The diagnosis that changed everything: Keith McGuinnes on cancer, masculinity, and the power of receiving

What happens when a fit, healthy yoga teacher steeped in Eastern practices, meditation and spiritual growth is suddenly diagnosed with cancer?

In this episode, I sit down with Keith McGuinnes, founder of Awaken Intimacy and co-founder of The Open Institute, to explore how a life-threatening illness forced him to stop pushing, start receiving, and finally open to the deeper lessons of intimacy, vulnerability and connection.

We talk about:

The shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis at 40
Why he chose chemotherapy (even as a holistic health practitioner)
How the experience broke his lone wolf mentality
The power of receiving love
What men are missing when they stay stuck in hyper-masculinity
His work today helping men and couples reclaim intimacy, polarity and presence

This is a raw, real and powerful conversation about grief, grace, and growing up.

Show Notes

Keith’s Cancer Diagnosis

What happened at age 40 and the symptoms he ignored
Why chemo was the right choice (even as a long-time yogi)
How the experience forced him to slow down, reflect, and receive

The Emotional Journey

Grieving the years he couldn’t receive love
Learning to express emotion and let people in
How it shifted his relationship to his own body and energy

Masculinity, Polarity and Intimacy

The trap of hyper-masculine giving and the strength in receiving
Letting go of lone wolf energy in favour of connection
Why true intimacy requires openness — not just strength

Post-Cancer Purpose

Moving from survival to service
Keith’s work through Awaken Intimacy and The Open Institute
Building community, relational depth, and sacred spaces in modern life

S2E11: Keith McGuinnes - When ‘Healthy’ Is Just Another Mask