His miraculous survival story became the subject of Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours—but what happened inside Aron’s mind and spirit during that ordeal is even more profound. 

In 2003, Aron Ralston was trapped alone in a remote Utah canyon for nearly six days with his right arm pinned beneath an 800-pound boulder. In this episode of Alive Again, the man who cut off his own arm to live shares the transformation that made him more whole than ever before. 

Aron recounts the vision that gave him the courage to survive, the moment he saw his future son, and the paradox of how intense suffering gave birth to overwhelming gratitude. As his body teetered on the edge of death, his consciousness expanded beyond it, leading to a radical reordering of what it means to be alive. This is not just a story of survival; it’s a story of spiritual awakening.

Story Producer: Dan Bush

For more about Aron’s adventures and advocacy,  go to www.aronralstonspeaker.com

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at [email protected] 

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