This episode is not completely aligned with "bodybuilding", per se, but still follows the same path of determination, hard work and resilience, along with health and fitness.

Less than two months before recording this episode, Sam Hawley was diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer and a tumor removed from his brain! And get this, he won the Men’s Southeast North Carolina Championship and got 2nd place in the Men’s ESA East Coast Championships!

Sam's not done yet; He has signed up for two more upcoming Half-Marathons, and plans to follow those with a full marathon, a 50k, then a Half Ultra Marathon by next year.

In this episode, Sam describes what became his driving force in his medical recovery, and how he turned this seemingly devastating diagnosis to a blessing to help others!

Sam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_hawley  The Warrior's Path 5K: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/HighPoint/TheWarriorPath5k  Zero Gravity: www.zerogravitync.com  Smokey Seas: www.smokeyseas.com  - Danielle:  Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ifbbpro_daniellePetze  eMail: [email protected]  - Derek: http://www.instagram.com/derekLifts  - Behind Bodybuilding on IG: https://www.instagram.com/behind_bodybuilding/  - Discounts: True Nutrition (Discount applied with link): Http://www.Truenutrition.com/discount/vegandanielle  - Directional Force (Code: Danielle, 15% off plus free shipping): http://www.directionalforce.com  - Upside: Cash back on gas and other errands! Click to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase: https://upside.app.link/DANIELLE452952  - Nutrex (Code: Danielle): https://www.nutrex.com/?aff=2091  - Alpen Organics (Discount Applied with Link): http://alpenorganics.com/?ref=zxbybckj  - Mega Fit Meals (Discount Applied with Link): https://megafitmeals.rfrl.co/64p89  - Amino Asylum (Discount Code “Danielle”) https://aminoasylum.shop  - 00:16 True Nutrition 01:30 Intro to Sam 02:50 Sports in early life 05:20 Dreaming BIG 06:40 Life before cancer 07:30 Alcoholism and getting sober 10:29 Leading up to the brain cancer diagnosis 11:15 Sam's seizure 12:24 Tumor discovery 14:07 What did I do to cause this? 15:21 Cancer treatment begins 16:36 Faith as a driving force, and feeling the presence of God 19:49 Waking up after brain surgery 23:11 Enhanced minset = enhanced recovery 24:00 Getting into a positive mindset after trauma 25:14 Creating motivation to move forward, even when it's hard 28:01 Running and Sam's first half-marathon 30:19 Giving back and inspiring others 33:56 Sam's purpose 34:58 Life after cancer 35:50 Choosing life over depression 39:10 Zero Gravity and Smokey Seas 39:43 The Warrior's Path 5K