The Human Reboot Project

We usually talk to endurance athletes on The Human Reboot Project, but today we are bucking that trend to sit down with a different kind of champion: Karen Hertz, Founder and Chief Brewista of Holidaily Brewing.
After surviving back-to-back diagnoses of melanoma and thyroid cancer in her 30s, Karen was given a strict recommendation to adopt a gluten-free diet. Unwilling to give up the camaraderie of a cold beer, she decided to create her own solution. Today, Holidaily is one of only 17 dedicated gluten-free breweries in the U.S. and fresh off a Gold Medal win at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival.
In this episode, Karen shares her journey from working at Molson Coors to launching the only woman-owned dedicated gluten-free brewery in the country. We discuss how she turned a health crisis into a thriving business, why Holidaily is defying the odds in the craft beer industry, and her philosophy on making every day a holiday.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, positivity, and brewing world-class beer.
 
Links Mentioned in the Podcast
 
Holidaily Brewery
https://holidailybrewing.com
 
Holidaily on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/holidailybrew/
 
Grouse Malt House
https://grousemalthouse.com
 
The Celiac Cruise
https://celiaccruise.com
 
Fat Randy’s Wipeout
https://youtu.be/MX_Xrx4vwAQ?si=z0zw0EyAvLrDC67W
 
 

Already an accomplished long distance hiker, Dean found his plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) upended when he was diagnosed with head & neck cancer. 
It would take more than six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy to slow him down. In fact Dean’s diagnosis provided him with additional purposed as he chose to use the hike to help raise awareness of head and neck cancer and SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head Cancer)
Take a listen as we dive into not only the challenges of hiking the PCT, but also the added burden of hiking just a few months out of cancer treatment, the gear and fueling for walking thousands of miles and the joy that comes with finishing a challenge after battling a life threatening disease.
 
SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head Cancer)
https://www.spohnc.org
Additional SPOHNC resources
 
Dean’s YouTube Channel, DEAN’S LIST
https://www.youtube.com/@deanslist4458/featured
 
HPV Vaccine Information from the Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth/hpv-vaccine/art-20047292
 
Dean’s PCT Gear Review Post Hike
https://youtu.be/ZwuZWgh4mb0?si=0yqrgM5VL3mKiGZ8
 
Melanzana - Home to the World’s Greatest (in my opinion) Hoody
https://melanzana.com
 

One episodes is not enough to contain all that is Garth Prosser. Sit back and enjoy round two of my interview with Garth
In this episode, we dig deeper into Garth's cancer diagnosis. This interview is a must for anyone who is faced with their own diagnosis. Garth talks about confronting his own fears and moving through them.
To finish the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race once is an accomplishment unto itself but what about finishing it twenty three times?
In today’s episode of The Human Reboot Project I sit down with former Specialized and Cannondale athlete Garth Prosser for a two part interview to talk about what it takes to complete the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race twenty three times, dealing with and coming back from colon cancer and how one goes about becoming a legend of ultra-mountain bike and gravel racing. 
A shout out to Garth for being so willing to speak frankly and honestly about his cancer diagnosis and how he rebooted and bounced back after a year long cancer journey. 
 
Below is a list of resources for anyone who has more questions or needs more information about some of what Garth and I discussed.
Colon Cancer Coalition -The Colon Cancer Coalition is dedicated to encouraging screening and raising awareness for colon cancer, funding local prevention, and supporting treatment efforts.
https://coloncancercoalition.org
Should you get the HPV vaccine? Who needs it and how does it works?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth/hpv-vaccine/art-20047292
Leadville, CO - useful since Garth and I both got lots of fact about Leadville wrong.
https://leadville.com/leadville-a-small-city-with-a-big-history/
Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race
https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/
National Ultra Endurance Series
https://nuemtb.com
 

To finish the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race once is an accomplishment unto itself but what about finishing it twenty three times?
 
In today’s episode of The Human Reboot Project, I sit down with former Specialized and Cannondale athlete Garth Prosser for a two part interview to talk about what it takes to complete the Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race twenty three times, dealing with and coming back from colon cancer and how one goes about becoming a legend of ultra-mountain bike and gravel racing. 
 
