Back in the 2010s, Simon Sinek gave a TED Talk titled Begin With Why.
I’ve reflected on that talk many times over the past decade since first hearing it. While Sinek framed his message through a marketing lens, I’ve found it to be just as true—if not more so—when it comes to health, healing, and survival.
Although I’m still relatively early in my medical career, I’ve been fortunate to treat patients from all over the United States and Canada. I’ve seen everything from individuals who simply want to “up their game” and optimize performance, to patients facing the most devastating and aggressive stage IV cancers. There has been incredible clinical and pathological variability among these patients and diagnoses. Yet, surprisingly, there hasn’t been much variation in what ultimately determines someone’s likelihood of success.
No matter the diagnosis, there’s been a common thread among the patients who do well: their why is greater than any obstacle they encounter along the way.
Let me give you an example.
At the beginning of my naturopathic oncology residency, I met two patients in the same week who were both initiating care at our facility. We’ll call them Don and Bill.
Don came in earlier that week. It was my first time seeing what stage IV cancer truly looked like in someone who had already been battling for several months. About four months prior, Don had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer—essentially a death sentence in conventional medicine. In fact, he had already surpassed the expiration date his doctors had given him, and, to be honest, he looked like it.
I’ll never forget the conversation we had. Don was elated to be at our clinic and ready to fight. He had complete confidence in his ability to battle—and beat—stage IV pancreatic cancer. He wanted to do it for his family and friends, whom he loved deeply and who loved him just as much. I remember thinking how disconnected from reality this man must be. Still, our center had better-than-average outcomes with late-stage cancer, and we were ready to help.
Nearly one year later, Don was still going strong, with multiple laboratory markers showing continued improvement.
Now let’s talk about Bill.
Bill came in later that same week. If you lined up four random people off the street and asked me to pick out who had cancer, Bill would have been my last choice. I couldn’t believe he was a stage IV patient—let alone that he had the same cancer as Don. They looked like complete opposites.
The difference was attitude.
Bill never had anything positive to say about his situation—cancer or otherwise—even when things were objectively going well. He never fully trusted the process and remained bitter throughout the weeks he was with us. Although his family was present at our center, actively helping him fight, he never once acknowledged what they were doing for him or the battles they were fighting on his behalf.
Don is still alive today. I cannot say the same for Bill.
Two patients. Same diagnosis. Same medical approach. Very different outcomes.
Beginning with why made all the difference.
If you’re fighting disease—whether it’s cancer, chronic fatigue, depression, or something you haven’t yet been able to name—I urge you to begin with why. It will carry you through the darkest days and make the good days even better.
My why for starting Nyman Insights is to share with those who are in the trenches. I see you. I feel for you. And if nothing else, I hope these thoughts and ideas give you the strength to keep going—or spark a meaningful conversation between you and your physician.
Restore Health 