What My Brain Tumour Taught Me About Life | Matthew White on Redefining Success

At 39, Matthew White’s world changed overnight. A seizure on the football pitch led to a devastating diagnosis, an extensive, incurable brain tumour. In this deeply emotional Different Hats Series 8 finale, Matthew shares his journey of survival, hope, and redefining success in the face of uncertainty.

He opens up about the physical and emotional battles of brain surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the profound lessons he’s learned along the way, about time, presence, gratitude, love, vulnerability, and what it really means to live.

Through his writing and advocacy, Matthew has become a voice for resilience and change, challenging stereotypes about masculinity, illness, and success. His words are raw, real, and profoundly moving.

“I’ve learned to disregard time. It doesn’t matter how long or short it is, it’s what you do with it that matters.” — Matthew White

Join Matthew and I as we explore themes of identity, perspective, vulnerability, fatherhood, curiosity, emotional literacy, and the courage to keep learning, no matter what life brings.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
05:30 – Redefining success and identity after illness
10:00 – Living authentically vs. living society’s narrative
15:00 – The importance of curiosity, learning, and participation
20:00 – Finding joy in the small things
25:30 – The seizure, the scan, and hearing the words “It’s cancer”
33:00 – Family resilience and being home for Christmas
39:00 – Controlling the controllables
42:30 – Balancing hope and realism
45:00 – Documenting his journey to help others
49:00 – Processing trauma and finding control through learning
56:00 – “Don’t give up — it will get better”
1:03:00 – Building emotional intelligence through psychotherapy
1:10:00 – Finding his voice again
1:17:00 – The power of asking for help
1:23:00 – Creating a cocoon of support and redefining vulnerability
1:30:00 – Lessons from his children
1:38:00 – Rethinking time and what really matters
1:45:00 – The evolved version of Matthew White
1:48:00 – Perspective: what really matters each day
1:50:00 – The biggest lesson of all: never stop learning
1:52:00 – Messages for his wife and children
1:55:00 – Living in hope and staying one step ahead


🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES

👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

🔗 Connect with Matthew White

Instagram: @livingwithabraintumour

💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below.
Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


🎙️ SPONSORED BY

Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/

🎥 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/