Stephen Huff
MEET THE WOLFPACK - Q&A
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Stephen Huff and his wife Emily lead the Huff Project. The mission is to fund lung cancer research projects that ultimately lead to increased survival. The Huffs also are helping to erase the negative stigma associated with lung cancer.
Stephen was diagnosed with inoperable stage four lung cancer in 2018. He was just 29 years old, a former professional baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization. The diagnosis was a shock for a man who had always taken exceptional care of his body.
https://www.thehuffproject.org
🔸Name: Stephen Huff
🔸Age: 32
🔸Occupation: High school teacher
🔸Location: Franklin, TN
🔸Cancer type: Lung Cancer
Q: The Man Up to Cancer motto is OPEN HEART, WARRIOR SPIRIT. Which aspect of your personality could use more growth, your heart or your warrior?
A: I’d say open heart. I think it’s been hard for me to express my concerns and feelings regarding my diagnosis. When asked about how I feel, I’m usually quick to respond with “I’m doing great!”, which is an automated response. Sometimes, I’m not doing great, and those are important feelings to express.
Q: What are your top tools for coping with the psychological impacts of cancer (i.e. anxiety, depression, anger, isolation, etc.)?
A: Staying active. It’s cliché, but the Devil finds work for my ‘idle hands’. I try to continue doing the things that I love doing, like exercise, enjoying the outdoors, and pursuing the hobbies that make me most happy.
Q: What’s one thing you know now, but wish you had learned earlier in the journey?
A: Learning how to fight the demons. It’s an ongoing battle, but over the years, I’ve found that coping with those feelings of anxiety is much better than suppression. For example, there would be days that I wouldn’t feel like getting out of bed, and instead of sitting and waiting for that storm to pass, I’ve learned some coping skills to mitigate those stress induced moments.
Q: If you could pick a “handle” for your wolf identity, what would it be, and why?
A: I’d go with the name “Diesel”, haha. It’s been a nickname of mine since middle school, and I think the name was given by a football coach. He asked if I ever saw a man by the name of John Riggins, and to run like he did, like a diesel truck! And the nickname stuck.
