“Your pain doesn’t define you—what you choose to do with it does. If you can find meaning in the midst of the storm, you’ve already begun to heal.”
— Andy Campbell
When faced with unimaginable adversity, some people fall apart—while others rise and become a light for those still in the darkness. Andy Campbell is one of those rare individuals whose journey through stage 4 pancreatic cancer, personal trauma, and profound grief has transformed into a mission of hope and healing. A survivor, speaker, and author of Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges and Setbacks, Andy has dedicated his life to helping others find strength in the storm. At the heart of his message are his 15 Core Beliefs—a powerful set of guiding principles that have helped him not only survive, but thrive.
In this deeply moving interview, Andy sits down with Stacey Chillemi to share the story behind his diagnosis, the loss of his son, and how he rebuilt his life from the ground up. With raw honesty and unwavering faith, he opens up about the mindset shifts, integrative approaches, and spiritual awakenings that carried him through. Whether you’re navigating illness, grief, or any form of personal struggle, Andy’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, meaning, and the courage to never quit.
Thank you so much for joining us, Andy! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thank you so much for having me. It’s truly a privilege to be here and share this space. My journey began in a way that many people would never expect. I was having abdominal pain and, after some encouragement from my wife, went to my doctor. Initially, it seemed like gallbladder issues—but things escalated quickly. The ultrasound revealed lesions on my liver, and shortly after that, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That moment shattered me. I broke down. But what shifted everything was the encouragement of my physician, who believed we had a shot and told me not to give up. His words gave me something to hold on to, and that became the foundation of how I faced everything that followed.
What was going through your mind after receiving that diagnosis?
Honestly, I crumbled. The fear, the trauma of having watched cancer take my mother and her sisters—it all came flooding in. I felt like I had finally met the fate I feared most. But what helped me immensely was my physician’s perspective. He didn’t give me false hope; he gave me meaningful hope. He explained that while the statistics looked grim, statistics don’t define individuals. For each person, it’s 50/50—you either make it or you don’t. That mindset gave me permission to fight, and to believe I was capable of being on the side that lives.
How did you find the strength to move forward after that initial shock?
The strength came in small moments—deciding to go to appointments, saying yes to treatments, and revisiting the scraps of paper where I’d written down thoughts and beliefs over the years. Those notes became my compass. They evolved into what I now call my 15 Core Beliefs. These beliefs helped me make sense of things when everything around me felt like chaos. They reminded me that I came from strong people, and that maybe—just maybe—I could be an example of strength for others, too.
What are your 15 Core Beliefs, and how did they help shape your path?
They’re life principles I wrote to guide myself when I was in the trenches. One that stands out is, “No one outruns the universe.” It reminds me that we all have a fate, and fighting it is futile. What we can do, however, is choose how we live within the reality we’re given. Other beliefs like “Be insatiably curious” and “Equations are constant; variables change” gave me tools to interpret setbacks differently. These beliefs anchored me when I felt unmoored.
Can you share an example of how one of those beliefs guided a major decision?
Absolutely. At one point, chemotherapy was both working and killing me. I had to choose between continuing a treatment that was eroding my body or stepping into the unknown. I realized that it wasn’t the decision itself that was hard—it was the potential consequences. That led me to this belief: “There are no hard decisions, only hard consequences.” I stopped chemo, and it was terrifying. But that decision made me eligible for a clinical trial that may have saved my life. The outcomes we fear may actually open doors we can’t yet see.
How did you mentally prepare for such a major shift in treatment?
I listened deeply to my intuition and leaned on my beliefs. I also reminded myself that fear of the unknown is often worse than the reality itself. Once I accepted that I was making the right choice, even if the consequences were difficult, I could finally breathe again. And ironically, stepping away from chemo led to a discovery—my daughter found a clinical trial that matched my exact genetic mutation. That trial became my next step forward.
What helped you keep going emotionally during all of this?
It was a combination of faith, my family, and the belief that even if the odds were against me, my story wasn’t finished. I found meaning in the chaos. Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning was instrumental in helping me understand the role of purpose. People can survive almost anything if they have meaning—and for me, that meaning was my family. I wanted to be here for them, even if it was just for one more day.
You also endured the tragic loss of your son. How did that impact your belief system?
Losing my son to suicide shattered me in a way that nothing else ever had. I felt paralyzed by the grief. But over time, I realized I couldn’t stay stuck in that emotional place. I envisioned myself face down in the mud, unable to move—but I could claw forward. Inch by inch, I began to rise. I relied on the belief that “Equations are constant; variables change.” The pain was constant, but the way we experienced it could change. That belief gave me room to hope again.
