Shrenik Shah Stage 4 Cancer Survivor & TEDx Speaker, OncoDaily

I love the title, Oncology. Oncology, it's so close to my heart. When there is a purity of mind and when there is a purity of intention, things started, things started flowing in on its own. We always define cancer as a great fortitude. Yes, as a great fortitude. But trust me, for me, this turned out as a blessing. It is, guys. What's important is attitude is everything, everything, and everything. Because you know, if you have a right attitude, then you know you become a people's person. Cancer is like a stallion. I thought you ride a stallion. If you don't, then that stallion is going to ride on you and take your life away.

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new episode of Onko Daily. I'm Furkan Hashmi, and today I'm truly honored and very excited to have an extraordinary guest with us. Someone whose journey is testament of resilience, courage, and the power of purpose. What if you lost your voice but found an even louder way to be heard? That exactly what happened to Mr. Shrenik Shah, who is from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. At 44, he was diagnosed with stage 4 vocal cord cancer, and while he lost his natural speaking ability, he refused to let cancer define him. Instead, he turned his battle into a mission, becoming a global inspirational speaker, patient ambassador for head and neck cancer, Global Goodwill Ambassador US, and the world's first TEDx speaker as a vocal cord cancer survivor. For 27 years, Shrenik has dedicated himself to inspiring others delivering over 9,000 hours of wisdom and impacting 100,000 lives worldwide. His abstract, fearless, and significant life after cancer was featured by UICC during the 2022 World Cancer Congress, Geneva. And on July 23rd, 2023, he was featured as an iconic Times Square billboard, New York, every hour throughout the day. That's an amazing. Today, we get to hear his incredible journey firsthand, his life, his advocacy, and powerful message he continues to share with the world. Shani, welcome to the Encore Daily.

Thank you. Thank you so very much. And trust me, I mean, being Encore Daily. You know, that itself, I must say, is a magical moment for me for several reasons. You know, fortunately, I am connected with so many oncologists globally. So when something starts with onco, that means it is close to my heart. And then one more point I would like to add here. See, in the oncology field, there is something going on at every single cancer center on a daily basis. And the data Title of the show Uncle Daddy, that itself deeply resonating with my brother would love to contribute on every single day on a daily basis. So you know, to be to be to be honest, I I love the title Uncle Daddy Uncle Daddy. It's so close to my heart. And one more point I would like to add here at this part. See, when there is a purity of mind and when there is a purity of intention, things started— things starting flowing in on its own. It's simply a matter of time. It is simply a matter of patience. And then, you know, it becomes like free-flowing journey where you can make things happen which apparently look impossible. So thank you so very much for this commendable and remarkable opportunity.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thanks a lot. So for those who may not know you yet, could you give us a brief introduction to who you are, And what drives you?

Well, let me share one important point. I am 73 now. Yes, I am 73. I was at the peak of my career as an international marketer. I have traveled globally more than 200 Strips and watercress strips. And, uh, okay, I was 44. I was speaking like a normal human being. Uh, well, I, I had no habit of smoking, never chewed tobacco. I'm strictly vegetarian and non-alcoholic. So, such a big rumor about cancer was absolutely out of question. Usually, you know, we always define cancer as a black portent. Yes, as a black portent. But trust me, for me, This turned out as a basic disguise for simple reason. Well, before, before I was pregnant, before my voice was lost, I was a dork. I had 5 friends and I really had no courage to speak in a public forum. That was my journey, of course. I mean, as an international marketer, businessman, translator, I could communicate with my clients relentlessly. But when it comes to speaking in front of a public forum, in front of audience, I was thinking 10 times and then I was giving up. That was my journey before I was diagnosed with stuttering. stage 4 colorectal cancer. And well, I was given few days to live with. I underwent massive surgery stage— I mean, because I was— I mean, of course, that was done in 2 parts. First, the colonoscopy was done, and then, you know, after the biopsy report came in, massive surgery was done. And yes, I lost my speaking ability forever.

Losing your natural speaking ability is something most people can't even imagine. How did you cope with that loss and what emotionally and mentally?

