In Depth With Graham Bensinger Season 4 Episode 15 Lance Mackey: Dog Mushing, Drugs & Surviving Cancer

In Depth with Graham Bensinger returns with another amazing episode, this time featuring the four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey. In season 4, episode 15, we get a glimpse of Lance's journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a world-renowned dog musher.

The episode begins with Lance sharing his experiences of growing up in a family involved in dog mushing. His father, Dick Mackey, had won the Iditarod back in 1978, and his brother Rick also competed in dog mushing. Lance talks about how his early start in dog mushing was an instrumental factor in his success in the sport. He remembers training dogs for hours on end every day, giving them the best possible care to prepare them for races. Lance emphasizes the important role that his dogs play in his life, ensuring that they are his first and foremost priority.

Graham also dives into Lance's struggles with addiction, which started when he was a teenager. Lance candidly talks about the impact of his drug use on his life and how it affected those around him. Feelings of guilt weighed heavily on his mind, and Lance decided to check himself into rehab to overcome his addiction. He credits dog mushing as being a vital part of his rehabilitation and how the sport gave him a new focus in life.

As the episode progresses, Lance speaks openly about the challenges he faced battling cancer twice. The first time he was diagnosed, he was given a five percent chance of survival. Lance talks candidly about how this news impacted his life and his family. He feared he would never be able to race sled dogs again. But Lance wouldn't let cancer defeat him. He shares his mental approach to overcoming cancer, his determination to fight and the ways in which he prepared himself to beat the odds.

Despite all the challenges, setbacks and pain, Lance never let anything hold him back. In this episode, we see how he became one of the most successful dog mushers by winning the Iditarod, multiple times. Alongside Lance's professional achievements, we see how he cherishes life and lives it to its fullest. We see his grit and determination on display as he reflects on his life's battles.

The show closes with Lance's message of hope and advice to never give up and keep pushing forward. Graham and Lance share a heartfelt moment where they both reflect on what the show is deserving of its name, digging into Lance's life with all the sincerity that the audience can relate to. Overall, the episode is an inspirational tale of perseverance, strength, and resilience - showcasing the power of sheer determination in overcoming the toughest of challenges in any profession and life in the most satisfying way possible.