How to Survive When Life Falls Apart (And the Kindness of Strangers)

When Matt and his brother Chris break down deep in Colorado's San Juan National Forest with a wrecked wheel bearing, they're facing six days stranded with barely enough water and food to survive — let alone a way to reach the seven-mile trek into town.

How to Survive When Life Falls Apart is a true story of rationed water, fried potatoes, and the strangers — a hiker who shares his last gallons, a forest ranger who goes far beyond his job — who show up when it matters most.

Equal parts survival story and love letter to human kindness, it's a fast, warm read that proves you don't need much to get by, except each other, and the goodness of people you've never met.

Stranded in the San Juan National Forest

With the wheel bearing gone and help a seven-mile walk away, survival came down to rationed water, fried potatoes, and trusting the people they had never met.

Over six days, Matt and his brother Chris met the strangers who made survival possible: a hiker who shared his last gallons, and a forest ranger who went far beyond his job.

You don't need much to get by — except each other, and the goodness of people you've never met.

The Kindness of Strangers

Equal parts survival story and love letter to human kindness.

Get the E-Book

Available now in e-book form for just $3.00.

• True story: Rationed water, fried potatoes, and a walk that seemed impossible.
• The strangers: A hiker who shares his last gallons, and a forest ranger who goes far beyond his job.
• Available now: In e-book form for just $3.00.

"You don't need much to get by — except each other, and the goodness of people you've never met."