living room, and encounters with celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, and Bono. For Dusick, stardom came to an abrupt halt with the devastating loss of his ability to play drums due to chronic nerve damage.
Alongside Maroon 5’s story of camaraderie and pressure, Dusick interweaves his own narrative: a decade lost to liquor and antianxiety medication, his ferocious commitment to recovery, and his current perspective as a professional counselor. With a candor that will speak to anyone who has struggled with mental health, Harder to Breathe moves beyond celebrity to examine the nature of human heartbreak and resilience, and to buoy anyone currently facing similar challenges.
Ultimately, Harder to Breathe is a roller-coaster memoir about how making it to the top sent Dusick to the bottom—and how he let go of the past and embraced a new future, one breath at a time.
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBenBella Books
- Publication dateNovember 15, 2022
- Dimensions6.25 x 1.13 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-101637742339
- ISBN-13978-1637742334
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Editorial Reviews
Review
—Adam Levine
“I didn’t know there was so much I didn’t know about my friend Ryan . . . He shares about his pain and discovery with such vulnerability and honesty and wit, and I’m inspired by his transformation. His willingness to invite others towards themselves through his own story, is undoubtedly going to help a lot of people.”
—Sara Bareilles
“Ryan captures youth and success in all their contradictions; the delirious joy, the heady sense of discovery, the searing bliss, the heartbreak, the confusion, the pain and disappointment. The real beauty of his story, however, lies in what comes later: finding balance, peace, and meaning as the light and noise of youth and fame dim . . . His story resonates with universal truths far deeper than the particulars of his path.”
—Mickey Madden
“Harder to Breathe is not only a detailed chronicle of the early days of the band, but an inspiring story of redemption. Ryan’s personal journey is inspiring and will remind those in need of help that change is possible.”
—James Valentine
“Ryan had to face a devastating loss and step away from the group just as our childhood dreams were coming true. How he navigated his way through such a difficult life experience is admirable and inspiring., and now here is this book for you to read.”
—Jesse Carmichael
About the Author
As a boy, he dreamt of pitching for the Dodgers and writing adventure novels. Arm injuries sidelined his burgeoning baseball career, just as rock music became his new passion and purpose. Founding the band Kara’s Flowers in 1994 with fellow Brentwood High School students Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Adam Levine, Ryan worked tirelessly through his college years at UCLA before the band changed its name to Maroon 5 and finally had its first hit record, Songs About Jane. Multiple hit songs, two Grammy Awards, and 20 million albums sold later, Ryan found himself suffering and without direction as his career as a performer came to an end, just as it was taking off.
Struggling with physical and mental health challenges, Ryan finally overcame his struggles in 2016, when he began his journey of recovery, culminating in a new life path full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Now working as a mental health professional at The Missing Peace Center for Anxiety in Agoura Hills, CA, Ryan is spreading the message that recovery is possible, and some astounding things can come with it.
Product details
- Publisher : BenBella Books (November 15, 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1637742339
- ISBN-13 : 978-1637742334
- Item Weight : 1.16 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.25 x 1.13 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #532,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #390 in Football Biographies (Books)
- #743 in Alcoholism Recovery
- #2,063 in Rich & Famous Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Ryan Dusick is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist with an MA in Clinical Psychology and the founding drummer of the world’s most popular band, Maroon 5.
As a boy, he dreamt of pitching for the Dodgers and writing adventure novels. Arm injuries sidelined his burgeoning baseball career, just as rock music became his new passion and purpose. Founding the band Kara’s Flowers in 1994 with fellow Brentwood High School students Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Adam Levine, Ryan worked tirelessly through his college years at UCLA before the band changed its name to Maroon 5 and finally had its first hit record, Songs About Jane. Multiple hit songs, two Grammy Awards, and 20 million albums sold later, Ryan found himself suffering and without direction as his career as a performer came to an end, just as it was taking off.
Struggling with physical and mental health challenges, Ryan finally overcame his struggles in 2016, when he began his journey of recovery, culminating in a new life path full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Now working as a mental health professional at The Missing Peace Center for Anxiety in Agoura Hills, CA, Ryan is spreading the message that recovery is possible, and some astounding things can come with it.
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I listened to the audiobook twice. It’s my favorite rock and roll memoir since listening to Scar Tissue (by RHCP Anthony Kiedis). Get a copy for yourself and someone you love! It’s superb.
The unique aspect of this memoir is it not only tells the origin story of Maroon 5 but it provides a revealing insight into Ryan's profound struggles just as the band was becoming famous. His story is universal. I think most people can relate to what he went through and will be inspired by his recovery, finding a new purpose in his life. Kudos to Ryan for sharing the most vulnerable aspects of his experience in a way that can empower others.
What sets "Harder to Breathe" apart is Ryan’s distinctive blend of heartfelt vulnerability and introspection - and lighthearted humor. It’s a well-paced and accessible read for anyone! I really enjoyed the fun moments and intimate details where Ryan recounts the early days of Maroon 5 and their rise to stardom. But this book is so much more than a making-of-the-band memoir; it delves into the human experience and the profound impact being a touring musician can have on one's mental health. What I love most about this book, is Ryan doesn't shy away from sharing his own battles with anxiety and self-doubt. His willingness to lay bare his innermost struggles is inspiring, as it encourages readers to confront their own demons and embrace the journey of healing. Even in the darkest moments, Ryan’s wit and self-deprecating charm infuse the narrative with refreshing authenticity. The book is a testament to his resilience, reminding us that it's possible to find hope even when the world feels heavy.
Through his courage and openness, Ryan reminds us that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always hope and the potential for positive change. This book is a must-read for Maroon 5 fans as well as those new to his story - in fact anyone seeking solace, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the human spirit.
I really enjoyed reading this and reliving Maroon 5's early years. The band worked really hard to achieve the success they have now. I appreciated Ryan's openness and honesty in writing about his mental health struggles and addiction. Yes, there's enough juicy backstage stuff in here to satisfy a Maroon 5 fan but there's also the hard stuff about addiction and recovery. Kudos to Ryan for coming through to the other side and still being cool.





