Just a little bit of morning inspiration for everyone!
IBD doesn't need to hold us back, if they did it, so can we. Here are 6 successful people with IBD (Crohn's or UC).
(P.S. 6 is my favourite!)
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Chuck Lorre - creator of The Big Bang Theory + Two and a Half Men (and many more):
“I was fortunate enough to get an anesthetic-free colonoscopy in front of a classroom of medical students, and I have often thought of that as great preparation for a lifetime in television.”
Diagnosed in his early 20’s when he says he was “too poor to go to a doctor” has meant he is a big supporter of free healthcare in the US. Close to needing a colonoscopy he says “an angel came into my life and put me on a nutrition program and I somehow went into remission.”
Chuck is known for his ‘vanity cards’ which flash at the end of every episode. In 2015 he talked about his ulcerative colitis at the end of:
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Apr 20th, 2015 Mike & Molly se05ep18 'No Kay Morale'
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Apr 16th, 2015 Mom se02ep20 'Sick Popes and a Red Ferrari'
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Apr 16th, 2015 The Big Bang Theory se08ep21 'The Communication Deterioration'
See his vanity cards here:https://chucklorre.com/?q=ulcerative%20colitis
2.Nick Mowbray — Zuru Toys Co-Founder
‘You either win or you learn — you never lose.’
This one has always inspired me. Nick Mowbray built a billion-dollar company while fighting Crohn’s disease—and today still leads 8,500 employees around the world.
‘Most people see my success, but don’t realise the years of sacrifice on the way.’ From sleeping in bushes to washing in public bathrooms, his early journey mirrors that of many founders.
Extreme stress, poor diet, and five years of ignored symptoms cost him his weight, his hair, and almost his life. But after three surgeries to rebuild his intestines, what could have been a fatal blow became a catalyst for reinvention—shaping his optimism, empathy, and relentless drive. Proof that resilience is built in the fire.
3.Heath Slocum —Pro Golfer & Survivor (Ulcerative Colitis)
‘I don’t let my ulcerative colitis stop me from winning—and I encourage you to not let IBD stop you from winning too.’
At just 23, Heath Slocum had finally reached his dream—competing on the PGA Tour and even winning—only to be stopped in his tracks by ulcerative colitis at the height of his game.
The early treatments offered some relief, but it wasn't until a specialist adjusted his medication that Slocum began to turn the corner.
That breakthrough brought him back—from 18 months off the course, he rebounded to win 4 PGA tours, underlining a vital lesson many in the IBD community understand: don’t give up until you find the treatment that works.
4.Pete Davidson- Saturday Night Live, King of Staten Island, and stand-up
‘I work really f—ing hard and I need weed in order to do that. I’m sick, I have Crohn’s… so it sucks.’
Crohn's and IBD is a complex disease. One treatment works for one person but not the other. Some are stress triggered, some are diet triggered, some require the right medication or all the above.
At times the condition left him exhausted, in pain, and unable to eat. He has been refreshingly candid about how he manages his symptoms, often with medical cannabis. I don't see that talked about all that much. It isn’t for everyone, but it’s clearly worked for him. (Cannabis and IBD is a post in itself - which i am writing currently).
‘There’s something wrong with me for sure… but Crohn’s keeps me skinny, so I guess that’s a plus.’
He’s also riffed on theurgency of bathrooms during sets, turning it into material about awkward moments on dates or in public spaces.
Comedy is such a healthy way to manage the mental side of this disease. His ‘I make fun of it first, it loses power’ mentality is a lesson for anyone.
5.Mike McCready - lead guitarist of Pearl Jam
‘Crohn’s disease doesn’t define me. It is just a part of me. Music, love, family, and friends define me.’
Mike McCready, lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, has lived with Crohn’s disease for decades and admits that for years he carried shame and fear, often suffering in silence. Touring life meant being doubled over in pain on buses, in airports, and even running off stage mid-show.
Over time, he found that coping wasn’t just about medication and diet, but also about connection.“Crohn’s disease doesn’t define me. It is just a part of me. Music, love, family, and friends define me,” he wrote.
Opening up about his illness proved transformative:“I know how hard it is to talk about this disease. But I’ve learned that sharing my story not only helps me, it can help others. You are not alone.” By combining medical treatment with openness and advocacy, McCready shows how talking about IBD can be as powerful a tool as any prescription.
Mike wrote a great piece on the Huff Post -“My Life With Crohn’s Disease” (2013) (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/crohns-colitis-week_b_2259921).
6. You - the most important.
IBD is brutal. It’s complex, unfair, and lifelong — and accepting that can feel overwhelming.
But your diagnosis isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of learning that there’s still so much life after IBD. Success looks different for everyone: maybe it’s just making it to the shops today, being the best parent you can be while managing fatigue, winning five PGA Tour titles, or building a billion-dollar business.
These stories prove it’s possible. But remember — health comes first. No success matters if you can’t enjoy it.
And if there’s one lesson every success story shares, it’s this:never give up. They didn’t — and they came out the other side.
