"More than Muscles" shares the amazing personal journey of a former Mr. USA Bodybuilding Champion who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve his dreams. Joseph Troccoli begins his memoir in 1968, describing his life as a seven-year-old living within a hardworking Italian American family who prayed daily for peace, the less fortunate, and an end to racism. Troccoli first details a childhood filled with uncertainty and self-doubt after his family moved from New York to Florida and then provides an intriguing glimpse into the magical moment when his hands first wrapped around a barbell, instigating his lifelong love for bodybuilding. As Troccoli moves from one competition to the next-slowly transforming his body from frail to strong-he shares how he learned the value of persistence, values, and optimism despite facing disappointment, uncertainty, and heartache. Trocolli's moving story of how he endured great hardships and failures on his journey to becoming a bodybuilding champion, firefighter, husband, and father will inspire you to stand taller, believe deeper, and learn to conquer the greatest obstacle to reaching your destiny-yourself. ""Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."" -Winston Churchill