In this episode of It Takes Balls, Bob Jordan, a Brooklyn-based designer and snowboarder, shares the raw, emotional, and at times unbelievable journey of his testicular cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
What began as a routine backcountry snowboarding trip ended with a bump, a tick bite, and a series of misdiagnoses that nearly cost Bob his life. From fighting for answers to confronting a flawed healthcare system, Bob shares how intuition, persistence, and community helped him survive one of the most challenging periods of his life.
He opens up about the trauma of receiving a cancer diagnosis via his patient portal, poor bedside manners, and the gut-wrenching realization that his initial care team missed a critical tumor. After switching to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Bob finally received the expert attention he needed. He also shares what it was like to go through four grueling months of chemotherapy, why he trained his body for treatment, and how a bubble-wrapped snowboard session became a symbol of defiance and hope.
But Bob’s story doesn’t end at remission. He dives into the mental health aftermath, financial strain, and the emotional weight of survivorship, offering an honest look at what it really means to heal. Through creativity, advocacy, and connection, including forming community through Reddit, Bob has turned his experience into a platform for others.
Want to be a guest? Apply here:
https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions
Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:
https://www.testescancer.org
https://www.twitter.com/testescancer
https://www.instagram.com/testescancer
https://www.facebook.com/tca.org
Follow Steven Crocker:
https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker
https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker
https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2
Connect with Bob:
https://www.instagram.com/factory808/
https://www.808designs.com
Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com
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