Hope Not Nope authored by Dr. Dillon Caswell, serves as a source of empowerment for athletes, enabling them to persist in pursuing their passion. Far too frequently, we witness athletes, retired or disheartened, abandoning the very activities they hold dear. Dr. Caswell’s book leverages neuroanatomy grounded in research to guide readers beyond these limitations, with the ultimate goal of assisting individuals in rediscovering their Hope. In this interview, we delve into some questions about Dr. Caswell and his book.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book?
“Woah, you shouldn’t be doing that activity.”
“You’re too old to be playing that.”
“That’ll wear your body out faster and you’ll be back in to see me before you know it.”
These are the statements rattled off to people in healthcare offices daily. People on the receiving end feel scared, uncertain, and are looking for solutions ensuring participation in meaningful activities. They aren’t given that, sadly. Instead, a lame label is served making people feel fragile, broken, or less than.
Hope Not Nope will inspire people with the truth about their body’s healing potential by breaking down barriers that a transactional system has put in place, allowing the reader to throw away “lame labels” and instead choose the ones that fuel them.
The reader will first gain an understanding of what creates their reality by a dive into thought-provoking research-based neuroanatomy presented in an easily digestible fashion. Once understanding is gained, the narrative shifts, empowering the reader with simple (but not easy) solutions, aiming to restore HOPE, the greatest healing agent available.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be?
As stated by Former NFL star defensive end and NY-Times Best Selling Author Tim Green, “…it is rare to hold such a comprehensive, on-point, and powerful compilation of all that is positive in my hands. I have to go back to The Power Of Positive Thinking, written by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in 1952, to find its equal.”
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book?
We do not use the term “truth” lightly in this narrative. Many self-development, self-help, and self-empowerment books come out each year that are based on experience, thoughts, and opinions, which is a great start, but leaves out science.
In my own, and in witnessing thousands of others’ struggles, I’ve constantly sought the truth in illness and suffering. This mission has brought me through 10 years of higher-level education, equipping me with the ability to fully critically appraise research. Many authors claim their work is based on research, which is likely true, but unfortunately, they were not gifted with the ability to understand how results can be manipulated by research design and all the other biases that exist within published papers.
This book delivers the truth based on critically appraised papers. But, the best part is that it is written in a way for ANY reader to understand. We cannot have change if it’s not preceded by understanding.
We have a lot of people on the planet, but we need more people that are truly alive! This book is ready to set people free by inspiring them with the truth about their bodies, guided by science, and providing actionable steps to regain activities that are meaningful to them.
Who is your target audience?
Although the initial target audience was people who considered themselves “ex-athletes” looking to become “lifelong athletes,” feedback has come in from readers that this book is more than that leading us to the conclusion:
“This book is for anyone that has been rejected, placed in a pit of uncertainty, and been given misinformation making them feel like they are small, fragile, and broken. This book is for the person ready to turn nope into hope.”
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage?
My life experiences leading to my career played a major role in writing the book. I’ve had my sufferings and witnessed, what I deem one of the greatest women on Earth- my mom, go through prolonged 
suffering due to mismanagement in a transactional healthcare system. This inspired me to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy with the hope that I could place transformation ahead of transactions in a broken healthcare system. In the process, I was gifted to work with people who shared their sufferings with me.
At first, the stories flooded me with anger and the thought, “This is not how innocent people should be treated.” I had to learn not to react to the anger and resentfulness this brought about. Instead, I had to learn how to address my nervous system. To choose a response, “You can’t see your reflection in boiling water.”
The response that was ultimately chosen was the realization that I can attempt to be a bigger part of the change that is needed. These experiences and my perspective shift fueled the long nights of research and writing to complete this book to provide people served with nope the greatest healing agent available – Hope.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
The most rewarding experience is two-fold. First, it has extremely fulfilled me that I was able to finish this book and release it to the world. In the process, I have conquered my own “Nopes” of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Also, I’ve learned how many great people that I really look up to are willing to support the mission. We have had the pleasure of these humble leaders being part of the project:
- Tim Green, NY Times Best Selling Author, Former Atlanta Falcons Star Defensive End
- Dr. Tim Gabbett, Ph.D. Top 25 Most Impactful Sports Scientists of All Time
- Marcus Filly, Founder & Owner of Functional Bodybuilding, 6x CrossFit Games Competitor
- Adam Rogers, Coach of The World’s Top CrossFit Athletes at Training Think Tank
- Dr. Craig Lindell, PT, DPT, CSCS. Co-Founder of rehab
Secondly, the feedback I’ve gotten from readers so far saying how inspired they were, but most importantly, excited to take action! They have told me it is not a book you read once, it is one you constantly revisit over and over. A colleague mentioned to me at first he was annoyed because he was feeling down and didn’t want to feel hope but by the end of each chapter, he couldn’t help but smile. This makes my heart full, the evidence that this book can help people regain the life they deserve–a life of purposeful intention filled with hope!
How would you describe your writing style?
As stated by Dr. Tim Gabbett, “Dillon explains complex physiology simply, making the book accessible to people from all walks of life. You will find yourself nodding, laughing, and challenging your own dogma, often within a single chapter. Each thematic chapter contains anecdotes, key takeaways, and reflection exercises to help you move towards a more positive existence. If you are stuck in a rut or have the desire to make each day better than the last, then you will thoroughly enjoy Hope Not Nope!”
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it
Our current healthcare system is ready for collapse and is leading us towards a “sick” and reactive society. Productivity pressures providers, not outcomes. People are living in fear and giving up activities that “fill them up.”
I hope to change that by empowering a shift in perspective allowing a revolution to begin where hope is restored as the greatest healing agent. Hope is misunderstood. It is not simply sitting and “hoping” you will get better. It’s is a mix of the following trilogy: self-agency, goal-directed behavior, and pathways.
This book delivers on all three. Allowing people suffering a way to lean into their difficulties and come out the other side feeling optimistic. I hope this work shows people that they aren’t broken, fragile, or less than others. They are strong, resilient, and capable! In doing so, healing will take place. People will feel empowered to lean into a purposeful life highlighted with meaningful activity.
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