For Episode 9 of The Human Reboot Project, I sat down with a trio of survivors who turned a diagnosis into a documentary. Meet Alejandro Daza, Christina Fisher, and Jeff Meskey—the stars of the AbbVie-sponsored film from Encompass Films, Second Winds.

We dive deep into the reality of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). If you’ve ever heard the medical term "watch and wait," you know it feels less like patience and more like holding a live grenade. My guests open up about that psychological burden, the confusion of being told you have the "good cancer," and the rollercoaster of treatments—from clinical trials to breakthrough drugs like Venetoclax.

But this isn't just a medical discussion; it's a story of grit. Alejandro, a cyclist and engineer; Christina, a mountain biker and patient advocate; and Jeff, a skateboarding grandfather with a history of heart resilience, prove that a diagnosis doesn't mean the end of adventure. We talk about how they use the outdoors—whether it's shredding trails or just finding the energy to garden—to reclaim their identity and mental health.

From bone marrow biopsy war stories to the dark humor required to survive the oncology ward, this episode is a masterclass in resilience.

Tune in to hear how these three turned their "second wind" into a gale-force movement for hope and patient advocacy.

Topics Covered:

Understanding CLL/SLL: Navigating the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma.
The "Watch and Wait" Phase: The mental toll of monitoring the disease before treatment begins.
Movement as Medicine: How cycling, skiing, and skateboarding aid in cancer recovery.
Patient Advocacy: Moving from patient to advocate and the importance of second opinions.
Second Winds: Behind the scenes of the documentary.

Watch the Second Winds documentary to see their full story in action,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuoeKkE7Obg&t=50s

Learn more and support those with CLL

https://cllsociety.org

Blood Cancer United

https://bloodcancerunited.org

Encompass Films

https://www.encompassfilms.com

A Skater, a Skier, & a Cyclist - Surviving & Thriving