Shifting into High Gear

One Man's Grave Diagnosis and the Epic Bike Ride That Taught Him What Matters

By: Kyle Bryant, Alex Schnitzler - contributor

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Shifting into High Gear charts the course of Kyle Bryant's transformation as he journeys on a recumbent tricycle across the United States in the throes of Friedreich's ataxia, a life-shortening and disabling disease. Full of humor and reflection, it's a heroic journey of a man driven to reframe the language of disease through action and service.

As you travel with Kyle during two cross-country bike rides through the American West, Texas, the Southern States, and finally to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the grueling rides become a compelling backdrop for a series of lessons and ruminations which embrace an alternative worldview and provide practical solutions to everyday problems.

A thrilling adventure story, yes, Shifting into High Gear is also ultimately about helping listeners reinterpret the conditions of their lives and learning how positive thinking, purposeful connection, and deliberate actions can help anyone reach beyond their limits and live a bolder and bigger life no matter what the circumstance.

©2019 Kyle Bryant (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Courageous and tenacious

The humble and determined author and his loving parents were inspirational humans who worked tirelessly to bring attention to a debilitating and deadly health issue. I really enjoyed listening to the story. The narrator has a very easy-to-listen-to voice.

Shifting together

The book is well-written, takes readers along the journey, and it challenges more adventures. Enjoy!

Honest, Humble, Humorous and Encouraging!

Narrator's voice was rich and smooth!! But when he said "Lo-dee" instead of "Lo-dye", lol, I knew he wasn't from Northern California!! Considering that's my only negative comment, that speaks to how well he did. I'll be looking for more that Adam Verner reads.

As to the story, loved it!! I have genetic Ataxia too, but mine is Ataxia Telegentasia. Similar, but not the same, and Kyle does a good job explaining that there are different types. I too grew up in Sacramento, CA, constantly falling, but I was also integrating schools so I wasn't sure it was more than clumsiness until 4th grade at a Catholic school, where standing with your feet perfectly together was required, but I simply couldn't do it without falling! I became a pop-locker (dancing) and doing the splitz then sliding back upright was a signature move...2 guesses why.😁 As the author Kyle said, many are misdiagnosed...I was finally correctly diagnosed at age 50 in 2012. Listening to him describe people misunderstanding the way you walk, thinking that you're on drugs or drunk when you're absolutely not OR being constantly told you'll die or be unable to feed yourself brings back multiple memories. My favorite description was "using an RV bathroom"😂 been there, done that. I tell people if they can't be my cheerleader to find someone else to talk to. Kyle makes a great cheerleader for those of us who want more out of life than being recognized as disabled. Swimming is another way to move without falling being a problem.

My first time seeing a Recumbent Trike was a neighbor's adult son who'd had surgery on the frontal lobe of his brain. Because of the type of Ataxia I have, I get brain tumors and have had 2 surgeries. I had to stop riding my bike just before the 1st surgery but was still very active physically until Covid 19 started lockdowns that shut everything down. Yesterday I test rode a Recumbent Trike for the very first time. What an absolute Joy to be able to ride again!! So glad I waited until today to listen to this story. Had never heard of the IT Knee issues. Got some excellent pointers for the ICE that I'm hoping to get soon. In fact, I've utilized Kyle's story on YouTube to help explain to people just what Ataxia is.

Honest, humble, humorous and encouraging! Fantastic!!

The Ride of Life/FA

Loved it! You're an amazing soul, Kyle. FA, explained well. Impressed by the ride/s you've taken and how it head propelled you forward in life. Thank you!... Mom of two FAers.

Living a life with determination!

Everyone has a story to tell, and I am so glad that you shared yours Kyle! I went through every emotion while listening to this book! Very relatable for me as I also have FA, but I do feel that anyone can take away something inspirational from his words!