Cancer as a catalyst: Redefining life after a brain tumour diagnosis

After a life-changing brain tumour diagnosis, Jedro Magtoto made a brave decision to stop living the life expected of him and start creating one that felt true. In this episode, he shares his journey through treatment, survivorship, and ultimately discovering his purpose as a speaker, comedian, and author. From uncertainty to intention, Jedro’s story highlights the power of mindset, resilience, and choosing to move forward. 

• The Mind Over Matter Movement: The Mind Over Matter Movement | Jedrocks 
• Jedro Magtoto: Instagram | Website 
• 7 Day Confidence Transformation - Free 7-Day Confidence Transformation | Jedrocks 

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Transcript

Welcome And Important Disclaimers

SPEAKER_00 0:00

On the Beyond Brain Tumors podcast, we aim to share personal stories from the Brain Tumor community and believe in creating space for people to talk openly and authentically about their lived experiences. We recognize that this may look and sound different for everyone. The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. This podcast is intended for storytelling and community connection and is not a replacement or substitute for medical advice. We encourage our listeners to speak with your healthcare team regarding your specific symptoms, needs, and situations. When Jedro was diagnosed with a stage 3 oligodendroglioma in 2015, his life flipped upside down. Fear, surgeries, chemo, radiation, you name it. But somehow, through all the pain and uncertainty, Jedro found something unexpected. The power of his voice. Welcome to the podcast, Jedro. I can't wait to hear all about how you left the corporate grind, embraced your passions, and started creating a life filled with purpose and laughter. I am here for it.

SPEAKER_01 1:50

Awesome. Thank you for having me, and I'm excited to be here and just share my story and inspire others that you know that you can do it too.

SPEAKER_00 1:59

All right, so yeah, let's dive in. Um, what's your usual elevator pitch when you're meeting somebody? I mean, you've got a lot of layers.

SPEAKER_01 2:07

Yeah, I just said that uh, you know, I'm a cancer survivor and I'm creating life after cancer. Kind of like nice and short. And then after that, that's when we get into conversations like creating life after cancer. I'm like, yeah, because I tell them that I left the corporate world, and then that world was something that was decided by other people. You know, it was just like you got to get a job, big benefits, and all that stuff. And then uh yeah, then when I experienced cancer, I realized that you know what, this is this is our one chance at life. I got this second, uh, second chance, and I want to do it the way I want to do it, not from like the environment telling me how to do it.

SPEAKER_00 2:44

Gosh, I love that. That's so good. Um, and kind of taking control of your path, right? Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 2:50

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:51

So um, did you grow up in Vancouver?

SPEAKER_01 2:54

Yeah, I was born in Edmonton, but raised in Vancouver. Yeah, greater Vancouver area.

SPEAKER_00 2:59

Yeah, yeah, amazing. And so you kind of did the usual things and got kind of the usual path uh to get a usual job.

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Um yeah, I think you know, obviously, from like immigrant parents, they uh there's expectations of you having to go to school and uh, you know, get that job, the benefits and everything. But they don't really believe like passion is a big part of human, like being human too. Like you gotta be creative, you gotta have some sort of purpose. But if you're gonna be going to an office with fluorescent lights every day, it's uh I think that's what kind of gave me cancer because words are powerful. And you know, I'd be at my office being like, I don't want to be here, I don't like this place, like you know, and then you know, and then I would get like stuff in my gut telling me, like, you don't belong here. Then, you know, I had a kid and I was pushing everything down, like whatever my gut was telling me, I wasn't listening to it. I was like, no, no, no, no, you know, this is it, and you know, convincing myself this was like my retirement plan.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

Right. Well, no, exactly, right? Um, there's a there's a lot of research out there um that would uh kind of point to that. But um I mean at the end of the day, so sorry, so you have you have you do have a a child?

SPEAKER_01 4:10

Yeah, I have a 17-year-old son.

