Wow, this is a big one! So many emotions releasing this episode! Join us today for a powerful conversation as we delve into being diagnosed with an incredibly rare disease and cancer. We are joined by the incredible Will Wise, a former pro basketball player, living his life as a pro athlete and within the course of one day, all of that changed. However, when life threw a curveball at Will, he caught it and threw it right back. Diagnosed with a rare tumor and genetic mutation called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Will's journey from athlete to cancer advocate is nothing short of remarkable. Our latest episode takes you through this profound narrative, where Will's creation of CancerBae stands as a testament to his dedication to empowering those affected by cancer. We strip away the uniforms and delve into the raw emotions and spiritual awakenings that accompany such a personal battle, discussing Will's transition and how his powerful message of unity brings light to the darkest of times.
As we navigate the rollercoaster of living with cancer, we speak about the dichotomy of outward appearances and the inner turmoil of fighting this disease. The conversation takes a turn towards the significance of energy healing, the power of reframing life's toughest questions, and the comfort found in spiritual awareness. Will speaks about his street interviews on cancer, which reveal the yearning for knowledge and empowerment over sympathy, with insights that will reshape the way you approach conversations about health challenges. Join us for this heart-to-heart as we share ways to communicate empathy and encouragement, offering a guiding hand to those on this path, and anyone who's ever faced a storm in life.
For more information, for CancerBae merchandise and to follow Will on Instagram visit: @willwise24
We would love for you to join us in our community! Find us on Instagram at: @walktogetherfiercely
Here you can be a part of the conversation! We love when you message us, when you tag us in your posts and stories, thank you so much for sharing!
For more information about Dr. Tara, you can find her on Instagram at: @drtaradrummond
For more information about Michelle, you can find her on her website: www.thebalancedsoul.com
Instagram: @michellemorrisonmedium
Facebook: @Michelle Morrison Psychic Medium
Wow, this is a big one! So many emotions releasing this episode! Join us today for a powerful conversation as we delve into being diagnosed with an incredibly rare disease and cancer. We are joined by the incredible Will Wise, a former pro basketball player, living his life as a pro athlete and within the course of one day, all of that changed. However, when life threw a curveball at Will, he caught it and threw it right back. Diagnosed with a rare tumor and genetic mutation called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Will's journey from athlete to cancer advocate is nothing short of remarkable. Our latest episode takes you through this profound narrative, where Will's creation of CancerBae stands as a testament to his dedication to empowering those affected by cancer. We strip away the uniforms and delve into the raw emotions and spiritual awakenings that accompany such a personal battle, discussing Will's transition and how his powerful message of unity brings light to the darkest of times.
As we navigate the rollercoaster of living with cancer, we speak about the dichotomy of outward appearances and the inner turmoil of fighting this disease. The conversation takes a turn towards the significance of energy healing, the power of reframing life's toughest questions, and the comfort found in spiritual awareness. Will speaks about his street interviews on cancer, which reveal the yearning for knowledge and empowerment over sympathy, with insights that will reshape the way you approach conversations about health challenges. Join us for this heart-to-heart as we share ways to communicate empathy and encouragement, offering a guiding hand to those on this path, and anyone who's ever faced a storm in life.
For more information, for CancerBae merchandise and to follow Will on Instagram visit: @willwise24
We would love for you to join us in our community! Find us on Instagram at: @walktogetherfiercely
Here you can be a part of the conversation! We love when you message us, when you tag us in your posts and stories, thank you so much for sharing!
For more information about Dr. Tara, you can find her on Instagram at: @drtaradrummond
For more information about Michelle, you can find her on her website: www.thebalancedsoul.com
Instagram: @michellemorrisonmedium
Facebook: @Michelle Morrison Psychic Medium
Welcome to Walk Together Fiercely podcast. Today we have the remarkable opportunity to connect with one of the most inspirational individuals that we've ever encountered. Joining us today is the extraordinary Will Wise. Will's journey is nothing short of incredible. He shares his story today that he grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia, where his determination and dreams propelled him from an incredibly challenging childhood yet with playing basketball in all of his youth, which earned him a basketball scholarship for college. He graduated. He even obtained a master's degree and he had an incredibly successful career in professional basketball spanning eight seasons.
Speaker 1:One day, very unexpectedly, his life took an incredibly different turn. Following a really rigorous morning practice and workout, Will was besieged by profuse sweating and a debilitating migraine. He was sick to his stomach. He was rushed to the hospital by his coach and that day he received a diagnosis that would forever alter his life. An incredibly rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma was found on his left adrenal gland. This led to a further diagnosis of an incredibly rare genetic mutation called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. It was also found, in this time and space, that he had medullary thyroid cancer. He has endured multiple surgeries since finding all of this out that day and has embarked on a journey of treatment and care and within this time and space, he really confronted a pivotal moment in his life.
Speaker 1:In the face of uncertainty, Will resolved to approach life differently, rejecting pity and sorrow. Rather, he decided to seek healing and empowerment. He initiated a movement called Cancer Bay, which is dedicated to connecting with and supporting fellow cancer warriors. Will's infectious positivity, authenticity and genuine spirit radiate through his mission to reshape the cancer narrative into one of empowerment and solidarity.
Speaker 1:This conversation is such a beacon of hope for those of you touched by cancer or even a rare genetic condition. It really serves to inspire, uplift and infuse authenticity into a dialogue that is often shrouded in silence. No one navigating a cancer journey should ever feel isolated or ashamed. Instead, they deserve empowerment and unwavering support. Today, Will channels his passion as a basketball coach, imparting his joy and guidance to the next generation, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and to cherish everyday moments. His life is the epitome of living to the fullest, a testament to resilience, determination that will undoubtedly ignite your own journey. If you are going through a cancer journey or you know of someone who does, this is a conversation you can't miss. Join us today as we take a look at the stigma of cancer alongside the amazing Will, Wise, let's do this and walk together fiercely, and walk together fiercely.
