American Fencer - Modern Lessons from an Ancient Sport

Master fencing, master life.

From the scrappy underdog with the choppy, unconventional technique, to the Olympic Silver medalist competing against the world’s best, Tim Morehouse’s story is one of grit, drive, and perseverance. Growing up in New York City’s Washington Heights at the height of the 1980s crack epidemic, Tim battled for acceptance and recognition, only to find himself at a Division-III college, where he knew his potential wasn’t being fully met. Returning to his old stomping grounds after graduation, he taught for Teach for America until his evening fencing trainings earned him enough international points to scratch his way onto the U.S. Olympic Fencing Team.

American Fencer is the unlikely story of a determined youth, breaking out of his environment to follow his dream. Through unremitting mentors and a myriad of maxed-out credit cards, Morehouse finds himself as a contradiction to his surroundings. Never fitting in, never feeling adequate, his biggest battle is with himself.

Morehouse uses fencing as the metaphor for life; by overcoming his obstacles in fencing, he found the courage to apply the same methods to his own life. Behind the mask, he could be anyone. He continually feels a need to prove his self-worth: not only to others, but to himself. “I realized there was nothing to win or lose but myself.” Gradually he learned that excuses make success impossible.

Whether or not you’ve ever picked up a foil, an epée, or a saber, Tim’s story speaks to all of us who expected to one day find meaning in our career, in our life, in our goals. This memoir doesn’t dance around the fact that sometimes life is a struggle—it proves that through discipline and hard work, these dreams are attainable.