The Epic of You

Name: The Epic of You
ISBN: 979-8886454291

by Peter H. Bailey

Publisher

Greenleaf Book Group Press

Publication

Jan 13, 2026

Format

Hardback

Illustrated

Price

$28.95

Dimensions

6 x 9 x 9 in

ISBN

979-8886454291

ASIN

B0FMSQNFX5

Pages

216

Age

Adult 18+

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

An inspiring model and guide to navigating your personal heroic journey.

Undeniably, the world and its people desperately need more hope. Our friends, foes, family, and fellows are all experiencing challenging times and fighting their own battles, and author Peter Bailey is no exception. From his current vantage point as a successful influence in the leadership and human improvement field, one might assume he looks back on his life (the addiction, the recovery, the travel, the heartbreak, the love, the grief) with difficulty and hesitance. Rather, it is exactly this kind of reflection that helped him take on the role in his story he was meant to play: the hero.

In his debut book, The Epic of You, Bailey uses Joseph Campbell's Heroic Journey as a framework to plot out your past and navigate your future. More than a plot device or literary standard, Bailey proves the Hero's Journey is an effective and transformative life map by . . .

• detailing and exemplifying his own epic journey,

• analyzing the practical applications of Campbell's framework,

• and guiding readers through their reflective process in the Heroic Journey Guidebook section.

Far more than the standard self-help text, this book is a personal story, a comprehensive methodology, and a step-by-step guide to wholeness. If you're ready to rewrite your personal mythos and rekindle your hope, this book is for you.

Awards & Endorsements

Endorsement

“I’ve known Peter Bailey as a great facilitator, strategist, and leader. This book introduced me to him in an entirely new lens: as a typical human being who endured a radically difficult journey but chose to rise above those circumstances to positively elevate others. Peter courageously shares his life story so we can author a far better story through our lives. Read this book now and thank me later.” —John O’Leary, #1 national best-selling author, On Fire and In Awe

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey shares a deeply personal narrative, told with uncommon candor. In doing so, he invites readers to consider their own journey and how the meaning we make of the past can shape what comes next.” —Scott K. Edinger, Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author, The Growth Leader

Endorsement

“This book is one-part true-life adventure story, and one-part lifereframing handbook. It’s as if the ghosts of Ernest Hemmingway and Ernest Shackleton teamed up with Brené Brown to help you reinterpret all the changes and disruptions that have led you to where you are today, and reimagine who you can still be tomorrow.” —Nick Tasler, best-selling author, Your Year of Wonders; contributing writer, Harvard Business Review; internationally acclaimed thought leader; organizational psychologist; keynote speaker

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey is hands-down one of the greatest thought-leaders and facilitators in the world. The Epic of You reflects his hard-earned experience, reflection, and deep wisdom. As a climbing partner once said, ‘growth ain’t easy.’ Instead, it is a tumultuous process of endings and renewals, death and rebirth. Peter brilliantly reveals this archetypal map that enables us to rip the crust away and live more honestly and heroically, reframing our stories of victimization and tragedy into beauty, power, and purpose.” —Erik Weihenmayer, blind adventurer and climber; keynote speaker; cofounder, No Barriers USA; host, No Barriers Podcast; author, Touch the Top of the World

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey is a mensch: a man of integrity & honor. His book is a real, raw, and relatable heroic journey that is a gift to all who read it.” —Craig and Patricia Neal, cofounders, Center for Purposeful Leadership; coauthors, The Art of ConveningTM

Endorsement

“In The Epic of You, Peter Bailey is our master guide, illuminating the path to wholeness with great humility and hard-won skill. Using his own full life as a template, like an alchemist he shows us how to turn the raw, sometimes painful stuff of our own lives into the gold of true self. This is a courageous, inevitable journey, for what else is there but to live this one life with as much fullness, gracefulness, and joy as we possibly can?” —Henry Emmons, MD, author, The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey is like the modern-day Mr. Miyagi—reminding us that we have choices. Those choices are our own to explore, learn from, discard, or enhance. And it’s never too late to set a new course or take a ride on ourselves as we authentically follow the guide within.” —Roshini Rajkumar, crisis strategist; podcast host, The Crisis Files; keynote speaker

