ECMO To Ironman: Elmar Sprink’s Story about Life After Heart Transplant

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What does it take to learn to sit again, then stand, then chase the horizon at the Ironman World Championship? We sit down with endurance athlete and keynote speaker Elmar Sprink to trace the steps from sudden cardiac arrest and seven months on ECMO to a disciplined, data‑driven comeback fueled by routine, empathy, and stubborn hope. Elmar opens up about the invisible work of recovery—why he treated hospital life like a training plan, how a visitor spreadsheet kept his spirits up, and the role therapy and humor played when the outcome was uncertain.

We unpack the nuts and bolts of training after a heart transplant: threshold testing to set safe zones, the difference denervated hearts can make to heart rate response, and why indoor cycling and carefully staged swim returns protect against infection while rebuilding fitness. Elmar explains how steady training lowered his blood pressure and reduced medications, and he shares the small, daily wins—like a perfect cappuccino—that kept his motivation alive. Along the way, he reflects on gratitude for his unknown donor and the ritual of honoring that gift at every finish line.

Anna also spotlights creative sparks and community momentum: new children’s stories in the Living with CHD series that portray everyday family life with honesty, plus highlights from the SV-ONE conference where scientists, clinicians, and advocates collaborate for single ventricle care. We share upcoming inclusion goals, from an ASL episode to a new German episode featuring Elmar, and we talk candidly about organ donation advocacy—what messaging moves people, and how real stories can shift culture and save lives.

If you’re navigating CHD, recovery, or any long road back, this conversation offers a clear playbook: start small, be consistent, protect your body, lean on your people, and celebrate the quiet victories. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a lift, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear what small win you’re chasing this week.

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