How a Cancer Diagnosis Can Transform the Body, Mind, and Life Passions with Adam Spillman
Being told he might have a week to live ended up changing Adam’s life for the better.
Adam Spillman, once an athlete, transitioned into a coach, mentor, and motivational speaker following a life-altering cancer diagnosis at age 30, when he was initially given just one week to live.
Now, Adam helps others unlock their full potential and enhance their health and well-being, drawing from the same strategies that fueled his own recovery and transformation post-cancer.
We talk about...
Growing up with obsessive tendencies in action sports
Growing up in a stressful environment in Michigan and finding peace through sports
BMX biking as a kid and finding narrow focus with biking above all else
A “selfish pursuit of kayaking”, when even relationships took second place
Moving to San Diego, meeting his future wife, and starting to whitewater kayak
The brain and life changes that make extreme athletes shift their focus as they age
The pre-diagnosis symptoms of cancer
At age 29, noticing health issues: mood, fatigue, and skin infections with no answers
Doctors dismissing his symptoms and telling Adam not to get bloodwork (even though he had a gut feeling something was wrong)
Symptoms and depression getting worse until he finally got tests at the doctor
Testicular cancer symptoms and how it’s tricky and often unexpected
Be your own advocate (if a doctor denies a test, you can tell them to put your request on your record)
A stage 3C testicular cancer diagnosis
Being told he had max a week to live unless he began treatment immediately
A cancer with very grueling treatment that can kill you as well
Finding his body riddled with tumors, including in his arteries, kidney, and lung
The feeling of impending death
Going through chemo and seeing the various reactions from friends and family (some more helpful than others)
Mindset shifts through cancer treatment
Realizing the power of mindset during chemo, transfusions, and hospital stays
Discovering the mind-breath connection and how breathwork can change thinking
Being grateful for his experience with cancer and knowing it got him to a great life now
Feeling like he was in a flow state during treatment
Juicing, breathwork, ice baths, and meditating on mortality
The hardest part of life for cancer survivors is reintegrating into society after treatment
Finding flow in life, not just in sports
Are we all distracting ourselves from death?
Finding he didn’t feel the passion for kayaking anymore
Realizing that life isn’t about go-go-go, and starting to relax and slow down in the present more
Treatment limiting his mobility and strength, so discovering new passions like jiu jitsu, open water swimming, and foiling
Learning to relax makes better athletes
A life still centered around athletic pursuits, but also helping others: coaching and mentoring on what has helped and continues to help him with his mind-body performance
PSST! If you like this episode, you’ll love these two:
How Getting Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Motivated Lisa Thompson to Climb the Seven Summits
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Music: The King of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins
Thank you to The Ruins, the best wedding venue in Oregon, for supporting the show.