In this genre-defying, deeply personal and ultimately inspiring memoir, Grow or Fold redefines what it means to thrive in MidLife and Beyond.
With honesty, insight, and a toolkit forged in fire, Matt Ross, former CEO of School of Rock and architect of One River School, invites you into his story of transformation, resilience, and purpose.
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At fifty, faced with personal catastrophe and professional upheaval, Ross chose growth over surrender. This book is his blueprint–and your invitation–to do the same.
Through raw storytelling and practical wisdom, Grow or Fold helps you navigate the turbulence of change with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn how to take inventory of your life, reconnect with you core values, and design a future that reflects your most authentic self.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply ready for more, this book is your call to action. Because in the face of adversity, there really is only one choice: Grow or Fold?
If you're at a crossroads in your life, this book will show you how to move forward on your terms.
MEL ROBBINS, New York Times bestselling author of The Let Them Theory and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast
In this genre-defying, deeply personal and ultimately inspiring book, Grow or Fold redefines what it means to thrive in MidLife and Beyond.
With honesty, insight, and a toolkit forged in fire, Matt Ross, former CEO of School of Rock and architect of One River School, invites you into his story of transformation, resilience, and purpose.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply ready for more, this book is your call to action. Because in the face of adversity, there really is only one choice: GROW OR FOLD?
In this genre-defying, deeply personal and ultimately inspiring book, Grow or Fold redefines what it means to thrive in MidLife and Beyond.
With honesty, insight, and a toolkit forged in fire, Matt Ross, former CEO of School of Rock and architect of One River School, invites you into his story of transformation, resilience, and purpose.
At fifty, faced with personal catastrophe and professional upheaval, Ross chose growth over surrender. This book is his blueprint–and your invitation–to do the same.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or simply ready for more, this book is your call to action. Because in the face of adversity, there really is only one choice: GROW OR FOLD?
About Matt
Music and Art are hard wired into Matt’s heart and soul. Over the last 20 years, he has been at the forefront of creative education, building and leading two of the most innovative consumer education brands in the world. Since 2012, he has been the Founder and CEO of One River School, a company whose mission it is to “Transform Art Education®” in America. Prior to One River School, Mr. Ross was the CEO of School of Rock, where he led the company from an early-stage venture into the world leader in music education for kids.
About Matt
Music and Art are hard wired into Matt’s heart and soul. Over the last 20 years, he has been at the forefront of creative education, building and leading two of the most innovative consumer education brands in the world.
Since 2012, he has been the Founder and CEO of One River School, a company whose mission it is to “Transform Art Education®” in America. Prior to One River School, Mr. Ross was the CEO of School of Rock, where he led the company from an early-stage venture into the world leader in music education for kids.
Entrepreneur
One River School
Founded by Matt Ross in 2012 in Englewood, NJ, “one river” west of New York City, One River School has embarked on a mission to “transform art education®” in America. The company built a proprietary method focused on having fun and generating compelling art and digital design outcomes to people of all ages and all skill levels.
One River has become the voice of contemporary art in its communities by “teaching through the lens of living artists” in a state-of-the-art facility. Today, One River operates 15 schools in 6 states with plans for substantial growth over the next five years, while also delivering on its mission to “be the best place to work in the arts.”
School of Rock
School of Rock is the world’s largest multi-location music school in the world. Today, the company has 400 locations in 16 different countries and has written the book on performance-based music education for Teens and Kids.
Under Matt’s leadership from 2005-2010, the School of Rock grew from 5 to 55 locations, secured deals for an additional 50 schools, and became synonymous for performance-based music education in America. In 2009, Matt led the sale of a majority stake of School of Rock to Sterling Partners, and Matt remained an investor and multi-unit franchise operator until he and Sterling exited in 2023 with the sale of the company to Roark Capital.
My Purpose:
To Help You Find Your Magic
and Your Creative Inspiration
I am inspired to help people to “find their magic,” which really comes down to understanding “what you love to do” and “what you are best at.”
With over twenty years building creative education businesses, I believe that “creative growth is the X factor” for enhancing brain function as we age, and it is my passion to help people find their creative inspiration.
My Purpose:
To Help You Find Your Magic
and Your Creative Inspiration
I am inspired to help people to “find their magic,” which really comes down to understanding “what you love to do” and “what you are best at.”