There was a time when it felt like the best job in the world. The energy of game nights. The thrill of the deal. The behind-the-scenes access and the ego-stroking perks. You felt like a somebody. Hell, you were a somebody! Drinks after work, suite nights with clients, inside jokes in the sales pit. This was the life.

It was the ultimate dream job.
Until it wasn't.
The Sales Pit is a raw, unapologetic dive into the underbelly of professional sports sales — before mental health mattered, before burnout had a name, and long before cancel culture called bullshit on toxic behaviour.
It was an era where bravado was currency, vulnerability was weakness, and the grind never stopped. Toughness wasn't just expected — it was required. Silence was survival and speaking up could cost you everything.
This book rips the mask off toxic masculinity, burnout culture, and the silent suffering of men told to “tough it out” at any cost. It's about the high of the hustle and the crash that inevitably follows. The hidden toll of always being “on” and what's left when the act finally breaks you.
Nobody warned us about the exhaustion. The pressures. The fractured relationships and the slow erosion of one's self. But what kept most of us going wasn't the titles or the commissions. It was each other. The late-night beers, the dark humour and most importantly, the found family in the sales pit.
Because in the end, it was never about the deals. It was always about the people. Real strength wasn't faking it until you made it, it was standing together, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, speaking up, and knowing you were not alone anymore.
Content Warning:
This book discusses topics related to men's mental health, including depression, anxiety, dark thoughts and suicidal ideation. Some readers may find these themes distressing or triggering. If you are struggling, please consider seeking support from a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.

Chris Mustakas

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