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. 2d ago

    047 - Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Learning To Live in A Body You Can't Trust - Tasha Flynn

    Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects thousands of people, yet most of us have never heard of it. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Natasha Flynn to explore what it's really like living with Functional Neurological Disorder, an invisible neurological condition that can cause seizures, paralysis, chronic pain, memory difficulties, fatigue, and a host of unpredictable symptoms. Natasha shares the moment her life changed forever, the emotional reality of losing independence, and the grief of letting go of the person she once was. Together, they discuss resilience, mental health, invisible disability, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward when every day brings uncertainty. This episode is a powerful reminder that not every illness is visible, and that behind every diagnosis is a person simply trying to rebuild their life. In this episode:• Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)• Invisible illness and disability• Living with seizures and chronic pain• Losing and rebuilding your identity• Mental health and resilience• Navigating uncertainty• The importance of awareness and compassion More information on FND: https://fnd.ie/ IG: @fndireland If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow The Survival Project, leave a rating, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from Natasha's story. Every share helps bring these important conversations to more people.

  2. Aug 4

    046 - The Wren Project: Supporting The Mental Health Of People With Autoimmune Disease - Kate Middleton

    Living with an autoimmune disease affects far more than the body. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Kate Middleton, founder of The Wren Project, to explore the often-overlooked mental health challenges of chronic illness. After her lupus diagnosis, Kate experienced the isolation, uncertainty and emotional burden that so many people face after diagnosis. Rather than accepting that as the norm, she created The Wren Project, a charity providing free one-to-one emotional support for people living with autoimmune diseases. Together they discuss the hidden psychological impact of autoimmune conditions, why loneliness is so common, the importance of peer support, learning to rebuild your identity after diagnosis, and why caring for mental health should be just as important as treating physical symptoms. This episode is for anyone living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or wanting to better understand the invisible side of autoimmune disease. Learn more about The Wren Project:https://www.thewrenproject.org If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Survival Project, leave a rating, and share it with someone who might benefit from hearing Kate's story. Every share helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.

  3. Jul 30

    045 - One Mans Ostomy, Changed The Lives Of Thousands: The Birth Of Comfizz - Lorraine Alikhanizadeh

    What happens when one family's experience with Crohn's disease leads to a product that changes the lives of thousands of people around the world? In this episode of The Survival Project, I sit down with Lorraine from Comfizz to tell the remarkable story behind one of the most trusted names in ostomy support wear. This conversation is particularly special to me because I've personally worn Comfizz support bands every single day since my first ostomy surgery in 2012. At a time when I had no confidence in my body, struggled with skin irritation and worried constantly about my appliance, their support wear gave me something I desperately needed: confidence. Together we explore: • The incredible story behind Comfizz and how one man's ostomy inspired a global mission• Living with Crohn's disease and life after ostomy surgery• Body image, confidence and learning to accept your stoma• The importance of practical support for people living with an ostomy• Why small innovations can completely transform quality of life• Supporting children, families and newly diagnosed ostomates• Turning personal adversity into purpose Whether you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, a permanent ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy, or you're supporting someone who is, this episode is a powerful reminder that even life's greatest challenges can become the foundation for helping others. If you enjoyed today's episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing this conversation. Website: https://comfizz.com

  4. Jul 21

    044 - What Dying Taught Me About Living: Surviving Two Heart Attacks - Seamus McAuley

    What being dead taught me about living. Former pharmaceutical CEO Shay thought success meant working harder, achieving more and constantly chasing the next milestone. Then, at just 47 years old, he suffered a massive heart attack that stopped him in his tracks and forced him to ask one life-changing question: What actually matters? In this powerful episode of The Survival Project, Shay shares how surviving a near-death experience completely transformed his outlook on success, family, purpose, mental health and happiness. Together we explore the emotional aftermath of serious illness, the pressure of modern life, and why sometimes our greatest challenges become our greatest teachers. Whether you've experienced illness yourself or simply feel overwhelmed by the pace of life, this conversation is a reminder to slow down, reconnect with what matters most and never take another day for granted. Topics include: • Heart attack recovery • Near-death perspective • Mental health • Burnout • Purpose and meaning • Personal growth • Resilience • Family • Gratitude • Living with intention If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Every share helps these stories reach someone who may be searching for hope.

  5. Jul 14

    043 - Living With Lupus: “I Was 22 When They Replaced Both My Hips” - Sharan Singh

    Sharan Singh's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with lupus at a young age. Years of autoimmune disease, powerful medications, chronic pain, and major complications eventually led to both of her hips being replaced in her early twenties. But her story is about far more than illness. In this episode of The Survival Project, Sharan shares how she navigated the emotional and physical challenges of living with an invisible illness, why learning to advocate for herself became essential, and how her own experiences inspired her to pursue a career helping others through healthcare. Jonathan and Sharan discuss resilience, identity, recovery, mental health, chronic pain, and the importance of finding purpose after life-changing adversity. Whether you're living with lupus, another chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience, this conversation is full of honesty, hope, and practical insight. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Survival Project, leave a rating, and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Sharan's story. Check out Sharans journey on her socials: @sharaninscrubs

  6. Jul 7

    042 - Life With Muscular Dystrophy: Disability Didn't Stop Me It Changed My Direction - Cerys Davage

    What does it mean to live with a body that never stops changing? This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Cerys Davage, host of the Unbalanced Podcast and a passionate disability advocate living with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD). Diagnosed as a child, Cerys shares her experience of growing up with a progressive muscle condition, navigating invisible disability, learning to embrace mobility aids, and finding confidence through vulnerability. Together, we discuss independence, accessibility, ableism, chronic illness, and the incredible power of sharing our stories. Cerys also talks about creating the Unbalanced Podcast, a platform that has become a source of support, education and hope for thousands of people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses around the world. Whether you're living with a disability, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the realities of life with a progressive condition, this episode is full of honesty, humour and hope. If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing Cerys' incredible story. Follow Cerys: Instagram: @cerysdavage Unbalanced with Cerys Davage

  7. Jun 30

    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.

  8. 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

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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
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Healy
  • Show Website
    The Survival Project

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