Joshua Cassidy: “Our challenges hold the keys to unlocking our superpowers. And you already have so much power in you.”
Joshua Cassidy was born in Ottawa on November 15, 1984. Diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in the spine and abdomen just weeks after birth, he faced a grim prognosis.
Despite being given a very low chance of survival, through a combination of medicine, family prayer, and a will to live, Joshua survived. The damage done to his spinal cord left his legs partially paralyzed.
Where many saw obstacles ahead, this young boy saw opportunities.
Today, Cassidy stands as a three-time Paralympian in wheelchair racing and a 31-time Canadian champion.
Beyond his athletic achievements, he passionately shares his inspirational journey through speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching sessions.
Leveraging his experiences, he distills key insights and practices, applying these tools to empower others in overcoming the challenges they encounter while pursuing their own goals.
Learn more about his story in this interview.
1. What did cancer mean in your life?
Since I was born with cancer, I was too young to consciously understand what was happening to me. The most significant impact was the permanent damage done to my spinal cord, leaving my legs partially paralyzed. The first six years of my life were frequently spent in hospitals. Post-cancer treatment, I underwent several corrective surgeries. I have vivid memories from the age of three, and those years certainly shaped who I am today.
2. What is your opinion on the term survivor? Do you think it defines you?
I do see myself as a survivor, as some innate part of me fought through that battle as an infant, with the help of doctors and an abundance of love and prayers from family.
However, the word "survivor" doesn’t resonate deeply with me, as true as it may be. As I've gotten older, I have been more focused on thriving than surviving. When we thrive, we are certainly surviving. It’s a focus on something higher.
Sometimes we have to just survive through moments, months, or years. When I’ve been at the bottom, there’s something in me that gets me motivated to rise up higher than ever. Easier said than done, but using our struggles as fuel is very powerful. It’s helpful to have the mindset and energetic approach of aiming for much more. To trust that all is well, feeling the future result can bring forth our desired results with much more ease.
3. What would you say to other young people and children with cancer?
I find it more challenging as an adult and father to see children fighting cancer. My empathy and compassion run deep, wanting to take the pain away from them. But the best thing I can do is share what I have learned in the battles of fighting physical and emotional pains in life. I’d say the same thing I say to myself: “Keep fighting, keep believing. You are so strong. What feels really hard and difficult right now will make you stronger. Trick your mind into believing the hard fight is as small and easy as possible. Keep breathing. And keep having as much fun as you can. This will be a past memory soon. Our challenges hold the keys to unlocking our superpowers. And you already have so much power in you.”
4. How do you manage to see opportunities where many saw obstacles ahead?
I know that challenges are there for us to learn and grow. They make us stronger. The best analogy I use is with training or working out in a gym. We lift weights that are heavy and put stress on our bodies. But after a period of dedicated, repetitive exercise, we get stronger. Our baseline for what we can handle in life is higher. There are always going to be struggles in life. It’s just a matter of figuring out how to overcome them. It takes figuring out how to adapt, dedication, and patience—and, most importantly, believing. Even when the outside factors are showing something different. Defy the odds. Anything is possible.
5. What were the key factors that helped you overcome hardships and build a life of success, love, and happiness?
It’s impossible to go through life without facing hardship and difficult times. Embracing our struggles is a very challenging thing. But when we realize there are always going to be waves in life, storms always pass. In the storm, we can breathe and create more ease within ourselves to find calm to help us get through. Riding the waves gets easier. It’s all about learning and growth. And we have so much power within us.
