The youngest American to ever orbit the earth—cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux—shows us all that when we face our fears with hope and faith, extraordinary things can happen. “A potent reminder to all of us that nothing on earth—or in the heavens, for that matter—can keep us from becoming commanders of our own destiny.”—Marlo Thomas, actor, author, and national outreach director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital WINNER OF THE CHRISTOPHER AWARD In this boldly optimistic debut memoir, Hayley Arceneaux details how she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to grab hold of a life greater than she’d ever imagined. With her signature upbeat messaging, Arceneaux recounts her odyssey, from her cancer diagnosis at age ten and the yearlong treatment that inspired her goal of working with pediatric cancer patients, to living through her father’s terminal cancer diagnosis, to getting her lifelong dream job at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a physician assistant. She was sure she’d finally attained the life she wanted, and then the amazing and unimaginable happened: She was invited to go to space as a St. Jude ambassador. Throughout the book, Arceneaux encourages readers to fight for the life they want, saying, You have to hold on, because you don’t know what great thing can come and change your life. Take the chance and you will feel, and learn, and grow, and become even more you. Following your dreams can take you to dreams you didn’t know you had. Arceneaux’s uplifting story is the inspiration we all need today. She offers wisdom and lessons in courage to anyone fighting against the odds. And through it all, she reveals how resilience and faith can help us grab hold of the life we’ve always wanted and live it to the fullest. “Hayley brings the same optimism and determination to launching into space that she did overcoming childhood cancer. Her passion for life and adventure in the face of obstacles is both moving and inspiring. If challenges loom between you and your dreams, read this book and take notes!” —Cady Coleman, retired NASA astronaut “In her gripping and inspiring first memoir, Hayley Arceneaux exhibits just the right stuff that made her an overnight national darling and a shining role model for anyone who has faced adversity: bravery, resilience, optimism, faith, humor, honor—and enough heart to power a fleet of spaceships to the cosmos and beyond. Wild Ride is a potent reminder to all of us that nothing on earth—or in the heavens, for that matter—can keep us from becoming commanders of our own destiny.” —Marlo Thomas, actor, author, and national outreach director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital “ Wild Ride is an inspiring story of hope and inspiration that demonstrates that kids with cancer can go on to achieve great things. It’s a shining example for anyone looking for the motivation to keep moving forward despite their own personal challenges. Hayley Arceneaux’s vivid narratives made me feel like I was back in space. Great job, astronaut!” —Captain Scott Kelly, U.S. Navy (retired), former NASA astronaut Hayley Arceneaux is the author of  Wild Ride  and a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital physician assistant, a career she committed to at age ten, after surviving pediatric bone cancer. At age twenty-nine, she joined Inspiration4, the first all civilian orbital space mission, which launched on September 15, 2021, and successfully water-landed three days later, making her the youngest American to orbit the earth, the first pediatric cancer survivor in space, and the first astronaut with a prosthetic body part. Chapter 1 How to Pack for Outer Space September 1, 2021 L minus fourteen days Once upon a time, there was a girl who rode a Dragon to the stars . . . ​ It’s a quiet evening in Memphis, and I’m getting ready for the trip of a lifetime. “Scarlett,” I say, “in two weeks, I’m going to space.” My beautiful, fluffy, gray Aussiedoodle looks up at me with an expression of love and mild concern on her face. She’s not worried about me. She’s wondering who will watch her when I’m gone. She’s seen me pack before, and she knows that it ends with my leaving for a while. “The boys are going to take amazing care of you,” I tell my dog, knowing she’ll be safe and happy with our favorite neighbors. Her expression relaxes and I continue. She’s heard it all since the beginning of this wild year: the Dragon spacecraft, the Falcon 9 rocket, the fact that we’re going deeper into space than anyone has been in over twenty years. The two of us are quarantining at home together. SpaceX was clear that anyone who tests positive will not be boarding the spacecraft, and getting sick at this point is just not an option, because there’s no way I’m letting anything keep me from the ride of my life. I can’t wait. There’s nothing I love more than traveling to a place I’ve never been before. Plus, I hear the views are incredible. In case you’re wondering, no, this is not