Part 2: Michael’s Road to Gratitude: Mental Health, Rare Disease Advocacy, and Life Beyond Survival

In Part 2, Michael Caprio’s story moves beyond survival and into the messy, beautiful work of rebuilding a life with purpose. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles talk with Michael about mental health after surgery, living with FAP long-term, family genetics, advocacy, gratitude, and why helping even one person makes the whole damn story worth telling. Awards & Downloads Line Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback Link Line We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “If my story helps one person feel less alone, then it was worth telling.” — Michael Caprio Episode Description In Part 2 of Michael Caprio’s conversation with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, the story shifts from diagnosis and surgery to what happens after survival. Because surviving the scary thing is one chapter. Learning how to live again is a whole different road. Michael opens up about life after FAP surgery, including diet changes, bathroom anxiety, ongoing medical monitoring, and the everyday realities of living without a large intestine. He talks honestly about how a rare disease affects planning for the future, relationships, travel, family conversations, and the possibility of having children when a hereditary condition is involved. This episode also explores the emotional power of legacy. Michael shares how his grandmother’s courage shaped his understanding of perseverance, how his family’s “club” fostered connection rather than shame, and how writing A Bump in the Road helped him turn pain into purpose. One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Michael’s story about connecting with a woman in Australia who also lives with FAP and finally felt seen through his book. Through humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart, Michael reminds us that rare disease advocacy is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about telling the truth, building community, and showing someone else that life can still be beautiful after the thing that almost broke you. Keywords: Michael Caprio, rare disease advocacy, FAP, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, mental health, colorectal cancer awareness, gratitude, survivorship, chronic illness, hereditary cancer, patient advocacy, medical trauma recovery, emotional wellness, family genetics, life after surgery Meet Our Guest — Michael Caprio Michael Caprio is an Author, rare disease advocate, and speaker who draws on his personal experience with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis to help others feel less isolated in their medical journeys. He is the author of A Bump in the Road: My Medical Journey over Potholes, Detours, and the Bridge to Gratitude, a memoir that blends vulnerability, humor, and gratitude while shining a light on the emotional side of rare disease, surgery, and survivorship. Website: https://www.mikecaprioauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecaprio_author/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Bump-in-the-Road/100076302759044/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-caprio/ Key Takeaways Life after survival still comes with anxiety, adjustments, and big emotional questions. A rare disease can affect everything from travel plans to relationships to future family planning. Advocacy does not require perfection; it starts with telling the truth. Family history can carry pain, but it can also carry strength, wisdom, and a blueprint for survival. Gratitude can grow beside grief, fear, and uncertainty. Helping one person feel less alone can turn a painful story into a powerful mission. Actionable Items If you live with a chronic or rare condition, make a “real life” plan for travel, food, bathrooms, appointments, and support instead of pretending your needs do not exist. Share your story with one safe person or support group. Connection can break the shame spiral.</li