SPEAKER_00 4:12

Oh, that's amazing. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 4:14

You might find it hard to believe because you probably think I was 17 when I had him.

SPEAKER_00 4:18

Oh, exactly. Well, I mean, you know, youthfulness is never a bad thing.

SPEAKER_01 4:23

Yeah, yeah.

The Seizure That Saved Him

SPEAKER_00 4:24

Okay, so yeah, let's let's get right to it then. Um you found out in the probably the scariest way possible that you that you had a brain tumor.

SPEAKER_01 4:34

Yeah, like I was uh I was, you know, thank goodness that it wasn't it was like late at night or not too late, and it was an empty road going uphill. And that's when I was driving and I had a seizure. Thank goodness no one was around. I didn't have a passenger, and I had a seizure and I steered off into some hedges. And uh yeah, because I remember I was driving and I had a couple of twitches on my cheek, and I'm like, okay, you know, I thought it was one of those muscle spasms that happened. Then it started getting more vigorous and vigorous, and next thing you know, I I tensed blacked out.

SPEAKER_00 5:05

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

And then uh yeah, and then the other next moment I had uh paramedics waking me up, like they're rubbing the knuckle on my on my chest, type of thing, and I was like, oh, what's going on? And I just I just uh I you know I didn't know what was going on. But I like to call that a blessing in disguise. Yeah, because I know I know for a fact if I had that seizure at home by myself, I would have woken up and it would have been like, whatever, like you know, I would have not taken that into consideration or be more serious about it. But because the paramedics asked me all those questions, they're like, Oh, we have to get your head scanned, and that is a truly blessing in disguise.

SPEAKER_00 5:41

Yeah, I I would imagine that that would have been pretty hard to ignore.

SPEAKER_01 5:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:46

Um, in terms of uh uh presenting symptoms. So um, so then yeah, I mean, they they take you to the hospital and you got the scan like right then, yeah, right then and there.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

And so I had a CT scan first, then an MRI. Uh had so once they found out it was a tumor, within 10 days I had my surgery.

SPEAKER_00 6:04

Yeah, wow, 10 days. Yeah. Um, so 10 days uh after diagnosis, you had the surgery, then um it was an oligodendroglioma, which is one of those really super fun words that kind of only the brain tumor community really either knows um, or I I hear a lot of members of the community just call them oligos. And so um yeah, oligos. So uh so you had an oligo, which is, you know, for those of you who know, um, and then what other kind of treatment plan did you have?

SPEAKER_01 6:37

So I did the uh chemotherapy and I did the radiation therapy, which which sucked by the way.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

Yes, I I I haven't I don't think I've talked to a single person who has been like, oh, that was super fun. I loved every minute of it.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

And then actually, uh, I have a bit on uh my comedy where it says that you know, I I went through open brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but none of that compares uh to having a catheter ripped out of you.

SPEAKER_00 7:08

So uh yeah, no, that's really funny, and I think only really funny to the people who have experienced that. Um, and a little bit about me. Um, the all the listeners of the Beyond the Brain Tumors podcast know that I'm a brain tumor survivor as well. And so um I I have had a catheter taken out, and it was not it's not fun or funny or uh enjoyable at all.

SPEAKER_01 7:33

So uh yeah, so that's I use that as a bit uh for my comedy act, and people love it. Yeah, people start laughing, yeah.

Survival Rates And Moving The Needle

SPEAKER_00 7:40

Yeah, well, I think for a lot of people, like uh hopefully they haven't really had to deal with that, right? So um no, no, no, nor do I recommend it. No, no, I wouldn't choose to do it exactly. Um, so let's talk just really quickly about um, because I know that this is what the doctors do, right? They sit down with you and they kind of go through what the percentages are. Um, and maybe it's like, you know, to put you at ease, but also I think it's about charting kind of your choices and have you be intentional about your treatment. So tell me a little bit about kind of those numbers that they threw out to you uh while you're in the hospital.

