Vinney Tolman, a weightlifter who was clinically dead for 107 minutes after a medication mishap, has described an extraordinary near-death experience in which he traveled to a world bathed in light and encountered a being he initially thought was God. Tolman collapsed in a restaurant restroom after taking a now-banned bodybuilding supplement and was found unresponsive. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene and placed him in a body bag.
The Collapse and Out-of-Body Experience
Speaking on the Mighty Pursuit podcast, Tolman recalled that he and a friend had taken the supplement and began feeling unwell. While at a restaurant, he went to the restroom and suddenly felt the world spin. He heard a loud crack as his head hit the sink or floor. He then experienced a floating sensation, feeling weightless and free of pain. He described watching his own body from above, seeing his neck swollen and discolored. He also saw his friend slumped face down in a pool of vomit; the friend later recovered after being taken to a hospital.
Revival by a Rookie Paramedic
Tolman observed two veteran paramedics attempt CPR and oxygen, but they found no response and declared him dead. They ordered a 22-year-old rookie medic to babysit the body in the ambulance. Tolman says he could read the rookie's thoughts, which were filled with self-doubt. The rookie decided to break protocol, unzipped the body bag, and checked for signs of life. Despite the body being cold, he persisted and detected a faint pulse. He administered oxygen and used a defibrillator, achieving a steady heartbeat on the third attempt. Tolman was revived after 107 minutes of clinical death.
The Journey to the Afterlife
Although revived, Tolman remained in a coma for three days. When he regained consciousness, he carried vivid memories of a spiritual realm. He described being enveloped in a glowing light of love and acceptance, far surpassing any earthly love. He turned to see a figure dressed in white with a long white beard and flowing robes, who smiled at him with eyes that seemed to hug his soul. Tolman initially thought the figure was God or Jesus, but the being communicated telepathically, saying, "No, son. I'm not God. I'm here to be your guide."
Lessons from the Other Side
The guide showed Tolman another world, a planetary-like space larger than anything conceivable, filled with love. Even the grass felt like a long-lost friend. Tolman concluded that God is not a singular being but an entire system of love energy. He wrote about his experience in a book titled The Light After Death: My Journey to Heaven and Back. He emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating, "Every moment that we are not being authentic, it's a moment wasted."
