The Survivorship Project

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When faced with a stage 3 pancreatic cancer diagnosis at age 53, Martin Timmermans refused to accept the grim statistics often associated with this disease. His powerful conversation reveals how seemingly minor chest discomfort led to a life-altering diagnosis that forced him to reconsider everything about his existence as a father of three.
Martin takes us through his eleven rounds of chemotherapy—a process he likens to preparing for repeated "boxing matches" with diminishing strength each time. When conventional medicine reached its limits and surgery was deemed too risky due to the tumour's proximity to critical blood vessels, Martin channelled his energy into researching alternatives rather than surrendering to despair.
His journey led to discovering an innovative ultrasound therapy called histotripsy being trialed in Barcelona—a noninvasive approach offering new hope when standard treatments couldn't. The €62,000 financial hurdle for this experimental treatment revealed the extraordinary power of community support, with friends, colleagues in the events industry, and even children donating their savings through a crowdfunding campaign.
What truly distinguishes Martin's story is his philosophical approach to cancer. Rather than viewing his condition as something to "fight against," he adopted a perspective of acceptance without resignation. Drawing wisdom from Buddhist principles of impermanence and dedicated meditation practice, Martin found that facing mortality clarified his priorities unexpectedly: "I'd rather have half a year of super intense time with family than 10 years going on as before."
This episode offers crucial wisdom for anyone facing serious illness: question medical orthodoxy when appropriate, research diligently using modern tools like AI, listen to your body, and find a balance between head and heart when making decisions. Above all, Martin demonstrates that human connection and mindful presence can transform the journey from mere survival to profound living, even in life's darkest moments.
Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Histotripsy by HistoSonics• NotebookLM
• Vipassana Insight Meditation

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What happens when conventional cancer treatment fails you twice? For Phil, the answer wasn't more medicine—it was running shoes. After being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2015, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Phil faced a devastating recurrence when the cancer metastasized to his lungs a year later. Standing at a crossroads many of us fear, he made a choice that defied conventional wisdom: he declined further medical treatment.
The decision came with a bold commitment—Phil would transform his entire lifestyle, focusing on endurance training after reading research suggesting it could strengthen the immune system against terminal diseases. With half his left lung removed and doctors offering little hope, he promised himself he'd go "from stage 4 to 140.6"—the distance of a full Ironman triathlon. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Phil completely reimagined his life, embracing a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, eliminating processed foods, and pushing his body through increasingly challenging endurance events.
Eight years later, Phil stands cancer-free, having completed two 50-mile ultramarathons, a 50K, a marathon, four half marathons, and four sprint triathlons. His journey through the darkness of cancer diagnosis led to the creation of the Running for Dreams Foundation, which supports children who have lost parents to cancer. Phil's story challenges our understanding of healing and reminds us that sometimes the most powerful medicine comes not from a prescription pad but from within—from our willingness to completely transform how we live. Whether you're facing your own health battle or supporting someone through theirs, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there's always a path forward if we're brave enough to forge it.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Phil's foundation Running For Dreams• Phil Phest 5k
• Connect with Phil on Instagram or via email at [email protected]
• David Goggins - Can't Hurt Me• James Clear - Atomic Habits

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If you want to be a guest on the show, email Carsten directly at [email protected]

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When life falls apart, how do you rebuild?

Welcome to The Survivorship Project, a podcast about resilience, healing, and thriving beyond a cancer diagnosis. Hosted by Carsten Pleiser, a husband, father, and survivor who was given a dire prognosis but is still here, this show brings you inspiring stories of those who have defied the odds, expert insights from leading health professionals and holistic healers, and practical tools for reclaiming your health, mindset, and life.

This isn’t just about survival—it’s about truly living.

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What would you do if doctors told you that you had just 12 months to live? For Jennifer Dickinson, this devastating prognosis became the catalyst for a profound transformation that defied all medical expectations.
In this deeply moving conversation, Jennifer shares how her 2011 diagnosis of grade 4 glioblastoma brain cancer set her on an unexpected healing journey. At 44 years old, with young daughters in first and third grade, she refused to accept that her story was already written. "They gave me 12 months, but I was like, 'Yeah, you don't know me,'" Jennifer recalls with quiet confidence.
Her path to survival wasn't paved with experimental treatments or medical miracles but with accessible, holistic approaches that anyone can implement. From the powerful practice of Qigong that brought her to tears of joy even while cancer grew in her brain, to the fundamental shifts in nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness that revitalized her immune system, Jennifer's approach was both simple and revolutionary.
What sets Jennifer's story apart is her recognition that healing requires more than just targeting the disease. "The medical doctor is a piece of the pie," she explains, "The other pieces are your mind, your physical body, and your spiritual side." This comprehensive approach placed her in the less than 2% of patients who survive glioblastoma long-term.
Perhaps most striking is Jennifer's gratitude for her cancer experience. As a former high-powered attorney managing a firm with 100 lawyers and staff, she now values the wake-up call that forced her to reassess what truly matters. "The blessings I have learned from the hardest, devastating news is unimaginable," she reflects.
Whether you're facing your health challenge or simply seeking to live more consciously, Jennifer's journey reminds us that we are not merely statistics. By making fundamental changes to how we live, eat, think, and connect with something greater than ourselves, we can write new endings to stories that seem predetermined.
Ready to explore your own healing potential? Subscribe to the Survivorship Project for more inspiring conversations that prove hope is not just a feeling—it's a starting point for transformation.
Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jennifer's website
• Jennifer on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn
• Get Jennifer's Book "The Case for Hope" on Amazon• Sound frequency app "Evolutioner"
• Yonanas Dessert Maker• Qigong

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When Chris Joseph received a stage III pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2016, doctors gave him what they offer most pancreatic cancer patients – limited time and limited options. In the face of a disease with a 70% first-year mortality rate, he initially followed the conventional path of aggressive chemotherapy. But when the tumor continued growing despite treatment, something within him shifted.
Taking his health into his own hands, Chris embarked on a journey that combined the best of traditional medicine with alternative approaches. From a specialised clinic in Germany offering vitamin infusions and stem cell therapies to immunotherapy treatments that became unexpectedly available, he crafted a personalised healing approach that defied his initial prognosis.
What makes this conversation truly special isn't just Chris's survival story – though thriving with pancreatic cancer for over eight years is remarkable. It's his profound perspective shift around illness itself. Rather than viewing cancer as something to battle or fight, he came to see it as communication from his body – an opportunity to transform his life at every level. This reframing allowed him to move beyond fear and into a place of empowered action.
Today, Chris maintains his health daily, including infrared sauna sessions, yoga, extensive walking, and mindful nutrition choices. Through his coaching practice, he helps others navigate their own healing paths.
Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chris Coaching via Terrain Navigators • Connect with Chris on Instagram • Book: Chris Joseph - Life is a Ride
• Book: Brad Willis - Warrior Pose• Book: Richard Bach - The Bridge Across Forever

Connect with Chris via email at [email protected] or [email protected]

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If you want to be a guest on the show, email Carsten directly at [email protected]

Please remember to leave a review for the show and hit the Follow button to stay updated about new episodes.