Well, let me explain this in a different manner. Imagine you are having a Rolls Royce car. I mean brand new Rolls Royce car. You know, I mean what is everything is ready. But but if you are keeping it in the garage, if you don't have a key, and if you don't know how to start the key, what will happen? You know, gun is of no use. You know, it just become part of the museum. So answering your question, I was not willing to give myself no life, but into museum like a wax, like a wax item. And that's how, you know, imagine you want to speak. You have a lot of wisdom. You are intellectual. You are intelligent. You can make things happen. You have a power to convince the people. You have power to change the life of the people. And You are standing on a podium, about to address 4,000 individuals. Uh, the host has introduced you, he has explained a lot about you, he narrated your entire journey, everything. And then you are invited to share your journey. The moment you reach the podium, you are about to speak, and the words are trapped in the mouth. You are not audible at all. First, people will look at you amused, then shocked. And few minutes later, they will lose the interest of listening you. And that was my journey when I lost my voice after massive surgery and radiotherapy, which turned my skin like a charcoal. I managed my life for 3 months using pen and paper, which was frustrating. And your depression, she had epilepsy, because, you know, you keep on writing. And it's a grim episode. In those days, in 1997, there was no digital platform like mobile phones, etc., where you could write and communicate or send a text. And then, you know, we would be in person reading your notes, evidence mail. Again, you had to respond by writing. So, you know, it was quite complicated. And on top of that, it was definitely a hard situation, frustrating, catastrophic situation. How she have expressed this? Because you can't do nothing. You are not much impressed, but you can't do nothing. 3 months later, when I was advised to use this electrolarynx, there was no trainer available here in Hyderabad how to use electrolarynx to speak. And I learned myself by practicing for one week standing in front of mirror. Fortunately, I could find out this sweet spot under my chin where I can place the head of the electronics and I can communicate easily. I can Listen to myself and so the people around me. So that was the case. Now, the irony was when I mean, of course, my family members could understand me very well and rather understood me very well in those days. That is in December 1997, before 27 years. But when I started speaking in public. My voice was rejected. People were scared. People were running away. People were shocked, and so on. Now, I had one choice, another two choices: either I give up. Or I continues making, and let me tell you, I was and I am the person from a marketing side, and it is prepared side. Like our खुदी सभी से जो बोलता है वही देखता है, and I follow that same single formula principle. रोल के कम्बोर्ड पे आई पर तू स्पीक सो दैट रिजेक्शन ऑफ़ दिसंबर 1997 इग्नाइटेड दी फायर आई बिल्कुल इग्नाइटेड दी फायर फ्रॉम विथ दी जो केमोन स्विंगिंग स्विंगिंग एंड स्पीकिंग Women's Leslie had ever imagined the voice which was rejected back before 27 years. I have delivered over 9,000 hours of talks in international conferences, even interviews, TV interviews, podcasts, international conferences. Even during COVID time, I have delivered Over 150 webinars and later on, I have delivered talks. I mean, I was moderating events for one organization. I did that for 20 episodes. And now there is an ongoing assignment on behalf of Indian Cancer Society Delhi where I am moderating events every Friday. Under the title of the show, the name of the show is Fridays with Shrenik. That is every week at 6 PM. I am inviting best of the best oncologists to share their interviews and experience and knowledge with the community. And I guess I have completed 21 results already and more are lined up.

Instead of letting cancer define you, you turn your experience into a mission. Very— what inspired you to become a global speaker and advocate for cancer? What has been the most rewarding or impactful moment from your journey as a speaker?

See, it was definitely a situation. The reason is rather— Yes, the reason is when I was struggling for survival, because you know, in those days, in August 1997, I was literally struggling to breathe. The tumor on top of— tumor was expanding, getting bigger and bigger on top of my trachea and blocking the airway. And I had rather no clue that why it is happening. So when the scope was done, I was told that, you know, the tumor was blocking the opening of trachea. That's how, you know, I mean, I was having breathing problem. So I still remember those days, that period of more than a month when I was struggling to breathe. I was feeling like I am drowning in the water. I was unable to sleep flat on my bed. I was sleeping in a slanted condition because, you know, so that trachea doesn't squeeze and I can breathe. So, having remembered that particular incident of my struggle, I realized that, you know, my guidance, my support, my knowledge sharing with the community will be helpful to the countless individuals. I know that, like you all, I cannot become a doctor. In my life, but it's sure there is no chance. So I thought that let me do something which is not possible as a doctor, but I can indirectly play a catalytic role to help someone or a survivor for osteoporosis, try and pay treatment and Last but not the least, never giving up attitude. And I wanted to change the phrase. I wanted to change the phrase. Life after cancer is not death. It is the second chapter of the life where, I mean, in my case, I would say, where you are chosen. You are chosen by the Almighty to do something. remarkable despite your loss of voice. So that's my journey.

