Wrestling with Angels

By: John Hanrahan

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

In 1984, John Hanrahan was featured in Interview magazine's iconic Olympic Issue as one of America's top athletes vying for a spot on the US Olympic Team. He had come within a point of defeating the mighty Soviet world medalist and had defeated other prominent world competitors. He was within reach of a lifetime dream, but then abandoned the Final Trials.

The coach searched frantically for him at LaGuardia airport. He was nowhere to be found. He hadn't exactly fallen off the face of the earth; his face was appearing in worldwide ad campaigns as a top fashion model - but he'd become a full-blown drug addict, unable to face his competition, and unwilling to confront the truth of his situation.

Then, in 1985, Hanrahan died from a drug overdose. He went to another place while a doctor worked frantically to revive him. He was given another chance at life, and he feels he came back for a reason...

He returned wanting to shout his story from the rooftops, but was unable to fully share his experiences to help others. He was crippled by the stigma of being judged as a drug addict, and it wasn't until he nearly lost his own son to the ravages of addiction that he broke through and gained the strength and courage to tell his story.

©2020 John Hanrahan (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Excellent book.

So good. I could not put it down. You do not have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this story; although it may make you one!

Mesmerizing

A stunning account of a life, death, and rebirth through addiction and the power of God. This book is a testimony, guide and “friend” to anyone finding themselves lost. The story is incredible!!!!

A powerful book that will move you.

I've known John since the 1980's all I can say is wow! Well done John

Amazing Story Sport, Fashion, Celebrities and Addiction

This story is a riveting and timely story which depicts a n amazing journey through life. An elite athlete with triumphs and struggles. The glimpse of the life of an acclaimed Hollywood trainer, a former face of international designer campaigns working in the world’s glamorous fashion markets. A father son multi generational challenge of conquering addiction. Near death redemption, inspiration and a message brought back to share with others.

Heaven & Hell are real. John's been both places.

Given a new direction in life, the power of God's love and mercy lifts John up by his bootstraps, saves him and transforms into the man he always wanted to be - His Father.

Great book! Would make an excellent movie!

Couldn’t stop listening.

Excellent story, well written. Once I got started listening to it I couldn’t stop. Very motivating and inspirational.

Waste of time

“That’s what wrestling does - it humbles you.” Hahaha - are you kidding? This guy has to be the most self-indulgent writer I have ever encountered.
The entire book is one big brag about how incredible he is, the famous people he knows, how he dated only the hottest cheerleaders, and how overdosing on cocaine gave him weird superpowers. I lost count of how many times he reminded me that he went to Poland to wrestle and became junior national champion. We get it.

There’s a lame excuse for EVERY loss - quotes like “Even though I came third, mine was voted best performance.” The details about his wrestling wins are endless, but just a casual mention of breaking his opponents neck - no big deal.

When he realizes that in order to save his own son from addiction, he must talk about himself even MORE, it sounded detached from reality. Yes, him telling people that he overdosed will cure his son and others from drug addiction. Ok.

Oh and in case you forgot… he has the most wins in Penn State history wrestling. Gimme a break. This isn’t about addiction. It’s just self promotion.

Sounds like he's narrating a child's X-Mas Movie

This is just one long love letter to himself as far as I can tell. Sickeningly narcisistic!!! I couldn't finish it. He's so in love with himself, it's awful. Supposedly, he wrote it to "be honest" about his past for his addicted child. Even when he says he died from a shot of cocaine, it was supposedly his "first time," and it was only because he thought the guy he was doing it with was a psychologist and would help him get clean. Highly doubtful. He brags about himself throughout half the story, and that was only because that's as far as I could make it through. Don't waste your credit!!