Norwich: Cancer story at High Performance Theatre Royal show

Megan Smith was just 24 when she was tested for abnormalities in her thyroid, which was confirmed as cancer on her 25th birthday. 

Now aged 26, Megan lives in London but is in the process of moving back to Norfolk and will take to the stage on home turf for the High Performance podcast's live show on Sunday, hosted by Jake Humphrey and Prof Damian Hughes.

Prof Damian Hughes and Jake Humphrey of the High Performance podcast (Image: Alecsandra Dragoi)

She said: "I'm really excited. I'm nervous because it's recorded live but I love the podcast and it's a great way to connect with the wider audience.

"Shy of two years ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer which was totally unexpected.

"It was discovered in October 2020 in a routine MRI that I had for a suspicious lump there.

"They didn't think it would be anything because of my age and health history

"I had to have surgery to remove one half but when they found out it was more aggressive they had to remove the other half and have radioactive iodine treatment.

"This was during lockdown. When you're by yourself it's not ideal, so the podcast gave me something to focus on and build hope."

An avid Canaries fan and Norwich City season ticket holder since the age of nine, Megan coached Cringleford FC in her teens before joining Chelsea and QPR football clubs working with women and girls eager to get into or already in the sport. 

She said that her love of sport, as well as the podcast, got her through the throes of treatment during an isolated time amplified by lockdown.

Jake Humphrey told the Evening News: "Megan's journey is everything to us. It's why we do it.

"It's changing your thinking to change your life, altering your thinking.

"Megan is a manifestation of the podcast for sure."

The recording of High Performance at Norwich's Theatre Royal will take place on Sunday, February 5 before touring across the UK.