Joe didn’t just survive the impossible. He rebuilt his life with purpose. After losing 80 percent of his body to burns and becoming the world’s first successful face and double hand transplant recipient, Joe turned pain into purpose. While healing and relearning how to live, he wrote his story and built his own clothing company to fund this book himself. No shortcuts. No handouts. Just determination. His book, 80 Percent Gone, 100 Percent Strong Rebuilt with Resilience, releases January 20, 2026

The first human in history to travel to Japan after a full face and double hand transplant. Every day, he proves what resilience looks like. | Dimeo Joe

People often assume Joe isn’t getting better just by looking at him. But healing is so much more than what you see on the outside. Last year, he was being admitted to the hospital every 2–3 months. Now, thanks to changes in his medication regimen and an incredible medical team, this has been his best year yet. Less pain. Less setbacks. Less hospitalizations. He’s even started acupuncture, which has helped tremendously with his hand pain. What many don’t realize is that progress is measured in mo