When doctors told David Reynard he had only 30 days to live, he thought he was hearing the end of his story. Instead, it became the start of an entirely new chapter. His memoir, Stronger than Before: Surviving Medical Tragedy and Discovering Life’s Second Act, recounts the grueling fight against stage 4 liver cancer and liver failure — and the transformation that followed.
From Grief to Diagnosis
Reynard’s ordeal began shortly after the death of his father in 2021. What started as exhaustion and stomach issues escalated quickly into repeated hospitalizations. Two years of tests and uncertainty finally led to the answer no one wants to hear: cancer, liver failure, and only weeks left to live.
For Reynard, it was more than just a diagnosis. It meant facing mortality while navigating strained relationships, addiction recovery, and the crushing loneliness of waiting rooms and endless medical procedures. At his lowest point, he endured seventeen near-death experiences, including sepsis that claimed his life twice in intensive care.
Fighting Back
The book doesn’t gloss over those dark moments. Reynard writes openly about the nights he cried out in pain, the emotional toll of a failing body, and the mental weight of believing the end was inevitable. But Stronger than Before is not a story of despair — it’s about survival.
Through therapy, sobriety, and the support of friends, coworkers, and family, Reynard found the strength to keep fighting. In December 2024, that fight was rewarded with a liver transplant. The surgery marked not just the saving of his life, but the beginning of what he calls his “second act.”
A Broader Message
Beyond recounting his own experiences, Reynard uses the memoir to highlight the power of resilience and community. He emphasizes how much strength can be drawn from others — whether it’s a nurse who treats you with compassion, a friend who shows up at 1 a.m., or strangers who keep you in their prayers.
He also speaks directly to issues larger than his own story. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Reynard advocates for acceptance and self-love. As a transplant recipient, he champions organ donation awareness, hoping to inspire more people to consider giving the gift of life.
Always Forward
Reynard’s motto, “Always Forward, Never Backward,” runs throughout the book. It reflects not only how he survived cancer, but how he now approaches his role as a motivational speaker. His storytelling blends honesty, humor, and raw experience, connecting with people facing struggles of their own.
In a world where so many carry battles invisible to others — whether medical, emotional, or personal — Reynard’s story resonates as proof that survival is possible, transformation is real, and no one’s story has to end where they fear it will.
About the Author
David Reynard was born and raised in eastern Ohio before moving to Cincinnati to begin his own path. His life has included struggles with addiction, grief, and an emotionally destructive relationship, but his greatest challenge came with the diagnosis of stage 4 liver cancer and liver failure. After surviving multiple near-death experiences and receiving a transplant in 2024, Reynard now lives in Middletown, OH. He works as a storyteller and motivational speaker, advocating for organ donation, LGBTQ rights, and the power of resilience.
Availability & Contact
Stronger than Before: Surviving Medical Tragedy and Discovering Life’s Second Act is now available on Amazon and other online platforms in multiple formats; paperback, hardcover, e-Book. Follow the listed channels below to stay up to date with any exciting news and events regarding the author’s literary journey:
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