SPEAKER_01 8:15

Yeah, so like um being part of that corporate world, I had to fill out those insurance papers.

SPEAKER_00 8:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 8:21

And uh once I got them back from my oncologist, I saw that uh grade three oblio uh dendrogoma, 34% five-year survival rate. Wow. And I was like, I was like, oh man, like I wish I didn't read that, but yeah, uh, I was like, but then it made me determine, like, you know what, I'm gonna move that needle.

SPEAKER_00 8:42

Right.

SPEAKER_01 8:43

I I I could have played victim and felt sorry for myself, or I could have just pushed forward uh using my martial arts training. Like I just said, you know what? I'm gonna move this needle, and I did, like, you know, it's 10 years.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 8:56

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

So so you you passed that five-year milestone, like it was standing still, right?

SPEAKER_01 9:03

Yeah, but yeah, when I saw that, like, you know, I I you know had the lumps in my throat, like about to cry. And but then I that's when I realized, like, you know what, I can either feel sorry for myself or I can just fight. And I I chose I chose to fight.

SPEAKER_00 9:15

Oh, I love that. Yeah. And it's phenomenal that you're here and uh we're having this conversation. So thank you. Thank you for doing that.

SPEAKER_01 9:21

I am so grateful to be here and grateful, you know, to have this discussion with you.

SPEAKER_00 9:25

Yeah. Um, and again, I mean, I think a lot of those percentages are based on you know the averages, right? And in in medicine, averages really can't kind of um factor in the human spirit that you're dealing with. And so um, I'm just I'm so uh impressed and inspired that you just went all in and you you were not gonna let this thing beat you.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

No, and uh another and having my son like motivated me, like him there. I'm like, you know, he has to have a father, and that was another motivational fact, like yeah, I just lean into it and just fight. And yeah, you know, I did everything. I did like everything from standard Western medicine to uh uh natural therapy. So it's like I have I had nothing to lose at this point, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 10:15

Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And um, I mean, I so just doing the math, that your son would have been seven years old. Yes, he was born in 2008, had a 20 years, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:24

He's about seven, yeah.

Life After Treatment Mindset

SPEAKER_00 10:25

Right. So, I mean, again, uh I have I have a daughter, and uh that's a that's a huge reason to stick around. Oh, exactly. Our offspring. Exactly, yeah, yeah. Um okay, amazing. Oh my gosh. I mean, this is really, really incredible. Um so you have the surgery, they take the tumor out, you have radiation, you have chemotherapy, um, so you're kind of in your recovery survivorship journey now. Um like what's your mindset? Like, how do you approach kind of the the after-treatment part of your life?

SPEAKER_01 11:02

Um, by thinking of like what the worst case scenario could have been. Okay. Like when I when I think of like me passing away, it motivates me like, you know what? I could have died, so let's just go. Like, you know, so that's my mindset. Like it's the gratitude of having this second chance at life, is like my mindset. And uh, like, you know, again, like I have nothing, I just with this experience, I just feel like I have nothing to lose. Like, you know, chemotherapy, like, you know, if I get if I bomb on stage, it's not as bad as chemotherapy, I can tell you that.

SPEAKER_00 11:38

Well, and I know a lot of people say, you know, I I'd rather die than get up on stage, right?

SPEAKER_01 11:43

Right, exactly. And that's kind of like uh thing that I would want to change because uh I'll tell you this 100%. I'd rather talk on stage than die.

SPEAKER_00 11:53

Well, I think faced with those two very real options, and you have faced both of those very real options, um, I yeah, I I again I'm so good, I'm so grateful that you chose not to die and get up on stage.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

Yeah, exactly. And that I felt like uh when I got on stage, I I swear to God, like I felt this energy come towards me, and it felt like healing energy. Like, yeah, like I like again, I have nothing to lose. And uh I just tell people what what I did and what's happened to me, like you know, I believe in like energy and stuff like that. And there's it just felt like a really when I'm on stage, it's just this good energy that feels healing. It's it's it's hard to explain in words, it's uh, but I can tell you that it's real. Like once you just let go and you do this purpose, there's like a shock that goes through you that's very comforting and very healing.

