HeartHike.org
Sudden cardiac arrest survivor, John "Ironheart" Kolker, from New Jersey section hiked the 2,193 mile Appalachian Trail to raise awareness and funds for the Ironheart Foundation...
Lifetime AT miles = 2,193+ Completed on August 23, 2021!
Updates
Update: 8/23/2021
Done! Just got off trail in Maine.
... I just did the hardest 165 miles North of Mount Washington in 3 weeks!
2193 plus miles on the Appalachian Trail...
It took me 4 years but I am different, better and done...
"I have two doctors, my left leg and my right." - G.M. Trevelyan
I'm humbled at the second chance I was granted by God's grace, the resiliency of the human spirit to overcome, the support and love of the hiking community, my family and close friends.
The Ironheart Foundation is an organization that supports, encourages, and connects survivors of cardiac events worldwide and in many cases is the catalyst to change lives.
Hiker
"Ironheart" is fighting heart disease one step at time...
John's Story
On Dec. 17, 2011, John Kolker dropped dead of a sudden cardiac arrest, caused by a myocardial infarction at the age of 49.
Resuscitated at the scene by courageous volunteers trained in CPR with an AED (automated external defibrillator), he spent three iffy days refusing to come out of therapeutic hypothermia induced coma. Graciously, John came out of the coma and underwent successful cardiac catheterization and stent placement to two blocked coronary arteries.
John is an Army Veteran, was a smoker for 31 years, overweight since his release from active duty in the 90's and severely inactive. He never went to the doctor for checkups. His lifestyle had killed him. With his second chance at life, John quit smoking and began frequent medical screenings and researching his rehabilitation options.
Researching on the web, John continued to find stories and videos of other survivors who have become Ironheart Foundation athletes. John recalls that day when he announced to his family that he would not go on disability, but would return to work and pursue his vision of becoming a triathlete.For the first months, John could barely walk from the bed to the kitchen but gradually made it to the pool, onto the bike, and the running track. He changed his diet and began training for endurance events. Not only has he lost over 56 pounds since his heaviest weight, but he has completed 12 sprint triathlons, several bike rides of over 50 miles to include one across the entire state of NJ. John joined the Ironheart Foundation and met and was inspired by Ironheart Foundation founder, David Watkins when Dave made time to visit John in New Jersey in 2013.
John is a zealous advocate for heart-healthy choices and second chances and his involvement with Ironheart continues as he prepares for more sprint triathlons and long-distance hikes in 2016 and 2017 to raise heart-health awareness and funds for Ironheart.Read John's story on the Ironheart Foundation web site...
Gallery
Georgia
2017
North Carolina
2017
Tennessee
2017
Virginia
2017
West Virginia
2017
Maryland
2017
Pennsylvania
2020
New Jersey
2020
New York
2020
Connecticut
2020
Massachusetts
2020
Vermont
2020
New Hampshire
2020
Maine
2021
Hike
The mission of HeartHike.org is to raise awareness, advocacy and funds in the fight against heart disease…
By hiking the full length of the Appalachian Trail the goal is to:
Raise awareness about:
Heart disease
Risk factors
Screening
Heart-healthy choices
Recovery
Endurance sport for cardiac survivors
Promote advocacy
Endurance sport for cardiac survivors
Motivate survivors of cardiac events to“...find your own hike and hike it” whether that “Hike” is walking around the block, a 5k, a triathlon or a long distance hike
Increase collaboration and advocacy at the individual and organizational level
Inspire “First Chancers” to make better choices
Raise funds
Funds raised by Heart Hike go directly to our charitable beneficiary, the Ironheart Foundation - www.ironheartfoundation.org.
Trail
Appalachian Trail facts
Over 2,190 miles long over rugged mountainous terrain traversing 14 states
Southern end is at Springer Mountain, Georgia
Northern end is at Mount Katahdin, Maine
Ironheart's daily distance averages from 7 to 16 miles
There are more than 250 three-sided shelters and various trail towns along the trail
Advocates
Press
A sudden cardiac death survivor attempts a 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail hike - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
Jackson, NJ: Cardiac death survivor will continue his attempt to hike the full Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail spans 14 states from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine. John will average 12 miles per day enduring varying weather and terrain conditions along with possible wildlife encounters of snakes, bears, and coyotes while carrying a minimum of four days worth of food and all his gear on his back in a 30-pound pack.
While there are many potential dangers and hardships, this is John’s dream and an integral part of his recovery process. John will hike each mile to raise awareness about:
Heart disease and the risk factors associated with it
The importance of heart screening and making heart-healthy choices
The option of endurance sport for cardiac survivors recovery
AED availability and CPR training
He calls this campaign “Heart Hike” and hopes to inspire other survivors of cardiac events to “find their own hike and hike it” whether that “hike” is walking around the block, or training for a 5k, a triathlon or another form of sport.
After being a self-proclaimed anxiety-ridden couch potato and smoker, John dropped dead in 2011 of a sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 49. Since then he drastically altered his lifestyle and adopted heart-healthy habits and has since completed 2,038 miles of the 2,193 mile AT. (From Georgia to Maine) - John plans to complete the remaining 160 plus miles in August of 2021 to complete the full Journey.
John hikes under the trail name “Ironheart” inspired by the Ironheart Foundation who has served as an inspiration for him throughout his recovery. John was motivated by Ironheart Foundation’s documentary, HEART: Flatline to Finish Line, which follows six cardiac event patients who attempt to cross the finish line of an Ironman competition.John, who recently went from survivor to foundation member to Cheif Development Officer of the Ironheart Foundation, is putting back on the trail to continue the Ironheart mission and give back to the supportive Ironheart community.
About the Ironheart Foundation
Ironheart Foundation uses physical movement and sport to transform, empower, and positively impact lives that have been affected by heart disease. The Ironheart Foundation has members in 49 states and 22 countries. The community is comprised of those living with heart disease, survivors, loved ones, supporters, and members of the medical community. https://www.ironheartfoundation.org/
Contact us
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