Episode XII
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-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis at age 38 to a brutal relapse ten years later. Savio opens up about the reality of a stem cell transplant—which gave him a second birthday and required him to get all his childhood vaccines again—and how he used that time to develop his philosophy of Adaptive Resilience.
Unlike standard resilience (bouncing back after the fact), Savio teaches us how to flex and adapt while we are in the trenches of the crisis. We discuss his transition from the tech world to the wellness stage, his TEDx talk, and the “Aloha Reboot” framework that helps leaders and survivors alike navigate the storm.
This episode is a masterclass in turning a health crisis into a catalyst for leadership and post-traumatic growth. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis or just life’s general chaos, Savio’s message of “catch and release” is the tool you need.
Tune in to hear how a “medical rebirth” led to a life of purpose, advocacy, and grit.
Savio’s Tedx Talk
Savio’s Website
https://www.saviopclemente.com
Episode XI
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 shared how she transitioned from the grind of a traditional legal career to a life of “van life” and advocacy, driven by a desire to live on her own terms. We discussed the tragic death of her friend and fellow cyclist, Gwen English, and the emotional weight of securing a record-setting $403 million verdict for Gwen’s family—a “mic drop” moment that left Megan questioning what comes next.
Megan also opened up about her own near-death experience, where she was struck by a truck just days after the criminal sentencing for Gwen’s driver. She described this trauma as a “portal” that stripped her life down to the studs, leading her to write her upcoming book, Finding Enough in a World Wired for More.
From “awe walks” to creating a legacy with PeopleForBikes, Megan’s story is a masterclass in turning trauma into purpose. Set to an electronic-pop vibe inspired by Big Wild, this episode is a wake-up call to stop following the script and chart your own course.
Tune in to hear how getting hit by a truck became one of the best things to ever happen to her.
Episode X
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000745093538
Spotify: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ir8uv-1a13fea
For Episode 10 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with a trio of survivors who refuse to let a diagnosis slow them down: Alejandro Daza, Christina Fisher, and Jeff Meskey. You might recognize them as the stars of the inspiring documentary, Second Winds.
We dove deep into the reality of living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). We discussed the anxiety of the “watch and wait” phase—which feels like holding a live grenade—and the roller coaster of treatments, from clinical trials to the dreaded bone marrow biopsies.
But this episode isn’t just about medical charts; it’s about the healing power of the outdoors. Whether it’s Alejandro biking, Christina skiing, or Jeff skateboarding at age 69, this crew proves that motion is medicine. They have turned their battles into powerful patient advocacy, demonstrating that resilience is a team sport.
Tune in for a masterclass in turning a “new normal” into a life of adventure, hope, and grit.
Interested in seeing the film that helped spark this conversation? See below.
Episode IX
Movement is medicine! My conversation with Steph Lightfoot is a great place to start the year for motivation, hope and inspiration. Use the links below to listen or watch.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000744080661
Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/o99s2noIJZb
For Episode 9 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with the unstoppable Steph Lightfoot, a British expat, mother of twins, and cancer exercise specialist living in the French Alps. Her reboot story began in 2021 when she discovered a lump while showering. What started as a “straightforward” treatment plan quickly escalated into a grueling 18-month battle involving a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the surgical removal of her ovaries.
Steph refused to let cancer bench her. Encouraged by her oncologist (a fellow runner) and inspired by an American ultra-runner, she committed to moving every single day. Even during the darkest days of chemo, she walked laps around her house, gradually building up to a 10km run just three weeks after her final treatment.
We dove into the unique challenges faced by athlete-survivors, from managing “chemobrain” with intense brain training to modifying workouts to accommodate permanent tendon damage from hormone therapy. Steph now channels her experience into coaching others through Cancer Coach, offering personalized plans that account for treatment side effects and stage of disease.
Steph’s philosophy is simple: consistency over intensity. Whether it’s swimming to manage lymphedema or training for a Hyrox race, she proves that movement is powerful medicine. Set to a ’90s indie rock soundtrack, this episode is a masterclass in reclaiming your body and your identity.
