At a Glance
- ESPN host Victoria Arlen will release The View Is Worth It in spring 2026
- The book details her struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicide ideation
- Arlen hopes the memoir acts as “a hug” for readers facing similar challenges
- Why it matters: The Olympian’s candor adds a high-profile voice to youth mental-health conversations
Victoria Arlen, Olympic gold-medalist swimmer and ESPN host, is preparing to publish a new book that chronicles her private mental-health battles amid a very public life of triumph and relapse. According to News Of Los Angeles, the memoir-titled The View Is Worth It: Unlocking the Beauty in Life’s Peaks and Valleys-will arrive in spring 2026 from publisher David C Cook.
From Coma to Champion
Arlen first made headlines at age 11 when she was diagnosed with two rare neurological disorders in 2006. She spent four years in what the book description calls a “vegetative state” before beginning an arduous recovery. Her perseverance led to:
- A gold medal for Team USA in the 2012 Paralympic Games
- A role as one of ESPN’s youngest reporters
- A fifth-place finish on the 2017 season of Dancing with the Stars
After the show, Arlen suffered a relapse and undertook another round of recovery, details that will be explored in the forthcoming memoir.
Hidden Struggles Behind the Spotlight
While audiences celebrated her victories, Arlen privately battled anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts. She describes carrying the burden of being seen as “the successful survivor,” a label that masked a deepening internal crisis. The pressure of maintaining a polished public image eventually landed her in what she terms “Rock-Bottomville,” a period she examines candidly in the book.
This isn’t her first time sharing personal adversity. In 2018 she released Locked In: The Will to Survive and the Resolve to Live, a memoir focused on her medical ordeal and physical rehabilitation. The new book, however, shifts focus squarely onto psychological well-being, situating her story within a broader youth mental-health crisis.
A “Real-Time Guide” for Readers
Marcus L. Bennett reports that The View Is Worth It blends memoir with practical advice. Arlen’s goal is to equip readers with tools to navigate their own peaks and valleys. In an interview with News Of Los Angeles, she outlined her intentions:
> “For those who, like me, silently struggled for so long, I hope this book is like a hug, letting people know that it’s okay to not be okay and that there is a way to climb that mountain that feels so impossible.”
She elaborates that the memoir is “meant to encourage readers: that no matter what you’re going through, no matter how tough the climb, the sun will shine again and the view-is totally worth it.”
Exclusive First Look
News Of Los Angeles exclusively unveiled the book’s cover, photographed by Micah Kandros. The image shows Arlen against a mountain backdrop, a visual nod to the uphill journey she describes in its pages. The publisher, David C Cook, has set the release for spring 2026, although the exact date has not been announced.
Arlen emphasizes the timeliness of the project, noting she wants the work to serve as a “real-time guide” for anyone confronting mental-health challenges. She stresses the importance of community and transparent dialogue, telling News Of Los Angeles:
> “I hope my book can be a real-time guide to help with a tough journey, reminding each person that you’re not alone in this.”
Key Takeaways
- Victoria Arlen’s upcoming memoir arrives spring 2026, blending personal narrative with mental-health strategies
- The book confronts her experiences with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicide ideation head-on
- Arlen positions the memoir as both comfort and roadmap for readers in crisis
- Fans first learned of the project through News Of Los Angeles‘s exclusive cover reveal, heightening anticipation among supporters who have followed her journey since her 2012 Paralympic triumphs
