The Big Story Weekend Listen: Sick Boy’s Jeremie Saunders on Life Post Miracle CF Drug
Sep 21, 2025
Jeremie Saunders, a Canadian actor and podcaster, shares his journey with cystic fibrosis and the transformative effects of the drug Trikafta. He discusses the challenges of adjusting to his changing body and nutrition needs post-treatment. The conversation dives into the emotional impact on body image within the CF community and the well-meaning yet triggering nature of compliments. Jeremie emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, therapy, and gratitude as tools for navigating life's ups and downs.
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CF Affects More Than Lungs
- Jeremie describes CF as a multi-organ genetic disease, not just a lung problem.
- He explains pancreatic enzyme deficiency and malabsorption that required him to take oral enzymes with every meal.
Growing Up On A High-Calorie CF Diet
- Jeremie recounts growing up on a high-calorie, high-fat CF diet and being encouraged to 'eat to live.'
- He says he ate freely without guilt but still struggled to gain weight despite huge calorie intake.
Trikafta Triggered Rapid Health Gains
- Jeremie describes starting Trikafta and a dramatic health turnaround, including lung function rising from 50% to 85%.
- He reports rapid weight gain from ~140 lb to around 175–180 lb within months and noticing love handles for the first time.
