230: Cancer Didn't Break Him — It Set Him Free

What if the worst diagnosis of your life became the greatest gift you've ever received? When Glenn Sturm got the call at an airport in 2009 telling him he had an aggressive, incurable form of T-cell lymphoma, everything should have stopped. Instead, something unexpected happened — his perspective shifted. Rather than letting cancer define him, Glenn made a decision: he would celebrate life every single day and make someone else's life better whenever he could. Seventeen years later, still undergoing treatment, Glenn isn't just surviving — he's living with purpose, gratitude, and a commitment to serving others. This conversation explores what it looks like to choose growth over fear, purpose over pain, and why sometimes the hardest moments in life can open the door to everything you were too busy to see before. Guest Bio Glenn Sturm is a 17-year cancer survivor, four-time bestselling author, and former attorney with over 30 years of military service. A University of Florida law graduate (honors, Order of the Coif), Glenn built a highly successful legal and business career before being diagnosed in 2009 with advanced T-cell lymphoma. Since then, he has undergone continuous treatment while reinventing his life around purpose, service, and creativity. He is the author of Cancer Set Me Free, an advocate for multidisciplinary cancer care, and an accomplished photographer whose work supports charitable causes. Glenn is known for his powerful message on resilience, perspective, and living life fully — no matter the circumstances. You'll hear About The moment Glenn received his life-changing cancer diagnosis Why he chose to celebrate life instead of becoming a victim The daily habit that can change someone else's life instantly How building the right "team" can dramatically impact outcomes Why cancer became one of the greatest gifts in his life Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Glenn's Background and Military Service 03:30 The Call That Changed Everything 07:00 Choosing Perspective Over Fear 10:30 "The Ambulance Is Gone" — A Defining Mindset Shift 13:00 Losing His Career and Reinventing His Life 17:00 Building a Multidisciplinary Cancer Team 22:00 A Life-Threatening Setback and the Power of Communication 27:00 Why He Refuses to Be a Victim 30:00 Quality of Life and Long-Term Survival 34:00 Giving Back and Serving Others Daily 38:00 How Cancer Set Him Free 42:00 Glenn's Message to Those Who Are Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself two simple questions at the end of each day: Did I make someone's life better today? Did I put a smile on someone's face? Even one small moment of kindness can create a ripple effect you may never see — but it matters more than you think. Connect with Glenn Website: http://www.glennsturm.com/ 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.