About Matt Jones
Matt Jones is widely known as the “Eight Continent Marathon Man.” His extraordinary journey is one of conquering cancer, defying medical odds, and achieving seemingly impossible feats. From facing three bouts with cancer—including its spread to the fluid around his brain—to relearning how to walk and undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant, Matt’s life exemplifies what it means to overcome adversity with grit, determination, and hope.
Doctors gave Matt a less than 10% chance of surviving when cancer returned and attacked his brain. Against all odds, Matt not only survived—he thrived. As his doctor put it, “No one has gone through what Matt did and lived one year later.” After his recovery, Matt set his sights on a new challenge: completing eight marathons on eight continents, including Antarctica and the newly discovered continent of Zealandia.
Through his keynotes, workshops, and coaching, Matt equips individuals and organizations to adopt the Marathon Mentality—a mindset of resilience, action, and endurance to overcome challenges, break through limitations, and achieve greater victory.
Matt holds a BA in Communcation, MLS with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership and is the author of numerous books designed to motivate, inspire, and equip people to thrive. His best-selling one, “Life is a Marathon" offers practical strategies to stay motivated both personally and professionally.
Journey Through Cancer, Recovery, and Victory
On September 11, 2002, as the world reeled from tragedy, my life took a personal turn I could have never imagined. I was a senior in college, looking forward to graduation, but something was off. I was exhausted all the time, sleeping up to 16 hours a day, and during one 24-hour period, I slept for 23 hours straight. Thinking it was mono, I visited my doctor.
That afternoon, around 1:00 PM, I got the call that changed my life:
"Matt, you are sicker than we thought. Your white blood count is five times higher than normal. You probably have leukemia."
At just 23 years old, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—a rare and aggressive cancer. Without immediate treatment, it would be fatal within weeks to months.
Dr. Doom and the Fight of My Life
The journey through cancer was an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of hope and devastation. But one Monday morning in January 2004, I hit rock bottom. A doctor I would later refer to as Dr. Doom walked into my hospital room and gave me the worst news of my life:
"Matt, the cancer has spread to your brain. You have less than a 10% chance of living to see 30."
And just like that, she turned and walked out of the room.
From there, everything deteriorated rapidly. Around Valentine’s Day, my condition worsened. A device implanted in my brain to treat the cancer became infected, one of my kidneys began to fail, and my temperature soared above 104 degrees. I slipped into unconsciousness, and doctors called my family and friends to the hospital, warning them that I might not make it through the night.
.
Learning to Walk Again
Miraculously, I survived. But the road to recovery was long and grueling. I woke up disoriented, with severe memory loss and slurred speech. I remember the day I looked down at my tennis shoes, unable to remember how to tie them. My dad knelt down and tied them for me. Then, with one arm around my dad and the other around a physical therapist, they helped me stand up for the first time.
Together, we took one small, shaky step after another. It felt like a marathon just to put one foot in front of the other. I had to relearn how to walk—a humbling experience, but also the first step toward reclaiming my life.
The Road to Victory: A Bone Marrow Transplant and Beyond
After returning to remission, I went through full-body radiation and intense chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant—my only chance at long-term survival. On Mother’s Day 2004, I walked out of the hospital, having defied all odds with a successful transplant. But even after that victory, the journey wasn’t over.
For the next 10 months, I had to undergo follow-up chemotherapy directly into my brain to ensure the cancer wouldn’t return. Before my final treatment, I asked my doctor if the last round was really necessary. His response will stay with me forever:
"Matt, there is no medical literature on what you’ve gone through. No one who’s had what you had is still here talking to us a year later."
From Survival to Marathons on Every Continent
My experience with cancer didn’t just change me—it redefined my life. I knew I couldn’t stop at surviving; I had to find meaning in the struggle and push beyond my limits. So, just one year after finishing chemotherapy, I set out to accomplish something many thought impossible: I completed the San Diego Rock N' Roll Marathon.
That marathon sparked a new mission. I decided to test the limits of what I was capable of and began a journey to complete marathons on all seven continents. I’ve now completed eight marathons—one on each continent, including the icy tundra of Antarctica and the newly discovered continent of Zealandia.
A Story of Resilience, Triumph, and Victory
Cancer tried to stop me, but it only taught me how to live with purpose, grit, and endurance. Through every step of the journey—from hospital bed to marathon finish lines—I’ve learned that it’s not what happens to us that defines us, but how we choose to respond. No matter the challenge, there’s always a way forward—even if it’s one small step at a time.
Now, I share my story to inspire others to embrace their own challenges and develop what I call the Marathon Mentality—a mindset of resilience, action, and unwavering belief in the possibility of victory. Whether you're facing personal struggles or professional challenges, you too can cross your finish line and achieve greater victories.
This is not just a story of survival—it’s a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, the power to overcome is within you.