The Dr. Josh Axe Show

Episode: "I Was Given 90 Days to Live… How Jordan Rubin Survived the Deadliest Diagnosis"

Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Guest: Jordan Rubin

Episode Overview

This inspiring episode features Jordan Rubin, renowned for overcoming Crohn’s disease, who shares the deeply personal story of conquering an aggressive, metastatic cancer diagnosis after being given a 0% chance of survival without conventional treatment. Dr. Axe and Jordan explore the intersection of faith, emotional healing, and intensive natural therapies, revealing strategies derived from biblical principles, nutrition, and the power of mindset. The discussion highlights practical steps for battling cancer, the emotional-spiritual components of healing, and a detailed look at Jordan's unique protocol as captured in his latest book, The Biblio Diet.

Key Discussion Points

1. Jordan Rubin’s Cancer Journey

• Initial Diagnosis & Emotional Impact

  • Jordan describes the shock of his cancer diagnosis during what should have been a routine hernia surgery ([03:48]):

    "The doctor told me, ‘Jordan, you didn’t have a hernia. You have cancer.’ And this was the shock of all shocks."
    (Jordan Rubin, [04:53])

  • He had previously helped others recover from cancer and had written about natural healing, making his diagnosis even more bewildering.

• Medical Prognosis & Decision Point

  • The oncologist’s grim warning ([08:53]):

    "If you do not get conventional treatment, you have a 100% chance of being dead in 90 days."
    (Jordan Rubin, [09:48])

  • Jordan’s faith-driven response:

    "I said to the doctor, I believe God's going to heal me. And he said, 'I was afraid you’d say that.' I read about you."
    (Jordan Rubin, [10:17])

• Choosing a Healing Path Focused on Faith and Action

  • Rubin decided not to own the “cancer patient” identity and intentionally limited communication to only those who supported his belief in healing ([15:40]).
  • He unplugged from work for 40 days to dedicate himself to a full-time healing protocol.

• Faith, Mindset, and the "Job’s Prayer"

  • Continuing faith despite doubt and fear, Rubin would pray Job’s prayer ([08:53]):

    "Naked I came into this earth and naked I shall return. It is the Lord who gives and the Lord who takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
    (Jordan Rubin, [09:16])

  • He emphasized not adopting a victim mentality and saw his ordeal as an opportunity for a powerful testimony.

2. Jordan's Intensive Healing Protocol

• Core Components ([15:40], [39:24]):

  • Diet: All-raw, nutrient-dense diet including raw beef and fish (ceviche), raw egg smoothies, green juices, and special vegetable and fruit combinations such as cucumber, berries, and raw coconut.
  • Supplements & Botanicals: Systemic enzymes, probiotics/postbiotics (SBOs), organ supplements, plant stem cell therapy (GEMO therapy).
  • Therapies: Daily infrared sauna (2+ hours), lymphatic massage with biblical essential oils, sunshine exposure, breathwork, and lymphatic drainage.
  • Spiritual Practice: Structured “healing prayer” three times daily, based on Scripture and declarations of faith in healing.
  • Emotional & Relational Healing: Process of total forgiveness (guided by Dr. Alex Lloyd)—listing and addressing every old memory or grudge ([28:25]).

• Dedication and Routine

  • Spent 14 hours a day for 40 days on his healing protocol ([39:24]).
  • Avoided anyone who questioned his approach, focusing solely on positive belief and action.

3. The Role of Spirit, Emotions, and Mindset

• Spiritual Battle Over Disease

  • Cancer framed as both a physical and spiritual battle:

    "Cancer… it’s more than a disease. It’s something spiritual."
    (Jordan Rubin, [26:24])

  • Encouraged listeners not to "own" a cancer identity:

    "If you have cancer and you’re saying that, cancer has you... I almost didn’t know what you were talking about. It was so odd, I didn’t accept it, I didn’t own it."
    (Jordan Rubin, [28:56])

• Releasing Fear Through Prayer and Forgiveness

  • Rubin’s process involved deep forgiveness exercises to remove emotional trauma and fear ([28:25]-[35:25]).
  • Dr. Axe reinforced this as critical, noting that ancient medicine traditions also see unresolved trauma as root causes of disease ([35:25]-[39:24]).

• Healing Prayer Essentials

  • The prayer consisted of declaring God’s promises, speaking health, and seeing oneself as already healed ([39:24]):

    "You want to talk about God created you to live in his image, to live and not die, created you for great health... Therefore, no tumors, no lesions, no cancer can live in my body."
    (Jordan Rubin, [39:39])

  • The prayer, adapted from Scripture, is included in The Biblio Diet, and both Jordan and Dr. Axe share that it has helped others heal ([35:25], [39:24]).

4. Physical Healing Confirmed

• Bloodwork and Medical Scans

  • Describes the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for lab results but ultimately, after 40 days, achieving completely normal blood markers and a clear CT scan ([21:45]-[24:06]):

    “…the doctor calls… he said, ‘Jordan… your three test results came back… zero, zero, zero.’ I literally started tearing up. This is so amazing.”
    (Jordan Rubin, [21:44])

  • The final CT scan confirmed he was cancer-free, allowing him to joyously share the news with family and friends.

