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Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph
Every Mile Matters is the story of Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds. He’s an Ironman, a real endurance nut. Then, life throws him a massive curveball. He gets cancer. He beats it. Then, amazingly, he gets cancer again. This second one is a real monster, Stage 3B colorectal cancer. The book is his first-person account of this journey. He uses his entire mindset from triathlon training, all that grit and discipline, to fight his way through the diagnosis, the chemo, and the radiation. It’s a story about turning an athlete’s focus inward to battle a disease.
I found the writing incredibly raw. Reynolds doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts. We’re talking about the parts that make most guys squirm. Biopsies. Scared thoughts about his penis not working. A deep, real fear of needing a colostomy bag. He just puts it all on the table. This honesty is the book’s biggest strength. It feels real. You are not reading a medical textbook. You are in the room with a guy who is scared but is digging deep to find his strength. The core idea, linking triathlon to cancer survival, could have been corny, but he makes it work. It’s not just a metaphor; it’s the actual toolkit he used.
What I really liked, though, was the emotional side. The book is about more than just “embracing the suck” of chemo. It’s about his relationships. His partner, Jillian, is a rock. His talks with his kids are heartbreaking and real. He even explores the bigger picture, like the chapter on health disparities. He knows he’s lucky. He has good insurance, a great job, and a support system. He’s smart enough to know that many people fighting the same battle don’t have those things. This self-awareness makes his story so much more powerful. It’s not just a “me” story. It’s a “we” story. He’s vulnerable, and that vulnerability is his superpower.
I was genuinely moved by this book. It’s a story of incredible resilience, but it’s told in a way that feels relatable and grounded. It’s not a preachy self-help book. It’s a story of survival, one mile at a time. I would absolutely recommend this, and not just for athletes. If you or someone you love is facing a tough diagnosis, this book is a must-read. It’s a roadmap for finding strength you didn’t know you had. Honestly, even if you’re just looking for a story about the human spirit’s ability to endure, this one is a winner.
Pages: 264 | ASIN : B0FJPGGWWD
Rise and Thrive Above Cancer Journal
Rise and Thrive Journal is a six-week guided workbook designed to help individuals, particularly those facing or recovering from cancer, reconnect with themselves, set meaningful goals, and make small, daily strides toward a more fulfilling life. Created by a physician who is also a cancer survivor, this journal blends physical, emotional, and spiritual self-care through daily writing prompts, reflections, and mindful practices. It invites the reader to engage fully in life by cultivating gratitude, awareness, and intentional change, all while keeping things deeply personal and uniquely flexible.
I found the tone of this journal to be unexpectedly warm and human. It’s not just a tool, it feels like a companion. The author’s voice is kind, encouraging, and real. The writing avoids being clinical, despite the author’s medical background, and instead leans into something much softer and wiser. What moved me most was the clear sense that this journal was born out of lived experience, not theory. The balance between structure and freedom is also spot on. There’s enough guidance to keep you moving forward, but not so much that it feels like homework. The space to be honest without judgment felt like a breath of fresh air.
The structure, while helpful, can begin to feel repetitive, especially for someone not going through a major health crisis. That said, the consistency might be exactly what someone in a fragile place needs. The real magic of this book is how it slowly builds self-awareness and confidence through tiny, manageable actions. It encourages you to dream a little bigger while also celebrating the smallest wins. And it never once talks down to you.
Rise and Thrive Journal is a beautiful resource for anyone craving more intentionality and self-compassion in their life. It’s especially suited for those navigating cancer or recovery, but I’d recommend it to anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just a bit disconnected. This isn’t about fixing yourself, it’s about finding yourself again, gently and one day at a time.
Pages: 162 | ISBN : 3982611172
LITERARY TITAN 