What would you say to someone currently experiencing unbearable grief or adversity?
Don’t quit. Give time the chance to work. The pain may not go away, but it can change. Compete only with yourself. Everyone’s healing journey is different. You might crawl, you might stumble, but keep moving forward. Even if you’re holding on by a thread, hold on. Your life is meaningful, and your story could help someone else survive their darkest hour.
How important is mindset in navigating life’s toughest moments?
It’s everything. The moment I chose to find meaning rather than just hold onto hope was the moment things began to shift. Hope is fragile—it can burn out. But meaning gives you a reason to get up, even when everything hurts. When you decide to live with meaning, your entire perspective transforms. That’s the power of mindset—it changes how you experience every moment, even the painful ones.
How did you discover integrative approaches to healing, and what role did they play?
My doctor introduced me to acupuncture, guided imagery, and energy work early in my treatment. At first, I was skeptical, but I stayed open. Acupuncture restored my energy after chemo sessions. Guided imagery helped me visualize healing. I also used supplements, chiropractic care, and meditation to strengthen my body and mind. I realized that healing wasn’t just about killing cancer cells—it was about creating the internal conditions for life to flourish again.
You described cancer as a “werewolf that needs many silver bullets.” Can you explain that?
I’ve always believed that complex problems require multifaceted solutions. There’s no magic bullet for cancer, trauma, or grief. You need everything—Western medicine, Eastern therapies, spiritual practices, emotional healing. I did everything I could to sustain my energy, weaken the cancer, and give my body a fighting chance. The more support I had, the more resilient I became.
How has gratitude played a role in your healing process?
Gratitude has become one of the most important spiritual practices in my life. I used to rush through the day without noticing the sky. Now, I pause. I look at the sky, feel the ground beneath my feet, breathe deeply—and I feel a profound appreciation for being alive. I’m not grateful for the pain, but I’m grateful for the clarity and presence it has brought. Oxygen, sunlight, birdsong—these little miracles sustain me.
Why do you believe nature plays such a vital role in healing?
Because nature reminds us of what is real and eternal. Man-made environments are loud, fast, and anxiety-inducing. Nature, on the other hand, heals. My son, who now travels the world, reminds people to “go out there”—into the unmanmade, the sacred, the stillness. Nature quiets the noise. It allows you to just be. And when you’re sitting with the trees, the mountains, the Earth—you remember that you’re part of something far greater than your suffering.
What message do you hope to share with others facing impossible situations?
That survival is possible. That finding meaning can be your lifeline. That if you stay long enough, the universe may be aligning things in your favor right now, even if you can’t see it yet. Please, don’t give up. If you can find something to love—anything—you can find a reason to keep going. Love is stronger than fear. And your life is a thread that weaves into the lives of others, in ways you may never see.
What are a couple of core ideas you’d love for our readers to remember from today?
First, be religious only about religion. Don’t apply inflexible dogma to everything in life—especially not to relationships, healing, or recovery. And second, be insatiably curious. Ask questions. Explore therapies. Investigate your healing. Curiosity is what led me to EMDR, guided imagery, and energy work. It might just lead you to the very thing that saves your life—or your spirit.
Can you tell us about your book, Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges and Setbacks?
The book is a collection of my 15 Core Beliefs, woven together with stories from my life—cancer, grief, trauma, and survival. I didn’t want to just recount my pain. I wanted to share the mindset and principles that helped me move through it. It’s for anyone who feels like they’re at the edge. If even one person reads a single line and finds strength for one more day, then writing it was worth it.
Where can our readers learn more about your work and purchase your book?
The best place to stay connected with my work is AskAndyCampbell.com. There, you’ll find reflections on my journey, resources for navigating adversity, and ways to connect with me directly. I also speak at events—both virtually and in person—to share the deeper lessons behind the 15 Core Beliefs. If you’d like to dive into the full story and explore the mindset that helped me overcome life’s toughest setbacks, you can find my book Overcoming Life’s Toughest Challenges and Setbacks on Amazon here.
Thank you so much for sharing your powerful story today. Your strength, resilience, and the wisdom behind your 15 Core Beliefs were incredibly moving and inspiring. This conversation will stay with me.
Thank you so much. I really appreciated being here. It’s not always easy to share the hard parts, but knowing it might help someone makes it worthwhile. And thank you for creating this space—it’s a gift.
