Iron Heart cover art

Iron Heart

The True Story of How I Came Back from the Dead

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Iron Heart

By: Brian Boyle, Bill Katovsky
Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth
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About this listen

Iron Heart is the first-person account of his ordeal and his miraculous comeback.

On the way home from swim practice, 18-year-old athlete Brian Boyle’s future changed in an instant when a dump truck plowed into his Camaro. He was airlifted to a shock-trauma hospital. He had lost sixty percent of his blood, his heart had moved across his chest, and his organs and pelvis were pulverized. He was placed in a medically-induced coma. When Brian finally emerged from the coma two months later, he had no memory of the accident. He could see and hear, but not move or talk. Unable to communicate to his doctors, nurses, or frantic parents, he heard words like “vegetable” and “nursing home.” If he lived, doctors predicted he might not be able to walk again, and certainly not swim. Then, miraculously, Brian clawed his way back to the living. First blinking his eyelids, then squeezing a hand, then smiling, he gradually emerged from his locked-in state. The former swimmer and bodybuilder had lost one hundred pounds.

Iron Heart is the first-person account of his ordeal and his miraculous comeback. With enormous fortitude he learned to walk, then run, and eventually, to swim. With his dream of competing in the Ironman Triathlon spurring him on, Brian defied all odds, and three and a half years after his accident, crossed the finish line in Kona, Hawaii. Brian’s inspiring journey from coma to Kona is brought to life in his acclaimed memoir.

©2009, 2011 Brian Boyle (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
Sports Swimming

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Editor reviews

Robin Bloodworth's gravelly baritone engagingly performs the story of Brian Boyle's miraculous recovery from a car accident that left him with injuries so serious he had to be put into a medical coma. Boyle woke up two months later unable to move or talk and, in this memoir, Bloodworth expresses Boyle's inner voice with charm, revealing the vitality still pulsing within his disabled body. Despite the gravity of his physical condition, Boyle managed to beat the odds and achieve an inspiring comeback in only a few years. Listeners will find themselves moved by Bloodworth, who makes Boyle's every frustration and every joy feel immediate and convincing.

All stars
Most relevant
What an absolute delight to read of a young man so determined to succeed against all odds. It was humbling to read the comeback story.

Courage and determination

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I felt myself overcome with emotion with this very well written biography. Amazing what this young man overcame & conquered. I wonder what he’s doing now …….

Inspirational

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A Really interesting and inspiring story - a great listen. Extremely absorbing and engaging. Great listen!

Loved it

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Very good story , enjoyed this booked , just shows what you can overcome if you are focused and put the work in

You can

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Wow, what a story. loved it from the first opening lines. I've completed Ironman triathlons and know exactly what it takes. This story is so inspiring.

Unbelievably inspiring story

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