SPEAKER_00 12:46

Yeah, and from my perspective, um like gathering with a group of other individuals who are all kind of like engaged in a single activity or whatever, um, like there's there's nothing that beats it. And um, and you being up on stage, like making people laugh and engaging with them in that way, and like spreading your infectious comedy and everything, like I I think that that's a huge thing that we forget as human beings is that we're social animals and social creatures. Um and I just I I love that you've leaned into that and uh and and kind of rebuilt your life to to embrace that.

SPEAKER_01 13:22

Yeah, exactly. Like um, yeah, that's why I'm creating life after cancer. And I just uh even though like you know, life will always have ups and downs, and sometimes the downs is like the big lesson. Like, you know, like I have a perspective, like we will always have like bad times. It's how we react to those bad times, is like the the perfect mindset to have.

SPEAKER_00 13:44

Yeah, yep, 100%. Okay, Jedro, so we covered your diagnosis, your treatment, the results of your surgery, but now I really want to do a bit of a deep dive on that next phase, that kind of life after treatment. So, what was super important to you, kind of in your soul? Like what drove you through your treatment, but then really kind of that you know, post-operative time.

SPEAKER_01 14:10

Yeah, so after my treatment and everything like that, I went back to my corporate world. I sat in my desk and I started looking around and I asked myself the question, did I survive cancer to go back to this?

SPEAKER_00 14:21

Right.

SPEAKER_01 14:22

And then this time I actually listened to my gut, and my guy goes, you know, I was my gut was telling me, I've been trying to tell you for a long time, you don't belong here. And that's when I just took that leap. I took the leap and uh be like, you know, my gut is telling me that I am a creative and uh I gotta leave the corporate world. So I, you know, with not really knowing what to do further, I just took that dive. And it was one of the best things that ever happened in my life.

SPEAKER_00 14:50

That is like so brave, right? Like, I mean, again, we talk about bravery and kind of strength and uh and uh perseverance and all those kind of things, but yeah, like to to look at your career and be like, nope, I'm leaving this kind of uh steady, stable thing, and I'm gonna just be who I wanna be and live the life that I want to live. Like that to me is true courage.

SPEAKER_01 15:13

Yeah, and I'll tell you this like I was scared, I definitely was scared, but you just gotta punch through it, you know, you gotta conquer that fear and it's get get through that terror barrier. And once you pass that terror barrier, the grass is green on the other side.

SPEAKER_00 15:29

Yeah. And do you think that I mean facing an oligo like like helped you train you to face that fear? Because I mean, I again I don't I don't know about you, but like I was also scared. Like it wasn't like I was like, Oh yeah, brain tumor, okay, let's just do that. It was like, holy heck, how am I gonna get through that? Um, and it was I mean, still to this day, I think one of the scariest things I've had to deal with.

SPEAKER_01 15:54

Exactly. That's why, like, for me going on stage, like you know, after dealing with cancer, that was maybe the number one fear that I went through. And after dealing that, everything seems easier. Like, you know, like the it's it's fear that really, really holds us back. Majority of us is it's the fears hold us back from doing what we want to do. But once you get past that fear, wow, it's like a whole different world.

SPEAKER_00 16:21

Yeah, yeah. Um, absolutely. Um and uh I'm again, I'm I'm just I'm so glad that you that you do you did that and you continue to do that. Um, I think that uh you're you're a member of humanity now um that really is making a difference. And I just I love it.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

Yeah, that's uh my my entire purpose is to inspire you know other brain tumor survivors and let them know that, yeah, you know, it is scary, but uh, you know, if I can teach you how to be more brave, you know, inspire you to be more brave through my stories, you'll you'll see what it is like on the other side.

