At 18 years old, Jehu McNeil was diagnosed with cancer.

One year later, he ran a full 26.2 mile marathon.

In this powerful episode of The Joe McNeil Podcast, Joe sits down with his son Jehu to share the full journey from early symptoms and misdiagnosis to chemotherapy, recovery, faith, and rebuilding both body and mind.

This episode covers the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis, long hospital stays in the children’s cancer ward, the impact on family, and the mental battle that comes with fighting for your life. Jehu opens up about fear, resilience, faith, and the moment everything began to change.

This is not just a cancer survival story. It is a story about discipline, mental toughness, purpose, and refusing to let adversity define the rest of your life.

If you or someone you love is facing cancer, illness, or overwhelming hardship, this episode offers hope, perspective, and proof that it is possible to come back stronger.

00:00 Introduction and Jehu’s Cancer Journey
02:33 Early Symptoms and Warning Signs
05:33 Hospital Visits and Discovering the Diagnosis
08:57 Hearing the Cancer Diagnosis
11:52 Transition to Pediatric Cancer Care
14:45 Understanding the Diagnosis and Treatment
17:39 How Cancer Affected Family and Friends
20:57 Facing the Reality of Cancer
21:54 Photos of the Journey and Telling the Family
23:49 Recovery, Mental Strength, and Resilience
28:37 Inside the Children’s Cancer Ward
33:55 The Emotional Toll of Long Hospital Stays
35:41 Finding Hope and Strength Through Faith
40:30 Milestones, Progress, and Healing
46:15 Lessons Learned from Cancer
52:11 Inspiring Others Through the Journey

In Episode 2 of The Joe McNeil Podcast, Joe sits down with his daughter Abigail Garza for an honest conversation about growing up in a competitive family, navigating junior golf, and the realities of college golf that no one prepares you for.

They talk about recruiting, qualifying, coaching challenges, confidence, and what happens when the environment you trusted stops believing in you. The conversation shifts to Abbey’s transition into fitness, mental toughness, and finding purpose beyond competition.

The episode takes a deeply personal turn as Abbey shares where she was when the family received the phone call that Jay had cancer, how it changed everything, and why belief, family, and faith matter when life hits hard.

This is a real, unfiltered conversation about leadership, resilience, discipline, and adapting when the path in front of you changes.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Family Dynamics
05:41 Junior Golf Journey: Early Experiences
12:33 Challenges in College Golf: Coaching and Competition
22:37 Finding New Directions: Fitness and Career Aspirations
30:45 Cancer
36:04 Funny Stories
44:31 Conclusion and Future Plans

Connect with Joe McNeil
Website: https://www.coachjoemcneil.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjoemcneil

Connect with Abbey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shortgamestrong

For in-person training in the San Antonio area or online fitness programs, send Abbey a DM to get started.

Subscribe, like, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes of The Joe McNeil Podcast.

In Episode 1, Joe McNeil and his wife Laci share an honest conversation about marriage, raising seven children, homeschooling, faith, and building resilience through life’s hardest moments.

They discuss the realities of parenting in a large family, navigating homeschooling and socialization, preparing kids for college, and how their faith sustained them during their son’s cancer diagnosis and recovery. From leadership in the home to creative outlets like sourdough baking, this episode reflects on partnership, perseverance, and the strength of family.

Episode Takeaways:

• Homeschooling can be customized to fit a family’s values and season of life
• Socialization happens naturally through sports, community, and shared experiences
• Colleges value homeschooled students for independence and discipline
• Creative pursuits can be both therapeutic and life-giving
• Walking through a child’s serious illness reshapes priorities and health awareness
• Faith and community play a vital role during adversity
• Shared values and communication are foundational to a strong marriage

► Connect with Joe
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/coachjoemcneil

Website ► https://www.coachjoemcneil.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the McNeil Family Journey
10:32 Navigating College and Beyond
12:15 SourDough and making medicine
14:22 Dealing with cancer
23:17 Chicken Pox while dealing with Cancer and Chemo
25:15 The Turning Point
28:47 Celebrating Recovery and Resilience


#marriage #parenting #homeschooling #faith #family #leadership #podcast