About Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph by Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds
Three sports. Two cancer diagnoses. One unbreakable spirit.
At age 55, Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., crossed the finish line at Ironman Florida, the crowning achievement of his endurance sports journey. Just weeks later, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He fought through treatment, recovered—and was hit again. This time, it was Stage 3B colorectal cancer.
In Every Mile Matters, Reynolds shares how the physical training, mental fortitude, and resilience developed through triathlon racing became his greatest weapons in the fight for his life. He didn’t just apply his athletic mindset—he relied on it. Each round of radiation became a daily workout. Each chemo session, a test of strategy and strength. And every setback, an opportunity to dig deeper and endure.
This is a powerful story of transformation, of turning pain into purpose and struggle into strength. Reynolds explores the emotional and spiritual shifts that come with surviving cancer—alongside practical tools for mindset, wellness, and long-term recovery.
Perfect for athletes, cancer survivors, caregivers, and anyone facing adversity, Every Mile Matters is an uplifting, unforgettable tribute to the grit that carries us through finish lines—and the fights that matter most.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds stands at the intersection of executive leadership, social entrepreneurship and personal resilience. As President and CEO of Family and Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s oldest and largest health and human service organizations, he has dedicated over three decades to fighting some of society’s most pressing challenges while demonstrating that authentic leadership often emerges from our most vulnerable moments.
Leadership in Service
For the past twenty years, Reynolds has led FCA, a 141-year-old nonprofit organization that serves more than 35,000 Long Islanders annually. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its mission to address the complex web of social issues affecting vulnerable populations, including runaway and homeless youth, children transitioning out of foster care, seniors struggling to remain independent, individuals with chronic mental health conditions, people battling substance use disorders, and those affected by problem gambling.
Reynolds’ approach to nonprofit leadership extends far beyond traditional administrative duties. He has been on the frontlines of Long Island’s response to the opioid crisis, developing innovative treatment and support programs during a public health emergency that has devastated communities nationwide. His work in addiction services builds on nearly two decades of experience that began in the early 1990s, when he helped establish some of New York’s first support services for people with HIV and AIDS during a time when stigma and fear dominated public discourse.
His career began in the basement offices of a small nonprofit, where he provided support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This foundational experience shaped his understanding that effective social work requires not just professional expertise, but deep empathy and the willingness to sit with people during their darkest hours. “Over the course of three decades,” Reynolds reflects, “tens of thousands of families have shared their stories of anguish, pain, trauma, and sometimes eventual triumph with me, trusting that I’d keep their deepest secrets and their best interests at heart.”
Academic and Professional Recognition
Reynolds holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare, a testament to his commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning. His academic background, combined with his extensive field experience, has made him a sought-after voice on issues ranging from addiction and mental health to homelessness and poverty reduction.
His expertise has been recognized through numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and policy consultations. Reynolds has authored thousands of op-eds and articles addressing social issues and public health topics, using his platform to advocate for systemic changes that address root causes rather than merely treating symptoms.
The Intersection of Endurance and Advocacy
What sets Reynolds apart in the nonprofit sector is his unique perspective on resilience, developed through years of endurance sports training. As an Ironman triathlete and marathon runner, he has completed some of the world’s most challenging athletic events, including the grueling 140.6-mile Ironman Florida and four New York City Marathons. His athletic pursuits aren’t merely personal achievements—they serve as both metaphor and training ground for the mental toughness required in social justice work.
“Powering through hard things prepares you for hard things,” Reynolds explains. “Through triathlon and marathon training, I got comfortable with being uncomfortable. As they say in military circles, I learned to ’embrace the suck.'” This philosophy of voluntary discomfort as preparation for involuntary challenges has shaped his approach to both personal resilience and organizational leadership.
Cancer: The Ultimate Test
Reynolds’ perspective on resilience was profoundly tested when he received not one, but two cancer diagnoses in rapid succession. In April 2022, just months after completing Ironman Florida in the best shape of his life, a routine medical exam revealed prostate cancer. Following successful treatment, a second diagnosis of Stage 3B colorectal cancer arrived in August 2023, requiring an intensive regimen of radiation and chemotherapy.
Rather than stepping back from his leadership responsibilities, Reynolds chose to maintain his role as CEO throughout his treatment, using his experience to deepen his understanding of the healthcare disparities that affect the communities FCA serves. His journey through cancer treatment revealed stark inequities in access to care, financial burdens that force impossible choices between treatment and basic needs, and the profound isolation that serious illness can bring.
“I’m surviving cancer because, in part, I had access to routine screenings and, once diagnosed, I didn’t have to battle Medicaid, Medicare, or my insurer to pay for surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy,” Reynolds observes. “I didn’t face sexism, racism, homophobia, or language barriers at my oncologist’s office… I could focus on getting well. While I’m back out here swimming, biking, running, and surviving, too many Americans are dying of cancers that are preventable, detectable, and treatable.”
Author and Advocate
Reynolds has chronicled his dual journey through cancer and continued leadership in his book “Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph.” The memoir weaves together his experiences as an endurance athlete, nonprofit executive, and cancer survivor to offer insights on resilience, authentic leadership, and the power of community during crisis.
The book has garnered attention not only for its personal narrative but for its broader examination of healthcare disparities and social determinants of health. Reynolds uses his platform to advocate for systemic changes that could save lives, from eliminating financial barriers to cancer screening to addressing the upstream factors that create health inequities.
Personal Mission
Throughout his cancer journey, Reynolds maintained his commitment to transparency and advocacy. He publicly documented his experience through blog posts and social media, participated in public service announcements for cancer awareness, and used his story to encourage others to prioritize preventive care.
Today, as a two-time cancer survivor, Reynolds continues to lead FCA while serving as a mentor to other cancer patients and advocating for healthcare reform. His experience has reinforced his belief that “the most powerful social determinant of health is money,” and that addressing persistent poverty and income inequality is essential to giving all Americans a better shot at long-term survival.
Looking Forward
Reynolds approaches his work with renewed urgency and clarity of purpose. “I want to keep changing the world, helping those in need, making families and communities stronger in a way that outlasts me,” he says. “I want to keep writing, speaking, mentoring, supporting, and serving the next generation of social workers, community organizers, and policymakers who, like me, crave economic and social justice.”
As he continues to balance his roles as nonprofit leader, cancer survivor, endurance athlete, and advocate, Reynolds embodies the principle that guides both his athletic pursuits and his approach to social change: every mile matters. Whether measured in training miles, treatment sessions, or steps toward justice, each effort contributes to a larger journey of transformation—personal and societal.
In a field where burnout is common and challenges can seem insurmountable, Reynolds offers a different model of leadership: one that embraces vulnerability as strength, finds purpose in adversity, and uses personal experience to fuel systemic change. His story reminds us that sometimes our greatest tests become our most powerful testimonies, and that the courage to continue serving others often emerges from the depths of our own need for help.