Episode #8 | The Moment Someone Noticed: A Coworker Saw the Brain Tumor Symptoms I Tried to Hide

🧠 Episode Description
In this deeply personal episode of I Have A What?! Surviving a Brain Tumor, Johnathan “TeflonJohn” Smith shares the moment when the mask he had been wearing finally slipped, not at home and not with family, but at work. After weeks of pushing through dizziness, pressure, fatigue, and moments of zoning out, someone finally noticed. A trusted coworker saw what others missed, the truth that his symptoms were breaking through the image of strength he tried so hard to maintain.

Up until this moment, Johnathan had been living two versions of himself. There was the version everyone saw at work, the leader, the motivator, the dependable presence. Then there was the version he carried in private, the man silently fighting a brain tumor diagnosis while trying to convince himself that he could handle it alone. Episode 8 steps into the tension between those two identities and the moment they collided.

This episode explores the emotional shock of being seen when you are trying your hardest not to be. The fear of exposure. The vulnerability of having someone notice the pain you worked so hard to hide. And the strange mix of relief and discomfort that happens when someone caring steps in and says, “Are you sure you are okay?”

For the first time, Johnathan talks openly about how a coworker’s concern became the turning point that forced him to face reality. Her questions, her observations, and her genuine worry helped him accept that the situation was more serious than he was allowing himself to believe.

Johnathan also reflects on a powerful lesson from his grandfather. Growing up, his grandfather took him to youth sports practices and taught him the meaning of never quitting, even when things felt tough or uncomfortable. That lesson resurfaced in this chapter of his journey, reminding him that perseverance does not always mean hiding the pain. Sometimes it means knowing when to trust someone enough to let them in.

If you have ever tried to hide your struggle, if you have ever kept going until someone else noticed the weight you were carrying, or if you understand the fear of letting someone see the real you in a vulnerable moment, this episode will resonate deeply. It is honest, it is human, and it is part of the story many survivors never talk about.

💭 In this episode, Johnathan shares:• What it felt like when his symptoms began showing at work• The moment a coworker noticed something was wrong• Why he tried to hide the truth for so long• The inner battle between strength and vulnerability• How being seen unexpectedly forced him to face reality• The emotional shift that came from trusting someone with the truth• A powerful childhood lesson from his grandfather about perseverance• How this moment sets the stage for the worsening symptoms

💬 If this episode connects with you, leave a comment on Spotify or share it with someone who may be carrying more than they show. Every message helps build a community of support and understanding.

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