The Foreword is written by Alison Overholt, editor-in-chief of ESPN The Magazine and espnW. Overholt reflects on the contrast between Madison’s seemingly perfect life and her inner struggles. Overholt articulates the intentions of the book: to educate people on mental health issues as a way of changing the narrative around mental health.

Chapter 1 introduces us to Madison Holleran, a student athlete at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). What Made Maddy Run opens with a reconstruction of the last few days of Madison Holleran’s life. The story begins the night before Madison returns for her second semester at the University of Pennsylvania. Madison breaks her iPhone, shattering the screen. The next day, her father, Jim, drives her back to school. Madison doesn’t want to go back to school, and Jim struggles to help her. A few days earlier, Jim went with Madison to a counseling appointment, where she admitted that she had suicidal thoughts. Jim is worried but believes that a change of scenery—transferring to Vanderbilt—will make Madison feel like herself again. Madison reflects, “Second semester will get better, had to get better,” trying to convince herself” (14).

Madison and Jim meet Ingrid Hung, a good friend of Madison’s and a fellow student athlete, for lunch.