Speaker 2:There we go.
Speaker 1:Okay, yay, hi Will Hello.
Speaker 2:I'm here. Yes, you are here.
Speaker 1:Oh my god, we've been so excited, like you know. No-transcript.
Speaker 2:Okay, so let me see where should I start. Where?
Speaker 1:should we start?
Speaker 2:West Philadelphia born and raised. Yeah, hi, my name is Will Wise. I'm originally from Philadelphia, pa, now currently living in London. I am a stage four methylery thyroid MEN2A patient and it is 15 months since my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in January of 2023. March of 2023, I had adrenal surgery. April of 2023, I had thyroid surgery. December of 2023, I had a biopsy of my liver and I am currently waiting for ablation of liver as well as right adrenal removal.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Prior to my diagnosis I was a kind of an athlete I don't know, I would say kind of. I grew up playing basketball. I grew up playing basketball, played in college, played eight years professionally all throughout Europe and Australia and since my diagnosis I've been giving back to the game and coaching and helping to, you know, build the game of basketball all throughout the UK. And yeah, I don't know, Is that a warm intro?
Speaker 1:Fantastic, yeah, it's fantastic.
Speaker 1:So you and I connected Will online because I came across one of your videos and started following you on your Instagram account Cancer Bay that we're going to get into and I watched you on a video explaining that you had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, the exact same kind that I have and so you drew me in with your message.
Speaker 1:But what caught my heart was your authenticity, your willingness to speak about it and to share and to talk about not only rare diseases but the stigma of cancer, and I just bawled my eyes out, to be honest, the very first time that I watched you speak, because you said all kinds of things that I wish that I had heard from other people, and you acknowledged a lot of things that I was feeling or experiencing that I didn't really know what to do with, and, honestly, until I heard you speak, I didn't really share this publicly at all. I kept it quiet, I stayed kind of in a little bit of isolation with it, which I think is very common for cancer patients. And and so not only did you inspire me, and that was my first message to you was like thank you for being you and you've inspired me so much and you've helped so much. And then it was like a little bit more and it's like, could you come on the podcast and talk about this?
Speaker 2:And you said, yes, of course of course, just to like that gives me chills. Of course, I mean just to like that gives me chills. Like, obviously I knew what happened, but like just to understand that the platform that I'm building is really touching people. It really fills my soul, like because originally this whole thing started from as you're familiar with, like having the diagnosis and like unsure, like what happens next. Like, yeah, I have all this information. Like how am I supposed to feel? How am I supposed to react? Who do I tell? How do I tell them? Are they going to look at me differently? Like it's just all this uncertainty, fear and just like emotion.
Speaker 2:Right, so I I got the diagnosis that morning, probably around 11 am, and then didn't say anything. Well, obviously, I was in there with my partner at the time and we share that moment together and we immediately made a joke like well, I guess I forgot exactly what we said. I was like well, I guess we should go have a drink right now, like something that's like you know, to break the ice. But after that there was like a silence, and I'm sure you have familiarity with like the silence of like after being told, and then just like, man, is this real? Is this real Like, is this really happening?
Speaker 2:So I went the whole day without really expressing myself and then my partner went to bed and she was, just like you know, isolated in a room. And then I came out here and I was watching the Eagles game, american football, the real football. I was watching the Eagles game and then I just got this like urge to like express myself Like yo, I just got this urge to like yo, what do I do? So I set up the camera like it is now and I just start talking to the camera Like yo, I can't believe. I just told I got cancer. What Like, what is this? And then I said something like well, cancer ain't never looked this good, and that's where.
Speaker 2:That's where the whole cancer bay came from, because it's a double entendre on having cancer but also being a babe. And then I just took the other b out and kept it as bay. So it's like cancer bay, so it's just because you have cancer, you don't stop being a babe or you don't stop being yourself, you know. So that's where it originally came from. And then that video actually took off. And then from there I just started documenting my whole cancer journey and like throughout treatment and like my emotions and you know, and from there just took off really, and now I feel, you know, motivated to continue changing the narrative, right? So my whole movement is about changing the narrative, the stigma, more so the stigma associated with cancer.
Speaker 1:But in that stigma there's a narrative of well, I'm sure you you have this experience when you ever tell someone you have cancer, they're like oh, they literally go cancer eyes literally yeah, you coined that term for me and I'm like, oh my god, like if I get more cancer eyes, yeah, and then the second thing that can happen not always is distancing.
Speaker 2:And judgment, because they don't know how to like no, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:There's a lot of judgment in it and I have watched people that I respected distance themselves Like it's contagious, Like I've done something wrong to deserve this, Like you know what is. What did she? What's wrong in her environment? What did she eat wrong? How did she get this? Like they want to know how you got it, just so that they know they're not going to get it like that. It's not going to happen to them. I think partly. I don't know. It's hard to know what.
Speaker 1:I get it yeah it's hard to know what people really think. I get it. I get it. Yeah, it's hard to know what people really think, but I can honestly say that a lot of people have disappointed me when I've told them, and when I tell it from an empowered place, as I've followed your kind of you know guide. That way, it's a whole different story.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but the more you you know I'm a firm believer in knowledge, is power right the more knowledge that you have about your body, your situation, your circumstances, like it's easier to. Like, you know, come up with a, with a prognosis, and like, how are you going to get through it? And like, for me, I think having all the information takes out all the anxiety for me I'm not speaking for just for me like knowing, ok, I have this, this is where it is, this is what we're going to do to try to treat that and just the type of thinker that I am and how my brain works. I'm like, ok, thank you. And my endocrinologist that I was assigned was like, so amazing in the fact that she was transparent, but she's also like mothering, but also a doctor like yo, she was telling me everything that I needed to know and wasn't sugarcoating it, but how she was like explaining it made it, made me feel like, yeah, this shit sucks, but I, you know I'm going to battle with people I feel confident in.
