An Interview with Jarryd Nurden: A Journey Through Cancer, Healing, and Triumph  

When I first sat down with Jarryd Nurden, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew he was an actor, a model, and a performer with a story to tell, but I didn’t realise just how deeply his journey would resonate with me. Jarryd’s story isn’t just about surviving cancer—it’s about transformation, about finding meaning in the chaos, and about the incredible strength of the human spirit.  

The Diagnosis: A Life Turned Upside Down  

I started by asking Jarryd about the moment his life changed forever.  

It was 2022, he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. I was doing a pantomime and had just moved to the UK. I’d been feeling off—like I had the flu or something—so I went to the emergency room. They did an X-ray, and that’s when they found it: a mass in my left lung.  

He paused, as if reliving the moment. I’d actually known about it for years. I thought it was from a drowning accident I had when I was younger, so I didn’t think much of it. But the NHS wanted to investigate further. 

Two months later, Jarryd had a follow-up appointment in London. That morning, he’d signed his debut West End contract to perform in We Will Rock You. It was such a high, he said, his face lighting up at the memory. I thought, This is it—my big break! But that afternoon, the specialist told me the mass had grown and needed to be removed. He thought it was benign, but still, it was a lot to process.

I could see the weight of that moment in his eyes. “How did you handle that emotional whiplash? I asked.  

He sighed. It was surreal. One minute, I’m on cloud nine, thinking, ‘This is my moment.’ The next, I’m being told I need surgery. I tried to stay present, though. I didn’t want to let fear take over. But it was hard. I kept thinking, ‘Why now? Why me? 

Cancer as a Teacher: A Spiritual Perspective  

Jarryd’s perspective on his diagnosis was what struck me most. He didn’t just see cancer as an illness—he saw it as a teacher.  

For me, cancer wasn’t just a physical thing, he explained. “It was a spiritual journey. I believe it was karmic, a consequence of choices I’d made earlier in life. I had to take accountability for how I’d treated my body, for the abuse I’d endured, and for the ways I’d coped with that trauma.”  

He leaned forward, his voice intense. Cancer forced me to confront my past and take responsibility for my healing. It taught me about karma, the importance of self-love, and the power of being present. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about growing.  

I asked him if he thought cancer had lessons for the people around the person going through it, too.  

Absolutely, he said without hesitation. I think cancer teaches everyone—the person going through it, their family, their friends, even society. It forces us to confront our fears, to reevaluate what really matters, and to connect on a deeper level. It’s a collective lesson in empathy, compassion, and resilience.

The Power of Presence: Navigating the Unknown  

One of the most powerful themes in Jarryd’s story was his emphasis on staying present.  

Being present was my lifeline, he told me. When you’re faced with something like cancer, it’s easy to get lost in the ‘what ifs’ and the fear. But the only way through is to stay in the moment. 

He described how he practiced this during his darkest days. There were nights in the hospital when I couldn’t sleep because of the pain. I’d just focus on my breath, in and out, and remind myself, ‘This moment is all you have. Just get through this moment.’ It sounds simple, but it kept me grounded. 

I could feel the weight of his words. How did staying present help you during your treatments I asked.  

It gave me a sense of control, he said. When you’re in the hospital, in pain, and unsure of what’s going to happen next, it’s easy to spiral. But being present allowed me to focus on what I could control—my breath, my thoughts, my choices. It gave me a sense of agency in a situation where it’s easy to feel powerless.  

The Long Road to Healing  

Jarryd’s recovery was anything but straightforward.  

After the first surgery, I kept getting infections, he recalled. They’d stick needles into my back to try to drain the fluid, but it didn’t work. I felt like I was dying. 

Eventually, he had a third surgery to clean out the infection. It was brutal, he said, his voice heavy with the memory. But even then, the healing was slow. I had a chest drain for months, and I was in constant pain. It was a really dark time. 

I asked him how he found the strength to keep going.  

I had to dig deep, he said. “I had to remind myself that I wasn’t a victim. I had the power to choose how I responded to what was happening to me. And I had my earth angels—my friends, my family, my medical team. They carried me through when I didn’t think I could keep going.  

The Comeback: Returning to the Stage  

Jarryd’s return to the stage was nothing short of miraculous.  

After months of rehab, I was offered a role in the international tour of Chicago, he said, a smile breaking through. At first, I wasn’t sure I was ready, but I decided to go for it.

The rehearsals were intense. I only had one day to learn a whole new track in the show, he recalled. It was sink or swim. But my body remembered what to do. I think being so present helped—it slowed everything down and allowed me to absorb the information. 

I asked him what it was like performing again after everything he’d been through.  

“It was euphoric, he said, his eyes shining. I took my bow on opening night, and I just felt so grateful. Grateful to be alive, grateful to be back on stage, grateful to everyone who had helped me get there. It felt like the top of Mount Everest.  

A Message of Hope  

As our conversation wound down, I asked Jarryd what he would say to someone going through a similar experience.  

Hold onto hope, he said firmly. Healing is possible. Miracles happen. But it’s also important to take your power back. Don’t let fear or anger consume you. Stay present, listen to your intuition, and lean on your support system. 

He paused, then added, And remember, you’re not a victim. You have the power to choose how you respond to what’s happening to you. That choice can change everything.

As I left the interview, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. Jarryd’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is light.