Jordan Hardgrow suffered devastating injuries, including stab wounds to the heart, collapsed lungs and damage to his intestines after the attack in San Diego.
WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Five years ago, Jordan Hardgrow was clinging to life on a San Diego sidewalk after being stabbed more than 20 times in a random attack that nearly killed him.
Today, he’s lifting weights, winning bodybuilding competitions and embracing a life he almost lost.
Watching him train, it’s clear Jordan is physically strong. But his greatest strength is something you can’t see.
“There’s not really a day that I don’t think about it,” he said about the attack.
That night still lingers. Jordan suffered devastating injuries, including stab wounds to the heart, collapsed lungs and damage to his intestines. Doctors weren’t sure he would survive.
The road back was long and painful.
Once fighting for his life, he now stands stronger than ever, recently taking first place in a bodybuilding competition.
“It was an experience,” he recalled. “Having to put on Speedos and be in front of people. But being comfortable in your body is a very big thing.”
His scars, once reminders of trauma, have become symbols of his survival.
“I wear them as a badge,” Jordan told 10TV.
Jordan said in his final moments before losing consciousness, he felt an unexpected sense of peace and lightness, like he was floating. He wasn’t afraid of death.
But when he woke up, that feeling transformed into something else that he still feels today… gratitude.
“I’m forever grateful,” Jordan says. “Whenever it gets rough, I’m like, you know what, man? At the very worst, at this point five years ago, you were fighting for your life.”
That perspective reshaped everything, including his relationships.
After the attack, Jordan reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Maryam Monsour. Old memories turned into a new beginning and the two are now married.
Maryam said his outlook on life is something she still can’t quite believe.
“He’s just like, I almost died, but it’s great, I get this new lease on life,” said Maryam. “He can be annoyingly positive. I wish I had that.”
Through it all, Jordan has chosen a path of forgiveness.
His attacker was arrested shortly after the attack and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Jordan and his family still don’t know what the motive for the attack was. The man never revealed that. They’re just thankful Jordan survived.
“Forgiveness is the most powerful thing you can possibly do,” Jordan said.
He’s thought about writing a letter to his attacker, but he hasn’t put pen to paper just yet.
Jordan’s story is one of survival, resilience and forgiveness. It’s also a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, strength can rise from within.
