The Survival Project

Jonathan Healy
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Survival Project is a podcast about health, resilience, and the power of shared experience. We all face battles; for our health, for our wellbeing, for survival itself. This podcast is a space to explore those battles honestly, whether you’re living with chronic illness yourself or supporting someone you love. “Your story can be someone else’s survival guide” - The Survival Project exists to do just that: turn lived experience into a guide for others.

  1. 1d ago

    041 - IBD In The US: "My Insurance Company Said I Didn't Need My Medication" - Ian Goldstein

    What happens when surviving Crohn's disease means fighting your own healthcare system? This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Ian, a Crohn's disease advocate, comedian and storyteller from New York. Diagnosed at just 16 years old, Ian shares his journey through bowel obstructions, multiple surgeries, intestinal strictures, internal bleeding, anxiety and the emotional impact of living with inflammatory bowel disease for nearly two decades. Together we explore the hidden realities of chronic illness, the importance of community, using humour as a coping mechanism, and the incredible financial and emotional burden of navigating the American healthcare system while trying to stay healthy. Whether you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with honesty, perspective and hope. In this episode we discuss:• Crohn's disease diagnosis• Bowel obstruction recovery• Bowel resection surgery• Internal bleeding• Chronic illness and mental health• Healthcare in America• Insurance challenges• Comedy and resilience• Living with invisible illness• Building community after diagnosis If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Ian's story. To check out Ians work on IG: @iangoldsteinyes & @out_of_network_network New episodes of The Survival Project are released every week.

    34 min

  2. Jun 22

    040 - Hypoganglionosis: Hyrox, Ultra Marathons & Life After Stoma Surgery - Olivia Moore (@livwithastoma)

    At 22 years old, Liv Moore was told she would need a permanent stoma. After years of unexplained symptoms, severe constipation, and a body that seemed to be shutting down, Liv was diagnosed with hypoganglionosis, a rare bowel disorder that left her rectum unable to function properly. In this episode of The Survival Project, Liv shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis to surgery, the fear of living with a stoma at such a young age, and how she ultimately found freedom, confidence, and a new lease on life. We discuss: What hypoganglionosis is and how it affects the bodyBeing told you need a permanent stoma at 22The emotional impact of major surgeryBody confidence and learning to accept a changed bodyFitness, Hyrox and rebuilding strength after surgeryLiving, travelling and thriving with a stomaThe importance of advocacy, awareness and representationFinding purpose after life-changing health challengesLiv's story is a powerful reminder that the things we fear most are often not the end of our story, but the beginning of a new chapter. If you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an ostomy, chronic illness, or you're facing surgery yourself, this episode is packed with hope, perspective and practical insight. To check out Olivia's content: @livwithastoma (IG & TikTok) #Stoma #Ostomy #Hypoganglionosis #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #Hyrox #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #TheSurvivalProject

    38 min

  3. Jun 16

    039 - Mold Toxicity: The Hidden Illness That Nearly Ruined My Life - Arthur O'Connor

    Arthur O'Connor appeared to have everything on track. A successful personal trainer, recently engaged, healthy, active, and building a future he was excited about. Then his body began to change. What started as digestive issues soon became overwhelming fatigue, chronic inflammation, hormonal dysfunction, skin problems, weight loss, heart palpitations, and a growing list of symptoms that no one could explain. As doctor visits turned into dead ends, Arthur found himself questioning not only his health but his own reality. In this deeply honest conversation, Arthur shares the physical and emotional toll of living with an unexplained illness, the impact it had on his relationships and mental health, and how his relentless search for answers eventually led him to uncover a hidden source of toxicity that had been affecting his life for years. This episode explores chronic illness, mould toxicity, resilience, gut health, mental health, and the power of trusting yourself when you know something isn't right. Follow Arthur:Instagram: @aocfitness A special thank you to Western Auto Parts, Oranmore, Galway, for supporting The Survival Project Podcast. Western Auto Parts📞 091-790014 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who may benefit from hearing Arthur's story.

