Paul Weigel
Phoenix, AZ
Cancer survivor, six-time Ironman triathlete, college professor, and author of Iron Dad
BOOK COVER
BOOK DETAILS
Pub Date: June 11, 2024
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Three Piques Blinked
Page Count: 216
Format, ISBN, Price:
Paperback / 979-8-9899534-0-0 / $14.95
Ebook / 979-8-9899534-1-7 / $7.99
Audiobook / 979-8-9899534-2-4 / TBD
ABOUT THE BOOK
As Seen on ABC News Live!
A powerful memoir about a dad 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.
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.
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 in an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy, and he continued to be a dedicated father, especially through a divorce that happened shortly after.
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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Weigel is a father, a six-time Ironman triathlete, a college professor, and a self-described professional dabbler. A lover of the outdoors and hiking, he spent much of his life in the Pacific Northwest, finishing countless races and climbing many mountains, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. Now living in Arizona, he is exploring different ventures while checking things off his bucket list with regularity. But his real passion, and his real inspiration, is creating unforgettable memories with his daughter, who is now a teen.
TALKING POINTS
- The alarming statistics about colorectal cancer in the US and how it has increased in the past few years
- The celebs and organizations that have partnered with Paul to increase awareness of colorectal cancer and early detection
- How the father-daughter relationship serves to motivate and inspire, despite the odds
- How one trains for an Ironman Triathlon while being treated for cancer
- Paul’s contagious energy and hope he delivers to others daily
TIMELY TIE-INS
September
- National Daughters Day – 25
- Self Care Month
PRAISE
“Paul Weigel knows what it means to struggle, and his story is sure to energize and inspire you to live every day to the fullest, as he has chosen to do.”
—Dean Karnazes, New York Times bestselling author of Ultramarathon Man
“Paul’s story reminds us that cancer affects the entire family, in every way, not just the person physically battling the disease. Iron Dad is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the unbreakable bond between father and child. His ongoing determination and desire to live a great life despite the disease truly reflects what it means to Livestrong.”
—Suzanne Stone, president and CEO of Livestrong
“An incredible story of perseverance, courage, and love, Iron Dad celebrates the power of choosing hope, the unique bond between fathers and daughters, and the resilience to believe in the impossible. A powerful story!”
—Victoria Brumfield, CEO of USA Triathlon
“An inspiring testament to the human spirit. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking motivation and proof that anything is possible.”
—George Mahood, bestselling author of Operation Ironman
“Weigel’s narrative of crossing an Ironman finish line a mere six months after chemotherapy stands as a testament to human resilience and determination. His transformative life journey was sparked by his love and bond for his daughter, which also fueled his drive to write his memoir—underscoring the profound influence of parenthood. Paul is filled with the spirit of perseverance, making him an Ironman in every sense!”
—Mike Reilly, Voice of Ironman, member of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, the Ironman Hall of Fame, and the Running USA Hall of Champions
“A powerful story of finding determination and joy in the face of fear and pain, Iron Dad reminds us that ‘miracles’ can happen, and families are a team that motivate us when we need them most.”
—Michael Eruzione, Olympic gold medal winner, former ice hockey player, and captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics United States National Team (“Miracle on Ice”)
“There are plenty of tips for runners training for any kind of race. But Paul Weigel trained for and completed an Ironman within six months of finishing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, all while raising his toddler daughter. That kind of endurance transcends athletic advice. Iron Dad shares how he managed such a feat—and why it was worth doing—inspiring all of us along the way.”
—Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon winner, former editor-in-chief of Runner’s World
“Paul’s journey embodies the power of perseverance, serving as a beacon of inspiration for others facing adversity. In his struggles, we find the strength to endure and the courage to never give up.”
—Ryan Switzer, eight-time Ironman
“When you hear the word ‘Ironman,’ you typically either think of the superhero or an endurance athlete. Paul is both. He is the epitome of the endurance ‘human-being.’ He has experienced and persevered through all that life has offered him, and he has done it with a peacefulness and grace that only a superhero could achieve.”
—Francis Curry, mentor for Imerman Angels (a Livestrong partner) and colon cancer survivor
“Paul’s story—his transparency, self-doubt, and transformation by the love of his daughter and his fight to survive colorectal cancer—made him one of my heroes! He is more than a cancer survivor; he knew he was made to have real purpose in life. Paul reminds us that ongoing education, awareness, and funding of colorectal cancer research is even more critical now than ever.”
—Kim Adair, CEO of Butt Check Inc.
“Paul shares his story with raw honesty, highlighting the challenges of life and early onset colorectal cancer. Seeing him deal with the mental and physical hardships while still managing life as a father, husband, provider, and triathlete is moving. His love for his daughter propels him forward, along with his willingness to share his story to promote screening, foster better communication with health care professionals and their patients, and to keep living life. A great read, highly recommended.”
—Anita Mitchell Isler, founder of Colon Cancer Stars
“Iron Dad is a must-read book to learn about life’s tough challenges and the lessons one can learn by leading a purposeful and resilient life. Sharing his battle with colorectal cancer with his daughter, Natalie, Paul Weigel leaves his legacy and lasting imprint on us all.”
—Howard Brown, author of Shining Brightly
“Iron Dad is a wonderful read. Paul takes you through an incredible, honest journey through the emotional and physical roller coaster of his disease and making sure he handled his life better than what he was handed. Not many could persevere through so much and end up being such an inspiration! Paul’s determination to not let cancer rob him of his life or his relationship with his daughter is amazing!”
—Lisa DePaulo, former LPGA Professional
“In Iron Dad, Paul shares his thoughts and emotions related to his cancer experience—frustration, sadness, anger, resentment, shame, joy, love, gratitude, wonder, and confusion. His story, like that of so many other members of the Man Up to Cancer community, helps inspire men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys.”
—Trevor Maxwell, founder and CEO of Man Up to Cancer
BOOK DETAILS
Pub Date: May 17, 2022
Genre: Memoir / Christian Inspirational
Publisher: She Writes Press
Page Count: 304
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1647429003
Price: $15.99