Heart of Iron: My Journey from Transplant Patient to Ironman Triathlete

by Kyle Garlett

Throughout his life, there was nothing Kyle Garlett hated more than losing, and he knew early on that four diagnoses of cancer could not match his spirit of competition. His appetite for victory and success and his love of life pushed him over his health hurdles—including a bone marrow transplant, hip replacement, and a heart transplant—and into the greatest challenge of his life: the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. Kyle tells his amazing life story, beginning with his diagnosis of lymphoma and continuing through years of chemotherapy that destroyed his joints and weakened his heart, leading up to his journey to the Ironman Triathlon, in which he competed not once but twice. His miraculous recovery and athleticism are recounted, along with his becoming an Olympic torch bearer, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society spokesperson, and a motivational speaker.

325 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Aaron Maurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been spending this summer reading books that serve as inspiration to my goal of running my first marathon. I came across this title and decided to give it a try to see what I could take away from the book. I read the description and thought this will be a great story. What I was not in store for was how many operations and cancer situations Kyle had to endure. I was blown away as each time I read about his next setback in health he would fight like crazy to beat it to only have to endure another setback. This was very motivational for me. Here is a guy having to undergo so much(it really is mind blowing what he all goes through) While I complain about a marathon training program. It really put things in perspective for me. I am quite lucky to have my health and the health of my children.



Kyle serves as a perfect example of my little mantra, Getting It Done. He got it done each and every single time he was dealt a bad hand. To read his story and follow his journey as he then prepares for the Ironman is even more amazing. I cannot tell you how many times that I am out on a long run feeling tired when I think of his story and it propels me to toughen up and run.



I don't know that I would have the perseverance that he possesses both with his health and his goal of completing an Ironman.



I found this to be a great story and I hope this book falls into the hands of many because whether or not you are an athlete there is so much to be taken from his story. A great read and one that I will be encouraging others to read.

[Jim Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

An autobiography of heart transplant recipient moving on to run in the Iron-man triathlon event

see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...

[Marie Greenleaf]

Very inspirational read. It's amazing what the human body (and mind) can do when pushed to their limits.

[Amy Moritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started reading this book I realized who Kyle Garlett was. He was the dude on NBC's coverage of Ironman who was pulled out of the race because he missed the swim cutoff by seven seconds. SEVEN SECONDS. This was my own worst fear as I prepared for my first Ironman -- missing the swim cutoff. (It continues to be my biggest fear in pretty much every triathlon I do.) But I knew very little about Kyle's journey and his memoir proved sobering, inspirational and a fantastic read.

I have to admit, some of the popular culture references went over my head and even the ones I got seemed to be a bit too frequent for my personal literary taste, but his writing style is conversational, drawing the reader in with a good chat rather than a pensive and reflective memoir. While the book cover and title play up Kyle's triathlon training, the majority of the book covers his health battles from four go-rounds with cancer to a heart transplant. He went through bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy and chronicles them with truth and honesty but without too much emotional overkill. The journey he shares is not just about battling cancer or training for Ironman. It's about learning not how to "fight" but how to survive. He tells people to live each day as if it's your first, rather than your last, a different twist on knowing how important your attitude is regardless of your situation in life.

Perhaps my favorite part of the book came midway where Kyle succinctly describes his philosophy on attitude and choice:

"There will always be something big and important and stressful going on in your life. It may not be as serious or debilitating as a battle with cancer, but if it's the thing most dominating your life, it's imposing. To you it is everything, and for that you need offer no apologies. But in spite of its presence, you can always choose to be happy. It is your choice to remain positive, upbeat, and focused on the good. Your attitude is entirely within your control."

[Clark Goble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book expecting an inspirational story wrapped in the context of training for triathlons and, if I’m being honest, I got much more than expected. Kyle Garlett is a cancer survivor. His story details his first discovery of lymphoma as a high school student and the prolonged battle that followed. In spite of his battle with reoccurring cancer, Garlett managed to get a college degree and build a career for himself in sports television. I was over a hundred pages in when I realized there had been no mention of triathlons – instead, I found myself engaged in Garlett’s battle. I found myself rooting for him and stunned by the battle he fought. This story will certainly impress upon you the battle that cancer represents and you will learn to appreciate those who have fought that battle.

Garlett’s battle eventually led to a heart transplant. The treatment he received for cancer destroyed his own heart and necessitated a new one. Not only did Garlett fight that battle, he recovered. And yes, his story does eventually lead to competing in triathlons. His spirit to not only survive, but thrive, is one we can all learn from.

I highly recommend this book.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of the book was a bit difficult to follow at times, as the author interjects a number of different tangential stories through it.

Some minor points from these stories have some relevance later in the book, but seems like much of that content could have been omitted and made it easier to follow the first part. In turn, it would have also made the first part a bit more interesting and captivating.

As the book progresses, it improves significantly in that area. Kyle's bout with cancer, the side effects of the treatments, and his will to fight on to stay alive serve as a reminder to us all about the importance of perspective and fragility of our own being. It also underscores the point that nothing is impossible.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a powerful book that left me more than appreciative of (I would say amazed!) Kyle's ongoing journey, along with that of his family, as he has dealt with health issues that would overpower most of us. In addition, he has continued to overcome them as he reaches for goals that most never even seek to achieve. He writes in an informative manner with eloquence, and his spirit, determination, and accomplishments inspire all of us! This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to see the human spirit triumph!

[Heather]

4 bouts with cancer, 1 heart transplant and 2 Ironman triathlon attempts - there is no rating I could give this book other than 5 stars. Truthfully his writing style lacks the grace of that his incredible strength, courage, gratitude and survivorship exemplify, but his positive outlook in the face of what could have been insurmountable challenges is to be admired, and I hope for myself, emulated.

[Jeff Doot · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an inspirational story of cancer survival - absolutely amazing. As a story of ironman triathlete - I would say you would have to finish your race to be able to use that label. I can't imagine what it would take to perform on any level after the ravages cancer left Kyle's body. But as someone who would never call myself a marathoner until I completed the 26.2... you get the point.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was so disappointed in this book. Looked forward to reading it for so long, finally got my hands on it and was let down. As a critical care nurse who works with people waiting for heart transplants, I was hoping there would be more about that experience. This read to me more like a personal journal. Wasn't what I expected.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly remarkable story that will inspire you to look beyond your doubts and fears and discover the beauty of life. Kyle writes with such detail that it is as if you are experiencing his fear, his sorrow, his pain, and his exhilaration for life with him. A true hero to anyone struggling to find the courage to face their own reality.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a semi-cheesy inspiration memoir probably more than is healthy. This one had a great story but for a professional writer it was fairly awful. I don't know, it seemed over done and not real. I think his accomplishments are amazing and his story incredible but the book was flat and at least it was short.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a break from a boring book I was reading and this was a great switch! Haha. Kyle's story makes me feel lazy because I come up with excuses re: exercise, yet this dude beat cancer 4 times AND had a heart transplant. Wowzers. I highly recommend this book.

[Felice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book tonight. I liked the story, however, as the parent of a child who had a heart transplant it didn't address that feature of his health as much as I was looking for. It was an enjoyable read though and really brings home the importance of attitude and training.

[Cindy Condit · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book inspired me to keep looking forward, to keep moving, keep enjoying life and to DO all the things on my bucket list.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Inspirational, positive and funny! After reading this it will be damn near impossible not to get out and go for a run when I don't feel like it!! No excuses.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but he's clearly crazy. As an ironman, the race is just one day. The training is what really makes you an ironman triathlete.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational book about a man who survived cancer over and over again. His great attitude combined with his writing skills make this a truly enjoyable bool.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story of amazing endurance. What some people have to go through in life is truly remarkable. How they get through it and retain the will to continue great endeavors is worth reading.

[Prashanthi Chennupati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring book...Loved it...He is a real Iron Man....

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievable story. Pretty inspiring.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty incredible story.