Aron Ralston

Aron Ralston was born in Marion, Ohio. He lived in Ohio with his family until he was 12, when they moved to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, Ralston got involved in outdoor sports, including skiing, hiking, and mountaineering. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, working as a mechanical engineer for several years while continuing to be involved in outdoors activities. In 2003, when Ralston was 27, he got his arm trapped by a boulder in a canyoneering accident and had to amputate his own arm to survive. The story was widely covered in the media and eventually became the basis of Ralston’s 2004 book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place. In 2010, the book was adapted into the film 127 Hours by director Danny Boyle, receiving several Oscar nominations at the 2011 ceremony. Ralston has continued to be involved with the outdoors as well as becoming a motivational speaker.