Can you imagine the irony of being a neuroscientist having studied tumours your entire academic career - and then being told, in your thirties, that you have a brain tumour? Fast forward five years, having healed your brain tumour - only to be diagnosed again with a spine tumour. This is the real-life story told today on The Forties Formula podcast. Hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with DR. SARAH NAMI AHN —a UCLA-trained neuroscientist, fashion entrepreneur, tumour survivor and mother of two—who takes us on a wild, vulnerable ride through a double tumour diagnosis, ICU hallucinations, and a legit spiritual awakening. Part science, part survival, part sass—Sarah’s (true!) story is proof that midlife can be terrifying, hilarious, and unexpectedly luminous all at once. In this episode, we explore: Why certain types of brain tumours affect more women than men What it’s like to survive a near-death experience in an ICU Her journey through pain, despair, and every healing modality under the sun How science and spirituality can work together to heal us May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month , and if you've ever been touched by tumour, felt symptoms that weren't quite right, or worried for a loved one - please listen to Sarah's story about what is possible, and the assurance that there can be a full, robust life after near-death. 🎧 Listen now to The Forties Formula —and if this episode moved you, forward it to a woman who might be navigating her own unexpected chapter. _____________ Chapters 00:00 Dr. Sarah Ahn’s ICU hallucinations and near-death moment 06:00 Surviving a brain tumour diagnosis while raising young kids 10:30 What women need to know about tumours and misdiagnosis 19:00 Post-op delusions, fentanyl, and finding meaning 24:00 How she coped with pain, fear, and feeling like a “bad patient” 28:00 Life after surgery and redefining resilience 32:00 The discovery of her second tumour—and a deeper health spiral 36:00 Chronic pain, despair, and exploring alternative healing 41:00 From Botox to bioresonance: Sarah’s healing experiments 46:00 Embracing energy work and spiritual tools for pain management 50:00 Microdosing, psychedelic therapy, and one terrifying trip 55:00 What she learned from pain—and how she lives differently now _____________ Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: 🥩 The Meat Club – Get $12 off your first order with code TFF12 ______________ 📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Friday FOURPlay newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!