SPEAKER_00 16:57

That's awesome. Um, so yeah, I mean, just dive in further into that. So, I mean, I just get the sense that you've really committed to living your life the way that you want, intentionally and with purpose. And I know a lot of people kind of want to do that and would love to do that, um, but it doesn't happen by accident. So, what are a couple things that you would identify to keep you moving forward in that direction?

SPEAKER_01 17:23

Uh a lot of it is um like my spirituality. Like uh I I I do I am uh of Christian faith. And uh, you know, I I you know if it wasn't like I truly believe that the man up there, or you know, the great being, whoever it's called, the the universe, uh, it helped heal me. Like, you know, I felt that it's the I was given a story to tell. Like I was gifted. Um the cancer is a catalyst, and it was a gift for me to tell everyone who's gone through our shoes in a way. So it was uh yeah, a lot of it had to deal with spirituality. Of course, my son, and uh uh a little bit of my martial arts training too. Like it gave me the feeling like fight or flight, right? So uh I think yeah, spirituality, my son, and martial arts really helped me move forward with it. And uh, like you know, like for example, jujitsu, I really like it because at first it's really scary, but you know, after a couple of lessons, you're like, oh, this is not as bad as you'd think. It's like you just gotta keep on doing it, repetition and everything like that. So yeah, it's uh yeah, it's very I yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:33

That's amazing. Um, and uh also, I mean, we were chatting earlier. Um, so like martial arts. Um, so you you were doing martial arts before kind of your your brain tumor, and then you've done martial arts after. Like it has your mindset through that process changed at all?

SPEAKER_01 18:52

Oh, 100%. Yeah, I felt that I I leveled up. Um, yeah, because of uh how my experience with cancer, uh it leveled up my martial arts um mindset, meaning the fact that I can just keep on going. Yeah, you know, I've um when I do physical workouts, I I try not to give up. I you know, I get inspired by people like David Goggins, who just keep on going. And I was like, you know, I I I look to other um inspirational people that help me out. So yeah, my um my martial arts is uh leveled leveled up. I can't box, like I used to do boxing, but my um on my brain surgeon recommends uh that I lay off it. So I just been practicing jujitsu.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

Right, yeah. I mean, fair enough, right?

SPEAKER_01 19:39

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:40

I think I think once somebody opens up your skull, um, you don't want people like pounding away at it.

SPEAKER_01 19:44

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Learning Comedy Through Repetition

SPEAKER_00 19:48

Oh man, that's awesome. Yeah, I just I love your perspective. So again, I mean, we talked a little bit about kind of your attitude through martial arts, but I mean, you're a motivational speaker, you're a comedian, you're an author. Um, and I love the line. I don't know where I saw it, but somebody posted, I think, on one of your comedy posts, that you turned your tumor into humor.

SPEAKER_01 20:10

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:11

Which is hilarious. Tagline.

SPEAKER_01 20:14

Yes, uh, that was my buddy Noah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:18

Um, and so yeah, do you want to talk a little bit about kind of like, I mean, you would talk about your motivational speaking, um, your comedy. Um, even I know you're an art author as well.

SPEAKER_01 20:29

Yeah, no, definitely. Like, yeah, public speaking, like yeah, like you said, uh we earlier, like 99 or a high percentage of the world would rather die than public speaking. I wanted to show people it's easy to public speak. Uh, when I was motivational speaking, I like you know, I wanted to motivate, but then I'll say some lines that actually make people laugh without even trying. And when I got that laughter, like I swear, it's like every some something hit me. It's just like, whoa, I I like it. Like, you know, I like making people laugh. And I've been friend with I've been friends with a comedian for like over 10 years. His name's Ron. And uh, I I've been I was like his entourage uh every time I go to the comedy club with him, and I just would always see what he did and I absorbed it. Yeah, then uh and I called him up and I'll be like, hey, what's your best advice if I want to start comedy? And he just says, I keep on finding an open mic and go as much as you can.

