My wife is an RN/CCM and this is her review of this excellent work:

“By sharing your story, not only do you help yourself, but you also help many others who look to you for the courage to do so as well.”

-You Already Won by Dr. Kojo Sarfo DNP, PMHNP-BC

“You already won” is an excellent must-read for anyone looking to get into or advance their nursing career, and for anyone who has struggled with the barriers of external circumstance and negative input and is seeking a way to clear the noise in their thought space and forge forward toward a more personalized, fulfilling destiny (even if it doesn’t fit a traditional mold.). One part autobiography, one part reflection on the state of mental health and the perceptions and misconceptions surrounding that charged topic, and one part manifesto for success on your own terms, Dr. Sarfo provides context and real-world examples of how to prosper amidst challenge while undergoing self-evaluation and managing against the odds and the steep gradient of expected behavior and outcome. He also gives a level playing field for mental health topics and offers keen and compassionate insight into the struggles of self and others who fall under the mental health umbrella. For a small, fast read, there is a ton of information to unpack and it merits multiple reads and reflection.

What I found most useful was validation that reaching a lofty goal can be accomplished in ways that don’t necessarily reflect the typical paths. In my own career, I was considering advancing my scope of nursing practice, and reading through his journey answered many of my questions and raised new questions to ask myself and others as I moved forward. It helped me to chart a course that got me out of limited thinking and options and into expanding my mind and opening up possibilities that were suited to my strengths and preferences.

The book is well written, fast, and worth multiple reads. This is not only a book for nursing professionals, but for entrepreneurs and people either in the mental health profession or struggling with self-doubt, anxiety and unresolved trauma. I would especially recommend this for anyone who has children, or foster children who struggle with adversity and the barriers erected by the expectations of society and others and who want to see a better future for themselves.

Christine D’Allaird BSN RN CCM

This book is simply EXCELLENT! I enjoyed reading this book so much I finished reading it in a few hours. You Already Won, is a real reminder that our stories are vital healing tools that are meant to uplift our own souls 1st and then in the process of sharing our stories, we inherently also uplift the souls of any others who may listen, read our words, and can indentify with any part of our stories. I highly recommend this book!