Ten years ago, on March 3, 2015, I woke up knowing my life was about to change forever. That was the day I went into surgery to remove a brain tumor—a moment that could have ended everything. I remember the sterile hospital room, the uncertainty, and the weight of what was happening. But what I didn’t know then was that this wouldn’t just be the day I faced cancer; it would be the day I started proving to myself what I was truly capable of. A decade later, I’m still here, still fighting, and still laughing. Here’s what I’ve learned from 10 years of surviving, adapting, and refusing to let life break me.
1. Playing the Victim Doesn’t Help—Taking Action Does
When I first got diagnosed, I could’ve felt sorry for myself. I could’ve asked, “Why me?” and sunk into depression. But that’s not how I was raised, and it’s definitely not how I was trained. My background in martial arts taught me a powerful lesson: you don’t win fights by sitting in the corner, feeling bad for yourself. You get up. You adapt. You find a way to keep moving.
During recovery, I couldn’t lift weights—so I used resistance bands. I couldn’t run—so I walked uphill. I knew that even the smallest steps forward were still progress. And on days when my mind wanted to drag me down, I’d do something to shift my state—whether it was watching something funny or just getting outside for some fresh air.
2. Mental Toughness Is Built, Not Born
After my treatment, I picked up a book that completely validated everything I had lived through—David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me. This guy went through absolute hell and never backed down. He took pain, suffering, and failure, and turned them into fuel.
Reading his story reminded me of my own fight. I didn’t have a choice about my diagnosis, but I had a choice about how I responded. Pain is a part of life, but suffering is optional. I learned to push past discomfort, whether it was physical therapy, mental battles, or getting back to normal life. If you’re struggling with your own battles, I highly recommend this book—it’ll change your mindset. (Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3XNIP8P)
3. Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
I’m not just saying this because I do stand-up comedy now. 😂 One of the biggest things that helped me through recovery was humor. Even in the darkest moments, laughter has a way of shifting your perspective.
I remember cracking jokes in the hospital, even with staples in my skull. Some people might have thought I was crazy, but I knew this: if I could laugh, I still had fight left in me. And now, 10 years later, I share that same energy on stage, telling my story in a way that inspires others.
4. Life Is Short—Go After What You Want
Cancer taught me one brutal truth: tomorrow isn’t promised. When you go through something life-threatening, you see how fast time flies, and suddenly, all those dreams you put on hold don’t seem so far away anymore.
That’s why, after surviving, I didn’t just go back to a “normal” life. I started doing everything I ever wanted to do. I learned how to DJ. I wrote a book. I trained in Jiu-Jitsu. I got on stage and told jokes. I started organizing events. I took every opportunity because I knew how easily they could be taken away.
And now, I’m using my journey to help others—whether it’s through comedy, speaking, or sharing my story online.
10 Years Later, I’m Still Here. What About You?
If you’re reading this and you’re going through something tough—keep fighting. Keep moving forward. I won’t tell you it’ll be easy, but I promise you, it’ll be worth it.
And if you want a book that’ll fire you up and show you what’s possible when you refuse to quit, check out Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. (Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3XNIP8P)
And finally—if my story resonates with you, share it. Drop a comment below, send it to someone who needs motivation, or just let me know what battle you’re fighting right now.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 10 years of surviving—it’s that we’re stronger together. 💪
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