Has life ever knocked you down— and kept you there?
I’ve been there.
But I’ve learned the secret to getting back up again — and you can too.
Let me show you how to LIVE AGAIN!
You've prioritized others—leading, caring, and showing up.
But along the way life has knocked you down. You’ve faced unexpected struggles—and many are private battles that no one else sees but you.
As a result, you’ve neglected or even sacrificed your own health and well-being. You feel burned out, broken, and alone. And you find yourself trapped in a hole with no idea how to climb out.
If that sounds like you—you’re not alone.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than fifty-two million adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2024.
Another American Psychological Association (APA) report says burnout and stress are at all-time highs across all professions.
The collective cost of being trapped in a hole can be staggering. It impacts you, your family, and your finances. But it also affects your work, your community, the people you lead, the people you love, and everyone who depends on you.
I’ve been trapped in a hole, too.
In 2021, I found myself in an unexpected battle that would change my life.
My story begins on Valentine’s Day when I nearly died on my kitchen floor. I know that sounds dramatic. But I was minutes, if not moments, from being gone for good. Thanks to God’s grace and a long list of heroes, I’m a choking, cardiac arrest, and CPR survivor.
That’s where the real story begins. After eight days in the hospital (the first four in ICU) I returned home to begin my recovery. Not long after that I found myself in an unexpected and complicated battle with my mental health that would change my life.
The overwhelm of that struggle left me trapped in a hole. DEEP in a hole. But I also learned the way out.
And I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
In my new book—LIVE AGAIN! The Road Back from Burnout, Brokenness, and the Battles No One Sees—I’ve chosen to unpack lessons from my own recovery in a way that perhaps many researchers, therapists, and health care professionals cannot.
That’s because I not only learned about recovery—I lived it.
Part One: THE PROBLEM
I show you how and why people become and remain trapped in a hole.
Part Two: THE PROMISE
I share a surprising framework that you—or anyone—can use to climb out of the hole.
Part Three: THE PRACTICE
I teach you eleven powerful practices I learned and used throughout my recovery—and continue to use today.
Part Four: THE PAYOFF
I challenge and inspire the NEW YOU with a twelfth practice to make a difference in the lives of the people around you.
Think of LIVE AGAIN! as your ladder out of the hole.
The framework and practices in LIVE AGAIN! will help you:
Regain your health
Rebuild your resilience
Turn your struggles into growth
Transform pain into purpose
Rediscover the joy in making a difference.
LIVE AGAIN! is for people like you—helpers, healers, and everyday heroes who struggle with the private battles and overwhelm of everyday life.
You are a gift to the people around you. But if you don’t take care of yourself, you take that gift away.
It’s time to get back to serving the people you love and doing the things you care about most.
It’s not too late for you to LIVE AGAIN!
Not sure if LIVE AGAIN! is for you? Download a free preview and see for yourself.
You might also realize that someone you know is struggling or trapped in a hole.
LIVE AGAIN! can be your gift to support someone you care about.
Endorsements and Reviews for LIVE AGAIN!
It takes one to know one! Based on his own life-threatening crisis, the author has written a compelling and inspiring book, that provides a roadmap for sustainable recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout, and life crisis. This blueprint for rediscovering the joy of living will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you!
~ Tom P. Aufderheide, MD, MS, FACEP, Hon FACC, FAHA
Emergency Medicine Physician
Two things that serve hurting people well are relatability and metaphor. John Alan provides the rare combination of both in this book. His personal experience connects him to others in various forms of distress—he has been there and knows a way out. This book serves as encouragement and secure hope, providing a path forward for anyone who encounters challenges in their life.
~ Karen Fischer, Ph.D.
Professional Counseling Program Director
“I picked this book up expecting to skim through it. I ended up reading the whole thing, word for word, in one day. The storytelling is that good. What makes Live Again rare is the combination of science and storytelling. John Alan backs up every "Practice" with vivid stories and real science (the milkshake and eye color experiments were fascinating), but he never lets it get academic or preachy. His writing is clear, direct, and genuinely engaging. He covers topics that could easily feel heavy or clinical, from PTSD and trauma recovery to shame, identity, and purpose, and makes all of it accessible and actionable for anyone.”
~ Tom Bernthal
Writer and Publisher, Niblets
“I began reading John Alan's book and I could not put it down until I had finished it. I did not think a book on this topic could be so well written. His personal story was captivating, but it his life's lessons, which he so clearly articulates in the book through the 12 practices, are what is so invaluable.”
~ Amazon Review
“I do counseling for women who are generally overwhelmed with their lives. I will definitely be recommending this book in the future. Very few books of this genre offer such a concrete plan for changing lives. It offers clear steps for righting chaos without minimizing the work it will take. This is a valuable book.”
~ Amazon Review
“Couldn't put it down. Read this whether you realize you need it or not. (You do.)”
~ Amazon Review
“To me what makes this book particularly compelling is John’s willingness to share his own personal struggles and his way forward - the WHY behind this important resource. His journey of getting unstuck becomes a beautiful thread woven throughout the practices, making the guidance feel genuine and earned. This book will help people - no doubt. It helped me.”
~ Amazon Review