After hearing she had terminal cancer, Molly Kochan decided to take her life in a new direction, starting an unexpected journey to rediscover herself.
When she first received the diagnosis in 2015, it came after her earlier battle with breast cancer in 2011.
Doctors had already found the cancer in her lymph nodes, so Molly went through tough treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and a double mastectomy.
But by 2015, things got worse as the cancer had spread to her bones, brain, and liver.
While many people in her situation might choose travel or personal projects, Molly chose a different path—she set out to meet and sleep with as many men as she wanted.
Before she passed away in March 2019 at age 45, Molly created a six-part podcast called Dying for Sex and wrote a memoir, Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole.
The podcast idea came to life in 2018, when Molly and her best friend Nikki Boyer thought her experiences were worth sharing.
Molly had been keeping track of her stories, and together, they created a platform to talk about her personal journey and her health challenges.
Since it launched in February 2020, the podcast has reached millions of listeners who appreciated her honest storytelling.
Even though some treatments can lower interest in intimacy, Molly said she felt like a teenager again, often feeling an increase in desire.
She started posting photos on dating apps even before her marriage had officially ended. Afterward, she went on to meet over 183 men, eventually losing count.
During this time, Molly met all kinds of people—some had unusual interests, others looked like familiar actors, and some simply stood out.
Her story caught so much attention that it was adapted into a TV series, starring Michelle Williams as Molly.
Reflecting on her choices, Molly said: “This makes me feel alive, and it takes my mind off being sick.”
In her final months, she also spent time reconnecting with her parents and thinking deeply about her life.
Before her passing, Molly wrote: “I realise I did get to fall in love. I am in love. With me.”
