The Human Reboot Project

middletonjay

What if one day you found your life upended? Maybe it was a cancer diagnosis, the death of a loved one or an accident that left you without the use of your limbs.  Would you use it as a chance to start fresh? To reboot your life and yourself.  The Human Reboot Project is about ordinary humans who have done just that. Faced with extraordinary circumstances they found a way to reach for new limits, 180 lives or reboot themselves  completely.  Welcome to The Human Reboot Project.

  1. Jul 29

    Tony and the White Whale, the Leadville 100 MTB

    What happens when your "white whale" endurance race gets derailed by emergency spinal surgery? In this episode of The Human Reboot Project, I sit down with military veteran and stage 1 lung cancer survivor Tony Dultz. We dive deep into his relentless pursuit of Leadville, Colorado’s legendary "Race Across the Sky". From recovering from a lung lobectomy to enduring brutal, high-heat Florida training sessions on the trainer, Tony reveals the pure mental grit required to overcome major physical adversity. Though forced to defer his 105-mile mountain bike dream to next year while fundraising for the Livestrong Foundation, Tony’s story is a powerful masterclass in resilience, recovery, and refusing to quit.   Show Links   From The Ground Up   Tony's Fundraiser Page for Livestrong

  2. Jun 29

    Rebooting Life: Lessons in Resilience and Health Advocacy

    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 clinical trial at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The conversation highlights critical health advocacy, particularly the importance of the HPV vaccine in preventing many head and neck cancers. Dan reflects on the mental hurdles of treatment and how a message from his daughter, inspired by a childhood 5K, motivated him to keep moving forward. Now semi-retired and working as an executive coach, Dan discusses how his diagnosis led him to focus on what truly matters: giving back through mentorship and supporting organizations like SPOHNC. Resources SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer) https://www.spohnc.org/ First Descents https://firstdescents.org/ UPMC Hillman Cancer Center https://hillman.upmc.com/find/locations/john-murtha-johnstown-pa

  3. May 25

    Trails of Resilience: Reclaiming Strength After Stage 3 Cancer with Kendra Torres

    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 cancer, and melanoma. We dive deep into the grueling reality of her treatments, the hidden financial toll of life-threatening illnesses, and the precise moment she decided to reclaim her autonomy. For Kendra, true emotional medicine was waiting right in her own backyard on local Idaho trails. She shares how hitting the dirt with the Crank Queens and community groups like River Discovery helped her rediscover her physical strength and mental grit. We talk openly about the continuous process of self-rediscovery, setting fierce personal boundaries, and why she chose to go back to school in the middle of it all. This is a raw, masterclass in rewriting your narrative and finding absolute freedom on two wheels. Resources for Cancer Fighters, Survivors and their Caretakers   River Discovery - https://www.riverdiscovery.org   Hike 2 Heal - https://www.johnandjunesmission.org/    Camp Make a Dream - https://www.campdream.org/   Epic Adventures - https://epicexperience.org/   First Descents - https://firstdescents.org/   Casting for Recovery - https://castingforrecovery.org/   Other Links   Crank Queens - www.crankqueens.org   MTB Coach Levi Weert - www.leviweert.com

  4. May 11

    Transforming Pain into Art with Katie Drablos

    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. We explore how she turned a life-altering health crisis into a creative movement, producing self-authored shows like 35: A Celebration of Being Alive that serve as both artistic expression and vital fundraising for head and neck cancer awareness. Join us as we discuss the healing alchemy of dance & movement, the need for space to reconcile with a cancer diagnosis, and returning to a “normal” life post treatment.  About Katie Drablos Katie Drablos is an NYC-based dancer, choreographer, and educator, formerly a Radio City Rockette. A stage four tongue cancer survivor, Katie champions resilience through her self-produced shows like 35: A Celebration of Being Alive and Only the Best, which raised money for SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head & Neck Cancer). Katie continues to dance and choreograph in New York City. Show Links SPOHNC - Support for People with Oral and Head & Neck Cancer Katie's Web Page Katie's Story as told to SPOHNC  35 a celebration of being alive

  5. Mar 31

    Finding the Way with Jason Doyle

    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 life, shifting from "should" to "could" mindsets, and the healing power of vulnerability. It’s a raw look at men's mental health, reinvention, and why there is always a "better mile ahead." Who is Jason Doyle? Jason Doyle is an ultra-runner, former professional dirt bike racer, and founder of No Map for Manhood, a 501c3 nonprofit. After running across America, Jason dedicated his mission to helping men navigate life’s challenges through nature and community. His organization serves as a vital connector for men’s health resources and peer support.

  6. Feb 25

    Choosing a Life of Adventure by Bike with Ryan Van Duzer

    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, his "emotional paycheck" of inspiring others, and why he’s tackling the Great Divide again in 2026. It’s a masterclass in living with intention and choosing adventure.   About Ryan Van Duzer   Ryan Van Duzer is a professional adventurer, motivational speaker, and content creator with over 200,000 YouTube subscribers on Duzer TV. A lifelong cyclist who has never owned a car, he uses his global expeditions to advocate for self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and the inherent kindness of strangers.   Duzer TV https://www.duzertv.com   People for Bikes https://www.peopleforbikes.org   Bikepacking Roots https://bikepackingroots.org

  7. Jan 28

    The Aloha Episode with Savio P. Clemente

    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 https://youtu.be/J-DHtD2n0qo?si=Fi3AiDlNsjGNKN7W   Savio’s Website https://www.saviopclemente.com

  8. Jan 16

    Intentional with Megan Hottman

    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 Inglis, 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 motorist just two days before 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. Megan’s Website https://www.meganhottman.com Gwen’s Video https://youtu.be/gmEPzRGF_e4?si=bYNWSoyeaLFntx00 The Engine Inside https://www.engineinsidefilm.com People for Bikes https://foundation.peopleforbikes.org

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

What if one day you found your life upended? Maybe it was a cancer diagnosis, the death of a loved one or an accident that left you without the use of your limbs.  Would you use it as a chance to start fresh? To reboot your life and yourself.  The Human Reboot Project is about ordinary humans who have done just that. Faced with extraordinary circumstances they found a way to reach for new limits, 180 lives or reboot themselves  completely.  Welcome to The Human Reboot Project.

Information

  • Creator
    middletonjay
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Human Reboot Project

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