I live every day with stoic wisdom | Game on Glio

SEASON 3 Ep 5: “I Live Every Day with Stoic Wisdom” Guest Mike Hugo

You know those life circumstances that just make you feel as if someone is trying to tell you something? Well, in meeting Mike Hugo, I’ve had one of those experiences.

Mike was diagnosed with glioblastoma in April of 2022. 13 months in, he is doing well and stronger than ever–but it comes at a price.

“I know the statistics,” he said. “The statistics for glioblastoma are a median survival of 14 months; half the people are dead by 14 months. The five-year survival is four or five percent.”

Mike found the tumor after a seizure while driving home led to a car crash. He woke up in the hospital with a broken back, but it was his brain scans that would change his life. Ironically, Mike works in neurological medical device sales, and his wife is a clinical research analyst. So, when he saw his scans, he knew it was cancer but never would have thought it was GBM.

After surgery, the tumor fought back, growing but within the radiation field. With standard treatment, some holistic treatment, and the Optune device, Mike’s scans have been stable for 13 months. He says of his scans, “Some people can live years with stable scans.”

Trying to find ways to be there for his daughters and wife, not just in the present but also in the future, Mike started writing letters and recording videos for them. He understands the odds and talks about his need to impart any wisdom and gifts he can now.

A rare opportunity with country singing legend Tim McGraw has helped Mike do exactly that. After a video appeal to McGraw went viral, McGraw’s team reached out and he and Mike sat down for an acoustic session of “My Little Girl.” McGraw’s own father, Tug, died of GBM.

In this episode, Mike shares with me what gives him strength and the wisdom to have one foot in the present and one foot in the future. He says a book called The Daily Stoic has helped him immensely.

“We live a thousand tragedies in our minds,” he said. “Not all of them come true. Most of them don’t. The reality is that this one is probably going to come true, but I don’t need to live that tragedy every single day.”

Listen to this amazing episode now!

**You can learn more about our sponsors on our “About” page. Watch our promo video of Tim McGraw and Mike Hugo below, plus information about the Tug McGraw Foundation. Link to the book reference is also below.