Podcast Summary: I AM HealingStrong – Episode 123
Title: Fear, Purpose, Multiple Cancer Diagnoses and Brain Cancer | Scott Hamilton Part 2
Date: February 15, 2026
Host: Jim Mann (HealingStrong)
Guest: Scott Hamilton (Olympic Gold Medalist, Cancer Survivor, Founder of CARES Foundation)
Episode Overview
This episode continues Jim Mann’s inspiring conversation with figure skating legend Scott Hamilton. As a multi-time cancer survivor, Hamilton shares wisdom on facing fear, finding purpose, and drawing strength through multiple cancer diagnoses—including brain cancer. The conversation encompasses Scott’s advocacy through the CARES Foundation, his focus on education and patient empowerment, authentic living, and his deep faith. Listeners gain practical encouragement for difficult diagnoses and an honest, uplifting perspective on resilience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Resilience: Learning to Get Up After Every Fall
- Metaphor of Falling in Skating and Life
- Scott recounts falling 41,600 times on the ice and stresses the importance of getting back up.
"When you get up 41,600 times, the next fall has very little meaning, you know... That’s kind of the metaphor for all of this. You're going to get knocked down. It's how you get up."
[00:08] [14:56]
- Scott recounts falling 41,600 times on the ice and stresses the importance of getting back up.
2. CARES Foundation & Advocacy
- Origins and Fourth Angel Mentorship
- CARES Foundation began as gratitude to Cleveland Clinic; evolved to include "Fourth Angel," a mentorship program matching cancer survivors with patients.
"What’s missing in your cancer journey is your fourth angel...somebody who’s been there, done that, that can mentor you and work as a role model."
[01:19] - The program now matches 100 pairs monthly, including pediatric caregivers.
- CARES Foundation began as gratitude to Cleveland Clinic; evolved to include "Fourth Angel," a mentorship program matching cancer survivors with patients.
- ChemoCare.com: Making Information Accessible
- Scott describes the challenge of understanding medical jargon after his diagnosis, leading to the creation of ChemoCare.com, a resource for patients in accessible language.
"All I found was a medical journal paper that had 12-syllable words in it...I thought, I’m too dumb to be sick...So, for five years, I was the organ grinder’s monkey to raise enough money to build chemocare.com."
[03:02]
- Scott describes the challenge of understanding medical jargon after his diagnosis, leading to the creation of ChemoCare.com, a resource for patients in accessible language.
- Funding Research & The Promise of Immunotherapy
- The CARES Foundation pivots to supporting cutting-edge treatments (especially immunotherapy), aiming to treat the cancer and spare patients harm.
"The promise of immunotherapy is real, and we need to get behind that...Our bodies created the cancer...It's not naive to think our bodies can't recognize and destroy it."
[05:55]
- The CARES Foundation pivots to supporting cutting-edge treatments (especially immunotherapy), aiming to treat the cancer and spare patients harm.
3. Personal Experience: Getting Strong in Every Area
- Facing Recurring Illness
- After receiving a third brain tumor diagnosis, Scott’s instinct was to “get strong”—physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
"Everything in my spirit said, get strong...I had no idea what that looked like, but that's all my body would let me do."
[08:10]
- After receiving a third brain tumor diagnosis, Scott’s instinct was to “get strong”—physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
- Faith as Sustenance
- He speaks of daily time in the Bible (the Word) as a continual source of new insight and encouragement.
"The Word is alive...I've read that passage 15 times. Why is it hitting me different today?"
[09:04]
- He speaks of daily time in the Bible (the Word) as a continual source of new insight and encouragement.
- Healthy Practices & Choices
- Scott elaborates on the importance of clean eating and water, intentional life choices, and highlights how his family prioritizes filtered water and healthy living.
"The most important thing I do in our home is to make sure...we're only drinking filtered and treated water." [20:21]
- Scott elaborates on the importance of clean eating and water, intentional life choices, and highlights how his family prioritizes filtered water and healthy living.
4. Purpose, Public Life, and Authenticity
- Leveraging Fame for Good
- Discusses why his Olympic legacy endures, credits “likability” and a desire to connect sincerely with people.
"People like me. And he goes, wow, that’s a superpower. Likability...Sincerity is not something you dredge up." [10:23]
- Discusses why his Olympic legacy endures, credits “likability” and a desire to connect sincerely with people.
- Audience Engagement Philosophy
- Always aimed to “get that guy on his feet” in audiences; strived to make figure skating accessible—and fun—for everyone.