Speaker 1:You know, yeah, so yeah, that's one of the things you say often, tara is knowledge is power when it comes to our health absolutely and I.
Speaker 3:I think with something so grand like getting a huge diagnosis, it can really be disempowering for a lot of people and you think, oh, the doctor is going to save me or the answers out there, and you almost give your power away. But if we can take our power back and these people are here to help us and then collect knowledge and wisdom, like because the medicines you need might be different than what someone else needs and and you need to know your body, right right and I think bringing that power back of what can I learn, what modalities are there and and really taking charge of that is so empowering.
Speaker 1:I agree that's cool yeah, um, what, um, uh. What do you want people to know about cancer from your perspective, will?
Speaker 2:That's a great question. What do I want people to know about cancer? From my perspective, I would say I will want people to know that just because I do have cancer, I don't stop being. Will you know what I?
Speaker 1:mean.
Speaker 2:Just because I do, you know, just because I have this technicality like technically I have cancer, just because I have this technicality, it doesn't define me. And I don't want people who are currently on their cancer journey, have finished their cancer journey, about to start their cancer journey, our family and friends of people who are of the three above going in, feeling that they have to emotions because of what exterior thoughts and energies might be. You know, like and it's a real thing like, as you say, like most people who are in our situation, they feel as though they feel like what's the word I'm looking for? Like they just feel like pigeonhole I don't know if I want to say if that's the right terminology, but like, just feel like they can't really like express themselves fully without being judged, yeah, without like having other people's fears put onto them, and that's one of my biggest things.
Speaker 2:So I'm I'm an energy guy. I don't know if you can tell, but I'm wearing this crystal. I'm the weird crystal guy. Like I have like 57 crystals. I have a crystal collection, right like you gotta you know, yeah, yeah, you can see behind you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I am a crystal whore? Absolutely, there's no two ways about it, it probably is. Yeah, we're energy people.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I'm the weird crystal guy that believes in the law of attraction and energy and that, like yo, your thoughts, you can create your own reality based on your thoughts. That's right, your energy is one of the most powerful things known to man. One of the most powerful things known to man. So, in knowing that, I don't want to be in a situation where I'm allowing other people's energy to, you know, infiltrate my energy.
Speaker 2:Yes that's exactly right, because even with all that's going on, even with all that's going on my head's high I'm smiling, I am being a beacon of hope, because that's all I know, that's all my energy's ever been, and just like having a technicality.
Speaker 2:I don't think that should change and I think my whole platform and brand and movement is like identifying a community, igniting a community and creating a space where people feel heard, validated, understood, like listened to, you know, just supported.
Speaker 2:You know, and, as you find, the more people that you come in contact with, they're really going through the same thing, like you're on the other side of the world and we really going through the same exact experience. Like it's so like crazy to think of, like how alike all of us are. And I think that just what I'm trying to do is just like shed light on all those unique stories and create a platform of hope and understanding and support where that people can come when they're feeling because we're all human, like we're going to go through what we go through when we go through it, and like we're going to have those moments where we're just feeling blah and why me? And that's just only human nature, and for me to create a platform where, whenever you're feeling this way, you can just come and then like, wow, will I love that guy Cancer day. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like yo yo cancer day, and like even with my merchandise right. So this is new right here, this is.
Speaker 1:You know what I mean. So I'm creating. I love, love, love.
Speaker 2:Thanks. So I'm creating merchandise and my first, my first volume, is like the the aesthetic is clean and messy, right. So this first, the front of it is really clean because when you're looking at someone, you can't really tell what they're going through, if they have cancer or like what they're internally battling. Like you can't tell looking at anyone. But the back I don't know if you can tell, but the back is really messy because, um, yeah, the back is messy because this cancer journey is messy, life is messy, and like it plays on the mantra that I've been saying for a while this mess will be our message. So like, yeah, that's, I'm a firm believer in this test will be our testament. This mess will be our message. All pain is temporary, just like trying to like will yourself through the storm, because there's gonna be a rainbow.
Speaker 2:You know, what I mean once you get through the storm there's, there is gonna be a rainbow, yeah, so I love that yeah sorry I might be a little rambling, no, I love it.
Speaker 1:I love. We are very energy people too, and it's one of the things I think that I have. That's one of the places. My own personal struggle, though, has been honestly well is because I do understand energy and how it works.
Speaker 1:And to have the very first feel and have that whole experience and then the surgery and everything, that was one thing. But then to get medullary thyroid cancer on top of that it's like, well, you knew that you had, you know, multiple endocrine neoplasia, like you should have been able to fix it energetically before it became medullary thyroid cancer, you know. And so there's that part of me that is like that, that goes into that shame and guilt kind of spiral of if I am creating my own reality and if I am and my thoughts are so powerful, obviously I'm doing something wrong because I have these symptoms or I have these things happening. That, for me, has been a personal struggle. I don't know if you can relate to that or if you feel differently. I'd love to hear it, but that has definitely been one of the places I go in my shame and isolation of this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm the same way in thinking like, how, like, in knowing all that, I know energetically, why is this happening to me? Or how did this happen to me? And the more I think about it, this could be just me compartmentalizing. Oh, it happened before I learned all my skills. It's genetic.
Speaker 3:You know it's genetic.
