This is one of the heaviest and most powerful episodes we’ve ever recorded on The GRYND.

We sit down with Casey Lee — 28-year-old cancer survivor, dog mom, traveling Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, and certified personal trainer.

Casey shares the raw, emotional story of:

• Receiving her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis on June 29, 2022

• Losing her boyfriend and soon-to-be fiancé just 7 days later in a tragic shooting

• The darkest days of chemo, overwhelming grief, and the decision to fight for the life she wanted

• Starting her Jiu-Jitsu journey just weeks after her chemo port was removed

• What “Journey to Purple” really means — both chasing her purple belt and her 5-year cancer-free milestone

She also talks about the light she’s created from the darkness — competing at a high level (100+ matches and a pro win), rebuilding her body and life from the ground up, and pouring her energy into giving back through Tap Cancer Out, women’s BJJ initiatives, and volunteering.

This episode is heavy. There were a lot of tears. But it’s also full of hope, resilience, purpose, and proof that even after your world falls apart, you can rebuild something powerful.

If you’ve ever faced loss, fought through a health battle, or needed a reminder of how strong the human spirit can be — this one is for you.

On this powerful episode of The GRYND we welcome Ian — a humble kid from beautiful Idaho who has faced and overcome some of life’s heaviest battles.

Ian shares

• His roots in Idaho, playing college sports at the University of Idaho, and his early career as a strength & conditioning coach

• His transition into the energy and energy efficiency world

• The raw journey of being a two-time cancer survivor — the fight to get the all-clear, the devastating day he learned the cancer was back, and how he kept pushing forward

• His Jiu-Jitsu journey, recently earning his brown belt, stepping into a teaching role at AForce BJJ, and becoming the fun, lovable, yet scary-good and scary-big mat enforcer everyone respects

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, showing up when life hits hardest, finding joy and purpose on the mats, and turning pain into power. Ian’s story is proof that the grind never stops — even when your body tries to make you quit.

If you’re fighting through health challenges, starting over, or pushing for the next level in life or on the mats — this episode will hit you deep.

Drop a comment: What’s one battle you’ve had to grind through that made you stronger?

On this episode of The GRYND we welcome Randy — a man who climbed from the shop floor all the way to C-suite leadership at a large local company through pure hard work and grit.

Randy shares:

• His journey growing up, finding work, and steadily rising through the ranks to executive leadership

• Real leadership lessons learned in the corporate world and how they apply on and off the mats

• His Jiu-Jitsu journey — starting later in life, pushing through injuries, and what it’s taken to keep showing up

• How he’s deeply involved in the AForce BJJ culture, especially now in retirement, and what keeps him coming back to the mats

This is a powerful conversation about grinding through every stage of life, leading by example, overcoming setbacks, and staying connected to something bigger than yourself. Randy lives the powerful idea:

“Where joy is a habit, love is a reflex.” — Bob Goff

If you’re climbing the ladder at work, starting something new later in life, dealing with injuries, or trying to stay sharp in retirement — this episode is full of honest wisdom and motivation.

Drop a comment: What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that carries over to your personal grind?