Suzette Howe’s “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon” to Be Displayed at a Book Festival at Printers Row, Chicago

The self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet will exhibit “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon,” a sports memoir by Suzette Howe, at a book festival at Printers Row in Chicago. This free, outdoor literary festival will take place along South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells Drive to Polk Street, on September 12-13, 2026.

What if the most dangerous arena isn’t the octagon — it’s life itself? “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon” draws readers deep into the world of professional MMA fighters, exploring their relentless battles both inside and outside the octagon. Over the course of a decade, this book uncovers the unfiltered realities—discipline, sacrifice, and the bonds of brotherhood—that shape these athletes’ lives. Through intimate storytelling and firsthand accounts, readers experience the emotional highs and lows, witnessing how adversity and competition forge not only champions but also men searching for purpose and connection beyond the sport.

More than a chronicle of athletic achievement, “Broken Before Battle” reveals how the struggles faced in the octagon mirror those in everyday life. For eight extraordinary fighters and coaches, the real fight never happened inside a cage. It happened in broken homes, on dangerous streets, in moments of quiet despair — and they came out the other side with something powerful to say. They rise to become devoted fathers, sons, and leaders within their communities. Through setbacks and comebacks, the book demonstrates how resilience, hope, and transformation are possible— Whether you’re an MMA fan, a parent, a coach, or simply someone who has faced their own battle — this book will challenge you, move you, and ignite something that refuses to quit.

Suzette Howe is a published author, Certified Professional Integrative Coach, and marketing entrepreneur. She is also the mother of UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz and a martial artist herself, holding a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do with training in Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. After watching her son make a historic comeback in 2014, she created the “Broken Before Battle” trilogy, born of one conviction: the real stories of MMA had never truly been told. Changing Lives Outside the Octagon chronicles eight fighters and coaches changing their communities.

Beyond the page, she coaches women navigating burnout and transition, helping them move from survival to significance. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, has been married for 30 years, and has three adult children living their dreams around the world.

Experience inspiring stories of transformation and resilience in “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon.” Get a copy now on Amazon.

Visit the ReadersMagnet exhibit at the book festival at Printers Row at to check out the book display.

Author’s Biography:
Suzette Howe is a published author, Certified Professional Integrative Coach, and marketing entrepreneur with decades of experience. As the mother of UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz and a martial artist herself, she brings a unique perspective to her storytelling. Inspired by her son’s comeback, Suzette created the “Broken Before Battle” trilogy to share the untold stories of resilience and transformation in the MMA community. Her book, “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon,” highlights the journeys of fighters who rise above adversity to make a positive impact beyond the cage. In addition to her writing, Suzette coaches women through life transitions and lives in Tucson, Arizona with her family.

Book Details
Book Title: “Broken Before Battle: Changing Lives Outside the Octagon”
Author: Suzette Howe
Genre: Memoir or Biographies
Publisher: ShowUhow2 Media
Published Date: 6/16/2018

Contact Information

ReadersMagnet

Publishing and Marketing

ReadersMagnet LLC

Info@readersmagnet.com