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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
My Ironman 70.3 Dream
A Turbulent Mind: My Journey to Ironman 70.3 shares your inspiring story that will encourage triathletes and motivate any reader. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When I visited India in September 2018, after finishing my first Ironman 70.3 race, I was asked numerous questions by people about open water swimming and what it takes to do a triathlon. Many expressed their fear towards water which prohibited them from even learning how to swim. There were others who were keen to participate in a triathlon someday. I could empathie with their concerns since I too had similar inhibitions. At that time, I decided to pen down my triathlon journey-how I overcame my fear of open water swimming and went on to do a grueling race like the Ironman 70.3 in a year’s time. Barring one or two, there weren’t too many books on triathlons written by Indians and that too by recreational athletes. My purpose of penning down this book was a way to reach out to other aspiring triathletes to inspire them to overcome their fears and reach their goal. Incidentally even non-runners or non-triathletes have managed to resonate with the book.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before training for a triathlon?
For a triathlon and especially Ironman 70.3 race, you end up doing two workouts in a day. At one point, I felt I had no time for anything else. I wish someone had advised me on how to balance your time between training and your personal and professional life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What were some moments that were important for you to share in this book?
Thank you. Yes, while writing memoir, it’s important to be honest and authentic. Only then will readers be able to relate and empathize with your journey. Some of the most important moments that I wanted to share in this book was the loneliness that I experienced in the Bay Area, particularly amidst the Business School community. The feelings of depression and loneliness was what steered me towards a triathlon in the first place. Another important moment was to write about my childhood fears, my first open water swim and my decision to almost give up my Ironman 70.3 dream. These were also hard to write as there was always this fear of what reads would think of me. Would I seem too whiny? At the end of the day, I am glad I wrote them as these were some of the important moments in my journey.
What are your future triathlon plans?
I will continue doing Olympic distances and Ironman 70.3 races. My ultimate goal is to do a full Ironman which is the 140.6 distance. Maybe in a couple of years down the line. My target race is Ironman California.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
I wasn’t ready to put myself through a gruelling training regime. At the same time I had to conquer my fear of swimming in open water and lay those inner demons to rest. When I completed my first Sprint distance Triathlon, I was elated. It motivated me to pursue this sport called Triathlon for which I developed passion over time. Ultimately, I followed my dream of crossing the finish line of the Ironman 70.3, to consider myself worthy of something.
For those of you who are thinking about getting into this sport, this book
will motivate you to take that plunge. And for the rest of us triathletes, you will find a part of yourself in the chapters of this book.
Happy reading and keep ‘Tri’-ing!
LITERARY TITAN 