John Perry, the head football coach at Nixa, has added a new chapter to his already storied career with the release of his memoir, “Never Stop Getting Better.” The book, which topped Amazon’s sales chart on its first day, blends personal anecdotes with a call to readers to pursue purpose through service.
The inspiration for the work arrived unexpectedly when Perry met his first grandchild, a moment that prompted him to reflect on the legacy he wanted to leave. He soon partnered with Share Your Story, a coaching service that guided him through editing and launch, and the manuscript quickly took shape.
From Walk‑On to All‑State
Perry’s early years were marked by doubt. As a freshman at Hinds Community College, he considered quitting after a discouraging first semester. His father’s blunt response — ‘Don’t quit, can’t fail’ — redirected his trajectory, eventually leading to an all‑state selection and a scholarship at Harding University.
At Harding, Perry evolved into an all‑conference lineman, a transformation he attributes to mentors who believed in his potential. Those formative experiences became a cornerstone of the book’s message: growth often begins with a single, stubborn decision to keep moving forward.
A later chapter pivots to family, recounting the health struggles of Perry’s daughter. The crisis forced him to balance the demands of coaching with the need to be present at home, reinforcing his belief that serving others starts with caring for those closest to you.
While the memoir is steeped in personal faith, Perry emphasizes that its lessons are not confined to any single audience. He writes, “My purpose is to add value to other people’s lives,” a principle that underpins every story, from the gridiron to the dinner table.
A Partnership That Propelled the Project
Working with Share Your Story proved pivotal. The organization’s expertise in editing and marketing helped Perry polish his narrative and navigate the competitive self‑publishing landscape, ensuring that the book reached a wide readership across the United States.
Beyond the numbers, Perry hopes the memoir will inspire readers to examine their own obstacles and to view challenges as opportunities for growth. He believes that perseverance, anchored in faith and family, can transform setbacks into stepping stones toward a more significant life.