Endorsement

“Peter is a true modern-day renaissance man—grounded in integrity, driven to act, and genuinely kind. He lives what he believes, and I admire that.” —Mark Walinske, executive director KidSightsTM; cofounder and former chairman of the board, CycleHealth; former VP of Innovation and R&D, Optum Health; founder and co-owner, Margo+Lola Fly Fishing School

Endorsement

“As author Peter Bailey so earnestly and rightly puts it, this book is like finding a message in a bottle, one that will throw you a lifeline to save you from drowning in doubts and negativity, float a way of making you the hero of your life story, give you a hold on the true treasure of your experiences, and calm the waves of uncertainty as you move toward an astonishing truth . . . your life is heroic!” —Dr. Ronda Beaman, director of Leadership Studies, Cal Poly State University; chief creative officer, PEAK Learning, Inc.; executive director, DreamMakers SLO; author; executive coach

Endorsement

“To refer to Peter Bailey merely as a consultant is to misrepresent him entirely. He is a wise and empathetic observer of the human condition. His goal—helping people and the organizations they inhabit to become more human—is not only noble, but one he has achieved many times over. In this era of unrest and AI-driven disconnection, The Epic of You arrives as a much-needed collection of insights and experiences, filtered through the author’s deep wisdom, abiding humanity, and sincere belief that we can become better—and that we must.” —Peter Himmelman, Grammy and Emmy nominated singer-songwriter and visual artist; award-winning author, Let Me Out; founder, Big Muse

Endorsement

“If you seek peace of soul, or simply to suck the marrow out of the unknown remains of your life, The Epic of You is the missing piece. Peter Bailey inspires and guides us to a brighter, happier, more resilient future by reframing and mining the rich ore of our deeply flawed past. Thanks to this book, your heroic journey may have just begun!” —Paul G. Stoltz, PhD, founder and CEO, PEAK Learning, Inc.; author

Endorsement

“Filled with rich storytelling and vulnerability, Peter Bailey nicely reframes his life using the powerful Heroic Journey Mindset. A poet, adventurer, learner, and spiritual advisor, Peter presents a compelling case to reframe certain histories into new, empowering, and transformational narratives. Peter and his book, The Epic of You, have improved my life. It’s a must-read.” —Jeff Steinke, senior vice president of REM & RBS, Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Endorsement

“The Epic of You is a generous, gutsy guide for anyone brave enough to ask, ‘What now?’ If you’ve ever stood at the edge of possibility wondering, ‘Is there more?’, you know the complex mix of emotions and obstacles that must be navigated. Peter Bailey helps us do exactly that through his honest, sometimes heartbreaking, and often hilarious exploration of life’s pivotal moments. Above all, Peter inspires us to take ownership of our stories—to transform the weight we carry into something powerful that creates real change for ourselves and others.” —Laura Best, keynote speaker; author, Born to Buzz; founder, Passion Collective.

Endorsement

“This guidebook is more than an epic adventure memoir—it’s a mindset map inspired by Peter’s remarkable life. It reveals how life’s unexpected turns can be reframed from doubt into fuel for growth, purpose, and ongoing self-discovery. If you’re ready to turn inward and build a life that’s more whole, fulfilling, and meaningful with each passing year, don’t just read this book—live it.” —Tom Wiese, founder, Wiese Law Firm, Studio/E LLC, ASCENT

Endorsement

“Peter’s creativity flows throughout this book. The license plate on his car reads ‘CREATE,’ and that’s how Peter leads his life. If you want to CREATE (or at least explore) the life of your dreams, this book is a must-read.” —Jeff Prouty, chairman and founder, The Prouty Project

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey is as real as an author can be. Both insightful and well educated, he combines the lowest points of his history with the zenith of his growth, and what results is this thoroughly engaging work. I was pulled in from the first page and I could see and feel everything he was describing. Highly recommended!” —Jeff Dayton, country songwriter and artist; bandleader, Glen Campbell

