012 - Journey to Purple | Cancer, Loss, and Rebuilding a Life with Casey Lee

This is one of the heaviest and most powerful episodes we’ve ever recorded on The GRYND.

We sit down with Casey Lee — 28-year-old cancer survivor, dog mom, traveling Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, and certified personal trainer.

Casey shares the raw, emotional story of:

• Receiving her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis on June 29, 2022

• Losing her boyfriend and soon-to-be fiancé just 7 days later in a tragic shooting

• The darkest days of chemo, overwhelming grief, and the decision to fight for the life she wanted

• Starting her Jiu-Jitsu journey just weeks after her chemo port was removed

• What “Journey to Purple” really means — both chasing her purple belt and her 5-year cancer-free milestone

She also talks about the light she’s created from the darkness — competing at a high level (100+ matches and a pro win), rebuilding her body and life from the ground up, and pouring her energy into giving back through Tap Cancer Out, women’s BJJ initiatives, and volunteering.

This episode is heavy. There were a lot of tears. But it’s also full of hope, resilience, purpose, and proof that even after your world falls apart, you can rebuild something powerful.

If you’ve ever faced loss, fought through a health battle, or needed a reminder of how strong the human spirit can be — this one is for you.