    38 min

  4. Jun 9

    038 - Growing Up With Crohn’s Disease: “I asked for the ostomy bag” - Terri Brannigan

    From 60 toilet trips a day to fitness racing, Terri Brannigan's story is one of resilience, courage, and reclaiming life after Crohn's disease. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Crohn's disease advocate, ostomate, and fitness enthusiast Terri Brannigan to discuss her journey from being diagnosed with Crohn's at just 15 years old to making the life-changing decision to undergo ostomy surgery at 28. Terri opens up about growing up with chronic illness, the embarrassment and isolation of living with severe symptoms as a teenager, years of hospital visits, failed medications, major surgery, and the emotional toll Crohn's disease can take on every aspect of life. She shares the moment she realised she could no longer continue living the way she was, why she chose an ostomy, and how that decision ultimately gave her the freedom to rebuild her life. Today, Terri is completing fitness challenges, participating in Tryka events, facilitating ostomy support groups with Crohn's & Colitis Ireland, and helping others navigate life with IBD and an ostomy. In this episode: Growing up with Crohn's disease as a teenagerThe challenges of diagnosis and treatmentLiving with severe Crohn's symptomsSurgery, stomas, and life after an ostomyMental health and chronic illnessFitness, strength training, and recoveryBody confidence and self-acceptanceOstomy support groups and communityAdvocacy, resilience, and rebuilding life after illnessWhether you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an ostomy, IBD, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with honesty, hope, and practical insight. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share The Survival Project. IG: @thesurvivalprojectpod Terri's IG: livin_the_stoma_bag_life #CrohnsDisease #IBD #Ostomy #Stoma #UlcerativeColitis #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #MentalHealth #FitnessJourney #TheSurvivalProject

    52 min

  5. Jun 2

    037 - The Glass Is Refillable: IBD, Cancer & Rebuilding Life With An Ostomy - Coach Jenn Moore

    What happens when years of being undertreated for Ulcerative Colitis leads to a permanent ostomy, a cancer diagnosis, multiple major surgeries, and repeated setbacks? In this powerful episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy sits down with Jenn Moore, an ostomy advocate, fitness coach, health coach, and specialist in helping people rebuild strength after chronic illness and surgery. Jenn shares her extraordinary journey from living with severe Ulcerative Colitis and years of inadequate medical care, to undergoing permanent ostomy surgery, discovering anal cancer, navigating multiple complex hernia repairs, and repeatedly rebuilding her life after major setbacks. But this is not a story about defeat. It is a story about resilience, purpose, adaptation, and learning to trust your body again. Jenn explains how she transformed her own experiences into a mission to help people living with ostomies, chronic illness, autoimmune disease, cancer recovery, and complex medical conditions regain confidence, rebuild strength, and return to the activities they love. In this episode: Living with severe Ulcerative ColitisYears of being undertreated and mismanagedThe decision to have permanent ostomy surgeryDiscovering anal cancer after surgeryMultiple parastomal hernias and complex repairsRecovery after major abdominal surgeryReturning to exercise with an ostomyCore strength and hernia preventionFitness advice for ostomatesChronic illness and mental resilienceSupporting loved ones through illnessFinding purpose through adversityWhy Jenn believes "the glass is refillable"Whether you're living with Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, an ostomy, cancer recovery, chronic illness, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical advice, hope, and inspiration. To contact Jenn: jenn@yougotthiswithcoachjenn.com or through IG @coach_jenn_moore

    40 min

  6. May 26

    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

    48 min

  7. May 21

    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.

    43 min

  8. May 19

    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.

    45 min
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About

The Survival Project is a podcast about health, resilience, and the power of shared experience. We all face battles; for our health, for our wellbeing, for survival itself. This podcast is a space to explore those battles honestly, whether you’re living with chronic illness yourself or supporting someone you love. “Your story can be someone else’s survival guide” - The Survival Project exists to do just that: turn lived experience into a guide for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Healy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Healy
  • Show Website
    The Survival Project