Speaker 2:It happened before I tapped into what I'm tapping into now, and it was only inevitable. But now that I know it, you know it's my job to fix it energetically. So, yeah. I get it, I get it and I do have those thoughts. Well, I have those thoughts in like why me? Yeah, but then you got to like, you got to get out of it, you got to quickly change your energy. I know Quickly you got.
Speaker 1:You gotta like, you gotta get out of. You gotta quickly change your energy. I know quickly you gotta change your energy. And yeah, the why me never helped. It never helped one thing. It didn't. It just was a spiral that had no good answers to it. And so the better question is why not me and um and you know what? Well, it's not that we don't. The challenges will come if you're, if you're spiritually awakened or not. The challenges will come if you're energetically aware or not.
Speaker 2:It's how you deal with them. That is different.
Speaker 1:And I think that's where the power lies. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, I agree, yeah. What do you want to ask Tara?
Speaker 3:Oh, I'm at a loss for words because I'm just really taking this in. What do you want to ask, tara? Oh, I'm at a loss for words because I'm just really taking this in. My heart, just feels really grateful to be here with you, will? I? Don't have any questions, I'm just soaking this in. This feels really special to me.
Speaker 1:I appreciate it. What do you wish people would say to you when you share with them that you have cancer? Maybe you've had people say the right things, or maybe it's just things that you wish Like. The reason I'm asking is because how can we support those that are in our lives or around us, and maybe one day, for somebody listening it might be you or somebody that you know or love who has something that they have to work through health, challenge-wise and these big words come up. What do you wish people would say or do?
Speaker 2:Again, another great question. Good job, Michelle. You're just hitting them on the head, aren't you?
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So it's interesting because I don't know if you know well, you probably do because you follow me but I've started doing these street interviews where I ask people hey, what do you think of when you're here to work? Cancer, yeah, and like you, you really get like there, because one granted like again. I'm six, nine, I'm tall, full of tattoos, you know what?
Speaker 2:I mean full of tattoos. You know what I mean. So if I walk up on you, if I walk up on you on the street, like you have no idea what I'm gonna ask you, or like you have no idea what it's where it's gonna go, yeah so, like for it to go, like.
Speaker 2:So what do you think of? When you hear the word cancer, it catches them like go off guard. They're like wait, what so? Um, and doing these interviews, I'm finding like, if I asked this, if I just told someone that I had cancer unfiltered, what response would I want?
Speaker 1:Right yeah.
Speaker 2:And I'll tell you what I don't want. Yeah, oh, yeah, I don't want to. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Yeah, I mean, I understand it and I get that. That's people just trying to be empathetic and I get that, and I don't want me. I don't want to come off ungrateful for people's empathy, because I am and I believe that you know people express themselves differently. So if that's how they express empathy, I can understand that differently. So if they that's how they express empathy, I can understand that. But knowing all the teachings that I know and how energy flows, I don't want to have a moment where the energy oh, you know what I mean, how the energy drops like that, you know what I mean, whereas though it's like the one police officer actually, he answered the question like exactly how I would want someone to talk to me about it, like I saw yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm like he was just so.
Speaker 2:I was taken back by his answer. He was just so like on it. You know what I mean. He was just like yeah, um, knowing the information. Knowledge is power, basically knowing the information. Now it's easier to maneuver around it. Obviously, we wish that you wouldn't have it, but you know, now that you do have the information, you can, you know, deal with it appropriately. So in the ideal world, if I told someone I had cancer, I would want them to respond how are you doing? You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Just to like okay how are you doing, not not like an all, and then just be like, okay, how are you doing, and then that creates a space where I can lean into my confidence and my energy Like it's going actually. Well, you know, thanks for asking. You know I'm doing okay. Obviously it's it's not the news that we wanted, but I'm ahead of it. You know. Thanks for asking. You know I'm doing okay. Obviously it's it's not the news that we want it, but I'm ahead of it. You know, and I have the information, and it's looking half full, whereas though it's where, though, coming in on, it is already half like when you come in on.
Speaker 3:Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that the energy is already like that's right yeah, well, I think I think too, there's a difference between empathy, where we can empathize and have compassion and love for somebody, and sympathy, which is more of those cancer eyes Like I'm sorry for you, and the sympathy is does no service. It's that like oh, I'm so sorry for you.
Speaker 1:And then they back away.
Speaker 3:Yeah, maybe feel afraid of to like hold the bigness of the emotions and the complexity of all of it and then to connect at the heart with empathy. It is like I understand that that would be so challenging to walk through. And, yeah, how can I support you and let's go have fun together? Because you're still a cancer bae, right. You're still a full person, right. It doesn't make you less than right, yeah. But I think looking with that sympathy like oh, poor you, is like it does no service yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, so just having so they could someone could just ask how are you and just hold space yeah, just hold the confidence, like don't drop the confidence, like wow yeah how's it going?
Speaker 2:you know, mean Just like, don't make it a big deal. Don't make it a big deal Because I'm not making a big deal If it was a big deal. I wouldn't have told you just where. He just talks to people and asks them about cancer.
Speaker 1:And some of the responses that you get back are really interesting, and Tara and I even did this, we did this exchange, and so Tara had you know. I mean, they're just authentic thoughts of what you hear when somebody has cancer.
Speaker 3:What comes forward to you, tara, for me, yeah, oh, my first instinct is I feel sad and afraid, and that touches on my past, uh, and my experience loving somebody through it all. And there's this little bit of helplessness too, um, because you would love to help and make it all better and make it go away, but yet it's not mine to control. So you love somebody and there's just it's got a lot of emotions for me with it, but it's beautiful. It's beautiful Like there's such a real vulnerable, like you're in life, like you talk about the mess right, the mess of real life and whether it's cancer or mental health issues or financial issues, like we all struggle and have these messy bits, and I just there's such a rawness and I think that that's that's being alive, that's being human, um. So it was an honor and a privilege to love my brother-in-law all the way through his treatment, and the piece that feels sad for me would be I remember sitting out on their porch on a sunny day and I could tell he was holding something heavy and he had us all over, all my family, and he wanted to share with us that he had had a relapse, that something had grown, or there's some sort of news like that that he was sharing, sharing, and I could see see that the weight it was on him and he felt this like shame, that he was disappointing the rest of us because he, he would see our hearts break.
