Episode 83

More Than My Diagnosis Living Beyond Cystic Fibrosis with Nicholas Kelly

Published on: 23rd June, 2026

What happens when survival becomes part of your identity before you're even old enough to understand what it means?

In this powerful episode, host Dai sits down with Nicholas Kelly — a 39-year-old man living with cystic fibrosis, registered dietitian, and advocate — who has spent his entire life navigating chronic illness, uncertainty, and the complex journey of building a meaningful life beyond a diagnosis.

Nick opens up about being diagnosed as an infant (in a story that starts with his mother's incredible tenacity), undergoing open heart surgery at age 5, and how his parents shielded him from fear while quietly carrying the weight of his illness themselves. From growing up with CF as "just an extra step" in his morning routine, to becoming a clinician who helps others reclaim agency in their own lives, Nick's story is one of resilience, purpose, and transformation.

In this conversation, we explore:

  • Growing up with chronic illness and what people often misunderstand
  • Navigating identity when survival is baked into your story from birth
  • Redefining success and what it means to truly thrive
  • Turning personal loss into a stepping stone toward legacy and healing
  • What it really looks like to build a life beyond survival mode

Whether you're living with a chronic condition, supporting someone who is, or simply navigating your own version of uncertainty — this episode is for you.

Connect with Nick: Website: nicholaskellyrd.com

Socials: @nicholaskellyrd

Email: nicholaskellyrd@gmail.com

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About the Podcast

Surviving Me
a soul-led podcast where healing gets real, growth gets messy, and every story begins with “I’m healing.”

This isn’t just another self-help show. It’s a safe space to unpack the heartbreak, the triggers, the setbacks, and the glow-ups that come with reclaiming your peace.

Hosted like a diary, each episode is a raw reflection on what it means to navigate pain, rediscover your worth, and love yourself back together—one moment, one lesson, one entry at a time.
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About your host

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Dainna Dickerson

Dainna Dickerson is the voice and heart behind Surviving Me, a podcast and healing space dedicated to turning survival into self-discovery. A storyteller at her core, Dainna uses her own experiences of resilience, growth, and transformation to create conversations that are raw, real, and deeply human.

What began as her personal outlet quickly grew into a community, where solo reflections, guest conversations, and Glow Letters connect listeners to the power of survival and the beauty of healing. Through her work, Dainna reminds others that survival is not the end of the story — it’s the beginning of becoming.

As a psychology student, mother, and multi-passionate creative, she weaves together wisdom, compassion, and truth with every episode. Her mission is simple but powerful: to hold space for the messy, to celebrate the breakthroughs, and to guide others toward the freedom of living unapologetically as themselves.

When she’s not recording, you can find her writing, designing healing-centered resources, and building Surviving Me Studio — a growing ecosystem of tools, letters, and stories designed to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered.

🦋 Real stories. Raw healing. Where survival meets self-discovery.