Episode Description
He's one of the most famous competitors on one of the most popular TV shows of all time, SURVIVOR. Season 3 winner - in Africa - Ethan Zohn joins me on the "Run The Race" podcast to talk about being on that reality TV show 3 times, beating cancer twice with the help of fitness, helping kids worldwide through soccer, and how cannabis can help with overall wellness.
(4:26) Ethan is also about to run the Boston Marathon - on Monday, April 18, to celebrate being in remission from cancer for 10 years! For that race, he's working with companies to promote cannibas and being active to fight cancer. He also talks about last running Boston in 2013 when the terrorist bombing happening, and being pulled 2 miles before the finish line.
What was it like for (9:01) this former pro soccer player to be diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer in his mid 30's? It was ups and downs - with support from others too - then there's the fear of cancer coming back. (11:36) Fitness also played a big role in his cancer fight, and now he uses sports and his fame to deliver important health messages, including erasing the stigma on alleged "gateway drug" cannibas.
(15:14) Ethan takes us through how he was picked to be in Survivor: Africa in 2001, thanks to an audition on VHS tape. He calls it a "game of relationships...and networking" that tens of millions of people watch. He also talks about how the game on TV has changed like with social media, how he went back for season 40, and how he lost 30 pounds in 35 days while on Survivor.
This athlete (21:31), after experiences playing soccer in Zimbabwe and playing with HIV+ kids in Africa while on the show Survivor, also co-founded "Grassroots Soccer." He explains how they use soccer to help children overcome health challenges. Ethan says sports like that break down barriers, and believes plant-based wellness can do that too vs. taking lots of pills. (29:13) Mental strength is also important. Ethan talks about his visualization before a big event like a marathon, and why he got involved with taking/promoting cannibas.
We close our chat with his final preps for the Boston Marathon and I ask if he'll ever play "Survivor" again. (36:36) I also give a recap of my experience at GO! St. Louis for what is now my fastest marathon, then (41:58) "Parting Gift" from the Bible about surviving troubles, and a closing Prayer.
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