Speaker 3:Um, and it was love. It wasn't. There's no blame on the, on the patient or the person going through this. It's not that he's done something wrong or anything like that, but just the gravity of those emotions is what I think of when I think of cancer, alive and beautiful, and he just left us with so many gifts and it was a gift to get to love him through that. Um, it makes me sad that he felt the guilt and the shame of uh creating that for other people. But he soars free now and he visits us on the soccer field and all these things and we get to love. His daughter is here, so we get her and yeah, so tomorrow's actually seven years since he's been gone. So for me there's uh, yeah, the sad and the fear and the uncertainty with the word cancer, um, but isn't that true with so many things in life?
Speaker 3:very true, yeah very true I love how you walk through with such confidence and swagger and you take away that shame that I would have seen him holding. Right that you say it's cancer and you're you're making it less of this thing that we need to hold or keep private or feel like, oh, I have this news I need to share and get off my chest. I love that you bring such a lightness to it. It's really beautiful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank youness to it. It's really beautiful. Yeah, thank you, appreciate it. I think I mean, if I'm being honest, a lot of people say exactly what you said and like they're so amazed by how I can just take so much shit, you know, and just keep going. You know what I mean and I think it comes from being dealt shit in your life. You know what I mean. If you deal with enough shit, after a while it's just shit, you know, and like you can't, like you become a professional Shuttler, shit shuttler. You become a professional shit shoveler. You become a professional shit shoveler. And then after a while it's just like yo, I haven't seen enough shit in my life, I'm not worried about anything. You know what I mean. It's resiliency, it's resiliency, it's resiliency.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, I think that's a much better framework around that, and I think even being able to mine the diamonds in the shit, like in you
Speaker 3:can think of. Like I can think back to the most heartbreaking moments, like them saying goodbye to their home for the first time as we transitioned them into hospice and knowing that's the last time he's in his home. Like these moments are part of being alive. Like we did the same thing, transitioning my grandmother into a home. Or like the preciousness of each day, of each interaction and being in relationship with people. That's always there, cancer diagnosis or not. I think it just highlights and lets us really soak in how precious they are when it's something like that. But really, this moment right now is that precious because I don't know that I'll get to zoom with you again. Well, I hope we stay in touch on Instagram, but I feel that same reverence for this moment and just being able to be on here recording with you as well.
Speaker 2:So Shit is the best fertilizer you know that it is.
Speaker 3:We're going to grow flowers.
Speaker 2:You're going to grow a forest, we're going to grow a beautiful forest.
Speaker 1:How does it help you to speak about it and does it make you feel better to be able to share the way that you have shared and been so open?
Speaker 2:yeah, I think for me I I enjoy inspiring if that sound, if that sounds okay like I enjoy, like because let's back up right before this cancer diagnosis, like I had a life you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like before that, like I had a life where I, you know, trials and tribulations, as we all did. And you know, I grew up in philly. I don't know if you know about philly, but inner city philadelphia is a rigid upbringing, to say the least, and like, statistically, me making it out and going to college on a full basketball scholarship like, statistically, I wasn't supposed to do that.
Speaker 2:And then like, from there getting an undergrad degree, then getting a master's degree Statistically I wasn't supposed to do that and then to play professional in any capacity. And then I played it for eight, eight seasons. You know, just like, like, statistically I beat the odds yeah you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:There's no like. And when you do that over and over again and then going even back, like so I got adopted when I was 14. So, like I was, I was in and out of the child welfare system, um, with my biological mom and then into the child welfare sister and then back with my biological mom, then in the child welfare system again, and then back with my biological mom, then in the child welfare system again, and just like, then eventually got adopted at 13. And then all that happened and just like statistically beating the odds, has become normal in a sense. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:So when I got the cancer diagnosis, I was like man, this shit, I don't got nothing on Philly, bro. You know what I mean. So when I got the cancer diagnosis, I was like man, this shit, don't got nothing on Philly, bro. You know what I mean. Like yo, this shit don't got nothing on the bottom, with nothing. You know what I mean. Like I could do this. Like yo, I get free meals. I get free three meals a day. You kidding me, three meals a day, are you kidding me?
Speaker 2:So, just being in a position where I can continue to persevere, I think I just aligned with everything that I knew I would be, you know, and I think just my reality created this, my thoughts created this reality where I'm in a position to be authentically myself and be it, and on a platform where it resonates with so many people going through so many different things. And that's why people you know connect so well with my content, because I'm not trying to be anything other than who I am and like just talking about the things that, like, I have a weird amount of knowledge to talk about because I'm going through it. You know what I mean. So it's just, it's just exciting to be a part of changing the narrative, yeah, and changing the stigma, yeah, because I do think I'm in a unique niche where, like, I can make a difference.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, that's amazing. Well, what would you like to change the narrative from and to? And let's just be really clear about that in this podcast. I just want to make sure that people are really clear about what it needs to be like instead of what it is yeah.
Speaker 2:So I would say the narrative, the, the stigma now is eerie and dreary. Yeah, anytime the word is cancer is spoken about, is spoken about in secrecy and it comes with a bit of a taboo behind it and like something to be ashamed of. I don't think having cancer should be something to be ashamed of because, statistically speaking, one in two people in our lifetime will be diagnosed with cancer. So like if you're gonna be, like if you're gonna be, know, stubbing your nose up at someone who has cancer, it's just like you have no idea.
