My Next Breath: A Memoir

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The memoir combines graphic descriptions of medical trauma with philosophical reflections on love, mortality, and personal transformation. Which aspects of this blend—the physical recovery details, the family dynamics, or the spiritual insights—had the strongest impact on you? Why?

2. Renner argues that his snowcat accident was ultimately a “glory moment” (80) rather than a tragedy because it deepened his understanding of love and family. How convincing did you find his reframing of this traumatic experience as a gift?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Renner describes spending a decade systematically confronting his fears by forcing himself to do things that scared him daily. Recall a time when you faced a fear, anxiety, or limitation head on. What did you learn about yourself through that process? How was your method different or similar to Renner’s?

2. The author emphasizes how his childhood Lamaze breathing lessons with his mother unexpectedly saved his life decades later. Reflect on a seemingly insignificant experience from your own past that later proved valuable in unexpected ways. What was it, and how did it help?

3. Renner writes about learning to accept help from others after a lifetime of prizing independence. Have you experienced situations that forced you to rely on family, friends, and/or strangers in ways that challenged your self-sufficiency?

4. The memoir explores how trauma affects entire family systems, not just the primary victim. If you have experienced or witnessed a crisis within your family, how did it change relationships and dynamics among family members?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Renner discusses how his celebrity status both complicated his recovery process and provided him with a platform for charitable work after the accident. How does his experience illuminate broader questions about fame, privacy, and/or using public platforms for social good?

2. The book addresses the role of first responders, medical professionals, and community members in crisis situations. How does Renner’s account reflect or challenge cultural attitudes about heroism, community support, and the value of emergency services?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Renner uses the metaphor of “cheat codes”—like his mantra “THE ONLY OBSTACLE IN YOUR WAY IS YOU”—to describe survival strategies that emerged during his crisis. How does this gaming terminology function to make psychological insights accessible to contemporary readers? What other literary techniques does he use?

2. The memoir alternates between present-tense action sequences during the accident and past-tense reflections on his recovery and life philosophy. How does this temporal structure affect the narrative’s emotional impact and thematic development?

3. The author personifies his body, describing conversations with his injured limbs. He also uses a metaphor to reframe his relationship to pain, treating physical discomfort as dismissible phone notifications. How do these instances illustrate his broader philosophy about controlling one’s perspective versus one’s circumstances?

4. Renner frames his accident as something that eliminated “white noise” from his life, allowing him to focus solely on what truly matters. How does this metaphor function to transform a traumatic experience into a spiritual awakening?

5. The memoir concludes with Renner returning to operate the same snowcat that nearly killed him. How does this circular structure reinforce his themes about conquering fear and reframing traumatic experiences?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Renner describes creating “Camp Rennervation” for foster children as a way to channel his experience into meaningful action. Design your own community project that would allow you to transform a personal challenge or trauma into support for others who might benefit from your experience.

2. Create a list inspired by Renner’s realization that life is fragile and should be lived intentionally. Include specific experiences you want to prioritize with family members, personal fears you want to conquer, and actions you want to take.

3. Renner writes about his near-death experience involving streams of light and “electric serenity” (75). Create an artistic response—whether through writing, visual art, or music—that captures your interpretation of what transcendent peace or connection might feel like. How would you communicate such an ineffable experience to others?