In this gripping episode of Untold: The Stories of Cook Children’s, Jeff Murray, M.D. takes us inside the emotionally charged world of pediatric oncology. For over 12 years, he led the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Cook Children’s—tackling some of the most complex cases, where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

But behind the scenes, Dr. Murray was fighting a battle of his own. The emotional weight of caring for children with life-threatening brain tumors—the leading cause of cancer-related death in kids—was slowly taking its toll. In a moment that changed everything, a heartfelt email from his nurse, Ashley, forced Jeff to confront a truth he had been avoiding: he was burned out.

Yet, Dr. Murray’s story doesn’t end there. He opens up about how competitive cycling and bodybuilding gave him a lifeline—a radically different world where he could push himself physically while finding balance emotionally. His journey is a powerful testament to the importance of redefining success and refusing to let a career define your identity.

Get ready for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the fight to protect not just your patients, but yourself.