…live the best life you can every day.”
Today, cancer-free and with a clean bill of health, Hill has become a cancer advocate. In 2012, President Barack Obama named Hill to the President’s Cancer Panel, a committee that monitors the development and execution of the activities of the National Cancer Program, and reports directly to the President. “It definitely is an honor,” Hill says.
Here, he shares a few lessons that he learned after his thyroid cancer diagnosis:
Face fear head-on: Ironically, Hill was just starting to work on his fourth book, The Wealth Cure, about the intersection of health and wealth, when he received his cancer diagnosis. He admits that remaining optimistic about his future was a struggle. “Part of staying positive meant constantly reminding myself I’m not my father, uncle or grandfather,” Hill says. “One of my favorite sayings is that FEAR is just an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. My doctors told me that my form of cancer was very treatable, and I also did my own research on thyroid cancer to learn as much as I could about the condition. Knowledge is power. Power over fear.”
Freshen up your diet: Having his thyroid removed left Hill with lasting metabolic issues that he manages by taking daily thyroid medication and watching what he eats. “I’m all about easy access when it comes to meal planning,” Hill says. “There’s a veggie grill restaurant and a salad restaurant near my home that I often go to, and I also like making fresh juices from organic fruits and vegetables. When I’m traveling for work, it becomes more of a challenge, but I try to make healthy choices and to still enjoy the foods I like in moderation.”
Be a proactive patient: Being in tune with his body, Hill knew something was off that morning when he awoke and couldn’t swallow. Today, he encourages others to get regular screenings and to consult a doctor if they experience changes in their health. Hill has also filmed a public service announcement encouraging people to get regular cancer screenings and emphasizing that thyroid cancer, like many cancers, is “treatable and beatable.”