LIFE IS SHORT, DON’T WAIT TO DANCE is a thought-provoking, fun journey through the personal stories and anecdotes of the 35-year career of a dancer/choreographer turned athletic coach. Included are Valorie Kondos Field's favorite memories of her mentor, legendary basketball coach John Wooden, as well as unforgettable stories of the Olympians and athletes with whom she’s worked.

Valorie Kondos Field is head coach of the seven-time NCAA Champion, 22-time Regional and 18- time Pac 12 Champion UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team. One of only two active coaches to be inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010, the four-time “National Coach of the Year” was recently named “West Region Coach” of the Year and Pac 12 “Coach of the Century” for her solid track record as a preeminent coach.

Affectionately known by her gymnasts as “Miss Val,” her reputation is only one reason that 46 former US national team members have come through her program and why half of the last two Olympic teams have committed to UCLA. Valorie’s coaching success is due to her extraordinary leadership and mentorship of young student-athletes, and the way in which she uses gymnastics as an avenue through which to teach valuable life lessons.