Endorsement

“The Epic of You is a rare and generous offering—a guidebook for reframing your past and reclaiming your power. Peter charts a course through trauma, addiction, self-doubt, and shame, transforming each into a source of strength, compassion, and purpose. Drawing on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, and his own unforgettable life experiences, Peter invites us to revisit our stories not as victims, but as authors of a life reclaimed. This is a guide forged in fire—full of hard-earned wisdom, shared with care and clarity.” —Tom Peterson, publisher, The Creative Company

Endorsement

“The prism of reflection offers understanding and healing that can embolden our future, yet many of us are left in the lowlands with no map. Peter Bailey has captured the essence of this intricate rhythm and generously offers us all the possibility of a new path marked by a compassionate reimagining of ourselves and others with a renewed understanding of our shared humanity and inherent gifts. The poignant writing, penned with humility and grace, about his own adventuresome life twinned with the skill of a world-class facilitator, opens the door with encouragement to bravely explore and integrate the many streams of our own lives.” —Ann Cahill, MA, director, The John O’Donohue Legacy Partnership

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey has written a book that is incredibly honest, inspiring, and full of ideas and applications that will help you soar to new heights of the human experience. Be ready, however, to work. The Epic of You is for the reader who is willing to explore what it takes to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.” —David McNally, CPAE; professional speaker; author, If You’re Alive; member, Speakers Hall of Fame

Endorsement

“We all carry stories that seem to define us in limiting ways. Peter Bailey’s The Epic of You is a powerful reminder that we are the authors of our own narratives. Through his unflinching examination of trauma, addiction, and loss, Bailey demonstrates how our most difficult experiences can become our greatest gifts. This book will change how you see your past—and more importantly, how you approach your future.” —Laura King, career and alignment strategist; author, Shine Brighter

Endorsement

“Peter Bailey, with his brave sharing, authenticity, and courage, invites us to take The Hero’s Journey. He guides us to be the author and the hero—each of us—of our own wonderful life—whatever age we are. As we all face this time of growing uncertainty and plate-shifting change, Peter is the guide you want. Walk through your heroic journey with one who has taken the path and is living it now—today.” —David O’Fallon, former CEO, MacPhail Center for Music; former executive director, Minnesota Humanities Center

Endorsement

“Peter offers a beautifully written, vulnerable, intimate account of two versions of his life. One version is dramas, good and bad, as experienced in the moment, always engaging, and sometimes death-defying. The second is reframed in the narrative of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey. This is the guide he would have appreciated when he was a young man trying to make sense of life, and that he continues to use as a mature elder facing new adventures into the unknown. As friends and colleagues, we can attest that Peter embodies the wisdom he offers.” —William Stockton, PhD & Marjorie Herdes, copresidents and cofounders, Mobius, Inc.: Partners for Strategic Change

Endorsement

“Peter is an incredibly gifted writer who demonstrates tremendous vulnerability as he guides us through his lifetime of heroic journeys. He provides a clear outline to the reader to help them rewrite the narratives of their lives. Let him become one of your allies to help you navigate your own life challenges.” —Corey Jensen, DDS, dentist, Smile Design Dentistry

Endorsemnt

“In The Epic of You, Peter Bailey describes his harrowing path from childhood trauma to a determination to live an examined, whole, and happy life. Peter’s courage and honesty in telling his story is a gift to all struggling to find their way out of darkness.” —Leigh H. Bailey, MA, CEO and founder, The Bailey Group

Author(s)

Peter H. Bailey

Peter engages business leaders and teams in transformational learning experiences to enhance the capacity, skills, and systems needed in today’s rapidly-evolving relational platforms. He is a change agent. With over 40 years of practice that has included extensive travel and work in 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, he is a master designer and facilitator of experiential education and leadership development rooted in adventure, innovation, and cross-cultural communication skills. His unique and multi-faceted approach to strategic planning and leadership development is the catalyst executives and management teams use to help their people work better, and be better, in the world. You could say Peter has a “driving” passion for positive thinking; he proclaims it proudly on his car license plate, which reads: CREATE. Honk if you see him pass by. And create Peter does. As president of The Prouty Project, he develops transformational experiences that improve collaboration by helping people expand their life skills, belief systems and communication processes. He also designs and facilitates cross-cultural strategic planning and innovation programs for companies eager to help their people become more effective global team members. There’s no one better suited to the work than Peter.