"My Doctors Said I'd Die at 19. I'm 32 & Fighting Back." | Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This week, we're joined by legendary filmmaker and noted curmudgeon Alan Zweig. He’s spent his career being unflinchingly honest about every insecurity in the book; loneliness, obsession, failure, but he’s always avoided the one thing he admits he thinks about most: his weight. Now, he's finally forcing himself to talk about it with his new podcast, "Tubby," which he perfectly describes as "a self-help podcast for those of us that can’t help ourselves." We get into the weeds of that "inner tubby" feeling, why the mirror is the "devil," whether this is all just a "character flaw," and if being uncomfortable in your own skin is the secret source of all our other hang-ups. This is a hilarious, sad, and deeply human chat about what it's like to feel fat, even when you're not.Be sure to listen to "Tubby" wherever you get your podcasts! Follow Sickboy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickboypodcastTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickboypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/expeUDN

"My husband had a kidney transplant... I just got breast cancer. Ain't that a kick in the head?" This week, we're joined by Kacy and Thomas, a couple who knows what "in sickness and in health" really means. First, Thomas went through kidney failure, dialysis , and a life-saving transplant from his childhood best friend. Just as life found its new normal, the roles were completely flipped when Kacy was diagnosed with an aggressive, non-hormonal breast cancer. They share their incredible journey of being both patient and caregiver, the "oil spill" feeling of chemo , the power of being "too angry to die" , and the profound lessons they've learned about fighting with each other when you're healthy, not just when you're sick.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

What's it like getting pepper-sprayed when you have a chronic lung disease? A homicide detective knows what’s up. This week, we sit down with a guest who defies expectations: Jeremy, a homicide detective living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We dive into the unique challenges and surprising advantages of managing a demanding, high-stress career alongside a chronic illness. He opens up about the progression of his CF, the profound impact of the life-changing drug Trikafta, and his perspective on life expectancy before and after the medication. You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

"Society says it's better dead than disabled." This week, we sit down with Ryan Yellowlees , a counselor and activist who is living—and thriving—with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, decades past his initial prognosis. Ryan gets real about the progression of his condition , the systemic ableism he fights against , and why he's fiercely campaigning against the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), calling it modern-day eugenics. He shares his unique perspective on finding strength and purpose in disability and why, given the choice, he'd live this life all over again.Find Ryan: https://www.lifeempoweredcounselling.caFollow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

What if your hand suddenly tried to choke you, or a microscopic parasite in your brain was making you horny for cat piss? From our live show at PodSummit in Calgary, the boys take a wild tour through the glitches in the human brain. We explore Alien Hand Syndrome, the brain-hijacking parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, and the profound ethical dilemma of Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Then, we're joined by our incredible new teammate, Paralympian Brock Richardson! Brock shares the powerful story of confronting his high school bullies head-on, the harrowing experience of being dropped by a support worker who wouldn't listen, and the hilarious story of his first date with his wife... who is not his sister. We think. Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

After her father's sudden death, she carried a "calcified" grief for 15 years that traditional therapy couldn't touch—until one psychedelic cannabis journey changed everything. This week, we're joined by psychotherapist Angela, founder of Altered Healing, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of psychedelic therapy. Angela challenges the "Cheetos and cartoons" stereotype, making the case for cannabis as a powerful medicine for healing trauma when used with intention. We discuss her incredible personal story, the crucial difference between recreational and therapeutic use, and how cannabis compares to other medicines like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA.Find Angela's work and the organizations mentioned:Altered Healing: https://alteredhealing.com/Holos Integrative Health (Ketamine Therapy): https://holosintegrativehealth.com/Bluestem Psilocybin Pilot Program for Vets: Bluestem.co/vetsYou can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

Her vertebrae are shaped like footballs, and doctors told her parents she wouldn't live past the age of five. This week, we're joined by the incredible Natasha, who shares her story of living with Morquio Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She takes us on the journey of her "two lives": the one before and the one after a spinal stroke during a routine surgery left her paralyzed at 16. Despite the immense challenges, Natasha's story is filled with shocking humor, unshakable positivity, and unforgettable moments (like meeting Taylor Swift for her Make-A-Wish). This is a conversation about resilience, adaptation, and finding joy in the most unexpected places.You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube. Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

What does it feel like to get your dad back for a few beautiful moments of clarity, only to have dementia snatch him away again? This week, we're joined by our dear friend Haley for a powerful and vulnerable conversation about losing her father, the beloved musician Cyril McPhee, to Lewy Body Dementia. Haley opens up about the "trickster" nature of the disease, the profound experience of "pre-grieving" a parent who is still alive, and the beautiful legacy he left behind, known as "The Cyril Effect." This is a deeply moving look at grief, family, and the enduring power of love in the face of a devastating illness.Check out the episode on YouTube to see some of Haley's incredible photos of her father in his final days: You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube! Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

When six months is the best a doctor can offer, hope feels like a cruel joke. In this Breakdown edition of Sickboy, we dig into Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)—a rare disease that once meant certain death but now has science flipping the script.Through narration and three candid interviews, this audio doc traces PAH’s path from despair to possibility. Jane shares what it’s like to have her lungs hijacked in her twenties. Dr. David Langleben, who built Canada’s first pulmonary hypertension clinic, walks us through decades of grim prognoses. And Jamie Myrah of PHA Canada explains why delayed diagnosis is still PAH’s deadliest trick. But then comes the plot twist: a new therapy called Sotatercept, a treatment that doesn’t just slap a Band-Aid on symptoms but actually targets the root cause. For doctors who’ve watched patients run out of time, it’s nothing short of a game changer.The Breakdown is a new addition to the Sickboy’s format! An audio documentary where we crack open one illness at a time and make sense of it with heart, humour, and the occasional “WTF.”Shout out to PHA Canada! This first Breakdown proves that even in the heaviest stories, hope still gets the last word.For more information on how you can help please visit https://www.phacanada.ca/Follow Sickboy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sickboypodcastTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sickboypodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/expeUDN

You don’t survive ten years of podcasting without a few scars—and a hell of a lot of stories. In part one of this milestone episode, the guys sit down with Brock, a new intern with a fiery past—literally. From being wrongly accused of arson at age four to navigating life with cerebral palsy, Brock’s journey is as hilarious as it is jaw-dropping. He unpacks what it means to live with PVL, how systemic failures nearly derailed his education, and why he wouldn’t trade his disability for anything. Then in part two, the hosts turn the mics inward. Reflecting on a decade of Sickboy, they revisit the biggest lessons, most surprising moments, and the impact this show has had—not just on listeners, but on themselves. With equal parts heart and humour, this is the definitive Sickboy episode: raw, reflective, and wildly unforgettable.You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0EVgIbBQOxtKJ4qjAlfeutzZRfCGV8nbSickboy LIVE in Calgary!Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord