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Mountain High

September 3, 2013
September 3, 2013
Mountain High - Steve Driscol and Heather

Mountain High – Steve Driscol and Heather

Supine on a gurney after his fourth heart attack a year and a half ago, Steve Driscol never imagined that in August 2013 he would summit the highest mountain peak in the contiguous United States. In 1987 he had his first heart attack and the two that followed originated from an artery at the bottom of his heart—attacks that he had predicted based on changes in his breathing and increased fatigue. When the fourth one came it generated in a different artery, one that could have killed him. His tenacious nature compelled Steve to defy doctors who had patted the successful entrepreneur on the shoulder and sent him packing with a plethora of prescription pills; they didn’t think he’d ever change his lifestyle.

Encouraged by his daughter, Heather, an “Ironman” who had lost over 110 pounds, Steve decided to alter his own life. The transformation would include a goal to be his doctor’s first patient to ever reverse the coronary artery disease infiltrating his heart. With the help of his daughter, Steve embarked on a metamorphosis that included an unexpected bonus—a new and improved bond with Heather. More comfortable parenting his three sons, Steve had struggled relating to his daughter.

With Heather in the lead, roles reversed and Steve learned from his daughter. She taught him about nutrition. She taught him how to listen to his body. She taught him to challenge himself. The two trained for Mount Whitney for over five months by hiking up one of Southern California’s 6-pack of peaks every three to four weeks. On that first hike, the first hike of Steve’s life when he didn’t think he could go on, Heather pointed to a tree 30 yards ahead and said, “Dad, just make it to that tree.” And he would. Steve lost 47 pounds, changed his diet, and formed a bond. “The past six months I gained a phenomenal connection with my daughter as we climbed mountains together.”

Steve Driscol summits Mt. Whitney

Steve Driscol summits Mt. Whitney

 

Truly Alive

Symbolic to metaphorical mountains that Steve has conquered in his life, he summited Whitney alone when three of the six in his group hung back to tend one struck by altitude sickness; two more had forged ahead. What a moment approaching the ridge where he stood 14,505 feet above sea level, mountain high. Steve squinted into the sun, “I’m living an unbelievable dream.” Thoughts of gratitude melted with views of majesty as Steve experienced an, “impossible to put into words” sense of accomplishment; he felt truly alive.

It was as if he could touch the sun itself up there, and share an intimate moment with God—thank Him for his life—thank Him for seeing him through his 23rd year of sobriety—thank Him for giving him the sense to remove the barrel of a 44 magnum from his mouth when alcoholism had torn him apart. If it weren’t for the guidance of his higher power, Steve Driscol would have missed a meeting with the sun, would have missed around 725,328,000 heartbeats—a father would have missed knowing his daughter.

Living The Dream

Living The Dream

Tags: coronary artery disease, hiking, Mt. Whitney, Steve Driscol
3 Comments/
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3 replies
  1. Will says:
    September 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Great story, great post. Congratulations Steve, we are all very proud of you!

    Reply
  2. Doug Buttner says:
    September 4, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    I enjoyed reading this story and learning about your life’s journey.

    Reply
  3. Thomas Ancona says:
    September 5, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Steve, you are an incredible inspiration to all… I will never forget this story and will use it in my own life to overcome obstacles and achieve things I once thought impossible! You truly are THE MAN! Congratulations on your transformation… what a great story!

    Reply

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Player Quotes

I remember that this is where it all started.  When you’re here—when you’re the kid—you don’t see the effect of Miller, but later, that’s when you see it.  Once you start applying life lessons that he’s taught you, then you realize this guy is very effective.  Coach Miller was a focal point in my career.
DeShaun Foster, Running Back
Tustin High School
UCLA
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
I know what works for me and I like Miller’s training. There’s something special about his weight room and his attitude, and when he’s around watching I lift harder. By myself I’m driving, but when he’s there I want to impress him.
Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle
Tustin High School
University of Southern California
Atlanta Falcons
I took Coach Miller to meet Harbaugh when I was at the Ravens. I introduced him as my high school coach and Harbaugh asked him, ‘What’s your secret?’ and Miller said, ‘Hard work.’ We were a family, which is the other reason I think why guys buy in to the approach. We cared for each other.
Chris Chester, Offensive Guard
Tustin High School
University of Oklahoma
Washington Redskins
It’s really fun to think how much Coach Miller means to me and how much work he put into all of us. Coach Miller—he might have four kids—but he really doesn’t because he has all of us. He has put hands on all of our lives for a lifetime. He touched our lives in such a way that half of us wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for him. Whether it’s monetary or spiritual, he’s always there with advice. He’s a grand wizard.
Beau Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cleveland Browns
BC Lions
Coach Miller is not only a great football coach, he’s a great man, a great teacher, a great father, a great husband, a great role model, and an overall great person.
Zack Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada Las Vegas
The world needs more guys like Myron teaching them to put their heads down and grind it out by working hard. Without that I don’t think I’d have the work ethic, stamina, or persistence to be able to provide for my family.
Frank Frappier
Tustin High School
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Player Quotes

I remember that this is where it all started.  When you’re here—when you’re the kid—you don’t see the effect of Miller, but later, that’s when you see it.  Once you start applying life lessons that he’s taught you, then you realize this guy is very effective.  Coach Miller was a focal point in my career.
DeShaun Foster, Running Back
Tustin High School
UCLA
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
I know what works for me and I like Miller’s training. There’s something special about his weight room and his attitude, and when he’s around watching I lift harder. By myself I’m driving, but when he’s there I want to impress him.
Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle
Tustin High School
University of Southern California
Atlanta Falcons
I took Coach Miller to meet Harbaugh when I was at the Ravens. I introduced him as my high school coach and Harbaugh asked him, ‘What’s your secret?’ and Miller said, ‘Hard work.’ We were a family, which is the other reason I think why guys buy in to the approach. We cared for each other.
Chris Chester, Offensive Guard
Tustin High School
University of Oklahoma
Washington Redskins
It’s really fun to think how much Coach Miller means to me and how much work he put into all of us. Coach Miller—he might have four kids—but he really doesn’t because he has all of us. He has put hands on all of our lives for a lifetime. He touched our lives in such a way that half of us wouldn’t be where we are if it weren’t for him. Whether it’s monetary or spiritual, he’s always there with advice. He’s a grand wizard.
Beau Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Cleveland Browns
BC Lions
Coach Miller is not only a great football coach, he’s a great man, a great teacher, a great father, a great husband, a great role model, and an overall great person.
Zack Bell, Linebacker
Tustin High School
University of Nevada Las Vegas
The world needs more guys like Myron teaching them to put their heads down and grind it out by working hard. Without that I don’t think I’d have the work ethic, stamina, or persistence to be able to provide for my family.
Frank Frappier
Tustin High School
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