What would you do if doctors told you that you had just 18 months to live? For Craig Coombes, the answer came in an unexpected form.
When Craig received his terminal cancer diagnosis in 2012, he made a simple yet profound decision: "Make the rest of your life the best of your life." What followed was an extraordinary journey that has defied medical expectations and inspired countless people along the way.
In this deeply moving conversation, Craig shares how humor transformed his relationship with mortality. From his reluctant first steps into stand-up comedy to performing alongside Adam Hills at London's Apollo Theatre and creating the viral sensation "Naked Tuesday," Craig discovered that making others laugh brought him a quality of life he never imagined possible. His story isn't just about surviving cancer – it's about finding purpose, connection, and joy in the face of death.
Craig speaks with remarkable candor about the full spectrum of his experience: the crushing moment of diagnosis, the physical challenges of treatment, moments of suicidal ideation, and the heart attack that recently complicated his journey. Yet throughout these trials, his commitment to finding humor remains unwavering. Most powerfully, he reveals how friendship and social connection have literally saved his life.
This conversation contains profound lessons about resilience, the healing power of laughter, and how making other people happy can ultimately bring us the greatest happiness. Craig's philosophy – that humor can be a legitimate form of medicine – isn't just inspirational; it's backed by emerging research showing how self-enhancing humor improves quality of life and psychological wellbeing.
Whether you're facing your own health challenges, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking wisdom about living fully in the face of mortality, Craig's story will change how you think about laughter, friendship, connection, and what it truly means to make every day count.

"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au

SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263 (10am-10pm AEST, Mon-Fri)
Web: sane.org

QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight AEST)
Web: qlife.org.au

Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au

Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am-1am AEST)
Web: headspace.org.au

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au

Music produced by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com/