Heart To Beat: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity–The Heart Way

Dr. Brian Lima is a big believer in the power of dreams. He wholeheartedly believes that one doesn’t need to be the smartest or most talented person in the world to win, but that if you have plenty of tenacity and focus, the American dream is entirely attainable. We are all capable of greatness if we put in the hard work.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Dr. Lima overcame the odds and achieved his dreams of becoming a heart surgeon. Heart to Beat is his underdog story and also a testament to the work ethic his parents instilled in him. Success is not bestowed, but rather the result of dedicated hard work. More than merely an autobiographical piece, Heart to Beat offers lessons Dr. Lima learned along the journey in order to encourage readers to push themselves beyond their perceived limitations and reach their own dreams.

Easy to read, relatable, and enjoyable too, Heart to Beat would speak loudest to those who know Dr. Lima personally. Yet there’s plenty of wisdom within these pages for everyone. Part One—Heart Knock Life—lightly discusses lessons he learned in his early years and introduces his concept for living life with heart. I enjoyed how Dr. Lima ties many of his lessons back to the physical heart: “What if we approached life’s challenges and setbacks like our own hearts continuously strive to meet the demands of our body—unrelenting, constant effort and action even in dire circumstances.” I also enjoyed reading about the author’s kitchen table talks with his dad and the lasting impact this man had on his life, especially his hatred for complacency.

Part Two—In Heart Pursuit—introduces the concept of gravitas and the role this concept has played in his professional life. He details his journey through medical studies and the powerful lessons he learned along the way. He speaks out against our culture of instant gratification and the ‘everyone gets a trophy’ form of positive reinforcement. You’ll meet the mentors who shaped him into the doctor he is today and comes away with lessons applicable to your own life.

In Part Three- Cold Heart Facts—Dr. Lima encourages readers to always be ready because your moment will arrive when you least expect it. You’ll find the greatest amount of medical science in this section. This is where Dr. Lima explains why all the stress, hard work, and long hours are worth it all to him. He encourages readers, “Never give up on your dreams and always take the high road. I promise you everything else will work itself out in the long run! Just be true to yourself and do your part!”

Heart to Beat is a like a great kitchen table chat with an old friend. It’s a decent way to spend a few hours and perhaps rekindle your own passions and zeal for life.