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ESCAPE: Breaking Free From A Self-Made Prison
"ESCAPE - Breaking Free from a Self-Made Prison" is a stirring and deeply personal memoir that chronicles a remarkable journey of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in his twenties, Tim Kaufman's life spiraled into a vortex of painkillers, alcohol, and fast food addiction, leading him to a critical juncture at over 400 pounds, riddled with chronic diseases, and near immobility.
This book is not just a recounting of despair but a testament to the power of making small, consistent changes. Adopting a whole food plant-based diet, embracing gratitude, and finding his purpose, Tim transformed his life, evolving from an addict to an athlete competing in marathons, Ironmans, and ultramarathons.
His journey is a beacon of hope, illustrating that it's never too late to rewrite your life story. Alongside his personal narrative, he offers invaluable advice and a practical roadmap for transformation, making this book a source of inspiration and guidance for anyone seeking to overcome their life challenges. Tim is passionate and confident that change is just a choice away for everyone, and that if he can change you can too! He lays out a simple, concise, and effective roadmap for anyone seeking to change their life regardless of their situation or circimstance.
Join him on this extraordinary journey of redemption and discover the path to a healthier, happier life.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 18, 2024
First, I want to thank Tim Kaufman and FatManRants, LLC for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW!! Tim Kaufman is incredibly brave to open up, pouring out all of his raw emotions in his new Memoir Escape Breaking Free From A Self-Made Prison. It is a very powerful read with a lot of life lessons weaved in. If you read any Memoir this year this is the one you need to read! It is a must read that needs to be put up there on your TBR shelf.
Erin Devantier, Carl Aery, and Jannine Elder all need to be commended for their incredible job with the cover! Their cover design and photo speaks volumes even before you start reading the book.
I have read many dedications in my book reviewing career however none of them have been written quite as beautiful as Tim’s was. It was written from his heart directly to his readers.
Tim has some very prominent people (Robert Cheeke, NY Times Best Selling Co-Author of The Plant Based Athlete and Nina Messinger, Vegan Activist and Founder of The H.O.P.E Project) that have shared their reviews of Escape in the book.
Tim makes it very clear in many of his chapters that he is not a writer. However, I found this book very beautifully written straight from his heart and it showed. One reason for writing this book was to let his readers know that change is possible and to give hope to those who seek it.
As a fellow WNYer I enjoyed reading about Tim and what his childhood was like.
I had a big Koolaid grin on my face when I read the chapter on how Tim asked Heather out on a date for the first time! It was the sweetest ever! Later only to chuckle at how he proposed to her!
Heather and I are quite alike in that we both like a good bargain! I too am a coupon clipper and a bargain shopper!
In Escape Tim educates us about his EDS Ehlers Danalos Syndrome and by this he brings awareness to his Syndrome. He also walks you through how he was diagnosed and how it has affected his life.
Tim hit the nail on the head when he talked about chronic pain and how it is not just physical but emotional as well. I too suffer from chronic pain from debilitating migraines and scoliosis. For Tim his escape from the pain was food, alcohol and drugs. For me it is escaping reality in a book.
I loved getting to know Heather’s Mom aka Mom B through Tim. She seemed like a great woman who was a great cook. I loved that she would put everyone’s needs before her own! My heart broke upon learning she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Once again my heart broke learning about Tim’s Dad having stage 4 Renal Cancer. I just wanted to hop into the book and give both Tim and Heather a big hug.
Tim discussed going down the route of Bariatric Surgery and I am glad he didn’t go down that route. Where it may help some people like myself (I had the surgery in 2004 and weighed 303lbs and now 140lbs). That surgery is not for everyone and had a chance to do it all over again I would have picked a different route.
I was blown away by all of all the ups and downs that Tim went through to get to where he is today! Not only his weight but the steps he took to get there! If you know Tim you know all he has achieved in his athletic adventures! It blew my mind reading how it was in the beginning. He definitely has come a long way.
It made me smile when I read that his son Jesse took a likening to hiking and would join him once in a while. Plus, he would go on small hikes with his daughter.
Tim shares many inspirational stories in Escape. He also invites his readers to check out his website fatmanrants.com and gives you a QR Code to scan. There is also a link that will take you to see pictures of his journey.
Reading Escape motivated me to revamp my nutrition, weight loss, and fitness goals. If he can do it, so can I.
WOW!! Tim Kaufman is incredibly brave to open up, pouring out all of his raw emotions in his new Memoir Escape Breaking Free From A Self-Made Prison. It is a very powerful read with a lot of life lessons weaved in. If you read any Memoir this year this is the one you need to read! It is a must read that needs to be put up there on your TBR shelf.
Erin Devantier, Carl Aery, and Jannine Elder all need to be commended for their incredible job with the cover! Their cover design and photo speaks volumes even before you start reading the book.
