Cancer doesn’t just hit your body. It hits your identity, your routine, and your sense of purpose. And for a lot of men, it hits one of the biggest pillars in our lives: our work.

In this episode, I talk with my friend Jay Abramovitch about what happens when cancer derails your career. Jay was 36, in a leadership role, building a life with his wife, when a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis changed everything. He kept working through treatment to hold onto normalcy.

But when treatment ended, that’s when the real reckoning began. The structure was gone, and he was left asking: Who am I now, and what do I want my life to look like?

What followed wasn’t a clean pivot. It was a couple years of feeling lost, trying different paths, and redefining his priorities — health, family, and purpose. Today, Jay works as a family support specialist helping people through loss. It’s not where he started, but it’s exactly where his experience led him.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Cancer disrupts identity, not just health
2. The hardest part can come after treatment ends
3. Work can provide purpose — but also mask what’s really happening
4. Priorities shift: time, stress, and family take center stage
5. Career reinvention is messy and takes time
6. There’s no single “right” way back to work
7. Sometimes growth means moving toward what scares you

Organizations referenced in this episode

St John Ambulance

Ottawa Cancer Foundation

CCRAN

Colorectal Cancer Canada

Resources for navigating work, legal rights, and finances:

Cancer and Careers (workplace rights, job search, and career support during cancer)

Cancer Legal Resource Center (free legal help + workplace rights)

Triage Cancer (practical guidance on work, insurance, finances)

Patient Advocate Foundation (case management + job/insurance support)

CancerCare (counseling + workplace resources)

National Cancer Legal Services Network (connects you to legal help)

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT!

I want to thank my sponsor for this episode, Pfizer.

This Is Living with Cancer™ is a free online resource developed by Pfizer Oncology for all people​ living with cancer, regardless of age, income, race, location, cancer type, or stage of disease. This​ comprehensive program is available to anyone in the US, whether they’re on a Pfizer​ treatment or not, with a growing focus on those facing challenges accessing care.

Visit ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com to learn more.

I can't make this podcast happen without sponsors that believe in storytelling and the elevation of real patient voices.

All views are my own, and the opinions expressed in this show do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

Bringing Laughter to #cancerland

Daniel G. Garza continues to cut up cancer audiences and other health audiences with his hilarious takes on the edgiest topics. He is fearless, relatable, and a healer at heart.

Daniel is an anal cancer and HIV survivor whose lived experience fuels his mission to uplift and educate others.

As the founder of LilMesican Productions Inc., Daniel creates spaces for storytelling, coaching, and advocacy, especially for Latinx, LGBTQIA2S, and health-challenged communities.

His work with Cheeky Charity raises awareness of anal and colorectal cancer, and his background as a Reiki Master, Transpersonal Coach, and comedian allows him to blend healing and humor in transformative ways. Through workshops, public speaking, and creative media, Daniel inspires others to reclaim their dignity, embrace their power, and live with purpose.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdanielggarza/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdanielggarza_

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LilMesican

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT!

I want to thank my sponsor for this episode, Pfizer.

This Is Living with Cancer™ is a free online resource developed by Pfizer Oncology for all people​ living with cancer, regardless of age, income, race, location, cancer type, or stage of disease. This​ comprehensive program is available to anyone in the US, whether they’re on a Pfizer​ treatment or not, with a growing focus on those facing challenges accessing care.

Visit ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com to learn more.

I can't make this podcast happen without sponsors that believe in storytelling and the elevation of real patient voices.

All views are my own, and the opinions expressed in this show do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.

After a 693-day hiatus, the Man Up to Cancer Podcast is back!

Join me and my right hand man in the movement to change the way men go through cancer, Joe Bullock.

In this relaunch episode, Joe and I talk about the early development of Man Up to Cancer, our priorities for 2026, and our friendship that has sustained us over the past six years of doing this work together.

You will hear shout-outs to Colontown, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Jack's Caregiver Coalition, Cancer and Careers, and Duke's Mayo.

And of course, Joe does not escape the Gauntlet of Random Questions!

You'll learn which fast food chain mascots would win a brawl (hint: It's not Ronald McDonald).

*One correction: Alex Pabon was a chef for a U.S. Army general, but not a "five-star" general. The point Joe was making remains 100 percent valid.

Thanks to our sponsors for 2026, Pfizer and Foundation Medicine.

You'll be hearing more about these sponsors later in the year. I couldn't do this work without their support and their belief in improving men's mental health and cancer health.

Previous episodes with Joe Bullock

Howling Joe Bullock, 7/14/20

Cancerland legend Joe Bullock is back to talk about the Howling Place, COLONTOWN JR., and... forest bathing#KFG #BDP, 1/12/21

Has Joe Bullock cloned himself? #Cancerland needs to know! 3/22/22

Man Up to Cancer grows up w/ Joe Bullock, 1/9/24

When should you screen for colon cancer?

What are the currently available screening options?

What are the new options on the horizon?

What about the rise of colorectal cancer in young people?

These are the questions I tackle in today's 25-minute episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast.

Got questions or comments? I want to hear them!

Cologuard

Fight CRC

Exact Sciences

Guardant Health

Colon Cancer Coalition

Classic SNL ad for Colon Blow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku42Iszh9KM

2023 SNL ad for Cologuard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu12X2cu6Y0

I'm joined on today's show by Joy and Isaac Moel, a mother and son from Iowa City, Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!).

Isaac was just 23 years old in April 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. He was otherwise healthy and had no family history or other red flags.

Just when Isaac was gaining independence as an adult, he was forced into the role of patient, depending on his mother to be his primary caregiver as he faced mutliple surgeries and grueling chemotherapy, radiation, and more.

The shocking diagnosis was a difficult blow for this tightknit family, yet they have fought this disease together with incredible courage, intelligence, grace, and heart.

In this episode, we discuss

• Isaac's engagement and upcoming wedding!
• The physical and emotional burdens of managing metastatic cancer over a period of years
• What it was like for mother and son to have him become dependent on her again, just as he was gaining independence
• Advice for other young men facing a cancer diagnosis
• Our mutual love for Iowa City, home to my alma mater, the University of Iowa
• The best pizza in the midwest (In my humble opinion)

My guest today is Ethan Zohn, a former professional soccer player, winner of the world's most famous reality show Survivor, humanitarian, philanthropist, author, inventor, investor, advocate for cannabis and psychedelics, with a special interest in helping cancer patients and survivors.

Ethan is the co-founder of the global non-profit, Grassroot Soccer, which has reached millions of youth in 60+ countries with vital health information and services.

Oh, and he's a two time survivor of CD20 positive Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who has been through the gauntlet of chemo, radiation, two stem cell transplants.

We talk about how at 50 he's now the "old curmudgeon" of the Survivor family tree; his uncanny resemblance as a teenager to Patrick Dempsey's nerdy character, Ronald Miller, from the movie "Can't Buy Me Love"; his insane number of side hustles since grade school; the emotional turmoil of his two bouts with lymphoma; how medical cannabis changed his life for the better; the pressure of going through cancer in the media spotlight; and how he found his authentic voice when he stopped saying what people wanted him to say, and started telling his truth about the cancer experience.

LINKS

EO Care: Medical Cannabis Care Plans for cancer patients, Survivors and caregivers : www.EO.care

Crunch Bowl - Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/6o46Ezf

Survivor Merch : www.EthanZohn.com

Dempsey Center: www.dempseycenter.org

Social Media Channels

X (Twitter): @ethanzohn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanzohn

Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EthanZohnSurvivor

#KFG has been one of my go-to hashtags during the past six years living with stage IV colon cancer.

But what is it?

On today's throwback episode of the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, we go back to a show from August 2020. It's crazy to think that nearly four years have passed since I recorded this.

In this bonus episode, the meaning of KFG gets revealed. I ramble for 14 minutes about my first surgery, amazing nurse Aaron, and the joys of oxaliplatin chemo. I also send out a message of encouragement to all the cancer patients out there who are in pain, suffering, and basically living minute to minute.

To learn more and get involved in the Man Up to Cancer movement, find us on social and visit us at www.manuptocancer.org. HOWL!!

Today on the Man Up to Cancer Podcast, I'm joined by super advocate DeMetrius Kee from Rancho Cucamonga, California.

When his stepfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, the ripple effect hit the entire family hard, especially 41-year-old DeMetrius.

"It threw us all off. I spent several years in the health and wellness space and had no idea what prostate cancer was. I immediately started researching," he said.

That launched DeMetrius into a newfound passion for cancer advocacy. More than six years later, he has established a thriving career with cancer non-profits. In the cancer world, sometimes having a strong voice — and the willingness to us it — is exactly what is needed. With his self-described "big mouth," DeMetrius is changing the lives of anyone within earshot.

"Knowing what I know now, in regards to early detection, I encourage everyone," he said. "I know it's difficult, but you've gotta talk about it."

Things you will learn about DeMetrius in this episode:

• He has 45+ first cousins — and that's just on his mom's side of the family
• He looks so young, sometimes people think he and his 20-year-old son are brothers
• He served in the Air Force for eight years… in Nebraska

@LLS - Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

@Zero Prostate Cancer