"If I could get that guy on his feet, I could skate forever." [12:00]
- Always aimed to “get that guy on his feet” in audiences; strived to make figure skating accessible—and fun—for everyone.
5. Encouragement for Those Newly Diagnosed
- Seeking Many Opinions: Education is Power
- Scott urges listeners to go beyond just a second opinion—seek multiple views to better understand treatment options.
“I don’t believe in second opinions. I believe in seventh opinions... understanding your condition [is vital] so you can make the best possible choice."
[16:02]
- Scott urges listeners to go beyond just a second opinion—seek multiple views to better understand treatment options.
- Hope Through Change and Progress in Cancer Care
- He highlights ongoing research, new treatments, and centers of excellence; encourages patients to investigate and advocate for themselves.
"Cancer is changing every day...You have to spend some time to find out."
[19:04]
- He highlights ongoing research, new treatments, and centers of excellence; encourages patients to investigate and advocate for themselves.
- Importance of Wholeness: Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual
- Recommends approaching healing from all four areas for the best chance at a full and satisfying life. [20:02]
6. Community, Collaboration, and CARES Foundation’s Role
- Collaboration Trumps Competition in Cancer Research
- The Foundation values alliance and partnership, collaborating with other organizations and researchers.
"Silos don’t work in cancer...We’re a collaborative organization."
[21:38]
- The Foundation values alliance and partnership, collaborating with other organizations and researchers.
- Meaningful Progress in Melanoma Research
- Scott shares hope as research supported by the foundation (inspired by his mother’s death) enters clinical trials.
“The disease that killed my mom is now in clinical trial...I pray that this research...becomes standard of care.”
[22:47]
- Scott shares hope as research supported by the foundation (inspired by his mother’s death) enters clinical trials.
- How to Get Involved/Support
- Listeners can join the mission via www.scottcares.org and the “1984 Campaign.” [21:38]
7. Living with the Fruits of the Spirit
- Spiritual Legacy
- Scott keeps the fruits of the spirit in his closet, aiming to embody them daily.
"I figure if I can live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control every single day, the rest of my days are going to be pretty good."
[26:03]
- Scott keeps the fruits of the spirit in his closet, aiming to embody them daily.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Repeated Failure and Resilience:
"I've only fallen on the ice, estimated 41,600 times...When you get up 41,600 times, the next fall has very little meaning." —Scott Hamilton [00:08, 14:56]
- On Mentorship:
"What's missing in your cancer journey is your fourth angel...somebody who's been there, done that..." —Scott Hamilton [01:19]
- On Understanding Medical Information:
"I thought, I'm too dumb to be sick...so for five years, I was the organ grinder’s monkey to raise enough money to build chemocare.com." —Scott Hamilton [03:02]
- On Faith During Health Battles:
"The Word is alive...I've read that passage 15 times. Why is it hitting me different today?" —Scott Hamilton [09:04]
- On Patient Advocacy:
"I don’t believe in second opinions. I believe in seventh opinions." —Scott Hamilton [16:02]
- On Health Choices:
"The most important thing I do in our home is... we’re only drinking filtered and treated water." —Scott Hamilton [20:21]
- On Living with Joy and Purpose:
"I figure if I can live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control every single day, the rest of my days are going to be pretty good." —Scott Hamilton [26:03]
Important Timestamps
- 00:08 – Introduction; metaphor of falling and resilience
- 01:19 – Origin of CARES Foundation, Fourth Angel Program
- 03:02 – Creation of ChemoCare.com; need for accessible cancer information
- 05:55 – Focus on immunotherapy and next-gen research
- 08:10 – “Get strong” philosophy after new brain tumor diagnosis
- 10:23 – Scott on likability, public connection, and legacy
- 12:00 – “Getting that guy on his feet”: engaging all audiences
- 16:02 – Advice for freshly diagnosed cancer patients: seek many opinions
- 20:21 – Food and water choices, prioritizing personal/family wellness
- 21:38 – How CARES Foundation collaborates, supports new research
- 22:47 – Melanoma research inspired by mother now in trials
- 26:03 – Fruits of the Spirit as daily spiritual compass
Tone & Takeaways
The episode exudes warmth, humor, and honest encouragement. Scott Hamilton’s upbeat yet grounded approach to life—marked by deep faith, practical action, and relentless curiosity—offers listeners hope and actionable wisdom, whether they’re facing illness, challenge, or seeking to make an impact. The message: You’ll fall, but how you rise—stronger in body, mind, and spirit—can transform your journey and give it new purpose.
Get Involved:
Learn more about the CARES Foundation or join their mission at www.scottcares.org.