A shout out to Garth for being so willing to speak frankly and honestly about his cancer diagnosis and how he rebooted and bounced back after a year long cancer journey. 
 
Below is a list of resources for anyone who has more questions or needs more information about some of what Garth and I discussed.
 
Colon Cancer Coalition -The Colon Cancer Coalition is dedicated to encouraging screening and raising awareness for colon cancer, funding local prevention, and supporting treatment efforts.
https://coloncancercoalition.org
 
Should you get the HPV vaccine? Who needs it and how does it works?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth/hpv-vaccine/art-20047292
 
Leadville, CO - useful since Garth and I both got lots of fact about Leadville wrong.
https://leadville.com/leadville-a-small-city-with-a-big-history/
 
Leadville 100 MTB Trail Race
https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/
 
National Ultra Endurance Series
https://nuemtb.com

Welcome to The Human Reboot Project, where we connect with inspiring individuals who have faced major life challenges—or "monkey wrenches"—and chosen to pick themselves up and keep moving forward.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Gurov, a former rally car racer, competitive cyclist, and adventurer. Heidi is a true testament to resilience, having documented her thrilling journeys in her popular blogs, Heidi Rides Bikes and The Adventuring Heidi.
 
We dive into her incredible career trajectory, from the adrenaline rush of rally car racing to the grit of competitive cycling, and how she transitioned to a focus on mountaineering, hiking, camping, and travel. Heidi shares what led her away from racing and discusses whether she misses the competitive nature of the sport. Most importantly, we get into the "big ole monkey wrench" that life threw at her last year and how she's navigating her own reboot.
 
Plus, stick around for a quick Pop Quiz on her theme song music genre, favorite trail snack, and must-have backpacking luxury item!
 
Show Notes & Links:
Heidi Rides Bikes: https://heidiridesbikes.com
The Adventuring Heidi: https://theadventuringheidi.com

Welcome to the very first episode of The Human Reboot Project where we meet world cycling champion Tom Strause.
 
An accomplished cyclist before his diagnosis, cancer provided a set back but hasn’t slowed Tom down. 
 
Tom Strause is a Stage 2 Head & Neck Cancer survivor and thriver. Hear his remarkable story as a five time Leadville 100 MTB finisher. He also owns four 24 hour Single Speed Time Trial world records.
World Ultra Cycling Association - 
https://ultracycling.com

Kamden Krull - Speaker, Storyteller,Philanthropist and Cancer Survivor All Before Her 21st Birthday
 
When most teenagers are thinking about graduation and attending college, Kamden Krull, was faced with the daunting task of surviving a rare form of cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.
 
In our conversation we discuss the power of family, the need to give back and training for the Leadville 100 MTB 2026.
 
Kam’s Blog
https://kamchow.com
 
Kam on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kamdenakrull/
 
First Descents
https://firstdescents.org

What do you do if you find yourself a window at thirty eight, dealing with cancer and trying to raise four children on your own?
 
If you're Anita Coyle you compete in the XTERRA World Championships, race the Leadville 100 MTB and start a podcast to support other widows.
 
On this episode of The Human Reboot Project we sit down with Anita to understand why nine months after her husband passed away unexpectedly, she decided to start a podcast, Widow We Do Now, with her friend and fellow young widow, Mel Shore.
 
Links Mentioned in the Show
 
Widow We Do Now
https://widowwedonow.com/about/
 
The Snarky Grief Shop
https://widowwedonow.com/about/
 
Leadville 100 Trail MTB
https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/
 
Vapor Trail 125
https://vaportrail125.com
 
2019 XTERRA Warrior Award
https://youtu.be/scFg-LHzXrM?si=HeEWdKHv0ZrwO5yo
 

Welcome to the very first episode of The Human Reboot Project where we meet world cycling champion Tom Strause.
 
An accomplished cyclist before his diagnosis, cancer provided a set back but hasn’t slowed Tom down. 
 
Tom Strause is a Stage 2 Head & Neck Cancer survivor and thriver. Hear his remarkable story as a five time Leadville 100 MTB finisher. He also owns four 24 hour Single Speed Time Trial world records.
World Ultra Cycling Association
https://ultracycling.com