Library hosts book launch for ‘The Choice Point’

The Freeport Memorial Library hosted the highly anticipated book launch for “The Choice Point,” a groundbreaking publication that introduces a scientifically proven method for conquering mental obstacles and attaining personal aspirations.

Authors Joanna Grover and Jonathan Rhodes were on hand to commemorate the occasion.

Grover, a native of Freeport, garnered recognition as a board-certified member of the International Coaching Federation and a fellow with the prestigious Harvard Institute of Coaching. Her contributions to the field of mental health, particularly through her work in functional imagery training, have been widely acclaimed. Notably, Grover was the pioneering cognitive therapist and coach who introduced the imagery training in the United States.

Grover earned a degree in communications from Syracuse University and a master’s in social work from NYU.

Her deep-rooted connections to the Freeport community have spanned decades, with her family playing a prominent role. Her mother, Rosemary Grover, came up with the description “Nautical Mile” for Woodcliff Avenue in the 1960s, while her father, Al Grover, achieved fame for his historic 3,000-mile journey from Canada to Portugal aboard a 26-foot Groverbuilt skiff named the Spirit of Freeport. Grover is also the founder of Operations Splash, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of Long Island South Shore bays, waterways and beaches.

Rhodes, Grover’s co-author, is from England, and collaborated with her on this transformative project. Rhodes explained the concept of a “choice point” and its pervasive influence on individuals in their daily lives.

“I think the choice points happen first thing in the morning,” Rhodes said. “You can try and navigate those initial decisions and then set your day up a lot more effectively. For me it’s actually starting my choices the evening before, like going for a run on the evening before, the week before. It’s a kind of healthy thinking.”

“The Choice Point” serves as a guiding resource, helping readers to explore the externalization of their own value and understand the potential impact of their dreams on others. The authors aim for readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery while setting attainable goals and establishing personal boundaries.

Grover revealed that she struggled a lot when it came to writing the book but, Rhodes helped her understand the process. Despite their different writing styles and diverse backgrounds in the field of psychology, they successfully collaborated to produce the final product.

“As we tell stories in the book, whether you’re training to be a Royal British Commando, the images that you keep in your mind or whether you’re going to finish that course if you’re elaborating on the boarding and pain, you’re likely to give up but if you keep something in your mind that you’re going towards, because this is important to you then you’re five times more likely to succeed,” Grover said.

“The Choice Point” has generated substantial interest from multinational corporations and athletes. Additionally, the book has received a nomination for inclusion in Malcolm Gladwell’s esteemed Next Big Idea Club.

Although Grover received invitations to host the book launch on a yacht in the south of France or in the prestigious Hamptons, she deliberately chose Freeport to create a homecoming atmosphere.

“I think Freeport has so many cool things going for it, that it is diverse, that it’s gone through the struggle,” Grover said. “It’s gone through floods, it’s gone through so much and it keeps reinventing itself. That is how you get a stronger ecosystem. That’s how you get a stronger community, as long as you can listen, not judge and have a common image that you’re working towards. I think Freeport is an amazing place.”

“The Choice Point” is available in a hardcopy at Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. The book is also available in an e-book format as well as audio.