Today, our host Paul Wiegel is joined by a very special guest, Ryan Switzer, a friend, fellow cancer survivor, and an avid Ironman triathlete. In this episode, Ryan shares his compelling journey from being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in his thirties to conquering multiple Ironman races. We delve into the impact of his diagnosis on his young family, his rigorous battle through treatments, and how the experience fueled his passion for endurance sports and charity work. Ryan’s story is not just about facing cancer but transforming this fight into a platform to inspire and support others, including his involvement in fundraising for cancer-related causes. So tune in as we draw inspiration from Ryan’s perseverance and learn how turning personal challenges into opportunities can indeed make a profound difference.

Key Topics

• Overcoming doctor's reluctance to get colonoscopy and stigma around colonoscopies.
• Support programs educate and provide emotional help.
• Cancer impacts everyone, including family and children.
• Embrace village support during tough times.

About Ryan Switzer:

Ryan Switzer is a kick-ass dad and husband. He is a President of Toll Brothers and is not the former Dallas Cowboy and Oakland Raider. Ryan is a colorectal cancer survivor and an 8-time Ironman triathlete, the former Chairman of the Holt Brothers Foundation, former Chairman of the V Foundation Victory Ride, and former Leukemia Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Board Member. He and his daughter will be taking on Ironman Chattanooga to help make a dent in the fight to cure Parkinson’s disease partnered with the Michael J. Foundation. Ryan and his wife Amy, both graduates of Michigan State University, live in Cary, North Carolina.

About Paul:

To learn more about Paul and the Iron Dad Book, head on over to https://irondadbook.com.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Today, we're honored to welcome Joe Bullock, Chief Operating Officer of the Man Up to Cancer Organization. Joe shares his compelling journey from being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer to spearheading efforts to support men across the globe facing similar battles. In today's episode, Joe opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of his diagnosis, the crucial support he found in online communities, and how his challenges led him to co-create Man Up to Cancer. This organization not only provides practical support through initiatives like the chemo care backpack program but also fosters a sense of brotherhood and understanding among men dealing with cancer. Joe also touches on significant events like the annual Gathering the Wolves Retreat, which offers a space for men to bond, heal, and find strength. So, stay tuned as we dive into a conversation that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, illustrating the power of community and resilience in the face of life's toughest challenges.

Key Topics

• Excited to talk about MAN UP TO Cancer.
• Supporting men facing cancer through social media.
• Real Recovery provides cancer retreats and resource packs.
• Using a backpack for chemo was empowering.
• Struggles brought joy, happiness and emotional support.

About Joe Bullock:

I was diagnosed in May of 2018 with stage3b Colorectal Cancer after a routine Colonoscopy at age 50. I had symptoms like blood in my stool, irregular bowel movements and excessive fatigue but had ignored them for several months following the deaths of both my parents in 2017 within a six-month period. After a period of grieving, I finally got around to getting a colonoscopy. During the Colonoscopy my GI doctor at Duke Cancer Center found two polyps and a 10 cm tumor in my colon. I had surgery to remove the tumor, reconnect my colon, and had 40 lymph nodes removed. Three of those polyps tested positive for cancer. After surgery I underwent treatment with two forms of chemotherapy, Oxaliplatin infusions and Xeloda pills for 8 cycles or six months. In February 2019 I became known as NED (No Evidence of Disease). I always say for cancer survivors being NED is like a gift you don't know how to unwrap, but you are grateful to have it. Over the last few years, I have been working on finding my voice in the cancer community. I have begun living by the mantra " Cancer might be done with me but I'm not done with cancer."

The following are my current roles of advocacy in the cancer community.

*** January 2020 I was invited to become the Lead Administrator for a Men's Cancer emotional support group on Facebook called ‘Man Up To Cancer/ The Howling Place' . It's a part of manuptocancer.org that has been created by Trevor Maxwell a Stage IV Colorectal Cancer patient and friend. https://www.facebook.com/groups/manuptocancer/.

*** February 2020 I became a ‘Card Angel' for Chemo Angels

***April 2020 I became a contributor to manuptocancer.com as a blogger for ' Joe's Wolfpack Trailblazers’. A blog about the works of service and the daily lives of the men of The Howling Place. My latest Blog https://www.manuptocancer.com/trailblazers/volume17

***June 2020 I became an Ambassador for Fight CRC as a part of the 2021 class at Fightcolorectalcancer.org

***October 2020 I became an Empowered Patient Leader for Colontown.org

***December 2020 I Created 'Colontown Junior' with the

Welcome to another inspiring episode where stories of resilience light the way. Today, we're joined by the remarkable Fran Curry, a colon cancer survivor and Ironman triathlete, who dives deep into her journey of overcoming physical and emotional challenges. Fran shares poignant insights from his battles on the racing tracks and his fight against cancer. We discuss the power of perseverance, the importance of early cancer screening, and how his faith and supportive relationships have guided him through life’s toughest moments. From nearly getting lost during his first marathon and running admittedly unprepared into triathlons, to strengthening bonds with his daughters through endurance sports, Fran's stories are a testament to human spirit and endurance. Get ready to be moved and motivated by Fran’s incredible experiences and the lessons of hope he brings to all of us.

Key Topics

• Connecting through shared experiences, divine timing.
• Using humor to lighten situations.
• Struggling with cancer, seeking inspiration in hospital.
• Accept challenges, set milestones, and persevere.
• Patients need an advocate to understand medical jargon.
• Suppressing emotions, leading to unexpected outbursts. Accepting Christ.

About our Guest Fran Curry:

“I’ve been married to my HS sweetheart for 36 years now but we’ve been together for 43 years (consecutive…my wife says that). We have three adult daughters and two grandchildren. I am a 15 year cancer survivor also being diagnosed with Stage IIIa colon cancer after a race. During my chemotherapy regime (which you know lasted for three days every two weeks) I would try to run between treatments. The treatments were taking their toll on me but three months after my last treatment I completed the Chicago Marathon, then Boston Marathon, then Chicago Marathon again, then I did the Relay for Life but I was the whole relay as I walked the entire 12/14 hours never leaving the track and completed almost 40 miles, and then The Woodlands Ironman…crazy. Many ups and downs during those days but looking back I wouldn’t ask for a different road.”

About Paul:

To learn more about Paul and the Iron Dad Book, head on over to https://irondadbook.com.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.