The King of Chemo: Iain Ward on Finding Purpose After a Terminal Diagnosis

TOM — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 +0100

In the very first episode of Unvincible, host Simon Jefferies sits down with Iain Ward, better known online as The King of Chemo, for an honest, funny and unexpectedly uplifting conversation about life after a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Iain was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer aged 31 in 2019, despite having no symptoms at all. What followed wasn’t the reaction most people would expect. Instead of letting the diagnosis define him, Iain decided to turn it into purpose: documenting his journey online, taking on endurance challenges while undergoing chemotherapy, and attempting to break the world record for the most money ever raised through marathon running. Since then, he’s built a community of millions and raised over £700,000 for charity.

Throughout the episode, Iain and Simon explore the mindset shift that comes when you realise life isn’t guaranteed, why so many people assume “it won’t happen to me”, and the importance of purpose, humour and preparing for the unexpected. From mortality and masculinity to travel insurance and marathon running on chemo, this is a conversation that challenges what resilience really looks like.

💥 This episode is brought to you by TOM Insurance
If you’d like to learn more about life insurance, income protection or critical illness cover, visit:
👉 TOM

🔥 Find our guest and show details here:

Iain Ward → instagram.com/thekingofchemo
The King of Chemo → thekingofchemo.com
Donate to Iain’s fundraising mission → thekingofchemo.com/#donate
Host – Simon Jefferies → instagram.com/the.natural.edge/
Follow the show → instagram.com/unvincible_pod/

⏱️ Chapters:

(00:00:00) – Introduction & meeting The King of Chemo

(00:03:20) – The diagnosis that came completely out of nowhere

(00:08:11) – Awake brain surgery and facing the unknown

(00:12:47) – Choosing purpose over self-pity

(00:17:58) – Running marathons whilst on chemotherapy

(00:22:36) – The pressure of masculinity and staying “strong”

(00:28:04) – Mental fitness, routine and controlling mindset

(00:33:41) – “You never think it’ll happen to you”

(00:38:55) – Humour, perspective and learning to live differently

(00:45:12) – What really matters when time feels limited

⚡ Thanks for listening to Unvincible ⚡

Subscribe for more conversations about resilience, responsibility, identity and the moments that force us to rethink what really matters. Because life doesn’t always go to plan, and pretending we’re invincible doesn’t make us safe.

Unvincible: Trailer

TOM — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:57:10 +0100

Unvincible, hosted by Simon Jefferies, is a podcast about the moments that change us — the setbacks, wake-up calls and unexpected turns that force us to rethink what really matters. Through honest, grounded conversations, the show explores resilience, responsibility and the mindset shifts that happen when life doesn’t go to plan.

Brought to you by TOM Insurance.

Unvincible is a podcast brought to you by TOM, a trading style of Candid Insurance Services Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The content of this podcast is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Terms and conditions may apply. (edited)