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Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivor’s Story of Discovering Strength, Life, and Love Through Fatherhood
A powerful memoir about a dad navigating loss, fighting cancer, surviving, and thriving alongside the most important person in his life—his daughter.
Paul Weigel’s life always felt hard. Throughout his isolated childhood, with distant and detached parents, losing his college sweetheart in a horrible tragedy, and enduring the unexpected death of his father, Weigel spent his life in despair. It all just hurt.
Everything changed when his daughter was born.
From day one, Weigel and his daughter shared an incredible bond. She was a constant source of peace and inspiration to him, and he was determined to give her the love and security he’d never had. His life and the family that he’d dreamed about seemed to be finally getting on track—that is, until a devastating cancer diagnosis threatened that future.
But this time around, Weigel chose hope. If you believe in the impossible, he told himself, the incredible can come true. Using this mantra, Weigel pushed forward, determined to show his daughter true strength and power. Facing the ups and downs of his illness and treatment with courage, he trained for and completed an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy, and he continued to be a dedicated father.
In Iron Dad, Weigel celebrates the unique bond between fathers and daughters and shares an inspiring story of finding and clinging to the joy in life, no matter the odds.
Paul Weigel’s life always felt hard. Throughout his isolated childhood, with distant and detached parents, losing his college sweetheart in a horrible tragedy, and enduring the unexpected death of his father, Weigel spent his life in despair. It all just hurt.
Everything changed when his daughter was born.
From day one, Weigel and his daughter shared an incredible bond. She was a constant source of peace and inspiration to him, and he was determined to give her the love and security he’d never had. His life and the family that he’d dreamed about seemed to be finally getting on track—that is, until a devastating cancer diagnosis threatened that future.
But this time around, Weigel chose hope. If you believe in the impossible, he told himself, the incredible can come true. Using this mantra, Weigel pushed forward, determined to show his daughter true strength and power. Facing the ups and downs of his illness and treatment with courage, he trained for and completed an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy, and he continued to be a dedicated father.
In Iron Dad, Weigel celebrates the unique bond between fathers and daughters and shares an inspiring story of finding and clinging to the joy in life, no matter the odds.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2024
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 21, 2025
This came up in my like “new and for you” section on Spotify and obviously the summary spoke to me. Really ended up liking this but was much more about his life prior to cancer than I expected… was really sad to think about a lot of these thoughts my dad must have also had during his fight.
June 10, 2024
Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivor's Story Of Discovering Strength, Life, and Love Through Fatherhood is a heartwarming, powerful, beautiful, inspiring, motivational, and very human read! This memoir highlights one man's decision to hope in the face of terrifying new. His love for his daughter is his inspiration, motivation, and the reason he chose courage day in and day out while fighting cancer. The voice of this book is honest not shying away from the challenges mentally and physically while also offering hope. Though a cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking, painful, and full of uncertainty Paul Weigel found a way to not only survive, but to thrive. Completing an Ironman within six months of finishing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer this story is one you do not want miss.
Balancing compassion, resiliency, honesty, motivation, and inspiration book is a true beauty. I love that the author focuses heavily on the father-daughter relationship. A toddler at the time, she was the reason he fought for life, hope, and healing. I appreciate the acknowledgment that cancer impacts the entire family system, the advocacy and awareness raised regarding colorectal cancer, the details of his Ironman training, and the constant voice of empathetic encouragement this book is written with. I highly recommend this memior!
#gifted #ad Thank you to @prbythebook for our gifted copy! All thoughts are our own!
Balancing compassion, resiliency, honesty, motivation, and inspiration book is a true beauty. I love that the author focuses heavily on the father-daughter relationship. A toddler at the time, she was the reason he fought for life, hope, and healing. I appreciate the acknowledgment that cancer impacts the entire family system, the advocacy and awareness raised regarding colorectal cancer, the details of his Ironman training, and the constant voice of empathetic encouragement this book is written with. I highly recommend this memior!
#gifted #ad Thank you to @prbythebook for our gifted copy! All thoughts are our own!
July 1, 2024
I definitely had mixed feelings, having lost my dad to cancer 13 years ago. My dad was an absolutely amazing man taken way too soon! While Paul’s story had a better outcome, both men have a legacy we can learn from!
Iron Dad is a breakdown of Paul’s life. His life was definitely filled with hardships and challenges that he worked past and was able to overcome! I appreciated the short and simple chapters that were to the point. From hiking the Grand Canyon, participating in Iron Man competitions to going through surgeries and chemotherapy Paul’s book is filled with experiences and growth! It was so special to read about his role of being a father especially after not having the best role model!
Iron Dad is a breakdown of Paul’s life. His life was definitely filled with hardships and challenges that he worked past and was able to overcome! I appreciated the short and simple chapters that were to the point. From hiking the Grand Canyon, participating in Iron Man competitions to going through surgeries and chemotherapy Paul’s book is filled with experiences and growth! It was so special to read about his role of being a father especially after not having the best role model!
July 11, 2024
Iron Dad: A Cancer Survivors Story of Discovering, Strength, Life, and Love Through Fatherhood – Paul Wiegel – 2024 –
As the title of the book suggests the author emerges from his battle with cancer a hero in his own narrative. Weigel faced an unhappy childhood with two terribly dysfunctional self-absorbed parents both were psychologists, who had limited interest in parenting their two children. Laura, his sister, went on to attend medical school and became a top-rated surgeon that monitored her brother’s cancer care and treatment.
