From being a little girl in a village in China with polio to a tech executive at Apple, Libo Cao Meyers (曹力波) has had quite a journey in life—a journey steeped in rich family legacy and powered by determination, growth, and love. Over the years and the miles, she’s embraced her differences and has allowed no one—including herself—to set limitations on what she’s able to accomplish.
But just because she’s been successful doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Not by a long shot.
Tell us about your book.
Limp Forward, it’s a book about my life—growing up with a disability, overcoming poverty and discrimination, and achieving academic, athletic, and professional success. It’s a book about resilience, determination, and perseverance. It’s a book for readers who are interested in stories of overcoming adversity and achieving success.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book?
By immersing oneself in the author’s life experiences, characterized by remarkable resilience in the face of obstacles such as disability, being a first-generation immigrant, and being a woman in the technology industry, readers can gain valuable insights and inspiration. The author’s unwavering determination serves as a reminder that it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success, despite facing numerous challenges.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be?
I would put this book in comparison to Spare by Prince Harry. It’s interesting to see how two memoirs were written by two people who came from totally different backgrounds—privileged and unprivileged, Western and Asian, through their own life journeys, finding their paths in life.
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book?
There could be many reasons why someone might choose to read Limp Forward. For example, they may be inspired by stories of people who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve success in their lives. The book could serve as a source of motivation and encouragement for readers who are currently facing challenges or looking to achieve their own goals. Additionally, the memoir might appeal to those interested in issues related to disability, poverty, and discrimination, and how these factors can shape an individual’s life experiences. The book may also simply be of interest to readers who enjoy personal stories of perseverance and triumph. Lastly, this book is written with a sense of humor, which makes it a really fun read.
Who is your target audience?
Women, people ages 25 and up, Silicon Valley, the Asian American community, people with disability. People who are underprivileged and interested in self-improvement, self-growth, and seeking success in their lives. They would feel less alone, they would have more strength and confidence to push forward in their journey to get to their own goals.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage?
Of course, my heritage played a significant role in shaping my writing and my approach to life. You can see it throughout the book, starting from stories passed down from thousands of years ago to my parents’ stories. I used all of those experiences to my advantage by cultivating a strong sense of determination, resilience, and perseverance. Now I am able to share this with this world, and hopefully create a positive impact on my readers.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
It’s when people come up to me and tell me that they really loved my stories and this book inspired them to chase after their own success with perseverance and determination.
How would you describe your writing style?
Many readers told me that when they read my stories, it felt like a movie playing in front of them. So I’d say maybe my writing style is cinematic or very visual. During the time I was writing this book, I felt like those stories just happened yesterday and it’s vividly playing in front of me. It was such a fun journey just writing it.
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it?
I just hope the book can reach the people who could really use it to find the strength to deal with their own adversity. I want them to not feel that they are alone.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
I welcome virtual events where I could meet my readers.
