Hi, I’m Dain Zaffke

I live with my wife and daughter in the action sports mecca of Santa Cruz, California, a place where status is defined by athletic prowess on the trails and in the water. Which is why it seems particularly cruel that cancer robbed me of my left lung at a relatively young age. I’ve come to terms with it: I’m now cancer-free and back to biking and surfing. In some ways, I’m healthier (in mind and body) than before. I’ve learned that my identity is not defined by career or sport. My story is inspirational, but it’s not about blind positivity. When faced with the unknown, I chose to meet uncertainty with eyes wide open in wonder. This message matters to those who are experiencing cancer, chronic illness, or healthy people who just want to make the most of every moment.

My background includes a career in marketing, years in publishing and journalism, and an attempt to become a professional mountain bike racer. In other words, I was living life in the fast lane. Throughout this success, I was always looking ahead, striving for more, trying to level up. It’s a familiar mindset for most of us, and it’s exhausting. Cancer treatment forced me off that relentless treadmill of productivity, and I learned to appreciate life at a slower pace. 

My experience gave me clarity about what matters most in this life, and I now prioritize the things that bring me joy. That means spending time with friends and family, riding my bike, and surfing. I still work in the bike industry (as Global Communications and PR Lead at Leatt), and I still push my body to its limits in bike races. The difference now is that I see more beauty in the quiet moments in between.

Through the film “I HAVE IT ALL” and the forthcoming memoir, Right Lung, Right Time, I invite you to do the same. Don’t stop striving, but take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath, consider your luck, and all that you’ve already accomplished. I’m happy to be here, and I hope you feel the same.