From Beneath the Ice

A Tale of Struggle and Triumph with PTSD and Mental Illness

De: Todd Arkyn Crush

Narrado por: Todd Arkyn Crush

If your life was a book, would you read it? Would it be a harrowing adventure, a desolate tragedy, or a love story? This book is all those things. It is a gripping story of struggle and eventual triumph against all odds.

Todd Arkyn Crush began his life abandoned at a church as an infant. From there he endured two decades of verbal and neglectful abuse from his adoptive mother. He achieved anyway, only to be knocked down again by the onset of schizophrenia.

From Beneath the Ice chronicles Todd’s journey. Schizophrenia destroyed what he had built with his young family. Disquieted by the horrific actions of another schizophrenic, he departed on a five-year backpacking trip into the wilderness. He encountered several near-death experiences.

The oppression in his mind stopped him for many decades. Trapped by symptoms of his schizophrenia and anxiety, Todd languished at every turn. He finally decided to fight back. Through music, running, and sheer mental determination, Todd began his journey back to life.

Todd emerged as a kind and gentle warrior, willing to battle against whatever came his way. His PTSD and schizophrenia created scars that he turned into maps—maps that guided his way From Beneath the Ice to the light above and beyond.

Todd heard ‘You can’t’ from others and himself for a large portion of his life. He now shouts, ‘I CAN!!’ over and over again. Running and performing music with voices are just some of the ways he has overcome. He intends to use his experiences and story to inspire others and help in any way that he can.

From Beneath the Ice is more than a book, it is a triumph of the human spirit. Todd’s mind was hijacked, but he slowly took the helm and charted a new course. It was a difficult process for him to write this book, but in the end, it was empowering. Publishing was even harder, knowing that his darkest moments would be ‘out there’ for the world to see. He knew his primary focus was to help people and contribute to ending the stigma about mental illness. To do this, he had to be more courageous than he had ever been. Embracing his warrior spirit, he brings his tale to life in this incredible account of his journey.

©2024 Todd Arkyn Crush (P)2024 Todd Arkyn Crush

Inspirational

Amazing read! I highly recommend for anyone to read/listen to this book! It is very inspirational! Definitely sheds light on the mental illness.

Beautiful story of triumph

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. The author is a beautiful storyteller, detailing the highs and lows of life complicated by schizophrenia.

Thank you for sharing.

Inspiring, well written, very honest. And perhaps most importantly...awareness, mental health stigma needs to be a thing of the past. I highly recommend to read and share with others.

What a Story!

This book is such a great read and inspiration. Todd shares his life with us, his truths and journeys. Todd's book would be beneficial for all people, whether you suffer from PTSD, mental illness or just the daily struggles of life. I definitely recommend this book. I think it was a little more special knowing Todd was also the narrator.

An incredibly moving and rawly inspiring book

I loved everything about this book. Each chapter moved me deeply. Todd’s honesty and vulnerability portray not just his own incredible strength, but the power each and every one of us possesses to rise, with love and determination, from our darkest places to one of strength, clarity, self-acceptance and learning to roll with the inevitable punches of life as it is experienced both internally and externally. On that note, I especially appreciate how well this book addresses the battlefield of mental health struggles. This is an incredibly reflective and beautifully written book, one I would recommend to anyone who wrestles with the human condition - in other words, everyone.

Heartfelt and Helpful

I appreciated the author’s honesty and courage in sharing his story. I am hopeful that I can utilize what was helpful to the author, in dealing with his symptoms those individuals who trust me, journey with them and deal with their live their life.

Heart-wrenching and inspiring story

What a beautiful story!!! Thank you for sharing. Your honesty and vulnerability moved me deeply, and I am in awe of the courage it must have taken to put your experiences into words.

Reading about your journey was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. You didn’t shy away from the rawness of your struggles, and that authenticity made your triumphs all the more powerful. Your transformation into a talented musician and an accomplished runner is a testament to your resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

Thank you for giving a voice to experiences that so many struggle to articulate. Your book is a gift to anyone who has ever felt trapped beneath their own ice. It’s a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there’s always a path forward.

In someway, your story reminded me of the live of John Nash “A Beautiful Mind”, particularly with the presence of a little girl and a man, and the part about the FBI. I have a feeling your book will make it to the big screen someday, I’m looking forward to watching it.

Powerful Insight

As a fellow runner and a psychiatric provider I found this book to be extremely helpful in the constant struggle posed by schizophrenia. Todd doesn't hold anything back. He celebrates his triumphs but is honest about his weakness and has tremendous insight on how his life affected his illness and vice versa. For anyone looking to understand more about how schizophrenia affects fellow humans, read this book. Very powerful.

Amazing!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I know first hand how debilitating this disease can be. You helped me understand, and knowing there is hope for others going through this is truly inspiring!

Gripping, tearjerking exciting and hopeful

Highly recommend this book. Just finished the Audible. Heartbreaking and inspiring. Todd shares his personal journey, growth, and daily overcoming of his mental illnesses. It is very eye opening what people like him are experiencing in the middle of anxiety and delusions, how very real and very hard it is to fight through it. Todd is a new hero for me and I look forward to following him as he shares his weekly and often daily updates. For those of us who might interact with others who battle with struggles like these be it in family, coworkers, on the street or who are living in a tent in the woods, this book will hopefully give a much greater understanding of the terrible struggles so many are living in. And, to hopefully open our hearts with a lot more compassion . Baby steps are enough to grow.