“When you actually really face the possibility of dying, you realise how short life is… I’m going to do what I want to do, what makes me happy, and I’m not going to compromise that for anyone.” Dilan Patel
What happens when everything you take for granted is shattered by a life-threatening diagnosis? In this powerful episode of The Dad Project, Dilan Patel shares his journey from deeply insecure teenager to stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at 25 and how that moment forced him to rebuild his life from the inside out.
00:00 – Intro: Life‑is‑short realisation & freedom after facing mortality
02:20 – Childhood insecurities: hiding, shyness & feeling like an outsider
05:00 – Family dynamics, feeling unseen & low confidence
08:00 – Starting physical training: dumbbells, gym & self‑esteem breakthroughs
11:30 – Early 20s: unhealthy habits, university period, what changed
13:50 – Turning point: Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at age 25
17:40 – Symptoms, diagnosis process & initial emotional turmoil
22:00 – Treatment begins: chemotherapy, side effects & support network
27:30 – Exploring holistic health: diet, breathwork, mindset alongside medical care
32:10 – Reconstructing life: leaving job, embracing true purpose
36:50 – Spiritual awakening & seeing life as more than physical body
41:20 – DNA Fitness: shifting focus from physical to mindset & identity
45:00 – Practical tools: journaling, gratitude, affirmations, healing inner wounds
50:30 – Coping mentally during chemo, handling shame, fatigue & isolation
56:10 – Vision for the future: relationships, fatherhood, living authentically
1:02:00 – What legacy means: being loved, having impact in simple, genuine ways
1:10:00 – Encouragement for others: therapy, community, being seen & heard
1:18:30 – Closing reflections
Why this episode matters
Dilan's story is raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. It shows how trauma, illness, and vulnerability can become catalysts for massive growth.
Whether you’re grappling with health challenges, seeking purpose, or just trying to live more authentically, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and real practices you can start using today.
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