Episode VIII
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Karen Hertz who as the “Chief Brewerista” is on a mission to brew not just great beer but great gluten free beer.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000742275661
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1x7ttEWictupYi58w2sEJo?si=RCf0YbRVT0Co8-FjnD8GQw
For Episode 8 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with Karen Hertz, the founder and “Chief Brewerista” of Holidaily Brewing Company. Karen’s reboot story is incredible: after surviving both melanoma and thyroid cancer within a single year—while raising newborn twins—she was advised to cut gluten from her diet.
Working at Coors at the time, Karen realized she wasn’t just losing bread; she was losing the social connection of beer culture. Refusing to settle for the “vodka chick at the tailgate” role, she set out to brew a world-class gluten-free beer using alternative grains like millet and buckwheat sourced locally in Colorado. Today, Holidaily is one of only about 15 dedicated gluten-free breweries in the U.S. and the only certified woman-owned one.
We geeked out on the science of brewing without barley and the critical advantage of a dedicated facility to eliminate cross-contamination. Karen also shared the hilarious stories behind her beer names, like Fat Randy’s IPA and Favorite Blonde.
Karen’s philosophy is simple: “Make every day a holiday”. Her cancer journey stripped away her fear and replaced it with a relentless drive to build a positive culture and pursue “world domination” in the gluten-free market
Episode VII
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker, Dean Gay aka 4Runner.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000741634081
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EuHFTDE3SJfbZu5UAjkYi?si=N1fFacXEQjKYXuUkQtn1Hw
For Episode 7 of The Human Reboot Project, I welcomed Dean Gay, known on the trail as “4Runner”. Dean is a veteran hiker with the Appalachian and Colorado Trails under his belt, but his 2024 plans for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) were derailed by a diagnosis of HPV-related head and neck cancer.
Dean endured a grueling treatment of 35 radiation sessions and chemotherapy, losing 45 pounds and battling side effects like lymphedema and severe dry mouth. Yet, his reboot was nothing short of spectacular. He completed the 2,650-mile PCT in 137 days, using his journey to raise awareness for SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer).
We discussed the unique challenges of thru-hiking as a survivor, from his reliance on Snickers bars—which were easy to swallow—to the critical importance of his Eddie Bauer Sun Hoodie to protect his neck from radiation recall. Dean also shared incredible stories of bear encounters, dangerous snowfield crossings, and the feat of editing daily YouTube updates on his iPhone from his tent.
Episode V & VI
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with one of the OG Legends of the Leadville 100 MTB, Garth Prosser.
Apple Part I – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000739451861
Apple Part II – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000740556964
Spotify Part I – https://open.spotify.com/episode/20QbeUgvznQcTTcy8tkyQb?si=ROuQqgodQNKjEdnzqVmLWQ
Spotify Part II – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2L4moNvLKS45CHgxUXFrT6?si=c8i4hKAQRNmGEEQJerUofg
For Episode 5 & 6 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with a true legend of the ultra-endurance world: Garth Prosser. If you know gravel or mountain biking, you know Garth is the “OG”. We are talking about a man with 23 starts and 23 finishes at the Leadville 100.
But Garth’s story isn’t just about turning the pedals; it’s about surviving a massive curveball. In January 2015, Garth was diagnosed with colon cancer. Despite having no family history and living a clean lifestyle, he knew something was off when he experienced a “bloody fart” and bloating.
We dove deep into the terrifying reality of medical advocacy. His initial doctors dismissed his symptoms as hemorrhoids because he didn’t fit the risk profile. Garth had to push for a colonoscopy, a decision that saved his life. He faced a brutal choice: a full resection that would leave him with a colostomy bag, or aggressive radiation and chemotherapy. He chose the latter, enduring five and a half weeks of daily radiation and oral chemo.
Garth was incredibly vulnerable about the mental toll. He admitted to “spiraling” after his diagnosis, even selling off his bikes and gear because he wanted to liquidate his assets in case he didn’t make it. He eventually found solace in hot yoga and cannabis edibles to manage the immense stress and sleeplessness.
We also geeked out on the evolution of cycling. Garth helped found the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series back when finding 100 miles of trail required asking permission from locals to cut through private land
. We reminisced about the days of fully rigid bikes with 26-inch wheels and surviving 24-hour races on Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies
Garth is now ten years cancer-free and back to chasing adventures. His advice is simple but critical: Get your tests. If you are over 40, get a colonoscopy. It is a minor inconvenience compared to a year of cancer treatment
Set to his chosen theme of “Southern California surf reggae,” this episode is a testament to the fact that while we can’t always control the diagnosis, we can control how we ride through it.
