Hal Elrod - Taking LIFE Head On! (The Hal Elrod Story)

Hal Elrod is a trueinspiration. His story touched my heart, and I know he will touchyours.

RudyRuettiger, the real-life Notre Dame football player

who inspired the hitHollywood movie RUDY

Courage is one of the greatvirtues missing in our society today, and our young people are indesperate need of courageous role models and mentors. Hal's storyis amazing. It is a story of courage that we can all be inspiredby.

Matthew Kelly, NY Timesbestselling author of

The Rhythm ofLife

Hal changes liveswherever he goes. His tools of impeccable integrity and a positivefocus for the future make an impact at the fundamental level neededfor anyone to surpass their boundaries and commit to a new level ofleadership. The gift of communication has never found a better ormore deserving host than Hal Elrod.

Jeffrey T. Sooey, President& CEO, JTS Advisors

Incredible. Taking Life HeadOn! is a riveting story that grabs yourheart. For anyone that has experienced seemingly insurmountablechallenges, this book alters your thinking about whats possibleand teaches you the strategies needed to create the extraordinarylife youve always wanted.

Jon Vroman, President &founder, Front Row Foundation

There are very fewindividuals on this planet who have the ability to give the perfectmeaning to every circumstance. Hal Elrod is one of these people. Hehas proven that we can control our destiny, our emotions, and ourlives. Thank you, Hal, for this book!

Jon Berghoff, NationalSales Director, Vitamix

Optimism in action is howId describe Hals story. He is more than a man with a positiveoutlook. He is a man who exercises his attitude on a daily basis tobring out success in himself and in others.

DaveDurand, author of PerpetualMotivation

Having been an elite levelathlete for most of my life, I have come across severalaccomplished individuals, coaches, and athletes who seem to defythe physical and mental barriers of human potential. I trulybelieve that Hal Elrod is one of the most inspirational andcourageous people I have ever met. His heart, his story, hisdetermination and his authenticity transcend anything I've everknown to exist in a person.

Callie Withers,Professional Soccer Player, WUSA

I have had the pleasureof knowing Hal Elrod both personally and professionally for the forthe last six years. His story is one of the greatest testaments tohow all of us can take adversity head on and rise to thetop.

Anthony "AB" Bourke, CEO ofAfterburner Seminars

A mentor once told methat you are never too young and never too old to achieve greatnessin life. Hal is fortunate and blessed to be alive and is using thislife as an opportunity to positively impact others to greatness. Heis truly passing on the blessing!

John Ruhlin, President,Ruhlin Promotion Group

WOW!! Hal Elrod is anamazing example of what it takes to be successful in any area ofyour life! The book was educational AND inspirational! It's a mustread for anyone in the sales industry and a should read for anyonethat wants to improve as a human being!

Jeff Bry, Region Manager,Vector Marketing

Hal is one of the mostunique and talented individuals I have ever met. If you really wantto take control of your life and do more of what is reallymeaningful to you, you will find this book is a great tool for youto improve your life & business.

Tony Carlston, Owner, C& C Enterprises

Taking Life Head On! is a must read for anyone that has faced adversity. Anamazing story and an incredible person that everyone can relate to.Put it on your must read list!

Steve Pokrzyk, MarketDevelopment Mgr., Vector Marketing

TAKING LIFE

Head On!

[The Hal ElrodStory]

How To LOVE the Life YouHave While

You CREATE the Life ofYour Dreams

- Yo Pal Hal Elrod -

Published by:

Hal Elrod International,Inc.

Temecula,CA

www.YoPalHal.com

SmashwordsEdition

Copyright Hal Elrod, 2007 | AllRights Reserved

No part of this book maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic,electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, tapingor by any information storage retrieval system without priorwritten permission from the author or publisher. This book isinspired by true events as lived by the author.

Cover design: Melody Lambert, MLDesigns

Coverphotograph: Wes Davis, Wes Davis Photography

Yo PalHal Logo artwork: JeremyKaten

Editing Team: Andy Mannle & BudGardner

Chief Editor: Sarah Baker Andrus

Original Dedication(2006)

This book is dedicated to all of thepeople in my life who

have loved, supported, and prayed forme. Without each

and everyone one of you, this bookandmy lifewould

not be possible.

Updated Dedication(2012)

Since writing this book, Ihave been blessed to marry the woman of my dreamsUrsula Elrod, andwe have been blessed with two children, Sophie and Halsten. Ursula,Sophie, and HalstenI dedicate this book (and my life) to you. Ilove you more than anything. You are my worldnow andalways.

Gratitude

It has been almostfive years since I first dreamt of writing this book and sharing mystory with the world, but it wasnt until last year, just after my25 th birthday, that I committed to the process. Once I fullycommitted, miracles began showing up in my life. Unknown forces inthe universe seemingly came together, sending the right people andresources needed for me to make my dream a reality. It is thanks tothe combined efforts, love and support of many extraordinary peoplethat you are reading this today.

My sincere and heartfeltgratitude goes out to

Bud Gardner and AndyMannlemy brilliant editing team. Thanks to your incredible talentand insights my ideas, my story, and my dream have been assembledinto this life-changing book.

Sarah Baker-Andrus, myChief Editor. As I have told you from the beginning, you are myangel, sent from heaven to bring my story to the world. I couldntdo it without you, and I am eternally grateful for your selflesscommitment to the truth.

All of my Cutcocustomers. I have learned something valuable from each of you, andit is thanks to your love, loyalty and support that I have beenable to create the life I have today.

All of myCutco/Vector colleagues, managers and executives. You are my2 nd family and have been the most positive influence on my life.You have taught me how to treat people, what is to be valued inbusiness, and how to live with integrity.

Authors, speakers, andmentors such as Wayne Dyer, Neale Donald Walsh, Anthony Robbins,Tim Sanders, Roger Crawford and Matthew Kelly for your unwaveringcommitment to adding value to the lives of others. You have foreverchanged mine.

My friends from Oakhurstand surrounding areas. Growing up in our small mountain communitywas truly a blessing for me. Thank you for your love and supportthroughout the years.

Everyone who selflesslyshared your valuable time and energy visiting me in the hospital.Your energy and love gave me life.

My best friends, everysingle one of you is extraordinary. We have shared so manylife-enhancing experiences together with so many more to come. Ilove each of you unconditionally and I am committed to supportingyou for the rest of my life.

Jon Berghoff, forencouraging me to write this book. Your combination of wisdom alongwith your desire to give back, never stop amazing me. Thank you foryour love, insight, and encouragement.