1674: Revolutionary War Fiction and SCAD Survival with Suzy Ryan

Author, educator, and Ironman athlete Suzy Ryan joins Marketer of the Day to discuss her books, teaching, resilience, and the experiences that shaped her work. She shares her survival story after spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which caused multiple heart attacks while she was training and teaching. After realizing something was seriously wrong, she was treated by cardiologist Dr. Kenneth Carr, who identified a dissection in her left anterior descending artery and placed long stents. Suzy reflects on recovery, faith, listening to warning signs, and her determination to see herself as a victor rather than a victim. Her experience also inspired her to speak publicly about heart awareness and encourage people to seek medical attention when symptoms feel unusual. Her candid story highlights how unexpected adversity can become a source of perspective, purpose, and connection. Suzy also shares the inspiration behind Two Spies in Time, a historical time-travel novel built around an alternative version of the American Revolution. In the story, Benedict Arnold’s treason succeeds, the British win the war, and a modern protagonist travels from Commonwealth Kansas to colonial New York City in 1780. Suzy uses the changed timeline to imagine how a different outcome would reshape daily life, culture, and the identity of the United States. Her research brings figures such as George Washington, Nathan Hale, and Benedict Arnold into the story as complex people rather than one-dimensional names from a textbook. She discusses Washington’s leadership under pressure, Arnold’s motivations and betrayal, and Hale’s sacrifice as a young spy. By combining historical fiction, alternate history, and classroom-friendly storytelling, Suzy hopes to make the Revolutionary era engaging and memorable for readers. https://youtu.be/LFxifKWDmSg?si=Of6K6czTqWpwotnF Beyond her novels, Suzy reflects on her years as a middle- and high-school English and social studies teacher, and her goal of helping young people understand American history and the complicated lives behind its heroes. She connects that mission to a growth mindset, empathy, and her message that people can move forward without denying hardship. Suzy describes starting Warrior Publishing LLC, learning to format her own books, and collaborating with her husband, teacher friends, and audiobook narrator Todd McLaren to bring Two Spies in Time to readers. She also discusses Saving Summer and The Seaside Storybook, a student-created collection whose proceeds supported people experiencing homelessness. Suzy says stories can preserve lessons, honor the people who shaped us, and inspire the next generation. The conversation closes with reflections on motherhood, teaching, and quotes from Rudyard Kipling and Maya Angelou about seeing the best in people and the lasting impact of how we make others feel. Quotes: “You are not victims; you’re a victor, no matter what you’ve gone through, because I’ve been through a lot, and I’m a victor.” “When you feel something like that, you get in to the doctor, even if you’re healthy, even if you don’t have a history of heart issues.” “Everything is there for a reason. There’s no random fact, even though you may be reading and think, ‘How is she going to pull all this together?" Contact Details: Read the Story of Resilience: Explore Suzy Ryan’s Website Discover More of Suzy’s Story: Follow Her on Instagram Follow Suzy Ryan on Facebook for More Inspiring Updates and Insights Subscribe to Suzy Ryan on YouTube for More Inspiring Content Saving Summer on Amazon Two Spies in Time on Amazon