In 2006 Riaz received a Stage 3 Lymphoma diagnosis. Newly married, his wife expecting their first baby and a burgeoning career in the health and fitness industry, with the cancer rampaging through his body, he underwent surgery and very aggressive chemotherapy treatments which took a heavy toll on him. Determination and love for his new baby motivated him to rehab and rebuild himself physically and mentally into one of the most sought after cancer fitness & recovery professionals in Toronto today. This journey back from disease to a life and career in healthy living has lead him down many paths, but losing his mother tragically after a 4 year battle with breast cancer in 2015 broke his heart . Now Riaz keeps the promise he made to his mother, by helping those going through cancer reach Survivorship. From walking the path as a trainer of elite fighters, to a rehab specialist and nutrition coach to a Cancer Recovery Specialist.

Riaz also holds a seat as a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) for the Odette Cancer Centre of Sunnybrook Hospital. Here, actively helping those experiencing and recovering from cancer, and pushing the system for improvements in care, he can be a strong and influential voice for patient advocacy.