Book Review: Iron Heart - The True Story Of How I Came Back From The Dead
I recently read Brian Boyle’s book Iron Heart, about how he came back from a devastating, near-fatal car crash to become a finisher at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Brian was a competitive swimmer and bodybuilder at the time of his accident. His excellent fitness helped him to survive the crash, when a dump truck hit the car he was driving, crushing his body the wreckage. He also received excellent emergency medical care and a total of 36 blood transfusions and 13 plasma treatments, after losing 60% of his blood in the accident.
Iron Heart describes Brian’s terrifying ordeal, as he wakes up after 2 months in a medically-induced coma to find himself trapped inside his own body, unable to move or communicate. He endures many months of exhausting physical therapy to be able to walk again.
Brian wasn’t satisfied with just being able to walk, however. His competitive spirit drives him to rebuild his body and begin to compete in triathons, eventually leading him to compete at the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Brian’s story demonstrates how resilient the human body is and how it can recover from even the most devastating injuries.
Brian is now a motivational speaker for the American Red Cross, sharing how blood donations from dozens of people helped to save his life, and encouraging more people to donate blood. I’m a regular blood donor, having donated more than 64 units of blood. I try to donate at least 4 units of blood a year, working around my racing and training schedule.
If you haven’t donated blood recently or if you have never donated, click this link to find a blood drive near you and schedule an appointment to make a donation today. Your donation will help to save a life of someone like Brian Boyle.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Iron Heart for review.
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