Tune in to hear two survivors swap war stories about chemo, singletrack, and the importance of listening to your gut—literally.
Episode IV
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Heidi Gurov, rally car racer, former USA cycling champion, and learn how she is dealing with the big ass monkey wrench life hit her with a couple of years ago.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000738476544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lGZxBiAv2v4f0BCuwUMoE?si=S7ogA4HSSY6hj56hXytdGA
For Episode 4 of The Human Reboot Project, I welcomed my very first “pandemic friend,” Heidi Gurov. Heidi is a force of nature: a nurse consultant for the state of Wyoming, a fierce vaccine advocate, and a former competitive cyclist who claimed the 2016 National Hill Climb Championship at Pikes Peak.
But Heidi’s reboot isn’t about a podium finish; it’s about navigating a life-altering diagnosis while refusing to stay off the trail.
On November 4, 2024, Heidi was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her journey to that diagnosis was a frustrating two-year saga that began with blurry vision on Mount Adams and was initially dismissed as Long COVID. It wasn’t until a significant relapse in July 2024—where she found herself unable to hold a line on her mountain bike due to balance and vision issues—that the pieces finally fell into place.
We discussed how her background as a medical professional allowed her to process the diagnosis logically. Instead of panicking, she used her knowledge of immunology to advocate for the specific tests she needed—joking that she became a “pain in the ass patient”.
Heidi has transitioned from the high-pressure world of competitive racing, which she admits wasn’t always healthy for her self-worth, to a life focused on “Adventuring Heidi”. She now focuses on hiking and photography, proving that physical activity isn’t just a hobby; it is a critical tool for retraining her brain and combating the unique fatigue that comes with MS.
Her next big goal? A solo partial thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, aiming to knock out the first 17 or 18 segments over three weeks.
We also touched on the lighter side of life, including her Bengal cat Apollo (who communicates via talking buttons but was banned from the recording studio), her fascination with visiting Chernobyl, and her go-to gas station fuel: a Snickers bar and a bag of Cheez-Its.
Heidi chosen theme song genre was a chaotic mashup of “early 1990s country,” “punk rock,” and “stomp and holler,” which perfectly encapsulates her gritty, adventurous spirit.
Tune in to hear how Heidi is redefining what it means to be an athlete with a chronic illness—one step, and one Snickers bar, at a time.
Episode III
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Kam Krull – speaker, storyteller, philanthropist and cancer survivor all before she was old enough to buy beer legally.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000737201951
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zn8y98uFOjedWJbYO7prO?si=hZecl_HnT8OG4KwrrpdR6A
For Episode 3 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with someone who absolutely defies the expectations of a typical college student. Meet Kamden Krull: a 21-year-old student at Purdue University, an aspiring astronaut (at mu suggestion), and a survivor of a very rare form of head and neck cancer.
Most of us spent our freshman year worrying about grades or parties. Kamden spent hers navigating a diagnosis of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, which was discovered during a routine dentist appointment when she was just 18. We discussed the brutal reality of her treatment, including “free flap surgery”—an eight-hour procedure where doctors harvested skin from her arm to reconstruct her mouth—followed by six weeks of proton radiation at the Mayo Clinic.
But Kamden isn’t defined by her scars; she’s defined by her hustle. While recovering, she launched a pen pal program to connect with other patients through handwritten letters, seeking genuine, raw human connection. She also channeled her inner “Grandpa Jim”—a “hodgepodge” spirit she deeply admires—to raise over $10,000 for the Mayo Clinic through garage sales and running half-marathons.
Our paths crossed through the Leadville 100 mountain bike team and First Descents, a nonprofit that provides outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer. Kamden described her First Descents surf camp experience in Santa Cruz as the “best experience” of her life, providing the emotional healing she didn’t even know she needed.
Now, she is taking that fire to the high country. Kamden is officially confirmed to ride the Leadville 100 in 2026, aiming to conquer the “Race Across the Sky” alongside the team.
