Every Mile Matters
Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Selfpublishing.com (2025)
ISBN: 979-8896944904
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views (08/2025)
Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph, by Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., is an unforgettable account of how the author turned his cancer into an inspiring and educational journey that others can benefit from.
Whether you’re struggling with a recent cancer diagnosis or have traveled the same path as the author, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll derive something positive and life-affirming in this book. The good part is that you don’t have to be a cancer patient or survivor in order to enjoy this book. Reynolds’ experiences can be uplifting and inspirational to anyone.
The IRONMAN finish line was his goal, and his indomitable spirit helped him reach it. He simply would not give up. Reynolds is a living life lesson. Did he have moments of weakness and doubt? Yes, because he tells the human, vulnerable side of life. But strength is sometimes born of trial-by-fire, and this is one of those stories.
I like how he describes his journey from the beginning, his motivations, his setbacks, and his willingness to keep moving forward in the face of adversity. A lot of people would give up, but one of the lessons you’ll glean from this book is the power of choice. What we choose can be life-changing. He shows how you can go from bystander to someone with control, and at age 55, no less.
And it wasn’t just a positive attitude that shaped his victories; it was how he combined mental stamina with physical training in order to handle his diagnoses and treatments. In other words, a triathlon race helped shape his fight and his endurance.
The advice he offers in this book isn’t just for a sudden crisis; it’s something you can use in the long term and for other challenging aspects that may arise in your life. I can see where this book would be helpful for caregivers of cancer patients or others living with serious health issues.
It may sound like a cliche, but life is a marathon, not a sprint, and what you do to train for it may determine the length and quality of your life. I think young people, especially students, can also benefit from this book, as it can serve as a guiding light for how to handle a family medical crisis, either in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones.
I love how helpful Dr. Reynolds sounds, how he takes time to explain things and terms we may not be familiar with, like the process of chemotherapy, the ways cancer changes you, and the world of Ironman.
The book is organized into easily accessible chapters, with headings that explain but also hint at their contents. You’ll learn some things about biking, swimming, running, but most of all, surviving. Think of this as a first aid book for fighting the psychological, physical, and emotional aspects of cancer. The author’s way of writing feels very personal yet practical, and he gives you a peek into his unique and profound life–so much so that you’ll find yourself getting emotional with a laugh or a tear.
Reynolds also branches out into broader subjects to address global health concerns, such as nutrition-deprived areas and the state of food in general. He’s supremely skilled at simplifying detailed information and statistics so that the average reader can apply them in everyday life.
When searching for an educational yet inspiring book on triumphing over cancer and adopting a new mindset for life, Every Mile Matters: Turning Triathlon Training Into Cancer Triumph, by Jeffrey L. Reynolds, should be your first choice.
I appreciate your kind words about Every Mile Matters. This book was truly a labor of love that’s helped me survive two cancers, process some of my own emotions and pass a few valuable lessons on to those who might be impacted by the disease either directly or through a friend or family member. Thank you again for the affirmation that I’ve contributed something valuable to the millions of Americans whose lives will forever be changed by the words “you have cancer.”