Weigel moved to Seattle after completing his college education, earning an MBA, and was hired at Microsoft. As an exuberant Denver Bronco’s fan raised in Littleton, Colorado (he attended the notorious Columbine H.S.) he may have been shunned as Seattleites celebrate the Seattle Seahawks; it is part of the culture. The Pacific Northwest is an ideal location for mountaineering and marathon sports both of which Weigel enjoyed to the max! He proposed to his girlfriend Michelle at the top of the Empire State Bldg. after participating in the NYC Marathon. Michelle worked at Amazon, eventually their daughter Natalie was born. Six years later after deciding on a goal of becoming an Iron Man tri-athlete, Weigel discovered he had cancer.
At the renowned University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle), Weigel began his fierce battle with cancer (2013). He had the support of Michelle and Laura to advocate for him, and numerous friends and associates. He recorded his ordeal in a diary format, centering on his treatments, procedures, and symptoms etc. He and Michelle divorced after his treatment ended and he was determined to be cancer free (2014). In addition to beating cancer, he was a lucky man, as Michelle continued to support and encourage his fatherhood and active engagement in their daughter’s life. Natalie is now a teen, and hikes regularly with her father and cheering him on in whatever activity or sport he might engage in. Weigel lives near his family in Arizona. (3*GOOD).
As the title of the book suggests the author emerges from his battle with cancer a hero in his own narrative. Weigel faced an unhappy childhood with two terribly dysfunctional self-absorbed parents both were psychologists, who had limited interest in parenting their two children. Laura, his sister, went on to attend medical school and became a top-rated surgeon that monitored her brother’s cancer care and treatment.
Weigel moved to Seattle after completing his college education, earning an MBA, and was hired at Microsoft. As an exuberant Denver Bronco’s fan raised in Littleton, Colorado (he attended the notorious Columbine H.S.) he may have been shunned as Seattleites celebrate the Seattle Seahawks; it is part of the culture. The Pacific Northwest is an ideal location for mountaineering and marathon sports both of which Weigel enjoyed to the max! He proposed to his girlfriend Michelle at the top of the Empire State Bldg. after participating in the NYC Marathon. Michelle worked at Amazon, eventually their daughter Natalie was born. Six years later after deciding on a goal of becoming an Iron Man tri-athlete, Weigel discovered he had cancer.
At the renowned University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle), Weigel began his fierce battle with cancer (2013). He had the support of Michelle and Laura to advocate for him, and numerous friends and associates. He recorded his ordeal in a diary format, centering on his treatments, procedures, and symptoms etc. He and Michelle divorced after his treatment ended and he was determined to be cancer free (2014). In addition to beating cancer, he was a lucky man, as Michelle continued to support and encourage his fatherhood and active engagement in their daughter’s life. Natalie is now a teen, and hikes regularly with her father and cheering him on in whatever activity or sport he might engage in. Weigel lives near his family in Arizona. (3*GOOD).
June 11, 2024
This powerful memoir trails the path of loss, cancer, and survival, all while showing his daughter just what resilience looks like. The cancer posts take us along on the journey of a new kind of strength. Both shockingly sad and fist-pumping high, the trail of the author’s life has never been flat nor boring. He kept putting one foot in front of the other and found joy.
July 22, 2024
Throughout this book, you read about Paul’s unfortunate trauma growing up. One day, he found that running helped him find the strength to accomplish anything he puts himself through. This man ran races even when his body was telling him not to.
Unfortunately, Paul finds out he has cancer. As traumatic as it is, Paul was able to find strength to fight this battle from the love that he has for his daughter. They share a special bond and he wasn’t ready to let go of that bond yet. Participating in marathons had helped Paul with his mental countdown to feeling better.
Throughout this book, you really enjoy reading about Paul’s strength and courage through all of the unfortunate events that has happened in his life. It was really nice to read where he found his strength and determination to keep going.
TW: death, cancer
Unfortunately, Paul finds out he has cancer. As traumatic as it is, Paul was able to find strength to fight this battle from the love that he has for his daughter. They share a special bond and he wasn’t ready to let go of that bond yet. Participating in marathons had helped Paul with his mental countdown to feeling better.
Throughout this book, you really enjoy reading about Paul’s strength and courage through all of the unfortunate events that has happened in his life. It was really nice to read where he found his strength and determination to keep going.
TW: death, cancer
July 18, 2024
From the heart
I had the privilege of being Natalie’s 2nd grade teacher and witnessed both the bond and the drive of Natalie and Paul firsthand. This book filled in many more pieces and feelings. It celebrates each of them and their tremendous love for life and each other.
I had the privilege of being Natalie’s 2nd grade teacher and witnessed both the bond and the drive of Natalie and Paul firsthand. This book filled in many more pieces and feelings. It celebrates each of them and their tremendous love for life and each other.
August 8, 2024
An open look at a hard reality and the power of human will and relationships
Paul is very open about his life experiences - dealing with cancer and all it brings, knowing painful and beautiful relationships. His responses, decisions, and willpower are an inspiration.
Paul is very open about his life experiences - dealing with cancer and all it brings, knowing painful and beautiful relationships. His responses, decisions, and willpower are an inspiration.
July 1, 2024
I work with Paul so was excited to read his book. I found it helpful as my family begins our cancer treatment journey.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews