I'm Alive – Courage, Hope, and a Miracle

I'm Alive
239 Pages
ISBN 978-1-62937-135-1

In 2008, high school freshman Duke Pieper was poised to start as a varsity player on the prestigious Hill-Murray High School varsity hockey team. The Hill-Murray hockey program is considered one of, if not the best, in the nation with an unparalleled history of success. With this recognition as a standout hockey player at such a young age, Pieper dreamed of going on to play in the National Hockey League. However, he never got the chance to take the ice as a defenseman. Before the first game began, he experienced headaches and vision problems. He soon learned that his symptoms were a result of a lesion that was causing bleeding in his brain.

Doctors informed him that his condition would require surgery—a surgery that 95% of patients do not survive. If he did survive, he would face possible paralysis. His dreams and spirit were certainly dashed as he came to realize that he would never play hockey again. Pieper survived his first surgery as well as multiple additional risky surgeries on his brain and spine. Even after the surgeries, his love for hockey remained strong, and he truly could not fathom living without it. I’m Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle, by Duke Pieper with Jim Bruton (Triumph Books, 2015), tells an inspirational story of how a young man, whose life was forever changed, not only survived but learned to thrive.

Inspirational details in this book include: • How Pieper relearned basic motor skills, from walking, running, balancing, breathing, eating, drinking and swallowing to writing and coloring • Exclusive interviews with coaches, teachers and others who know Duke Pieper well • Pieper’s experience dropping the puck in front of 18,000 fans at Xcel Energy Center • Fifteen strategies for survival that could be helpful to just about anyone going through a difficult time

Inspirational, encouraging and miraculous, I’m Alive takes you on a journey that young athlete Duke Pieper faces with incredible courage. This title is perfect for somebody looking for inspiration on overcoming adversity.

Duke Pieper

About Duke Pieper (Twin Cities, Minnesota Author)

Duke Pieper

Like you, Duke Pieper, knows what its like to be discounted by everyone around you. To run up against challenges that feel insurmountable. And to have moments where challenges were winning. But then Duke recognized a single truth that changed everything.

Peak performers have no excuses for failure; only reasons for success.

After several stellar high-school seasons Duke was ranked by U.S.A. Hockey as one of the top 20 best players in the nation. His first varsity game he was diagnosed with a Cavernous Hemangioma. He had a five present chance to live. He overcame those odds and was then faced with total paralysis. He had to re-learn how to do everything allover again from walking to talking, eating to breathing.

Now that he has recovered from almost certain death, Duke Pieper is now sharing his story, lessons, and the type of motivation that sparks an individual to overcome the impossible and excites your attendees to come back for more.

When Duke is on the platform you will have the knowledge and skills needed to take the proven path away from the pack and into the peak performer’s spotlight.

Make your goals a reality. Motivate your team with powerful content from a power speaker – Duke Pieper

Jim Bruton

About Jim Bruton (Co-Author)

Jim Bruton

Jim Bruton is the author of several books, including A Tradition of Purple, Gopher Glory, We Love Our Twins and The Big House. He also co-wrote the following biographies: Every Day Is Game Day with Fran Tarkenton, A Passion to Win with Lou Nanne and Best Seat in the House with Mark Rosen, and I Did It My Way with Bud Grant. Bruton holds a master's degree from the University of St. Thomas and is an adjunct faculty member at several colleges and universities in the Twin Cities.