The Survival Project

036 - Stage 4 Endometriosis: “They Told Me It Was Anxiety” - Kate Ann Smith

For 13 years, Kate Ann was told her pain was normal. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy sits down with Kate for a deeply emotional and eye-opening conversation about living with Stage 4 Endometriosis and bowel endometriosis. Kate shares the reality of growing up in severe pain, being dismissed by doctors, told her symptoms were “just anxiety” or IBS, and spending years trying to convince people that something was seriously wrong. Eventually, after fighting for answers and advocating for herself, Kate was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis so severe that her organs had fused together. Together, Jonathan and Kate discuss: • Chronic pain & invisible illness • Medical gaslighting • Fertility fears & egg freezing • The emotional impact of chronic illness • Body image, bloating & femininity • Mental health & self trust • Surgery & fear of the future • Women’s health inequality • Nutrition, fitness & holistic healing • Learning to advocate for yourself This episode is not just about endometriosis. It’s about what happens when people stop listening to women’s pain. And it’s about finding strength, identity, and purpose in the middle of chronic illness. A huge thank you to Kate for her honesty and vulnerability throughout this conversation. If this episode resonates with you, please follow, share, and leave a rating for the podcast. #Endometriosis #Stage4Endometriosis #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #TheSurvivalProject

035 - The Female Experience Of IBD: Identity, Illness & Rebuilding Yourself - Sarah & Terri

World IBD Day Special | The Female Experience of IBD, Chronic Illness & Identity In this episode of The Survival Project, Sarah O’Connor and Terri Brannigan join me for a powerful conversation on the female experience of living with Crohn’s disease, IBD, invisible illness, fatigue, body image, relationships, and resilience. We speak honestly about the realities women face while navigating chronic illness, from the pressure to “look well” and keep pushing through fatigue, to the emotional impact of body changes, medical dismissal, dating, intimacy, and uncertainty around the future. Sarah shares her experience living with both Crohn’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), while Terri reflects on how stoma surgery transformed her confidence, identity, and outlook on life. This conversation explores: • Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis • Invisible illness & chronic fatigue • Women’s health & medical gaslighting • Body image & confidence after illness • Stoma surgery & identity • Relationships & vulnerability • Motherhood fears & uncertainty • Mental health & resilience • Finding yourself again after diagnosis A deeply honest conversation about womanhood, strength, and rebuilding your life through chronic illness. Thank you to Sarah and Terri for their openness and honesty throughout this episode.

034 - The Diseased Man: What Is He Worth? IBD, Masculinity & Identity - Owen Lancelot & Oliver Achard Ravn

In this World IBD Day special episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Owen and Oliver for a deeply honest conversation about the male experience of living with IBD. We talk about Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, stoma surgery, masculinity, identity, relationships, intimacy, body image, fear, shame, depression, and the pressure men feel to stay strong while living with chronic illness. This episode goes into the parts of IBD that are often left unspoken: the fear of rejection, the uncertainty of the future, the emotional impact of surgery, the pressure to be the provider, and the difficulty of opening up when your body has changed. Owen shares his experience with ulcerative colitis, stoma surgery, endurance running, and preparing for another major surgery. Oliver shares his experience with Crohn’s disease, flares, anxiety, relationships, dating, and the fear of what the future may hold. This is a conversation about IBD, but it is also a conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, resilience, and rebuilding identity after illness. Thank you to Owen and Oliver for their honesty. This is part one of our World IBD Day double episode week. On Thursday, Sarah O’Connor and Terri Brannigan join me for a powerful conversation on the female experience of living with IBD.

033 - Loss of Health, Loss of Livelihood: Chronic Illness & Self-Employment in America

Episode 33 of The Survival Project with Levi. Levi is a photographer based in Las Vegas living with ulcerative colitis and, since recording this episode, Crohn’s disease. In this conversation, Levi shares the reality of years of symptoms, blood loss, misdiagnosis, colonoscopies, failed medications, chronic pain, and trying to navigate the American healthcare system while self-employed. We dive into: • Living with IBD and chronic illness • Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis • The emotional impact of isolation • Healthcare costs in America • Insurance battles & biologic medications • Skyrizi, Tremfya & inflammation markers • Chronic illness and identity • Cannabis for pain management • Spiritual healing & Reiki • Becoming the person in charge of your own healthcare One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the importance of advocating for yourself, doing your own research, and learning how to navigate a system that often leaves people behind. A raw and powerful conversation about survival, resilience, pain, and rebuilding yourself while living with chronic illness. Sponsored by Western Auto Parts Oranmore. To order contact 091-790014 To support Levi's Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-levis-healing-journey-wu35s?

032 - “Not Value for Money” Aoife’s Fight for a Future, Living with Friedrich’s Ataxia - Aoife Quinn

Aoife Quinn is 23, from Galway, and living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Right now, her symptoms are manageable. But she knows what’s coming. She knows there’s a drug that could slow the progression of her condition and protect her future. The problem? It has been deemed “not value for money.” In this episode, we talk about: * Being diagnosed at 18 * Living with uncertainty and fear * The impact on family and identity * Fighting for access to life-changing treatment This isn’t just about chronic illness. It’s about what happens when the treatment exists… but you can’t access it. Aoife isn’t asking for a miracle. She’s asking for a chance. 🔗 Support Aoife - https://www.change.org/p/make-skyclarys-available-in-ireland IG - @aoifequinn31 Massive thank you to todays sponsor Western Auto Parts Oranmore. For all you motoring needs contact: 091-79014