My Friends Are Better Than Yours: Christopher C. Williams on Black Men’s Health & Survival

In this powerful episode of My Friends Are Better Than Yours, BIG CED sits down with Christopher C. Williams—Founder & CEO of Heart Body and Soul, a nonprofit committed to improving Black men’s health.Chris shares his remarkable story of surviving four heart attacks and stage 3 appendiceal cancer, and how those experiences pushed him into advocacy. Together, he and CED dive into:Why Black men avoid medical careThe fear, stigma & misinformation around prostate examsMental health, emotional expression & therapyThe cultural pressure for men to “be strong”Intermittent fasting, nutrition & lifestyle changesWhy we must put ourselves firstThe upcoming Black Men’s Health Festival in BrooklynThis conversation blends humor, honesty, vulnerability, and life‑saving information. If you care about health, longevity, and community—don’t miss this one.🔗 Follow Heart Body & SoulInstagram: @iamheartbodysoulWebsite: https://iamhbs.org🗓️ 2026 Black Men’s Health FestivalJune 6: Sweat Fête (Fundraiser)June 7–8: Weeksville Heritage Center (FREE screenings & services)0:02 – Intro music0:10 – BIG CED returns: “A year older… well, a week.”0:22 – Purpose of My Friends Are Better Than Yours1:04 – Guest intro: Christopher C. Williams1:47 – Wi‑Fi jokes & camera chaos4:22 – Chris explains Heart Body & Soul5:26 – Why Black men’s health is the focus6:10 – Heart disease & our “Superman” mindset7:57 – CED's upcoming doctor visit9:25 – Why Chris became an advocate10:03 – Surviving appendiceal cancer10:48 – First heart attack at 4211:56 – Recognizing heart attack symptoms12:23 – Hospital intervention saves his life12:36 – Four heart attacks total13:45 – High lipoprotein(a) explained14:20 – Finding the right doctor15:04 – Intermittent fasting conversation16:33 – His most recent heart attack (Dec 2024)17:05 – What a cardiac catheterization is18:57 – Multiple procedures in 2024–202519:27 – Recovery & regaining stamina20:48 – Warning signs you should never ignore21:26 – “Dump your doctor” if they’re not listening23:04 – Why some doctors dismiss fasting24:21 – CED's doctor story (numbers improved!)27:00 – Chris’s diet & what he avoids now29:02 – Introducing the Black Men’s Health Festival30:07 – Festival overview & free services31:14 – Prostate exam myths & fears33:01 – Vulnerability, masculinity & partners34:26 – Sed on labels like “zesty” harming men36:40 – Festival dates, location & details38:40 – Minority Health Month & Mental Health Month41:05 – Mental health in the Black community42:53 – Therapy vs. talking to a friend44:50 – Loss, depression & surviving it all45:52 – “Put yourself first—it’s not selfish.”50:10 – Systemic factors affecting Black men’s health53:36 – Reprogramming how we see health54:31 – Chris: “I chose to fight for my life.”55:58 – Humor, gratitude & purpose57:50 – How to find Heart Body & Soul58:33 – Closing message & Chris tells CED: “Say subscribe!”Connect with BIG CED: https://www.youtube.com/@bigced328?sub_confirmation=1https://www.instagram.com/bigced328/ https://www.facebook.com/bigced328 https://x.com/bigced https://bsky.app/profile/bigced328.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigced/ https://www.twitch.tv/bigced328 https://open.spotify.com/show/35yBW0BTd4c7HvCnh9dVXz?si=HvZeE8RfTJGH6YjvHBiYzg&nd=1&dlsi=a147a471e6ab4c5c https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industry-cosign/id1638654676 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-industry-cosign-105171601/https://theindustrycosign.com/