Think PMS makes you a little cranky? That's cute. This week, we're diving headfirst into its evil, unhinged cousin: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD. Our guest Julia describes it as preparing for "doomsday" every single month —a two-week cycle where her brain basically turns into a rage-filled, paranoid monster that, among other things, absolutely hates her husband. This isn't just about mood swings; it's a full-blown psychiatric disorder that comes with a terrifying risk of suicidal thoughts and makes just getting through the day a monumental task. Julia walks us through the whole experience, from getting diagnosed thanks to her running watch (seriously) , to considering the most metal solution possible: having her ovaries surgically removed. Spoiler: her doctors weren't exactly thrilled with the idea. Strap in for a wild, raw, and surprisingly funny look at a condition that proves hormones are not to be trifled with.

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We're not like the other health podcasts — we're weirder. For 10 years and counting, Sickboy has been the forum for open, honest and hilarious conversations destigmatizing all types of illnesses and injuries.

Join best friends Jeremie, Brian and Taylor on their journey to laugh through life's most painful conversations. Come for the wildly inappropriate jokes, stay for the conversations that will change the way you view life, death, and wellbeing. Thanks for being here!

When we last spoke with Cameo in 2023, she was a driven student who seemed to be thriving, managing her mental health in a way that truly worked for her. Then, she reached out with an update. Cameo returns to the show to share the unfiltered reality of what happens when a mental health journey takes a nosedive. In a conversation that is both heartbreaking and incredibly self-aware, she describes being trapped in a prison of her own making—battling all-consuming OCD, anxiety, and the lingering grip of an eating disorder that has followed her since childhood. This is a raw, necessary look at the messy truth of recovery, and a reminder that the path to wellness is rarely a straight line.

This conversation deals with difficult themes of mental illness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that support is available. You don't have to go through this alone.

- For crisis support across Canada: Call or text 9-8-8 anytime.

- In Quebec: Call Info-Social at 811 to speak with a psychosocial health professional.

- For non-crisis support: Text WELLNESS to 741741 to connect with Wellness Together Canada.

Reaching out is a sign of strength. 

You can’t hike your way out of an adrenal crisis.

After a sudden diagnosis of Addison’s disease at 23, Aly’s life changed in a single phone call—from invincibility to a strict medication schedule and emergency steroid injections. She shares the harrowing early signs of adrenal failure, the shock of navigating life-threatening illness, and the second crisis that forced her to take her condition seriously. But this isn’t just about survival. It’s about adaptation. Aly opens up about “rewilding” herself back into the outdoors, reclaiming joy in hiking and surfing while living in manual mode. From hospitalizations to heartbreak, this episode explores chronic illness, self-advocacy, and finding strength in the body you have—even when it betrays you.

Some people hit walls. Others knock them down, build a lab, raise millions, and call up strangers to make a genetically engineered mouse. When Terry Pirovolakis learned his young son Michael had SPG50 — a rare degenerative disease with no treatment and a grim prognosis — he didn’t spiral. He mobilized. In this jaw-dropping story of parental devotion and scientific hustle, Terry recounts how he went from IT consultant to biotech trailblazer, spearheading the development of a gene therapy from scratch. From homemade mice to confronting the Prime Minister, this episode is a whirlwind of heartbreak, grit, global collaboration, and unshakable hope. It’s not just about saving one child — it’s about lighting a path for thousands more.

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Alex hasn’t peed in 17 years — and he’s been busy. Diagnosed at 11 with a rare kidney disease triggered by a brutal run of childhood illnesses, his life became a blur of seizures, dialysis, and a transplant that didn’t stick. Now, between 7-hour nocturnal dialysis sessions, Alex co-owns two thriving Toronto restaurants and is building a creative community from scratch. In this episode, he talks about living with three kidneys (none of them working), how trauma forged his sense of purpose, and why “burnout” takes on a whole new meaning when your body’s already pulling an all-nighter just to keep you alive.

They say laughter is the best medicine - unless you're diagnosed with something that sounds like a meme.

Mike lives with FAP, short for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - a rare genetic disorder that guarantees colon cancer without drastic surgical intervention. In this unfiltered and laugh-out-loud conversation, Mike opens up about the brutal realities of living without a large intestine, the mental toll of life-altering surgery at 18, and the deeply personal decision to write a memoir titled A Bump in the Road. From rows of shark-like baby teeth to an ostomy bag that looked like Rudolph’s nose, Mike takes us through the gritty details of his medical journey. But what starts as a conversation about disease turns into something much bigger: a story of resilience, perspective, and finding purpose on the other side of pain. Plus, a passionate pitch for bidets, because we all know bidets are for kings. 

Check out Mike's book!

Turns out, the most dangerous thing on TV in the ‘90s wasn’t violence—it was Pikachu. In December, 1997, nearly 700 kids in Japan were rushed to the hospital after watching a single episode of Pokémon. No, this isn’t an urban legend—it actually happened, and it was electrifying (lol). This week, Jer walks the fellas headfirst into the wild, true story of the Pokémon seizure panic, how Pikachu literally short-circuited a nation, and why poor ol’ Porygon got wrongfully canceled before being canceled was cool.

We break down the science of photosensitive epilepsy, uncover how a cartoon nearly led to a nationwide media meltdown. Justice for Porygon. Blame Pikachu. 

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!

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Taylor Arbeau is a firecracker. A passionate photographer, musician, and former Special Olympics athlete, she also happens to live with Down syndrome — mosaic Down syndrome, to be exact (yeah, we had no clue what that was either). In this candid convo, Taylor drops truth bombs about growing up “different,” discovering self-love, and calling bullshit on assumptions people make about her. She opens up about dating, her dreams of becoming a mom, and the unexpected ways Down syndrome has shaped her art and identity.

This episode is all heart and zero pity. It’s a celebration of difference, determination, and the power of proudly being yourself — even if you might have a tiny bit of road rage.

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Photography: @beausphotos3

Music: @taylorandmusic.3

Jeremie met Terry where all deep, life-altering connections begin: half-naked in a sauna, trying not to die of heat stroke. What started as a sweaty convo about testosterone turned into one of the most jaw-dropping pain stories we’ve ever heard. Terry's been battling chronic pain since the age of nine thanks to a rare hip disease that left his femur more hammerhead shark than ball-and-socket. He’s survived countless surgeries, dealt with decades of ignorance around pain management, and got hit by a car after finally getting relief from his first hip replacement. Oh yeah—he’s also the President of the Chronic Pain Association of Canada. This episode is for anyone who's ever been told they're “too young” for real pain, who’s had their suffering questioned, or who just wants to hear a badass 64-year-old tell it like it is—with a body that creaks louder than a haunted house and a sense of humour sharper than a surgical scalpel.

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