Today we talk about Shadows on the Mat, a book by Alexander T. Richmond published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Alexander T. Richmond to get to know him better, what prompted him to the writing of his autobiographical book Shadows on the Mat, as well as what he would suggest to the people who are in search of a transformation but are afraid of changing.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What prompted to the writing of your autobiographical book?
While this story is drawn from my own life—including my time as a political prisoner in East Germany and my journey to becoming a Jiu-Jitsu world champion—I did not write it to step into the spotlight. I wrote it to serve as a bridge for others. By framing these experiences as a novel, I have sought to protect the raw truth of the events while providing a universal roadmap for anyone feeling crushed by the weight of their own history. My primary motivation is to offer the hard-won lessons that eventually made my life workable and sustainable: the transformative power of forgiveness, the necessity of questioning our perceived reality, and the relentless practice of integrity. For too many victims of the regime, their stories will never be heard. I write for them, and for my family, who endured the fallout of my internal breakdowns before I learned to apply the discipline of the mat to the complexities of the soul. This book is an invitation to move from survival to fulfillment, proving that while they may have tried to destroy us, they failed.
- What is the message you want to convey with your story?
The central message I want to convey is that while we cannot control the external forces that attempt to break us, we can master the internal “workability” of our lives. My story is a testament to the fact that survival is only the first step; the ultimate goal is to move from a state of resistance to a state of integrity and peace. I want readers to understand that life is not a series of events to be managed, but a practice to be refined. Through my journey from an East German prison to the Jiu-Jitsu world stage, I learned that freedom is found in the power of forgiveness and the courage to question our own beliefs. I want to show that it is possible to stop “ducking under the invisible ceilings” we create for ourselves and instead learn to “soften our grip” on the past. Ultimately, the message is one of radical responsibility: by bringing integrity into our current moment, we make our lives not just sustainable, but profoundly successful and fulfilled.
- What would you suggest to the people who are in search of a transformation and at the same time, are afraid of changing?
To those standing at the edge of transformation but paralyzed by fear, I suggest a fundamental shift in perspective: Recognize that change is the only constant in life. Resisting it is a choice that traps us, draining the energy we need to move forward. Fear and faith both exist in the domain of the unknown, yet we often default to fear. I invite you to choose faith—not as a religious dogma, but as a propellant toward the realm of possibility. We are the creators of our own life experiences. Transformation does not require a leap into the void; it involves restoring integrity and workability. When our lives become unsustainable, we must stop “tightening our grip” on old patterns and instead practice consistency. Desirable outcomes are not products of luck, but of a strong mindset and the refusal to give up. By shifting your energy from the maintenance of fear to the practice of faith, you move from being a victim of your history to the architect of a fulfilled, successful life. The choice to stand where you are, with a softened grip, is where true mastery begins.
- How did it feel to “read” your life on the pages of your book?
Reading my story on these pages was a grueling, decades-long exercise in both endurance and cleansing. Because I spent years writing and rewriting to ensure every lesson was precise, I was forced to relive my most painful experiences over and over again. At times, the weight of the past felt as heavy as it did when I was living it. However, that pain was constantly balanced by a growing sense of profound relief. Writing this was never about pride; it was about refining my own “breakdowns” into a manual for “workability.” Seeing my journey from a political prisoner to a world champion laid out in print finally transformed my private suffering into a public offering. It gave me hope. I realized that by documenting the practice of forgiveness and the discipline of integrity, I was creating a roadmap for others. To read these pages now is to see that while the regime tried to destroy me, the story survived to serve a higher purpose: helping others find the strength to stand exactly where they are.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
Yes, I am currently immersed in a new project titled The Energy Pool – Echoes from the Source: The Softened Grip and the Art of Standing Where You Are. This work explores a transformative period following a near-death experience, which propelled me into deep research regarding spiritual beliefs and the mechanics of the human mindset. While my first book documented my survival and physical mastery, this new project focuses on the internal evidence I discovered for living powerfully and fulfilled, even when the external world feels heavy. I share the specific lessons I learned during this search—concepts like “the softened grip”—which I continue to practice daily. It is a guide for anyone looking to move beyond mere endurance toward a state of actual workability and peace. By bridging the gap between spiritual inquiry and practical application, I aim to show that we are the conscious creators of our experiences. My goal is to provide readers with the same tools I used to overcome my own breakdowns, proving that anyone can learn to stand firmly and freely in their own reality.
Europe Books thanks the author Alexander T. Richmond once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Shadows on the Mat. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, may this book provide you with food for thought to live your life as a journey and gain peace and satisfaction along the way.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your Editor!