When Jamie Gannon was 27, he was an aspiring actor living the dream in Hollywood. Reading for films, TV, and commercials. Working his day job. Working out to keep his leading man physique. Taking voice and acting classes. And living a healthy, active life.
When it all fell apart, thanks to a golf-ball sized malignant tumor at the base of his brain.
A tumor that, even after its removal and long courses of chemo and other intensive medical therapies, left Jamie with a 10-15% chance at survival.
Seventeen years later, Jamie is cancer-free. He's a health coach who guides other cancer survivors to get their lives back following diagnosis and successful treatment.
Our conversation has inspired me to check out and start doing an ancient Chinese health practice. And to be a more present, grateful person. (I love doing this podcast!)
[powerpress]
In our talk, we covered:
- denial of a problem, and the lengths Jamie went to maintain it
- the link between the polio vaccine and his cancer (this isn't tinfoil hat conspiracy theory, but accepted scientific correlation with a clear causal link)
- why he tells clients to view their cancer as a “golden ticket”
- his discovery of medical chi gong
- the almost universal concept of life energy (everywhere except Western reductionist medicine)
- Master Zhou's “parlor tricks” for skeptics
- the 2007 NIH study of chi gong
- the importance of diaphragmatic breathing in moving the “chi”
- acting as a vehicle for chi gong (“You can't shit tears”)
- Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique
- how and why Jamie eventually eliminated all animal products from his diet
- “chemo brain” – cognitive impairment from chemotherapy, and how the medical establishment dismissed until recently
- the benefits of being “a very sensitive instrument” of what's helpful and harmful to health
- the rhetorical problem with militant veganism (“your mother was hurting you”)
- Dr Joel Fuhrman's GBOMBS as an acronym for a balanced plant-based diet
- the coaching model of health consulting (vs the “I know better than you” approach) when clients express deep doubts about evidence
- the dangers of overwhelming clients with too much information
- and much more…
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
John Oliver's takedown of science journalism
CancerTreatmentRecovery.com (Jamie's practice website)
The Virus and the Vaccine, by Debbie Bookchin and Jim Schumacher
The New York Times “Biggest Loser” article
Brain Plasticity TED Talk by Sandrine Thuret
Consequences of Cancer Treatments on Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis: implications for Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms (PDF of Sandrine Thuret paper)
Nutrition, Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and mental health (PDF of Sandrine Thuret paper)
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Gratitudes
Big thanks to Plant Yourself Podcast patrons Kim Harrison, Lynn McLellan, Anthony Dissen, Brittany Porter, Dominic Marro, Elizabeth Clifton, Barbara Whitney, Tammy Black, Amy Good, Amanda Hatherly, Mary Jane Wheeler, Ellen Kennelly, Melissa Cobb, Rachel Behrens, and Christine Nielsen.
May all your avocados be perfectly ripe exactly when you need them!
Announcements
Check out my online TV show, Triangle Be Well. This week I talk with guest expert Michael Edelstein, a cognitive behavioral therapist, about how to change our bad habits into good ones.
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Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
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This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive amazon gift certificates from your actions on such links.
Become a Health Coach
New cohort beginning Fall 2021. Live classes will be 10-11:30am US Eastern Time on Wednesday, so this is a Europe- and Africa-friendly class. Also for folks in the US, Canada, and Central/South America who have flexible mornings.
Find out more and apply here: WellStartCoach.com.
New Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
Howard,
What a great story, love podcasts like these.
Thank You for another informative podcast; keep them coming.