SPEAKER_00 21:21

Yeah, so practice, practice, practice, practice.

SPEAKER_01 21:24

So I started material, like whatever uh had um written for my motivational speaks or for my more motivational talks. I took that bit and uh and then I I went with it. Like uh with like yeah, like I thought about the catheter, that was uh a motivational talk, and uh people laughed about it. So I took that that little line and I uh I ran with it and people loved it.

SPEAKER_00 21:49

Yeah. And it's true, right? There's those like tiny moments that um are you know maybe not necessarily uh obvious. And so you talk about having to go through radiation chemotherapy. Brain surgery, like open uh skull brain surgery. And um, and the and really honestly, the worst part is that one moment when they're taking out the catheter, and like nobody really thinks of that. It's just it's so funny and brilliant, and I love it.

SPEAKER_01 22:14

Yeah, that's why I decided to do public speaking because um, like again, I like a maybe I'm being a broken record, but yeah, if I if I had to choose, I'd choose public speaking over death.

Books, Confidence Program, New Purpose

SPEAKER_00 22:25

Yeah, yeah. I I agree. Um, and so you is so just uh because we do uh broadcasts all all throughout Canada. Um, so you're in the Vancouver area, and if anybody is looking for a motivational speaker or comedian, um, we'll put uh Jedro's information in the show notes, and so you can uh you can contact him directly or uh get in touch with us and we'll we'll uh we'll put you in touch with Jedro directly.

SPEAKER_01 22:50

Awesome. Thank you so much. And uh you guys will not be disappointed.

SPEAKER_00 22:55

Um amazing. So yeah, just uh talk to me a little bit about because I know that um, I mean, I don't know, a lot of people kind of I've heard a lot of people say, oh man, you know, you should write a book. And I mean, I think just chatting with you a little bit, 100%. This is one of those things that it, you know, I would tell you you should write a book, but you already did.

SPEAKER_01 23:14

Yeah, I wrote a couple books. I wrote a book, yeah. Uh there's one that I'm uh re-editing because I what I what I've learned is that when you do something first, you're not gonna be good at it. So the the first book that I wrote, uh, you know, I just did it and published it. Then when I looked back at it, I saw so much grammatical errors that I got I got a little embarrassed. Right. So I took it off, and right now I'm re-editing it to make it more uh uh more professional. Let's just say that.

SPEAKER_00 23:41

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

And then I did write another book that you could find on my website on uh my experience with cancer and examples, what I did with cancer to help me uh jump on stage and do public speaking.

SPEAKER_00 23:52

Oh, awesome. Um, I was just gonna ask if there's any like, you know, like just quick synopsis or summary of the of the of the book, um, or the book that you're that you're re-editing.

SPEAKER_01 24:04

Yeah, so the the current book that I have right now, it's called From Stage Three to Center Stage. Oh and that I talk about my experience with cancer. And and with those experiences, I uh transformed it into public speaking methods on how to help you, you know, go on stage. And uh the current book that um I'm really editing, it's uh stories uh from myself before, during, and after cancer. Okay, kind of just it's kind of like a by uh a biography of uh you know being an immigrant kid, uh growing up in Vancouver, um and yeah, just uh experien you know, telling stories of what's it like to be part of an immigrant family in Canada, how they force you to do stuff. Then it goes into like being diagnosed with my cancer and my experiences during cancer, and then uh it goes off life after cancer. And I wrote this book before I became a comedian, so now I have more, I got uh more chapters to add to that book now, too. And it was called Thank You Cancer.

SPEAKER_00 25:08

Wow, I and again, right? That's not something that I think anybody would ever expect. Um I think maybe until you go through it. And uh I have a similar attitude about my uh my brain tumor, and um it's not something I would wish on anybody, but I'm actually really glad that it happened to me. Um number one, because of the people that I've been able to meet. And number two, just the just kind of like the focus that it's given my life, right?

