2025 Award Recipients

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just ten months old, Colin Butler has spent his life proving that living with CF doesn’t mean living within limits. For him, movement and nutrition have always been more than habits; they’ve been lifelines. Growing up, Colin was a fan of most sports including football, baseball, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and tae kwon do where he was ranked first in the state for two years. When it came to food, his family joked that if something didn’t run, swim, or fly faster than him, he’d eat it. That early appreciation for good food and an active lifestyle set the foundation for a career devoted to health, strength, and helping others live fully at every age.

Colin earned his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science and went on to complete a Master’s in Kinesiology, both at Georgia Southern University, where he developed a passion for human movement and the science of staying strong. He began his career developing food products for major brands such as Publix, Dunkin’, Panera, and Whole Foods, but soon realized that his true calling was beyond the lab and on the fitness floor, working directly with people.

That decision led him to a meaningful career in fitness and wellness, first overseeing the personal training program at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for four years, and now serving as the Fitness Coordinator at Georgia Tech. In this role, he combines his scientific background and people-first approach to help students and staff move better, feel better, and live better.

Outside of his university work, Colin owns Foxy Grandpa Fitness, a personal training business focused on helping active-aging clients maintain strength, mobility, and independence for as long as possible. He is passionate about helping people stay strong and confident in what their bodies can do no matter their age.

Colin is also expanding his expertise beyond fitness and physiology. Currently preparing to enroll at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, he aims to deepen his understanding of business development in higher education and one day become a Senior Director in University Recreation. Of course, he has no plans to stop training clients, or to ever really retire.

When he’s not in the gym or on campus, Colin enjoys exploring Atlanta with his girlfriend, Israel, in search of the city’s best street tacos, lifting heavy things for fun, and grumbling about Atlanta traffic.

For Colin, living life to the fullest means laughing often, lifting heavy, and finding purpose in helping others thrive. His life is a reflection of resilience, passion, and authenticity; inspiring everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Sue & John Stein are passionate advocates and community leaders who founded Miles for Cystic Fibrosis, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals and families living with cystic fibrosis (CF) through physical activity, awareness and direct support.

With a shared vision of strengthening lives, Sue and John have turned running, fundraising and community rallying into meaningful action. Under their leadership, Miles for CF encouraged people living with CF to embrace the “marathon mindset” every day—acknowledging the ongoing effort required to breathe, move and live well despite the challenges of CF.

Sue served as the first Director of Miles for CF. Her dedication to the cause—alongside her deep organizational and volunteer expertise—has helped shape the direction of the organization and deepen its impact. John has played a central role in driving the fundraising, events and outreach that brought Miles for CF’s mission to life—leading teams, engaging supporters, and championing the cause among the broader Georgia community.

Together, Sue and John helped Miles for CF evolve into a vibrant force for good—supporting CF families, promoting exercise and wellness, and forging a network of hope and action. And now that organization is called BreatheStrong CF which will continue to support the CF community in new and expanded ways throughout the country. Their leadership demonstrates how community commitment, strategic focus and personal passion can combine to deepen the lives of those living with CF and move the conversation beyond cure to strength and thriving.