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. 3d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. May 12

    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?

    46 min

  6. May 5

    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 18Living with uncertainty and fearThe impact on family and identityFighting for access to life-changing treatmentThis 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

    30 min

  7. Apr 28

    031 - Let Us Sit In The Fire Together: Reflections - Jonathan Healy - The Survival Project

    Episode 31 of The Survival Project is a reflections episode titled: “Let Us Sit in the Fire Together.” This episode explores the reality of living with chronic illness, Crohn’s disease, IBD, ostomy life, chronic pain, and mental resilience, through lessons taken from the last 10 conversations on the podcast. From misdiagnosis and isolation to recovery, identity loss, breathwork, sleep, and rebuilding life after illness, this episode brings together powerful insights from real lived experiences. If you are navigating: Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitisIBD or an ostomyChronic illness or chronic painMental health struggles linked to healthThis episode is a reminder that you are not alone. The core message is simple:We are all sitting in the fire, but we do not have to sit in it alone. Featuring reflections from guests including Sam (Footprints Africa), Joe Forde, Tom Coleman, Tanika, Diego, Karen, Jack Brennan, and Oliver (Chronicare). A massive thank you to Western Auto Parts Oranmore for supporting this episode and helping keep The Survival Project alive. Contact: 091-790014 📌 Links & Resources: Chronicare App: https://chronicare.io/ Footprints Africa: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-footprints2africa?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020 Contact: sam@footprints2africa.org.uk

    13 min

  8. Apr 21

    030 - “I Turned My Chronic Illness Into A Career”, Turning Pain Into Purpose - Oliver Achard Ravn

    In Episode 30 I sit down with Oliver for a powerful and honest conversation about chronic illness, identity, isolation, and purpose. Oliver shares his journey of first developing psoriasis as a teenager before later being diagnosed with IBD during the chaos of 2020. He speaks openly about the long and frustrating road to diagnosis, the fear and trauma of hospitalisation, and the mental strain of trying to make sense of a body that suddenly feels unpredictable. We also go deep into the ripple effect of chronic illness, not just on the person living with it, but on parents, partners, friends, and the people trying their best to understand what they cannot fully see. A major part of this episode is Oliver’s work with Chronicare, a platform he created to help people living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBD feel less alone, track symptoms more clearly, and take more control in the time between hospital appointments. It is a brilliant example of turning pain into purpose. This episode touches on: Psoriasis and IBD Crohn’s disease vs ulcerative colitis Delayed diagnosis and medical frustration Hospital trauma and mental health Communication with family and loved ones Living with flare-ups and uncertainty Building purpose through chronic illness Creating a better support system for people with IBD This is a conversation about patience, perspective, and slowly learning how to build a life around something you never asked for. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need it. Search "Chronicare" in the app store or google play.

    50 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
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Healy
  • Show Website
    The Survival Project

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