SPEAKER_01 25:35

Yeah, exactly. Like it's it's I I I can it's a catalyst, like perspective, it's all about mindset and perspective. And uh yeah, you can either respond or react, and then I just chose to respond.

SPEAKER_00 25:48

Amazing, amazing. Um, and I know that you've also because I I just a little bit of a plug here. Um, you do um a program called the Seven Day Confidence Transformation, and so I signed up for it. I thought it was awesome. Do you want to talk a little bit about that? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:05

Yeah, so like uh, like you know, we know as human beings, we always evolve. The only thing uh guaranteed in life is change and I'm and tax and taxes, right? Change and taxes. Yeah, and taxes, of course, and then uh, you know, obviously I evolved. And uh on top of doing comedy, I want to teach people how to be confident on stage as well. So that's kind of like a retargeted purpose. And uh eventually I will be uh making a video series on how to be confident in stage, which uh I'll be filming probably next month, and uh yeah, and there'll be a video series that will have me, you know, doing a lecture, and there'll be exercises as well. So there'll be um the video portion, and there's also the the what you had, the uh the written portion. So yeah, my purpose now I feel is like right now confidence is lacking in the world, and I feel more people can be confident, and uh I want to show how you can be confident.

SPEAKER_00 27:03

That's so strong. And again, I mean I just I appreciate so much how you're willing to kind of like be the first out of the gate and show people how to do it and uh and uh provide that um example for every all the rest of us. So uh so I'm really looking forward to to to seeing the the the video versions. Um and honestly, like it's it's something really easy that everybody can do to uh to just increase their confidence a little bit.

SPEAKER_01 27:29

Yeah, exactly, exactly. And another thing too, like in a physical, like I I do have these mind over matter t-shirts. And uh, you know, you you can wear your confidence, so it does help you. Like, there's that term if you look good, you feel good, if you feel good, you perform good. So if you wear, like I like uh yeah, one of the quotes that I did was mind over matter, like you know, our mind, our brain. And uh, I believe like my mind helped me heal the way, and you know, I cancer's not coming back. Cancer is not coming back, and I can say that confidently amazing.

Conquering Fear And Closing Invitation

SPEAKER_00 28:06

Um, okay, so I mean, yeah, do you have any kind of lessons from your lived experience that you want to pass along to the brain tumor community? Um, or any kind of like last final thoughts?

SPEAKER_01 28:19

Yeah, like uh like again, like uh I want to lead by example and I want to tell the community like create your life after cancer. Like uh, you know, I'm I'm being I'm creating my life, and you can see how I'm doing it online through example. And uh there's nothing stopping you guys, the community, from doing it yourselves. And uh fear does suck. And you know, I I can tell you that fear sucks. Yeah, but really, if you can conquer your fears, I'm telling you, the other side is like wow, like it's amazing. So all I can say is that do what it takes to conquer fear and uh really you know change your perspective. And like we both agree, cancer is a catalyst. You know, yeah, amazing.

SPEAKER_00 29:05

Oh my gosh. Oh, what a gift it is to connect with you today. Thank you so much. I I gotta say, I am so glad that you decided to stay and fight.

SPEAKER_01 29:14

Oh no, thank you. And I and that's another thing too. I want to show the community. Like, if you fight, 10 years, like you know, it's a prime example.

SPEAKER_00 29:24

Yeah, yeah. Um, again, thank you so much for sharing your journey with the brain tumor community all throughout Canada. You can click on the link in the episode to send us your direct feedback or let us know if you'd like to be our next guest on the Beyond Brain Tumors podcast. In a world where the challenges of a brain tumor diagnosis can be devastating, Jedro is standing with Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada as a beacon of hope and transformation. Thank you. Stay confident, conquer fear, stay hydrated, and stay strong.

SPEAKER_01 29:53

Awesome. Thank you for listening, everyone.