I have read many dedications in my book reviewing career however none of them have been written quite as beautiful as Tim’s was. It was written from his heart directly to his readers.
Tim has some very prominent people (Robert Cheeke, NY Times Best Selling Co-Author of The Plant Based Athlete and Nina Messinger, Vegan Activist and Founder of The H.O.P.E Project) that have shared their reviews of Escape in the book.
Tim makes it very clear in many of his chapters that he is not a writer. However, I found this book very beautifully written straight from his heart and it showed. One reason for writing this book was to let his readers know that change is possible and to give hope to those who seek it.
As a fellow WNYer I enjoyed reading about Tim and what his childhood was like.
I had a big Koolaid grin on my face when I read the chapter on how Tim asked Heather out on a date for the first time! It was the sweetest ever! Later only to chuckle at how he proposed to her!
Heather and I are quite alike in that we both like a good bargain! I too am a coupon clipper and a bargain shopper!
In Escape Tim educates us about his EDS Ehlers Danalos Syndrome and by this he brings awareness to his Syndrome. He also walks you through how he was diagnosed and how it has affected his life.
Tim hit the nail on the head when he talked about chronic pain and how it is not just physical but emotional as well. I too suffer from chronic pain from debilitating migraines and scoliosis. For Tim his escape from the pain was food, alcohol and drugs. For me it is escaping reality in a book.
I loved getting to know Heather’s Mom aka Mom B through Tim. She seemed like a great woman who was a great cook. I loved that she would put everyone’s needs before her own! My heart broke upon learning she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Once again my heart broke learning about Tim’s Dad having stage 4 Renal Cancer. I just wanted to hop into the book and give both Tim and Heather a big hug.
Tim discussed going down the route of Bariatric Surgery and I am glad he didn’t go down that route. Where it may help some people like myself (I had the surgery in 2004 and weighed 303lbs and now 140lbs). That surgery is not for everyone and had a chance to do it all over again I would have picked a different route.
I was blown away by all of all the ups and downs that Tim went through to get to where he is today! Not only his weight but the steps he took to get there! If you know Tim you know all he has achieved in his athletic adventures! It blew my mind reading how it was in the beginning. He definitely has come a long way.
It made me smile when I read that his son Jesse took a likening to hiking and would join him once in a while. Plus, he would go on small hikes with his daughter.
Tim shares many inspirational stories in Escape. He also invites his readers to check out his website fatmanrants.com and gives you a QR Code to scan. There is also a link that will take you to see pictures of his journey.
Reading Escape motivated me to revamp my nutrition, weight loss, and fitness goals. If he can do it, so can I.
September 24, 2024
Great book! I knew the general story going in, as he is a local businessman, spokesperson, blogger, speaker, runner, so I knew the general story and was inspired and proud of his accomplishments. Add writer to the list. So many people these days find themselves trapped in that downward spiral. So happy the stars aligned, the words came at the right time, that his change in perspective
saved his life, it came from the tiniest sparks that ignited. It wasn’t easy though was simple. Thank you for so honestly sharing your truths with us.
saved his life, it came from the tiniest sparks that ignited. It wasn’t easy though was simple. Thank you for so honestly sharing your truths with us.
April 16, 2024
Escape, an honest review
This book definitely deserves the 5 stars. It is written with so much heart and honesty. Tim describes his internal battles to finding good health and who he really is. It is inspiring and emotional and I highly recommend it to anyone needing some positive inspiration. Along with bad times and struggles can also create amazing new things. I enjoyed the book very much and it was hard to put down.
This book definitely deserves the 5 stars. It is written with so much heart and honesty. Tim describes his internal battles to finding good health and who he really is. It is inspiring and emotional and I highly recommend it to anyone needing some positive inspiration. Along with bad times and struggles can also create amazing new things. I enjoyed the book very much and it was hard to put down.
April 16, 2024
BRAVO
There is nothing more I can say. I read your book for free through Kindle unlimited and it impacted me more than I ever expected. I wish I had pre-ordered a signed copy. I will be ordering my very own copy so I can re-read and make notations along the way! Incredible!
There is nothing more I can say. I read your book for free through Kindle unlimited and it impacted me more than I ever expected. I wish I had pre-ordered a signed copy. I will be ordering my very own copy so I can re-read and make notations along the way! Incredible!
June 17, 2024
Tim, I loved this book! I saw myself in so many ways. Thank you for baring your soul! Also, my son is an alcohol and substance abuse counselor is getting the book and going to recommend it to some of his clients.
April 9, 2024
Inspiring and thoughtful
I loved Tim's humble approach to telling his story. He is so relatable. His and Heather's love story is so touching.
I loved Tim's humble approach to telling his story. He is so relatable. His and Heather's love story is so touching.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews