What do you do when everything comes crashing down? When your dreams stall, your health fails, and you're left staring into the unknown? This week’s episode isn’t just another conversation—it’s a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring story of survival, grit, and unshakable faith.
Jacob Conrad, shares his extraordinary journey from event producer and music lover in Quincy, IL, to battling an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that nearly took his life. What began as a story of community-building and creativity through concerts and networking turned into a fight for survival—and a deeper look at what truly matters.
In this first part of our two-part conversation, Jacob walks us through:
His background in media and music, and how that shaped his mission to bring people together.
The events he helped produce in Quincy that sparked connection in a post-COVID world.
The shocking moment he was diagnosed with cancer—and the symptoms he ignored leading up to it.
The mental, emotional, and spiritual battle he faced in the hospital room.
How slowing down, finding inner peace, and holding onto faith became his true healing.
💡 5 TAKEAWAYS:
*“Busy” can become just as dangerous as burnout—don’t ignore your body’s warning signs.
Faith doesn’t just carry you through the fire—it gives you a reason to fight.
Community and human connection can literally save lives.
We all need something deeper than routine to fall back on in life’s storms.
True strength is found not in doing more, but in knowing when to rest.
🔥 QUOTE:
"I don’t know if I was ready to stop, but everything around me did. And that’s when I had to decide: Am I giving in—or am I going to fight?"
📝 CALL TO ACTION:
If this story moved you, share this episode with someone who’s in a hard place right now. Journal what you would hold on to if life stopped today. And don’t miss Part 2, where we go deeper into Jacob’s healing journey, family dynamics, and rediscovered purpose. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.