Speaker 1:That's right. I think you know what you know and you, you can't know what you don't know yet and I'm like, ooh, life's coming for you there, honey, like one way or another, you know, like don't think we all get through this unscathed.
Speaker 2:It's going to hit you. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's coming. But what do I think the narrative should be? Or the stigma should be? The stigma should be now that I have this information, what do I do to handle it? But that's more of an internal.
Speaker 1:Let me put it to it it's a beautiful question to ask, though, and we'll parking lot that for a second and come back to it, because I think that's a good thing to speak on.
Speaker 2:I think the narrative around cancer should be Is it weird to say positive? I think the narrative around cancer should be Is it weird to say positive?
Speaker 3:No, is it weird to? Say like I think the stigma around.
Speaker 2:I think the stigma around cancer should be positive and uplifting. Why? Because it creates a very unique opportunity for you to tap into your greatness and not allow your circumstances to define you from cancer. But when you put into perspective the people who get cancer and are immediately bombarded with the stigma of cancer and that negative energy and that fear and that anxiousness around them, I'm sure there will be a direct correlation from their you know diagnosis to when they passed, based on, like, the energy that's around them. And I know that might not be, you know, medically correct, but I know what I know Energy is everything and if you, if we as a whole, can change the energy surrounding cancer, I know for a fact that more people would live through cancer than pass through cancer, and I know that for a fact that more people would live through cancer than pass through cancer. Yes, I know that for a fact. Yes, they would yes absolutely.
Speaker 1:And I don't feel for a second. You know, just to say on that, that those who have passed from it have, you know, lost. I hate when I hear the word they lost their battle with cancer, as if there was something that they weren't doing well enough. Like, honestly, that just makes my head want to explode. When I hear that nobody loses their battle, they've done the very best that they can. You don't know what it was like walking through those shoes and what they were going through. So shut the fuck up is what I have to say to that. Sorry.
Speaker 1:And then what I was gonna say, you know, from my perspective, you know, when I hear this is just for me and, like you said, we all have to take it inward and it's a very personal journey and for me what I was in recognition of will is that for me it was a call to love, it was a call for action, of self love, and I can see in my life in so many ways for me anyway, and we've come from two very different kinds of backgrounds, but somehow it has led us to, you know, a similar experience and you know, connection that way, best interests and self-care and self-love aside for the benefit of others and putting others' needs before my own.
Speaker 1:And I can see ways that I have not been as kind or as loving to myself as I could have been. And I don't mean that from like a narcissistic way, I just mean it from a place of um, that was my personal journey. I think it still is my personal journey. I don't think I don't think I've got it all wrapped up and tied into a pretty little package or anything, but it is. The journey that I'm working on is a journey of of more self-love and acceptance.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. Well, self-love, you can get some love from me. I'm sending you love. Yeah, Knowledge is power. Knowledge is power, you know, and knowing your flaws, that's the only way you can change them. You know, and you said I used to be a people pleaser that is a huge step in acknowledging your. You know, your, your flaws and and no again, knowledge is power. And knowing your flaws, you can now make the steps to help, you know, improve them. Yeah, so kudos to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think for everybody it's different. And if they, if you were to ask them the questions, that internally they could start connecting some of the dots to see where their call to love or their call to action is, and and so, in that way, like when you, if you were to ask me on the street, you know what do I think about when I hear the word cancer. I'm like, oh, a journey of self love and TLC, it's absolutely a calling home, so to speak.
Speaker 2:But yeah, that's my own A journey of self-love and tender love and care. Yeah, it's hard to rebut that one. I'll tell you that it's hard to like. I don't think my answer was as good as yours.
Speaker 1:No, I think yours was just amazing. I'm so inspired to hear you just speak so openly and authentically. So I want to just touch on this really quickly the fact that you said you know cancer is, you know, at this stage of the game where we are in life, one in two people and this isn't a conversation about how you got it or what caused it, for you know each person but I also want to just bring light and shed light on incredibly rare diseases or incredibly rare genetic mutations, like we you and I share this medical unicorn thing where there's like're like one in I don't know how many one in like yeah, a crazy amount of people.
Speaker 1:One in one in a million, that's for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I want to say, I want to say one in a million but I don't want to say that on the podcast and be wrong, so I'm gonna just say one in a lot yeah one in a lot of freaking people, because I mean people can have multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Speaker 1:but type one 1 is a whole different ballgame than type 2. Type 2 is kind of like the deep end of the pool. It's everything. It throws it all at you and then there are other related we should have played a lottery ticket once we got to.
Speaker 1:I know the odds would actually be higher for you to win a lottery than to get this actually if you want to put that in perspective yeah, it's true, and so, uh, for those that have um rare uh diseases or mutations or whatever it is um, same things for you would apply.
Speaker 2:Will, I guess, like in terms of like turn it into something that is empowering and turn it into your superpower, rather than the thing right, yeah, yeah I agree, yeah, yeah yeah, I think that you know, like we say, you can use it as like yo I'm special, like obviously we all are special, obviously, but like yo I'm actually really special yeah yeah, for sure, yeah, um.
Speaker 1:So when you uh do like, do you know any other people that have this? Like, do you have people in your community that are supportive for you in this area?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So, believe it or not, so I, so I'm in this group. It's called amend.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you're in amend, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I've been a man and obviously there's like a whole community of us, of us MEN2 patients, and there's a friend of mine. Her name's Lizzie Dunn. I met her at like it's called Pio Cryo Sites. Yeah, yeah, lizzie's awesome. So I met her actually at like MEN2 Day or something. It was like something that the NHS does and it's like MEN2 Day and I met her there and, like she's creating a platform for strictly, strictly, emin emin patients.
