Fighting Cancer and Living in a Van with Kids
Welcome to episode 1!
The podcast is here! Finally, episode one of Malin & Tom's podcast has arrived, and in the first episode, we try to introduce ourselves a bit, briefly share a bit about our battle with colon cancer at just 29 years old, and living in a van with two little kids.
About Us: Tom and Malin
Welcome to our very first episode of whatever this podcast will eventually be called. It's been a long time coming, and after meticulous planning and a myriad of life events, we're finally rolling. We’re Tom and Malin, a couple who decided to take the road less traveled quite literally. For those who don't know us, we moved into our camper van, Sunny, in October 2023, along with our four- and two-year-old kids, Charlie and Isabella. Embracing van life with kids has been an adventure in itself.
Torn Between Life and Dreams
In this episode, we reflect on our journey, particularly the unexpected turns our lives took. It all started with a conversation about how we’d planned on recording a podcast for a long time, yet life had a different script for us. We even joked about how we recorded the first episode a while back but never got around to publishing it because, well, life happened.
Living in a van was never the original plan—it was a spontaneous life adjustment prompted by a cancer diagnosis that changed everything. Shortly after buying our beautiful van, and only ten days later, Malin got diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This devastating news came when our youngest was barely a year old. In no time, our dreams took a backseat as we buckled up for an intense battle against cancer.
The Cancer Battle
Talking about it is easier now, but living through it was anything but. Malin underwent radiation therapy, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and two major surgeries. Life paused momentarily, and much of it was dark and grueling. However, despite the darkness, we discovered unparalleled light in our close-knit family bond and a renewed perspective on living life fully. Fighting colon cancer brought us face-to-face with our mortality and ultimately led us to pursue our van life dream more fiercely.
Van Life with Kids
Our living situation is unique because unlike many podcasters recording in professional studios, we're often in our camper van. Therefore, if you hear background noises, it’s just part of our makeshift home environment. We want to paint a vivid picture of what van life is genuinely like; the challenges, the joys, and the laughs. We're currently parked under some lovely palm trees in Playa de las Américas, Tenerife, enjoying the beautiful evening sun and making the most of our van life experience.
Why Start a Podcast?
We aim to share not only our experiences with cancer but also how having cancer changed our view on life and inspired us to pursue our dreams. We want to highlight the importance of living in the present and not waiting for a life-altering diagnosis to start chasing dreams. This podcast is a more intimate space compared to our YouTube channel, where we've documented much of our journey. It allows us to dive deeper into our experiences, share the lows and highs, and hopefully inspire others to lead a fulfilled life.
Helping People Through Our Journey
One of our driving forces has been using our story to help others. We've received countless messages from people who find solace and motivation in Malin's cancer journey. Documenting our experiences, both on YouTube and now on this podcast, aims to let everyone know they are not alone. It's about bringing comfort and hope, showing that while life throws curveballs, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Moving Forward
We’re excited about the journey ahead with this podcast. There’s so much more to say and so many subjects to cover—life in a van with kids, traveling Europe, adjusting to life post-cancer, and more. This episode is just a teaser, scratching the surface of our story. We have plenty planned, from deep-dives into specific parts of our journey to lighter segments about van-life hacks.
Finally, we'd like to thank everyone who has supported us and followed our story so far. If you made it to the end of this episode, we’re thrilled to have you on board. Stay tuned for more, and join us as we continue navigating life on the road, battling colon cancer, and cherishing every moment we have together.
See you next week!
Malin & Tom