Kamden is wise beyond her years, and her message is clear: advocate for yourself, get a second opinion, and when life throws you a curveball, swing for the fences.
Tune in to hear from a young woman who plans to eliminate cancer in the next 50 years—not by chance, but by choice.
Episode II
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Anita Coyle the co-host of Widow We Do Now.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000736415220
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sIJz75Z6QMBUnU9klI823?si=e6heXifFSpec2E-mAHiIZg
For Episode 2 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with someone whose resilience is nothing short of staggering. Meet Anita Coyle: a mother of four, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a podcaster, and a woman who claims she was “raised by wolves and ate gum off the bleachers as a child”.
Anita’s reboot moment wasn’t just a single event; it was an avalanche. In January 2019, her husband, Jason, passed away suddenly after a swim. In a twist that seems too cruel to be true, just days after his funeral, Anita received a call confirming she had thyroid cancer.
We talked about that “WTF” phase of life and how she navigated the immediate aftermath of becoming a young widow while facing her own health crisis. But what I loved most about this conversation was Anita’s refusal to sit still. While grieving, she realized that physical exertion was the only thing that made her feel “alive” rather than just going through the motions like a zombie.
That drive led her to the Xterra World Championships later that same year, where she earned the Xterra Warrior Award. She has since gone on to earn two belt buckles at the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, finishing under 12 hours both times. As she put it, she might not be fast, but she is “mean,” and she knows she’s tough enough to suffer on a bike because being widowed is harder than the race.
We also dove into her podcast, What Do We Do Now?, which she hosts with her friend and fellow widow, Mel Shore. They blend deep empathy with a dark sense of humor that only those who have walked through the fire can truly understand.
Anita also gave us some marching orders. We discussed the vital, unsexy work of resilience: getting your advanced directives in order, buying life insurance, and—crucially—making sure you know your spouse’s passwords. She definitely called me out on my own procrastination regarding my will, so consider this your reminder, too.
From gas station nachos to publishing her late husband’s children’s book, When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Dinosaur, Anita’s story is about moving forward without forgetting what you’ve lost.
Episode 1
Watch & listen below or scroll down to read a summary of my interview with Tom Strause, four time world single speed champion.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-reboot-project/id1851084871?i=1000735482381
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MOH2dFYtOehIVmvZaiIdk?si=tQcGhw16TgeWqdi67Yitnw
Welcome to the very first episode of The Human Reboot Project. If you’ve been following my journey at Bikes Kill Cancer, you know I’m obsessed with ordinary folks who face life’s hardest challenges—like a cancer diagnosis—and manage to do extraordinary things on the other side.
My first guest, Tom Strause, is the definition of extraordinary. At 65 years old, Tom isn’t just a cyclist; he’s a beast. We’re talking about a multi-time World Champion in 24-hour racing and a five-time Leadville 100 finisher. But what really connects us isn’t just the dirt and the suffering on the bike; it’s that we are both survivors of HPV-related head and neck cancer.
In this episode, we dive deep into the irony of being in the best shape of your life—Tom literally crushed a Fat Bike World Championship race days before his diagnosis—and then being told you have a tumor. We swapped war stories about the brutal reality of treatment: the radiation masks, the “desert mouth” that wakes you up in the middle of the night, and the struggle to eat when your throat feels like it’s on fire.
But here is where Tom’s “reboot” blew me away. While I spent a lot of my treatment on the sofa recovering, Tom’s doctors—ultra-endurance athletes themselves—told him to keep riding. And he did. He rode and ran through chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation to keep his sanity and his muscle mass.
We talked about the humility of recovery, including his DNF at Leadville this past year after cancer stripped 20 pounds of muscle off his frame, and his relentless drive to get back to the start line. Tom’s already back at it, crushing the Unbound Gravel race and gearing up for another 24-hour World Championship.
Tom is an open book, and his story is a powerful reminder that while cancer can take a lot from us, it can’t take our drive. We also got up on our soapbox for a minute: HPV-related cancer is preventable. Get your kids vaccinated.
This conversation was the perfect kick-off for the project. It’s about grit, it’s about community, and as always, it’s about keeping the rubber side down.
Bikes Kill Cancer 