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.
• Replace “I can’t” with “What support or information would make this possible?”

Important Chapters

• 00:00:00 – Welcome to Part 2 G-Rex opens the second half of Michael’s story, bringing the conversation back to mental health, recovery, and life after diagnosis.
• 00:00:39 – Was therapy offered? G-Rex asks whether anyone offered Michael therapy during diagnosis or treatment, and Michael reflects on not being ready for help at the time.
• 00:01:30 – Life with FAP now Michael explains what day-to-day life looks like in his 30s, including diet adjustments, stomach sensitivity, and future medical monitoring.
• 00:04:24 – Planning life around the body you have Dirty Skittles asks how FAP affects life experiences, and Michael talks about travel, bathrooms, crowded places, and learning not to feel ashamed.
• 00:07:01 – Family planning and hereditary risk Michael discusses the emotional complexity of having children when FAP can be passed down genetically.
• 00:08:50 – Nothing in life is guaranteed Michael shares his family’s perspective: every family has something, and FAP is theirs.
• 00:10:47 – His grandmother’s courage and the butterfly effect Michael tells the powerful story of his grandmother, early medical procedures, and how her decision to keep going helped make his whole family possible.
• 00:15:13 – Advocacy and helping others feel less alone G-Rex reflects on Michael’s courage in putting his story out there and helping others understand that FAP is not a death sentence.
• 00:16:35 – Reaching someone across the world Michael shares the story of connecting with a woman in Australia who found comfort and validation through his book.
• 00:20:57 – The family “club” and deeper connection Michael talks about how FAP brought his family closer and created a stronger bond through shared understanding.
• 00:23:31 – Advice to his younger self Michael says he would go back to his 18-year-old self and tell him that life after surgery would be okay, and that there would be a future worth living.
• 00:25:43 – The hardest lesson Michael shares that one of the hardest lessons has been accepting that some people cannot handle illness or hardship and may walk away.
• 00:28:30 – Anxiety’s theme song Michael answers G-Rex’s question with humor and heart, landing on “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
• 00:29:37 – Favorite word: Attitude Michael explains why “attitude” matters so much to him and his family, sharing a quote that shaped his recovery mindset.
• 00:31:34 – Least favorite word: Can’t Michael talks about why he dislikes the word “can’t” and how he pushes back against limitations.
• 00:32:28 – Where to find Michael Michael shares where listeners can learn more about his book, his story, and his advocacy work.
• 00:34:12 – Final reflections G-Rex and Dirty Skittles thank Michael for sharing his story and helping listeners understand rare disease, resilience, and hope.

Closing CTA

Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our Website: https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews

#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #MichaelCaprio #RareDiseaseAdvocacy #FAPAwareness #FamilialAdenomatousPolyposis #ColorectalCancerAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #ChronicIllnessLife #Survivorship #MedicalTraumaRecovery #GratitudePractice #MentalHealthRecovery #HereditaryCancerAwareness #LifeAfterSurgery #BumpInTheRoad #HealingOutLoud

***************************************************************************

If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

• United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
• Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
• Worldwide: Find a Helpline
• Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub

Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles

• Official Website: goesoninourheads.net
• Facebook: