It Takes Balls

Editor’s Note: Since this episode was published, we were saddened to learn of Christopher’s passing in December 2025. We are deeply grateful to Christopher for sharing his story on the podcast and for the strength, honesty, and hope he brought to our testicular cancer community. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

In this episode of It Takes Balls, 29-year-old Christopher Beck shares his intense and ongoing fight against a rare and aggressive form of testicular cancer - one that didn’t even begin in his testicle.

Christopher opens up about the strange onset of symptoms that eventually led to a stunning diagnosis: embryonal carcinoma presenting as a retroperitoneal mass. Despite having no tumors in his testicles, pathology confirmed testicular cancer, placing him in a rare category of patients with extragonadal germ cell tumors.

What follows is a relentless journey: four rounds of BEP chemotherapy, followed by a post-chemo RPLND at Indiana University. Christopher thought he was in the clear until new scans revealed a recurrence a few months later. What began as one battle turned into two, then three. He entered a clinical trial and underwent high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue.

Now, Christopher is enrolled in a cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapy trial - a hopeful step forward. He shares candid reflections on the mental weight of recurrence, the isolation of dealing with a rare cancer, and the importance of keeping faith while making space for both grief and gratitude.

Christopher also speaks openly about how cancer reshaped his identity, tested his relationships, and pushed him to live more deliberately, with purpose, presence, and patience.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Christopher:

[email protected]

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, husband, father, and testicular cancer survivor Ryan Rayfield shares his powerful story of early detection, recurrence, and the long road through surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery.

Ryan’s journey began mid-flight on a work trip when unexpected groin pain led to a self-check that changed everything. Diagnosed with stage 1S non-seminoma, he opted for a robotic RPLND at the University of Pennsylvania in hopes of avoiding chemotherapy. With clean scans and pathology, it seemed the worst was behind him - until a month later, rising HCG tumor markers revealed a microscopic recurrence that imaging couldn’t catch.

Ryan reflects on the mental toll of starting BEP chemotherapy after having hoped to avoid it entirely. He candidly describes chemo’s physical and emotional side effects, his experience balancing treatment with fatherhood and grad school, and the strength it took to accept what he once feared most.

The episode also explores how Ryan’s connection to another survivor, former podcast guest Alex Volynsky, helped guide his treatment choices, highlighting the power of peer support, social media, and storytelling in cancer care. Now approaching two years in remission, Ryan speaks with clarity about scanxiety, post-treatment anxiety, and how cancer reshaped his health, perspective, and purpose.

From fertility concerns and proactive surgery to community, parenting, and the lasting impacts of survivorship, Ryan’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear, and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Ryan:https://www.facebook.com/ryan.rayfield.98

https://www.instagram.com/rrayfield_44/Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this deeply reflective episode of It Takes Balls, testicular cancer survivor David Rimmer shares a powerful story of diagnosis, survivorship, and resilience that spans more than 30 years. Diagnosed in 1992 at age 32, long before awareness campaigns or internet support groups, David navigated cancer with little guidance, learning to advocate for himself and seek out the best possible care.

From his initial orchiectomy to his choice to travel to Indiana University for a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) under the legendary Dr. Donohue, David walks listeners through the confusion, trauma, and empowerment that defined his treatment journey. He discusses the impact of possible infertility, the psychological toll of recovery, and the importance of acting as a “medical consumer” to ensure the highest level of care.

David’s story doesn’t end with testicular cancer. In the years that followed, he faced multiple additional diagnoses - chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), basal cell carcinoma, and low-grade prostate cancer. Yet through it all, he has maintained a sense of perspective, purpose, and humor. He opens up about how survivorship reshaped his identity, the long shadow cancer casts over even the cleanest scans, and how he finds comfort in staying proactive with his health.

A near-death experience during a midair collision over the Amazon adds a surreal layer to David’s story - a reminder that surviving isn’t just about beating disease, but about what we do with the time we’re given. Now, he gives back through bone marrow and stem cell courier missions.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, decades into remission, or supporting someone through cancer, David’s voice is a reminder of how survivorship evolves over time, and how sharing your story might be the most powerful form of healing.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with David:

[email protected]

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Chris Ray (cardio-oncology specialist) and Dr. Bryan Taylor (exercise physiologist) break down what every testicular cancer patient and survivor should know about protecting their heart, rebuilding their strength, and monitoring long-term health after treatment.

The discussion dives into how certain chemotherapies - especially those used for testicular cancer - can quietly weaken blood vessels and heart tissue, even in young men. With cardiovascular disease being the leading long-term cause of death in cancer survivors, Dr. Ray explains why testicular cancer treatment should always include proactive cardiac screening and long-term fitness monitoring.

Dr. Taylor adds depth by explaining the science of VO₂ testing and why cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most powerful predictors of overall health. The doctors make a compelling case for “exercise as medicine,” outlining how even light movement during chemo, and structured training after, can dramatically reduce risk and speed up recovery.

The episode also covers important topics like testosterone replacement therapy, understanding elevated heart rates during recovery, and why many survivors feel “ten years older on the inside” after chemo. Both experts emphasize that rebuilding your fitness is a long game, but one worth investing in early and consistently.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or 10 years out, this conversation offers actionable guidance on improving quality of life, extending longevity, and asking your care team the right questions to protect your whole-body health starting with your heart.

Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submission

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Dr. Ray:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/ray-chris-m-d/bio-20470913

Dr. Taylor:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/taylor-bryan-j-ph-d/bio-20527883

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, pediatric anesthesiologist Aaron Bernotas shares his rollercoaster journey through testicular cancer - one that had fertility challenges, grueling treatment, and rare complications that pushed him to the brink.

Aaron opens up about discovering a lump, downplaying it at first, and ultimately undergoing surgery the day after his urologist confirmed it was suspicious for cancer. While the orchiectomy seemed routine, the aftermath was anything but. Shortly after, Aaron was diagnosed with azoospermia (no sperm), forcing him and his wife to pursue IVF with micro-TESE. Despite setbacks, they now have a daughter - one of two embryos that survived.

The episode dives into the emotional impact of facing cancer while juggling a demanding medical career and processing the blow of infertility. Aaron later faced recurrence, underwent three rounds of BEP chemotherapy, and then an RPLND surgery. But what followed was a rare complication: chylous ascites, a buildup of lymphatic fluid in the abdomen. After months of procedures - including multiple drainings, gluing, a second exploratory surgery, and the placement of a Denver shunt - his condition finally resolved over 18 months after his initial diagnosis.

Aaron reflects on the brutal physical toll of this journey, the unwavering support from his wife and family, and the resilience it took to keep showing up.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Aaron:

https://www.facebook.com/aaron.bernotas

https://www.instagram.com/bernotas64/

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this moving episode of It Takes Balls, Andrew Kettner shares his powerful story of battling primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell cancer (PMNSGCT), a rare and aggressive form of testicular cancer that showed up not in his testicles, but in his chest.

Andrew opens up about the subtle symptoms he first noticed: shortness of breath, fatigue, and elevated heart rate - symptoms he initially wrote off as “just getting older.” But after a gut instinct sent him to the ER, a chest X-ray revealed a massive tumor near his heart. Thanks to the quick thinking of oncologist Dr. Sean Kern, who recognized elevated tumor markers, Andrew was spared unnecessary surgery and given a critical diagnosis: testicular cancer.

With a prognosis of only 40–50% survival at two years, Andrew began a grueling VIP chemotherapy regimen, complicated by a blood clot and extreme side effects including weight loss and neuropathy. He credits his survival not only to expert care at Walter Reed and Indiana University Health but also to the unshakable support of his wife, children, and medical team.

The episode also explores what survivorship looks like as a military leader and father. Andrew reflects on the emotional toll of treatment, the way it reshaped his priorities, and how he’s teaching his sons to check themselves monthly for early signs of testicular cancer. Now with no evidence of disease, he’s using his experience to raise awareness within the military community, where he believes testicular cancer is underrecognized.

If you're navigating an advanced testicular cancer diagnosis, are a member of the armed forces, or simply want to hear an honest, grounded survivor story, this episode is packed with insight, emotion, and inspiration from someone who faced long odds.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Andrew:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=70000153

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Luke Alter, an assistant state attorney and testicular cancer survivor, shares his raw, powerful story of being misled and eventually forced to fight for his life.

At just 27, Luke went from grappling on the jiu-jitsu mats to confronting a swollen testicle assumed to be a sports injury. After weeks of worsening symptoms and a urologist brushing him off, he pushed for more answers, only to hear the life-altering diagnosis.

What followed was a whirlwind of scans, cross-country travel, and life-changing decisions. Luke opens up about going through four rounds of EP chemo, how a delayed diagnosis led to Stage IIIB disease, and the emotional toll of facing mortality at such a young age. He talks honestly about fear, depression, hair loss, and finding light through friends, family, Reddit threads, and complete strangers who showed up when he needed it most.

Luke's story is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring, and ultimately a testament to the power of self-advocacy, community, and choosing hope when the odds feel overwhelming.

Join The Ball Room:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/theballroom

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Luke:

https://www.instagram.com/lukeduke59/

https://www.facebook.com/luke.altar

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Josh Moore - a gym owner, coach, father of three, and testicular cancer survivor - shares a brutally honest and humorous look at what it really means to live through cancer.

Josh shares how he first discovered a lump in the shower in 2021, initially brushed it off, and later found himself with two incisions (thanks to a surgical “oops”), and a grueling chemo regimen after a recurrence. He talks about the mental game of survivorship and the physical toll that came with nine weeks of treatment including 23-hour days of sleep, loss of strength, and a bout of sepsis just 12 hours after ringing the bell.

But this isn’t just a story about setbacks. Josh opens up about using humor to cope - turning ball jokes into a survival tactic, considering stand-up comedy, and keeping things light even when things got heavy. He reflects on the support of his family, his gym community, and the middle and high school athletes who unknowingly helped keep him going through the worst of it.

Josh also shares what it’s like living with no testicles after losing one as a child and the other to cancer, his weekly testosterone injections, and the misconceptions people still have about male anatomy and masculinity. Through it all, his message is clear: take your health seriously, listen to your gut, and never skip that ultrasound.

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Josh:

https://www.instagram.com/josh_neverstops/

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Dr. Nabil Adra, a medical oncologist at Indiana University Health and leading researcher in testicular cancer care explores everything from recurrence and refractory disease to the latest advancements in treatment and monitoring.

Dr. Adra breaks down risk categories that guide treatment - good, intermediate, and poor - and explains how factors like tumor type and blood markers shape decisions about chemo, surgery, or surveillance. He also dives into the science behind relapse and platinum resistance.

A major highlight of the episode is the discussion of innovative diagnostic tools like circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and microRNA-371. These biomarkers are making it possible to detect microscopic cancer earlier and more accurately, with the goal of reducing overtreatment and improving outcomes.

Dr. Adra also shares insights on long-term monitoring, including the reality of late relapse, and emphasizes why annual checkups are crucial - even decades after treatment. For those with relapsed or refractory disease, he offers a hopeful look at cutting-edge therapies including targeted treatments, high-dose chemo, and upcoming CAR-T cell trials.

Have a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submission

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Email Dr. Adra:

[email protected]

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of It Takes Balls, 19-year-old testicular cancer survivor and Tulane student Hunter Addy shares what it was like to be diagnosed after finding a lump just three days into his freshman year of college.

Hunter recounts the shock of discovering a lump almost immediately after moving onto campus - just as he was settling into college life. What followed was a whirlwind of confusion from first being diagnosed with epididymitis to later being told he needs 4 rounds of chemo. At an age when most students are focused on classes and dorm life, Hunter was undergoing surgery and processing a cancer diagnosis away from home.

Now with no evidence of disease, Hunter opens up about the mental and physical toll of treatment, the importance of trusting your gut, and how cancer changed the way he views everything. He also shares what it’s been like to return to school post-treatment.

Want to be a guest? Apply here:

https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissions

Follow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

⁠https://www.testescancer.org

https://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠

https://www.instagram.com/testescancer

https://www.facebook.com/tca.org

Follow Steven Crocker:

https://www.twitter.com/stevencrocker

https://www.instagram.com/stevencrocker

https://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2

Connect with Hunter:

https://www.instagram.com/hunter.addy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-addy-999903351/