Ten Percent Happier
September 13, 2021

#378. Life, Interrupted | Suleika Jaouad

Here’s a thought experiment: how would you handle it if you got a terrible diagnosis?

Of course, many of us have no choice. That’s the situation Suleika Jaouad faced when she got gravely ill at a very young age. She had to figure out how to have a sense of agency when so much was out of her control, and how to stay awake and present when her life was hanging in the balance. 

Suleika Jaouad is a journalist, author, speaker, cancer survivor, and the author of a book called Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted. She is also the creator of “Life, Interrupted,” the Emmy award-winning New York Times column and video series that she created from her hospital bed. 

In this conversation, we talk about: Suleika’s journey from being diagnosed with leukemia as a young adult to her recovery today; managing your emotions in excruciating situations; handling an ocean of uncertainty; feeding your need for creativity and productivity when your body is in mutiny mode; and the immense value of strategically going easy on yourself, especially when you’re an ambitious person. 


Where to find Suleika Jaouad online: 

Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/

Social Media:

Book Mentioned: Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted


Other Resources Mentioned: