The Will to Live: Man A man without a stomach, colon, or gallbladder became a marathon runner and inspires others (8 photos)

The story of a Spaniard who lives without a stomach, rectum, colon, or gallbladder has become an inspiration for many. Juan Dual is literally empty inside. He had almost all of his digestive organs removed due to a serious illness, but he survived against all odds. Moreover, he runs marathons, astonishing everyone with his fortitude. The Spaniard has proven that human potential is virtually limitless.





Juan's sad but inspiring story began when he was 13 years old. The boy was diagnosed with a serious condition—hereditary polyposis, which increases the risk of developing digestive system cancer to 99.8%. His grandmother and uncle died of colon adenocarcinoma, and his father underwent intestinal surgery to prevent death.



At 19, after finishing school, Juan underwent complex surgery, removing his colon and rectum. But this was only the beginning of a difficult journey. When he turned 28, the situation worsened—the disease spread to his stomach, and doctors were forced to remove it as well. The young Spaniard nearly died from post-operative bleeding, but miraculously survived. He weighed only 57 kg and could barely take a few steps.





Eventually, Juan had to have his gallbladder removed because the dangerous bacteria had also infected that organ. He lost half his body weight (he previously weighed 106 kg) and was completely exhausted.



As soon as the Spaniard had recovered somewhat from the complex surgeries, he went to Japan with friends. The trip became a turning point in his life, changing it for the better. Juan didn't speak Japanese, so he spent most of his time simply walking his dog. One day, the dog lunged forward, and Juan ran after it. That's when he realized he could run.



A few months later, Juan went to England, where he settled in a small town surrounded by mountains and found work. There, he regularly jogged. The Spaniard inspired everyone he shared his difficult story with. With the help of a nutritionist, he organized his diet to ensure he had enough strength and energy for physical activity.



Thanks to his persistence, eight months after his last surgery, the Spaniard ran a two-hour marathon in Barcelona. Since then, he has been training constantly and participating in mountain runs and ultramarathons. He says sport gives him health and motivation.



Without a stomach, Juan's hunger has changed. His brain no longer receives signals about what nutrients his body needs. His body fat is only 3%, so he can faint during a run. To avoid this, Juan eats on a schedule and even stops to eat during the marathon to get enough energy to reach the finish line. It's unknown how his body processes food, but he eats everything from donuts to pasta.



Juan's family is happy to see him feeling better. The Spaniard also inspires others, motivating them to achieve their goals. The story of his fight for survival has become a true example of strength and self-belief.

Juan isn't the only one who has defied death and won. A 19-year-old American man had his lower body amputated, but he refuses to give up and leads an active lifestyle.