Speaker 2:It's like an online platform where you can sign up and it's just subscription based and like it gives you like all this information, like, and it's just like, uh, it's just like so rewarding to know that there's people who are literally have the same genetic makeup as me and trying to change the world just as much as I'm trying to change it. So it's definitely exciting. And, yes, there are people who reach out daily, like in my DMs, just saying, hey, I just want to tell you like I found so much inspiration and hope through your, through your posts, and keep going, you're going to blow up eventually. I'm like, yes, please, I want to. I can reach more people that way, the only way I can reach them all, if I can, if I get there, but, um, yeah, it's definitely rewarding knowing that there are people who are going through exactly what we're going through yeah that find, you know, hope in my stuff yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:I think those stories can bring so much hope and so I think that is so important. Um what? What is it that is um most important for you in your platform? You want people to feel seen and heard and understood and you want them to feel. I think what I'm taking from this conversation the most well is empowered, that this is not going to define their lives, that this is just an aspect of an experience that they're going through and that there's so much more than just this. Yeah, what would you?
Speaker 2:say yeah, so I was asked this question. I was asked a similar question by Lizzie Dunn actually. Oh, yes, and this is what I said, I told her and this is what I'm going to tell you to do right now. Okay, Okay. Close your eyes Okay.
Speaker 2:Now envision loads of color like vibrant color I'm talking about like cotton candy pink, like lime, lime highlighter yellow, green, like just vibrant colors, like just vibrant colors. And then listen and you just hear laughter, giggling, you know, just like positivity in the air right. And then open your eyes and just a vision seeing a sea full of people, like literally a sea full of people in loud, vibrant colors, laughing, joking, living right. Vibrant colors laughing, joking, living right.
Speaker 2:What you didn't know about these people is all of them have an experience with cancer, but you wouldn't know that because no one cares, because we are who we are still, you know, and I'm trying to create a online community that does exactly that, where you just unite a community full of vibrant, loving, caring, fun people who are on a mission to spread positivity. What you don't know about these people is that, internally, they're going through their own trials and tribulations and have gone through their own trials and tribulations and have probably lost someone or probably about to lose someone, or unsure how to feel about what they're going through or how to console someone that's going through. You know what I mean. It's just so much different pathways where none of that matters except for us being here right now, in this shelter, safety, you know, purpose fulfilled.
Speaker 1:You know all those things wrapped in one, wrapped in a lot of colorful, a lot of colorful beings oh my gosh, when I closed my eyes, I when I pictured, um, we, tara and I went to cold play a couple of days before my surgery for my thyroid. And that's what I pictured, because that was such an experience of love like that was so over the top powerful and I could. And Chris Martin does this thing where he has something in his hand and he releases, and these massive ribbons of color just go everywhere. It was so magical, it was amazing.
Speaker 2:I sang my heart out and went into that surgery horse, I kid you not hey, that's the only way to you know, I know you're like that's the way to go out.
Speaker 1:But you made me reframe that because I was sitting there in that experience and I was scared and uncertain and I didn't think about how many other people there might have been going through something similar, but chances are there were. Quite a few yeah that's gonna make me look at things differently Will yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:The thing is, that's what I'm envisioning. I'm not envisioning a Colpay concert, but I'm envisioning. I'm not envisioning a coldplay concert, but I'm envisioning the same, the same feeling of a coldplay concert, with everyone being there dealing with the same thing. So if you got everyone there dealing with the same thing, it takes away the yeah mystique of yeah, I don't know if they're going through this like I don't know what, like I don't know, like I mean if everyone's there, because it's a cancer bay event yeah you feel, so is it solace.
Speaker 2:You feel solace is solace I think, that is yeah, yeah, did I use that correctly you feel?
Speaker 3:yeah, you did yeah, yeah, okay.
Speaker 2:Just make sure you soulless in that, because it takes away the thought of I can't really express how I feel and be who I want, because I'm unsure if people will understand exactly what I'm going through. But if everyone's there, going through exactly what you're going through, it's like freedom. You know what I mean. It helps take away that anxious fear of not being understood.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so that's what I'm envisioning. First now, I want to do it virtually, and then after, virtually, I want to do actual events, like actual, like big ass, big ass, fucking neon parties, you know, just like coming there you go and coldplay is coming to glastonbury.
Speaker 1:You saw that they just announced that they're headlining the glastonbury music festival. Just fyi might have to take you up on that well, I, I I said to Tara that I think that that could actually cure the world is if people felt that kind of love and that kind of connection. Yeah, I think it really could. Yeah.
Speaker 3:I love your message and that you're out in the world like that. The world has you doing this, yeah.
Speaker 2:Thank you. I appreciate that because for a while I was not, that I was unsure if what I was doing was make a difference, because I always felt like, reassured in my own energy, knowing what I was trying to put out in the world, but like to see, like even like, like to even like. So I don't even have my following isn't that large, but like it's large enough where I have people like pouring in, like inspired, like I feel so, like full, you know, just knowing that like what I intended to do is literally happening and it's changing lives. So it's just like so rewarding, so fulfilling, and I'm grateful for you to invite me onto your platform to ultimately grow my platform and mix and match different cultures and different people and invite new people in. And just, you know, we just one big party, you know one big answer to a party, and I appreciate you and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me here yeah, I love your impact and it just the heart of it goes.
Speaker 3:So, in line with what we've created here with this podcast, calling it walk together fiercely, the heart of it is that we all have these hard parts of being a human and we all get afraid and we all get messy and this, and together, though, we can do hard things, together we can move forward, and but it is that we need each other and we need to have that love and that fun and that support, and, yeah, I love that you're on the other side of the world creating this impact and it's gonna it's gonna go global.