• Committing His Life to Helping Others

  • Jordan’s vow:

    “From that moment on, I made a commitment that I was going to devote the rest of my life to helping people overcome cancer, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.”
    (Jordan Rubin, [24:06])

“The Biblio Diet”: Healing Foods and Protocols

Key Foods Mentioned for Cancer Prevention and Healing ([49:19])

• Olive Oil: Central in Biblical diet, rich in polyphenols.
• Polyphenol-Rich Fruits: Pomegranates, figs, grapes (raisins/wine) – immune boosting and antioxidant.
• Berries: Raspberries, blackberries especially high in ellagic acid.
• Nuts: Walnuts provide ellagitannins.
• Raw Dairy & Eggs: From sheep or goat (A2), raw egg yolks – support detoxification and immune resilience.
• Clean Meats/Fish: Red meat (rare, medium-rare, or ceviche), sockeye salmon (for astaxanthin).
• Vegetables: Cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, parsley, leeks, and melons – cleansing and rich in unique nutrients.
• Raw Honey: Unheated, pure, used for cellular energy.
• Enzymes & Probiotics: For gut and immune health.
• Plant Stem Cells / Herbal Therapies: Including biblical herbs and essential oils.

“Red meat is one of the supreme healing foods on the planet. The wisest man in history, according to God, was King Solomon and he ate red meat every day.”
(Jordan Rubin, [51:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Power of Mindset:

  "If someone uses the word ‘cancer’ a thousand times more than they are using the word ‘healed,’ it makes a huge difference."
  (Jordan Rubin, [28:35])

• On Facing Death and Choosing Faith:

  “My first thought wasn’t ‘woe is me.’ … What an amazing testimony, because who in the world gets a zero percent chance to live?”
  (Jordan Rubin, [09:48])

• On Spiritual Roots of Disease:

  "Cancer… is demonic... The most universal healing is prayer, confession, belief, and forgiveness."
  (Jordan Rubin, [35:15])

• On Prayer as Healing Practice:

  “When I prayed this prayer… it was almost like the demons were holding their ears. It was like piercing the darkness and putting them on notice.”
  (Jordan Rubin, [15:40])

• On Breaking the Cancer Identity:

  "Do not own it. Do not say you are a cancer XYZ or you have cancer. You’ve got to be free of that.”
  (Jordan Rubin, [33:30])

Practical Takeaways & Resources

Steps for Cancer Healing (Summarized by Dr. Axe and Jordan Rubin)

• 1. Spiritual/Mindset:
  • Pray and praise God daily, declaring healing and hope.
  • Release fear and trauma through forgiveness exercises.
• 2. Nutrition:
  • Prioritize an anti-inflammatory, polyphenol-rich, low-sugar, largely raw diet.
  • Emphasize foods validated by ancient wisdom and modern science – raw meats, fish, eggs, olive oil, specific fruits and vegetables.
• 3. Detox & Therapies:
  • Use saunas, lymphatic techniques, essential oils, and breathwork.
• 4. Emotional Support:
  • Surround yourself only with those who believe you will be healed.
  • Seek out community or pastoral support.
• 5. Knowledge and Resources:
  • Dive into The Biblio Diet for protocols, the healing prayer, and a compendium of biblical foods and therapies ([57:00]).
  • Download Chapter 14, “Healing Leaves,” for free at thebibliodiet.com ([57:00]).

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Jordan’s Cancer Diagnosis and Emotional Shock – [03:16] – [09:00]
• Faith and Choosing a Natural Protocol – [09:00] – [15:38]
• 40-Day Cancer Healing Routine – [15:38] – [24:05]
• Verification of Healing (Lab/Scan Results) – [21:45] – [24:05]
• Emotional & Spiritual Work (Forgiveness, Prayer) – [28:25] – [39:24]
• Jordan’s “Healing Prayer” and Daily Routine – [39:24] – [45:28]
• Biblical Nutrition for Cancer Healing – [49:19] – [53:41]
• Reframing Cancer Mindset and Helping Others – [57:00] – [59:31]

Final Thoughts

Jordan Rubin’s extraordinary healing story underscores the foundational role of faith, mindset, and action in overcoming life-threatening illness. The episode is a powerful encouragement for anyone battling cancer or supporting someone who is—demonstrating that healing encompasses spirit, mind, and body, and that ancient wisdom can complement the best of modern understanding. Jordan and Dr. Axe invite listeners to explore these healing strategies in greater depth in The Biblio Diet.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Biblio Diet (book) – biblio diet.com (with free healing chapter download)
• Jordan Rubin on Instagram (@jordanrubin)

Not sure where to start?
Begin by downloading the "Healing Leaves" chapter at thebibliodiet.com, and consider adding daily prayer, forgiveness, and one or two dietary upgrades to begin your own healing journey—one inspired by both science and a rich spiritual tradition.