What does it mean to live with a body that never stops changing?

This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Cerys Davage, host of the Unbalanced Podcast and a passionate disability advocate living with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD).

Diagnosed as a child, Cerys shares her experience of growing up with a progressive muscle condition, navigating invisible disability, learning to embrace mobility aids, and finding confidence through vulnerability. Together, we discuss independence, accessibility, ableism, chronic illness, and the incredible power of sharing our stories.

Cerys also talks about creating the Unbalanced Podcast, a platform that has become a source of support, education and hope for thousands of people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses around the world.

Whether you're living with a disability, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the realities of life with a progressive condition, this episode is full of honesty, humour and hope.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing Cerys' incredible story.

Follow Cerys:

Instagram: @cerysdavage

Unbalanced with Cerys Davage

What happens when surviving Crohn's disease means fighting your own healthcare system?

This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Ian, a Crohn's disease advocate, comedian and storyteller from New York.

Diagnosed at just 16 years old, Ian shares his journey through bowel obstructions, multiple surgeries, intestinal strictures, internal bleeding, anxiety and the emotional impact of living with inflammatory bowel disease for nearly two decades.

Together we explore the hidden realities of chronic illness, the importance of community, using humour as a coping mechanism, and the incredible financial and emotional burden of navigating the American healthcare system while trying to stay healthy.

Whether you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with honesty, perspective and hope.

In this episode we discuss:
• Crohn's disease diagnosis
• Bowel obstruction recovery
• Bowel resection surgery
• Internal bleeding
• Chronic illness and mental health
• Healthcare in America
• Insurance challenges
• Comedy and resilience
• Living with invisible illness
• Building community after diagnosis

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Ian's story.

To check out Ians work on IG: @iangoldsteinyes & @out_of_network_network

New episodes of The Survival Project are released every week.

At 22 years old, Liv Moore was told she would need a permanent stoma.

After years of unexplained symptoms, severe constipation, and a body that seemed to be shutting down, Liv was diagnosed with hypoganglionosis, a rare bowel disorder that left her rectum unable to function properly.

In this episode of The Survival Project, Liv shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis to surgery, the fear of living with a stoma at such a young age, and how she ultimately found freedom, confidence, and a new lease on life.

We discuss:

• What hypoganglionosis is and how it affects the body
• Being told you need a permanent stoma at 22
• The emotional impact of major surgery
• Body confidence and learning to accept a changed body
• Fitness, Hyrox and rebuilding strength after surgery
• Living, travelling and thriving with a stoma
• The importance of advocacy, awareness and representation
• Finding purpose after life-changing health challenges

Liv's story is a powerful reminder that the things we fear most are often not the end of our story, but the beginning of a new chapter.

If you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an ostomy, chronic illness, or you're facing surgery yourself, this episode is packed with hope, perspective and practical insight.

To check out Olivia's content: @livwithastoma (IG & TikTok)

#Stoma #Ostomy #Hypoganglionosis #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #Hyrox #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #TheSurvivalProject