Speaker 3:I can feel that, oh yeah, it's going to go global.
Speaker 1:I can feel that.
Speaker 3:It's required. It's necessary, and I think, in regards to cancer, there's so much that's yet to be discovered, and I think that you're right on the cusp of some big shifts, so I'm excited to follow along with you.
Speaker 2:Trying to be. I'm actually planning, okay, I'm actually planning my first event. So you want some tea right now?
Speaker 1:I want some tea. I want the boiling hot tea.
Speaker 2:Okay, so again. So again, this is my first event. I coach, like I said, I coach basketball now in the UK and I help grow the game of basketball here in the UK and I actually coach this under 12s National League team and like I've been coaching them for like seven months and man, are they good, like they're so good and they're like um 16 and 0 right now and we just won a division, but there's no like um national playoff for the under 12s group. So like there's a national playoff for the under 14s, under 16s, under 18s, but for some reason there's no national playoff for the under 12s, which is like I think, not okay.
Speaker 2:So my idea is I'm going to host my very own national playoff where I'm going to invite the top two teams from all eight other regions, so a 16 team national uh playoff, and I'm gonna call it the cancer bay classic, and I am I'm partnering with cancer research uk, um, as well as sbb, which stands for, simply, british ballers they have like two million followers on like tiktok they're like big time over here and basketball england to create my own Cancer Bay Classic.
Speaker 2:So I'm actually looking for a sponsor. So if you know of any companies who might be interested in sponsoring my very first Cancer Bay event. I'd love to touch base with them and send over my pitch deck and see if they'd be interested. But I'm trying to make a difference and I feel as though pairing the youth with the cancer message makes it bigger, because obviously those kids have parents and, like their parents, have parents and just like the excitement around a national basketball tournament that is a cancer charity is like I don't think it's been done before. Might have been done before. Might have been done before, but I just think it creates like again, just like mixing and matching, like turning different things, like mixing, mixing different colors to come up with you know?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so just trying to and changing that generation so that they don't grow up with that same stigma that has been before. So for all of our listeners, you hear what's going on. Can you tell them how they can connect with you and find more of you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh yes, please, you can reach out via email. My email is will at cancerbaycom, or you can Instagram message me or TikTok message me. That's your thing. My Instagram is willw24, or you can just look up Cancer Bay and my TikTok is WillW24 as well. Looking for any and all companies that might be interested in sponsoring or donating or just being a part of it. We'd love to have you. I'm brewing, if something's brewing on the pot, I would love to have you join us. Yeah, I feel it.
Speaker 1:We're going to post all those links below, uh, in the description of this podcast, so you can just click and find will and um and all of this beautiful info. And, if you, I would really want to encourage you to watch will's videos, um and uh, to see his beautiful face and to see him speak, and you'll feel his energy even more than you've heard his voice today and I know that you're just going to absolutely fall in love, like we have.
Speaker 2:I'm in love too. Don't make me bludge oh, thank you. I appreciate you. Let me know if you come over here. I got you sorted.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we'll be coming for sure. Yeah, that's great, Will. Thank you so much for being with us today and let's spread this empowering message far and wide.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, just the beginning, just the beginning.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for joining us today. We are just so grateful that you are here, that you tune in and that you spend your time and listen. We really want to encourage you to share this message with your friends and your family, or someone that you know who may need an uplifting message. Cancer can be a very scary word. I think that, having experienced my own cancer journey, that it is very misunderstood. I love how well shared that knowledge is power and that it really does help to learn to know and to speak and share. That it is a technicality but that it does not need define us. That it is a technicality but that it does not need define us. Being able to hold space, to take the time to ask someone how they are doing is so simple and so beautiful. With more love, compassion, joy and inspiration, the outcomes can really shift and healing on whatever levels are needed can happen, and that is true of life in general. We really want to encourage you to check out and to follow and share Will's message on social media and also check out his merch it's so freaking cool and his upcoming events and ways that you might want to help support that we. So thank you for being here, and we also give such a huge thank you to Will for sharing his infectious and positive energy with all of us, and we know that the journey can look a lot different Now. Let's take a moment for a breath of peace, take a really beautiful, nice, deep, cleansing breath and, if you're able to, just for a moment or two, close your eyes, breath, and if you're able to, just for a moment or two, close your eyes, allow your shoulders to relax and your skin to soften. Just taking a few moments to breathe, to connect inwardly and to just give yourself the love and nurturing that you may be in need of in this moment. How is your heart? What would your heart have? You know, or that something that may need to be acknowledged? Just allowing that to come forward without judgment and just honoring your heart for wherever it is at in this moment.
Speaker 1:So often in life, we imagine the worst. But just for this moment, what if you were to imagine the best? But just for this moment, what if you were to imagine the best? What if you were to imagine that all your dreams are coming true, that everything is going in a beautiful direction, that things are happening in the most beautiful ways. Instead of asking what if this happens? What if that happens? Can you ask how good can this get, how good can this get at? And spend time in your imagination in that place of how good this can get. Loved, you are so cherished and you are so important. You matter so much more than you know. As you move forward with the rest of your day, keep asking what if, how good could this get? And I hope the answer is pretty freaking great. Until next time, only love and light to you and only love and light from you.
Speaker 1:We would love for you to join us on our podcast page on Instagram at walktogetherfiercely. Here we can chat, have community, ask questions and lots of other extra information that you might not get on our podcast. For more information about us, you can find Dr Tara on Instagram at drtaradrummond. For more information about me, michelle, you can find me on Instagram at Michelle Morrison Medium. All other information about me is on my website, thebalancedsoulcom. This podcast is recorded by Michelle and Tara and is edited and arranged by Sammy Lucan. You, you, you, you, you you.