UNCOLLAPSABLE Soul

Surfside Tragedy Victim’s Grandson Releases Book

By: Nancy Esteves

Two years after the Surfside condo collapse, Michael Noriega, the oldest victim’s grandson, has released his book on his devasting and life-changing experience during one of the deadliest collapses in U.S. History, the Champlain Towers South condominium.

Ninety-eight lives were lost, leaving families shattered, including Michael Noriega, who sadly suffered the loss of his beautiful 92-year-old grandmother, Hilda Noriega, the family’s matriarch still full of vitality.

“Uncollapsable Soul,” he says, honors and preserves the legacy of his grandmother, Hilda Noriega, and commemorates and shares compelling stories of the victims. Major news media have interviewed Noriega, a highly charismatic and emotional speaker who advocates faith and hope. Below is an exclusive interview for HL Magazine with Michael Noriega.

- What made you decide to write a book about the Surfside tragedy?

In the aftermath of the Surfside collapse, my soul was very unsettled. I think it’s because you can chase a ‘calling’ your whole life only to realize it was preparation for the real calling that’s been chasing you.

Uncollapsable Soul is a beautiful way to capture & preserve my grandmother’s legacy, to commemorate and share the compelling stories of victims of the tragedy while honoring the heroic first responders. It gave me purpose through the pain.

-Why did you name the book “Uncollapsable Soul?

I saw a banner at the “Wall of Hope” quoted Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” That verse inspired this book. When faced with suffering, I want my readers to know that God is with them in pain to rescue their spirits from crushing so that their soul doesn’t collapse like my grandmother’s building. What happened to Champlain Towers South is symbolic of what happens to our lives when it’s built on the wrong foundation. Building stronger structures is important, but healing our souls after devastation is paramount. We move forward only when we take both actions—rebuilding within us to build back better around us—.

-What is the theme of the book?

I wrote Uncollapsable Soul to answer one question: How do you endure a broken heart without it crushing your spirit? A broken heart is part of life. But a crushed spirit is losing your faith, hope & purposethat’s why God desires to rescue you from it! Although the pain of heartbreak is inevitable, the hopelessness of a crushed spirit is optional: A crushed spirit is a life sentence, while a broken heart is a life season. A crushed spirit is a hopeless destination you move to. However, a broken heart is a season of grieving to heal through. A crushed spirit is a captive and incarcerated soul, but a broken heart can be made whole and free your soul.

It’s about finding a message in your mess, hope through your heartbreak, and purpose from your pain.

-You mention in many of your speeches that your spirit was crushed. What has helped you overcome the pain of losing your dearest grandmother?

The collapse broke my heart but didn’t crush my spirit. However, there was a season in my life long before Surfside that crushed my soul- which is the plot twist of this book. What I saw as a curse in one season became preparation for another season.

I haven’t overcome the pain of losing Kima (Hilda). I’ve only brought meaning, passion and purpose to the pain.

The power of love lies not in the absence of suffering but in how we harness and transform it into a force for good. If you’re not willing to suffer for it, then you’re not passionate about it by default.

-How will your book help others who are experiencing grief?

When your world collapses around you, it’s usually from a severed relationship in 1 of 4 forms- a burial, betrayal, break-up, or a bodily breakdown. Uncollapsable Soul shares my 5-step process to healing that I discovered and exemplified through specific victim stories, Restoration”. Pain doesn’t define you. It transforms you. I hope readers adopt the promises of restoration so that today’s struggles become the strength for tomorrow. Our Souls were designed to be Uncollapsable.

-What was one of the most important life lessons that Hilda taught you during her life?

Her life was a beautiful example of living from the overflow of God’s love. I learned- How can your heart run dry when the source of your well comes from an endless supply?

Hilda’s inheritance is what she left FOR me. But her legacy is what she left IN me.

The greatest tribute I can offer is sharing her story for God’s glory. Uncollapsable Soul is both a memorial and a part of her legacy that aims to bring honor, hope & healing for generations to come.

-Where can we find the book?

Instagram/ TikTok/ Threads: @the.real.noriega

Facebook: @UncollapsableSoul

Twitter: @realMikeNoriega www.MikeNoriega.com