Ep. 277 - Facing Death while Finding Peace w/Christophe van Durme
Sometimes life sneaks up on you and you have no choice but to face the dark corners we wish we could avoid. My guest today, Christophe van Durme is facing an impossibly difficult challenge of brain cancer as a young father. When i met Chris and saw the way he was handling his prognosis and building a legacy for his family, I knew I had to bring him to you.
Christophe talks through fear, multiple surgeries, paralysis, future plans that shifted overnight, and the quiet moments he holds onto anyway. It’s steady, honest, and strangely clarifying. There’s something about the way he speaks that pulls you closer to your own life instead of pushing you into dread.
Christophe shares what it means to live with brain cancer while raising a young daughter, holding onto hope, and planning for a future he might not fully get to see. He breaks down the reality of navigating treatment, rebuilding his body, losing parts of his independence, and still choosing connection. He also talks about the private podcast he’s recording for his child so she’ll always know his voice. This conversation is unfiltered, grounded, and full of the kind of truth most people only reach for when everything else falls away.
What You'll Learn:
How a brain cancer survivor story can shift your perspective without sinking your hope
What day-to-day life actually looks like when you’re living with brain cancer
How people find meaning inside fear, not after it
What legacy looks like when you strip out ego, performance, and pressure
Why tiny human moments hold more weight than the big milestones
How honesty creates connection even in the darkest circumstances
Links & Resources:
Christophe van Durme - LinkedIn
Profitivisime(nonprofit discussed)
Allison’s links:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/allison__hare
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonhare/
Website:https://allisonhare.com
Free clarity call:https://go.allisonhare.com/45-min-call
Notable Quotables:
“The only choice we get is how awake we want to be while it’s happening.”(01:20)
“My goal is simple. Leave the planet in a better state than if I hadn’t been here.”(15:05)
“Life is better than no life.”(35:10)
“Joy exists inside pain.”(57:30)
“I fear not being there next week.”(49:59)\
Timestamps:
00:00 — Why this story matters
02:30 — The moment everything changed
04:00 — Diagnosis at 17
06:35 — Tumor quadruples in size
09:50 — Awake brain surgery
13:10 — Preparing to die
20:30 — Emotional fallout and identity
24:45 — A friend’s philosophy that shifted everything
28:58 — MRI the day after his daughter’s birth
32:40 — Paralysis and rebuilding
35:37 — Why he still wanted kids
39:34 — The private podcast for his daughter
49:03 — Recovery, setbacks, and resilience
49:59 — Fear, honesty, and what he still hopes for
55:59 — Choosing a joyful funeral
57:32 — A reminder about being alive
Tips & Takeaways:
Meaning shows up when you stop pretending you’re fine.
The smallest moments end up being the ones that matter.
Be sure to rate, review, and follow this podcast on your player and also, connect with me IRL for more goodness and life-changing stuff.Want to know your Podcast Personality Type? Take the free quiz at allisonhare.com/personality —it’s freakishly accurate and will show you how to create connection-driven content that fits you.
And if you’re ready to build a show that fuels your brand and attracts your dream clients, book a free clarity call atallisonhare.com/freecall.
What kind of support would you like for your podcast growth and success?
Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website to continue this conversation about building the communities we desperately need.
Allison Hare's Links
Be sure to rate, review, and follow this podcast on your player and also, connect with me IRL for more goodness and life-changing stuff.
Schedule a FREE podcast clarity call with me - Your future audience is out there. Talk to them!
DOWNLOAD the free podcast equipment guide- No guesswork, no google rabbit holes, start recording today
Reb3l Dance Fitness - Try it at home! Free month with this link.
Personal Brand - need help building yours? Schedule a call with me here and let's discuss.
Feedback and Contact:: [email protected]
