225: What Happens When You're Forced to Fight for Your Own Life? Shannon Ivey on Self-Advocacy and Survival

When Shannon Ivey was diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer at 42, she was a single mom in a new city with no built-in support system. What followed wasn't just a medical battle. It was a crash course in self-advocacy, resilience, and learning how to navigate a system that wasn't designed for someone in her position. In this episode, Shannon shares what it really looks like to face a life-threatening diagnosis while holding everything else together. From recognizing the symptoms she almost dismissed, to building her own medical team, to making the decision to fight when she wasn't sure she wanted to, this conversation goes beyond survival. It's about reclaiming your voice in moments when it matters most. This is a powerful reminder that even in the most overwhelming situations, you have more agency than you think. Guest Bio Shannon Ivey, MFA, AEA, PCC, is a writer, patient advocate, and International Coaching Federation–certified professional coach. She is the author of Welcome to the Sht Show: A Memoir of Colorectal Cancer and the Power of Self-Advocacy* (University of South Carolina Press, 2026), a bold and honest exploration of navigating medical crisis, identity, and personal agency. After more than 20 years in theatre as a professor, actor, and director, Shannon shifted her work toward storytelling, narrative medicine, and advocacy. Following her diagnosis with late-stage colorectal cancer at 42, she became a leader in Colontown, one of the largest online support communities for colorectal cancer patients. Her work now focuses on medical self-advocacy, health equity, and the power of storytelling to drive personal and systemic change. She is currently pursuing a PhD focused on creativity and hope in post-crisis contexts.   You'll hear About The early signs of colorectal cancer that are often overlooked Why assumptions about "normal" symptoms can be dangerous What it means to truly advocate for yourself in a medical system How to build the right team around you and make hard decisions The mindset shift that helped Shannon choose to fight Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Life Before Diagnosis and Early Warning Signs 05:00 The Moment Everything Changed 09:30 Navigating Diagnosis as a Single Parent 13:00 Making the Decision to Fight 16:30 Missed Symptoms and Medical Blind Spots 20:00 Why People Avoid Getting Checked 24:00 Breaking Stigma Around Colorectal Cancer 27:30 Building a Medical Team That Works for You 31:00 The Power of Self-Advocacy 34:30 Learning From Others and Finding Support 37:00 Life After Diagnosis and New Purpose 40:00 Shannon's Book and Message 42:30 Final Reflections and Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take ownership of one area of your life where you've been waiting for someone else to take the lead. Ask questions. Speak up. Advocate for what you need. Even a small step toward self-advocacy can create a powerful shift. Connect with Shannon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesitsshannonivey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-ivey-mfa-aea-pcc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonmivey Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.