The Human Reboot Project

In this episode of The Human Reboot Project, host Jay Middleton sits down with Dan VanDyke, a fellow head and neck cancer survivor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to discuss resilience, advocacy, and the power of mindset. Dan shares his journey from a shocking 2019 diagnosis—discovered via a painless lump in his neck just days after running a half marathon—to his experience in a cutting-edge clinic...

Trails of Resilience: Reclaiming Strength After Stage 3 Cancer with Kendra Torres   What does it look like to face a multi-cancer diagnosis, battle through treatment and choose to fight your way back onto the singletrack? In this episode of The Human Reboot Project, I sit down with Boise, Idaho native and absolute powerhouse Kendra Torres. Kendra is a survivor of stage 3C ovarian cancer, breast ca...

The Human Reboot Project: Transforming Pain into Art with Katie Drablos In this episode of The Human Reboot Project, I am joined by professional dancer, choreographer, and stage four cancer warrior Katie Drablos. From the high-energy stages of Radio City as a former Rockette to the unimaginable challenge of a terminal diagnosis, Katie’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. W...

The Human Reboot Project: Finding the Way with Jason Doyle After a grueling mental health battle and a challenging IVF journey with his wife, Jason Doyle ran 3,000 miles across the U.S. to answer one question: "What does it mean to be a man?" In this episode, Jason shares how his trek from California to New York birthed the nonprofit No Map for Manhood. We discuss "becoming the summit" in everyday...

What happens when you choose to experience life from behind the handlebars of a "freedom machine" and never look back? In this episode, I sit down with legendary content creator and cyclist Ryan Van Duzer. We dive deep into his journey from a childhood health scare in Boulder to becoming a global advocate for the "goodness of humanity." Ryan opens up about his mother's influence on his resilience,...

For Episode 12 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with Savio P. Clemente, a man who didn't just hit the reset button—he rewired the whole machine. Savio is a board-certified wellness coach, author, and a two-time cancer survivor who views his recent stem cell transplant not merely as a medical procedure, but as a literal "medical rebirth." We dive deep into his journey from a stage 3 Non-Hodg...

Can Being Hit by a Truck Really be one of the Best Things that Ever Happened to a Person? For Episode 11 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with a true force of nature: Megan Hottman. Megan is a national champion cyclist, an attorney, an author, and a woman who has redesigned her life around the philosophy of "hell yes or it's a no". We dove deep into the concept of intentional living. Megan...

For Episode 9 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with a trio of survivors who turned a diagnosis into a documentary. Meet Alejandro Daza, Christina Fisher, and Jeff Meskey—the stars of the AbbVie-sponsored film from Encompass Films, Second Winds. We dive deep into the reality of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). If you’ve ever heard the medical term "wat...

Meet Steph Lightfoot: British expat, mother of twins, trail runner in the French Alps, and a powerful force in the world of exercise oncology.   In this inspiring episode, host Jay Middleton speaks with Steph about her journey through a 2021 breast cancer diagnosis. Steph shares her candid and intense experience with treatment—including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a double mastectomy, and a crash...

We usually talk to endurance athletes on The Human Reboot Project, but today we are bucking that trend to sit down with a different kind of champion: Karen Hertz, Founder and Chief Brewista of Holidaily Brewing. After surviving back-to-back diagnoses of melanoma and thyroid cancer in her 30s, Karen was given a strict recommendation to adopt a gluten-free diet. Unwilling to give up the camaraderie...

Already an accomplished long distance hiker, Dean found his plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) upended when he was diagnosed with head & neck cancer.  It would take more than six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy to slow him down. In fact Dean’s diagnosis provided him with additional purposed as he chose to use the hike to help raise awareness of head and neck cancer and SPOHN...

One episodes is not enough to contain all that is Garth Prosser. Sit back and enjoy round two of my interview with Garth In this episode, we dig deeper into Garth's cancer diagnosis. This interview is a must for anyone who is faced with their own diagnosis. Garth talks about confronting his own fears and moving through them. To finish the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race once is an accomplishment unto...

To finish the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race once is an accomplishment unto itself but what about finishing it twenty three times?   In today’s episode of The Human Reboot Project, I sit down with former Specialized and Cannondale athlete Garth Prosser for a two part interview to talk about what it takes to complete the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race twenty three times, dealing with and coming back fr...

Welcome to The Human Reboot Project, where we connect with inspiring individuals who have faced major life challenges—or "monkey wrenches"—and chosen to pick themselves up and keep moving forward.   In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Gurov, a former rally car racer, competitive cyclist, and adventurer. Heidi is a true testament to resilience, having documented her thrilling journeys in her po...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Human Reboot Project where we meet world cycling champion Tom Strause.   An accomplished cyclist before his diagnosis, cancer provided a set back but hasn’t slowed Tom down.    Tom Strause is a Stage 2 Head & Neck Cancer survivor and thriver. Hear his remarkable story as a five time Leadville 100 MTB finisher. He also owns four 24 hour Single Speed Time...

Kamden Krull - Speaker, Storyteller,Philanthropist and Cancer Survivor All Before Her 21st Birthday   When most teenagers are thinking about graduation and attending college, Kamden Krull, was faced with the daunting task of surviving a rare form of cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.   In our conversation we discuss the power of family, the need to give back and training for the Leadville 100 MTB 2...

What do you do if you find yourself a window at thirty eight, dealing with cancer and trying to raise four children on your own?   If you're Anita Coyle you compete in the XTERRA World Championships, race the Leadville 100 MTB and start a podcast to support other widows.   On this episode of The Human Reboot Project we sit down with Anita to understand why nine months after her husband passed away...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Human Reboot Project where we meet world cycling champion Tom Strause.   An accomplished cyclist before his diagnosis, cancer provided a set back but hasn’t slowed Tom down.    Tom Strause is a Stage 2 Head & Neck Cancer survivor and thriver. Hear his remarkable story as a five time Leadville 100 MTB finisher. He also owns four 24 hour Single Speed Time...