Sharan Singh's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with lupus at a young age.

Years of autoimmune disease, powerful medications, chronic pain, and major complications eventually led to both of her hips being replaced in her early twenties. But her story is about far more than illness.

In this episode of The Survival Project, Sharan shares how she navigated the emotional and physical challenges of living with an invisible illness, why learning to advocate for herself became essential, and how her own experiences inspired her to pursue a career helping others through healthcare.

Jonathan and Sharan discuss resilience, identity, recovery, mental health, chronic pain, and the importance of finding purpose after life-changing adversity.

Whether you're living with lupus, another chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience, this conversation is full of honesty, hope, and practical insight.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Survival Project, leave a rating, and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Sharan's story.

Check out Sharans journey on her socials: @sharaninscrubs

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.