May you be inspired to find hope and community in healing whether you are fighting for a loved one or yourself by Matthew’s journey.
I appreciate you coming on to Planetary Health First Mars Next Matthew and sharing your story and all the work you are doing.
What was the Darkest Night?
Darkest Hours and Days
Matthew Zachary recounts his darkest hours during his radiation treatment for terminal brain cancer. The radiation had severe side effects, causing him to be in absolute agony, unable to sleep, constantly throwing up, and unable to drink water. He became malnourished and dehydrated. At one point, he and his family begged the doctors to stop the treatment, as he felt he couldn't endure it any longer. Despite his pleas, the treatment continued, marking this period as the darkest days of his life .
Final Reflections and Emotional Insights
Trauma and Recovery: Zachary speaks about living with trauma and the continuous process of recovery. He emphasizes that everyone will face some form of trauma in their lives, and the key is maintaining a sense of connection to oneself .
Versions of Self: He humorously reflects on his journey, describing himself as being in version 43 or 44, highlighting his continuous growth and evolution. This metaphor underlines the importance of adapting and growing through life's challenges .
Purposeful Anger: Zachary shares a powerful message about the importance of channeling anger into purpose. He wishes he had been given "permission to be pissed" and encourages others to use their anger constructively to drive change and advocacy .
Advocacy and Anonymity: He discusses the nature of true advocacy, which often goes unrecognized and unrewarded. He emphasizes that making a significant impact sometimes means working anonymously and selflessly for the greater good .
Life Appreciation: Zachary touches on the idea that going through hell can lead to a deeper appreciation for life. He believes that the hardships we endure shape who we are and that everyone should strive to find their purpose and meaning, regardless of the difficulties they face .
Mindset During Diagnosis: Reflecting on his mindset at the time of his diagnosis, Zachary describes his youthful invincibility and ignorance as an advantage. He didn't fully grasp the gravity of his situation, which helped him cope without collapsing emotionally .
Books and Music as Solace: During his treatment, Zachary immersed himself in music and literature, which provided solace and a way to mentally escape his harsh reality. He was one of the first patients to bring a cassette deck into the radiation chamber, playing music to pass the time and keep his spirits up .
Continuous Struggle and Therapy: Even after years of treatment and recovery, Zachary acknowledges that the trauma remains a part of his life. He continues to undergo therapy and gets regular scans, which still cause him anxiety .
Humor and Resilience: Despite the gravity of his experiences, Zachary uses humor as a coping mechanism. He ends on a lighter note, showing his resilience and ability to find light even in dark times .
Encouragement for Listeners: He encourages listeners to embrace their challenges, find their purpose, and work towards making a positive impact, even if it means doing so without recognition or reward .
These reflections and insights from Matthew Zachary provide a deeply emotional and powerful conclusion to the podcast, highlighting his journey of resilience, advocacy, and continuous personal growth.
Matthew Zachary’s About / Bio:
A 28-year brain cancer survivor, Matthew Zachary is an American advocate passionate about putting the patient at the center of every conversation, with a storied career spanning entertainment, advertising, marketing, nonprofit, digital health, public policy, life sciences, and broadcast media.
As Founder of the award-winning nonprofit Stupid Cancer, Matthew started the young adult cancer movement in 2007, where he hosted and produced 'The Stupid Cancer Show,' America's first healthcare talk radio show (before podcasts existed.)
Between his award-winning documentary, The Cancer Mavericks: A History of Survivorship, and his Top-10 award-winning podcast Out of Patients, Matthew—whom some dub 'The Podfather of Healthcare'—is one of the country's most visionary voices and influential talents.
Matthew is currently principal at Matthew Zachary Worldwide, a multifaceted organization encompassing a media production company, a digital health platform, a talent agency, and a consulting group serving the life science and nonprofit sectors.
He lives with his wife and twins in Brooklyn.
It was a pleasure to have Matthew Zachary on Planetary Health First Mars Next and we feel that it only do justice to share a little more about him and what he is doing and has been doing.
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Ep 103 Ask Matthew Zachary Anything?