Exactly.

Yeah.

So you talked about leading a fearless and significant life after cancer, right? Can you share that, what that means to you and how others can adopt this mindset?

Exactly. See, that is a simple.

Formula.

When challenges are coming your way, or adversaries, either you surrender or you topple those challenges or adversaries. See, as a human being, you have vulnerability from head to toe. To make things happen. If you cannot do it, that means, you know, you become victim. And I, at any point of time, I was not ready to be known by the people as a victim of cancer. A victim, someone who has lost their voice. Someone who lost the natural speaking ability forever. And one more thing, I was not at any point of time wanted to be known as a disabled person or, you know, living a retired life. No way. And that's how You know, trust me, I am, as I told you earlier, I am 73 now. On my ways, there are countless individuals as my well-wishers. Their well-wishes are like a jet fuel, and that is making me always Into taxi mode, seatbelt fastened, and always ready to propel my journey at 800 kilometers an hour to touch the horizon. And inspiring, committed to inspiring over billions of lives till my mind and body supports.

I really want to salute you, sir. Your, like, your strength and your determination is still very I really, it's an amazing way, right? Really. So what next for you? Any upcoming projects or initiatives that you are excited about?

Same. I want to add one more point here. Whenever I am speaking either I'm giving interview or on a TEDx page or counseling patient or delivering public talk anywhere in the conference or webinar, etc. I feel like I am in the land of Lord Krishna, that is और कब, and when you are in the land of Lord Krishna, और कब, you become spontaneous, you become improved, you don't need to struggle to speak. You know, that is remarkable, incredible, invisible support from Lord Krishna to keyboard speaking. And fortunately, while speaking, I don't use my head, I use my heart. And when I'm using my heart, there is no possibility to manipulate, and I prefer not to manipulate at any point of time. And therefore, I did not have to remember that what I have talked. Before 10 minutes. I mean, it can be flawless, it can be authentic, it can be life-changing, and that's it. So that is, that is the magic. That is the magic of this definitely an effort— Thank you, sir.

Thank you. If you could leave our audience with one powerful message today, and what could it be?

You know, this world is a fast-paced world, digital world, lot of competition in personal life, professional life, and so on. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow. So there are 2 points I would like to share here. Number one, live in the moment and make sure to deliver everything today, everything now. Don't prepare the best. That okay, I have to do this, I have to do that tomorrow. Okay, I have to— no, that is number one. Number 2, you know, God is so kind to give you everything you need. Forget about what you don't do. Remember what you have. And the key factor for every single individual is attitude. Attitude is everything. Attitude is everything, everything, and everything. Because You know, if you have a right attitude, then you know you become a people's person. People would love reaching out. People will be more than happy to seeking your support, your help, etc. And don't forget, at times. Your bank balance may not rise up, but the balance of blessings, the balance of well wishes is on the top. And you never know when you would be in a dire need of well wishes, when something goes wrong. So at the end of this everything, be people's person and trust me, you will never go broke, man. And you would be definitely demonstrating empathy. It's not about writing the post about empathy. You can demonstrate the empathy In 100% in real life. And when you demonstrate real empathy, you know, he will see up there, then what you've been doing. You may not be able to fight back bullets, but in these words, there is always a proper Profit and profit, no loss. And last but not the least, you don't pay any tax on that. You don't pay any GST and you don't have to file any return. He's maintaining the entire record up there. So that is the beauty. That is the thrilling life you can lead. One more point because you know, I mean I am speaking on an elderly level. During too many of my talks, I'm mentioning that cancer is like a stallion. Cancer is like a stallion. Either you ride a stallion. If you don't, then that stallion is going to ride on you. And take your life away. So be smart. You know, you are using smartphone. So just like a smartphone, be smart to provide a test bracket and don't allow stallion to ride on you. Build bridges between head, heart, and gut, and you become unstoppable. Thank you.

Exactly. Exactly, sir. Thank you. Thanks a lot, sir. Mr. Sweeney, your story is truly inspiring. Your strength, resilience, and determination to uplift others are incredible. Thank you for sharing your journey with us today, sir. Thank you. Thanks a lot. Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to Onka Daily on YouTube. Hit the bell icon to stay update.