The Dr. Hyman Show

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Early Detection Saved Me: Maria Menounos on Becoming the CEO of Your Health

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Dec 3, 2025

Guest

Maria Menounos

Maria Menounos, renowned journalist and wellness advocate, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming serious health challenges and founding Heal Squad. She discusses the importance of early detection and recognizing warning signs in health. Maria emphasizes the role of mindset and community in healing, introducing practical daily rituals and self-advocacy tools. She highlights the power of supportive health teams and critiques hospital systems, all while leading listeners to take charge of their wellness journey.

01:12:43

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ANECDOTE

Health Crises Sparked A Life Pivot

Maria recounts a cascade of diagnoses: Hashimoto's, a meningioma, and pancreatic cancer amid family illness and IVF stress.
She frames these events as a brutal but catalytic journey that led her to change priorities and purpose.

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INSIGHT

Thyroid Issues Can Be A Gateway Signal

Maria describes Hashimoto's as an early warning sign that signals systemic dysfunction if ignored.
She warns that treating thyroid issues as minor can precede deeper problems like cancer or autoimmune escalation.

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ADVICE

Get Proactive With Early Screening

Do pursue proactive screening and early detection rather than waiting for symptoms.
Use comprehensive tests like whole-body MRI to catch treatable disease stages early.

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Maria's cascade of diagnoses

03:51 • 2min

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Early life stress and hypervigilance

06:04 • 3min

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Hashimoto's as a warning sign

09:30 • 2min

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IVF, hormones and caretaking stress

11:08 • 4min

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Pancreatic tumor discovery and surgery

Autoimmunity, cancer and survival

18:52 • 2min

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Choosing wonder over worry

20:41 • 2min

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Narrative, resilience and purpose

22:13 • 2min

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Becoming CEO of your health

24:08 • 4min

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Hospital shortcomings and food quality

28:26 • 2min

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Heal Squad origins and accountability

30:50 • 4min

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Practical rituals and community habits

34:30 • 6min

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Heal Squad retreats and membership

Who supports the clinician?

48:50 • 5min

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Recovering, rebuilding strength and meaning

53:51 • 4min

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Health collaborators and team medicine

57:35 • 2min

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Daily non-negotiables and spiritual practice

59:10 • 5min

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Mindset, trauma and biology

01:04:08 • 4min

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Where to find Heal Squad

• Mentioned in 39 episodes

The surrender experiment

Michael A. Singer

In 'The Surrender Experiment', Michael A. Singer shares his extraordinary story of how, after a deep spiritual awakening, he decided to relinquish his personal fears and desires and simply let life unfold before him. This decision led him to remarkable success, sustained him through crises, and allowed him to cultivate profound inner peace. The book chronicles his life from a young spiritual seeker living in the woods to becoming the CEO of a billion-dollar medical software company, and through a significant legal ordeal. Singer demonstrates how surrendering to life's flow can lead to a peaceful and harmonious life, challenging readers to trust in life’s perfection and let go of the need to control everything.

#4124

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

When bad things happen to good people

Harold S. Kushner

In 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People,' Rabbi Harold S. Kushner confronts fundamental questions of life and faith, particularly the conundrum of why there is suffering in a world governed by a benevolent God. Written after the loss of his son Aaron to progeria, Kushner argues that conventional religious explanations for suffering are inadequate. He suggests that God is good but not all-powerful, and that true faith comes from confronting the randomness of life. Kushner emphasizes that God does not cause suffering but provides solace to those afflicted, and he highlights the importance of community and human support in times of tragedy. The book offers a fresh interpretation of the Book of Job and has been widely read and translated into at least 12 languages.

On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I’m joined by Maria Menounos, journalist, actor, and founder of Heal Squad, to explore what it truly means to take ownership of your health. After years of pushing through nonstop stress and serious health challenges, Maria discovered that real healing starts with mindset, community, and self-advocacy. Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. We discuss: • How you can recognize early warning signs and take action before they become bigger health issues • Why small rituals can make wellness social, joyful, and sustainable • Tools to build a team that truly supports your healing • Simple mindset practices to reframe fear and find strength through uncertainty • The daily choices that help you move from survival mode to genuine healing Maria’s story is a reminder to us all that healing starts with paying attention to your body, your thoughts and the community you choose to surround yourself with. View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

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Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results

https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Pique, Timeline, Function Health, Big Bold Health, Paleovalley and BON CHARGE. Receive 20% off FOR LIFE + a free Starter Kit with a rechargeable frother and glass beaker at Piquelife com/Hyman. Support essential mitochondrial health and save 20% on Mitopure. Visit timeline.com/drhyman to get 20% off today. Join today at FunctionHealth.com/Mark and use code MARK2026 to get $50 OFF toward your membership. Get 20% off HTB Immune Energy Chews at bigboldhealth.com and use code DRMARK20. Get nutrient-dense, whole foods. Head to paleovalley.com/hyman for 15% off your first purchase. This holiday season get 25% off until December 31st. Head to boncharge.com to receive this offer today!

(0:00) Introduction and Maria Menounous's health journey

(2:07) Dr. Hyman and Maria Menounous on overcoming health challenges

(7:21) The impact of toxic work environments and IVF risks

(12:01) Autoimmune issues, cancer, and the importance of early screening

(17:03) Mindset and tools for handling life's challenges

(26:11) Discussing poor nutrition in hospitals and the importance of a health toolkit

(30:51) The role of community in healing and introduction to Heal Squad

(38:58) The significance of self-care and Dr. Hyman's personal health struggle

(43:31) How facing adversity improves medical practice and the science of health

(49:02) Caring for caregivers and the value of a health collaborator

(53:45) Maria's daily routine, emotional, and spiritual health strategies

(1:02:18) The influence of thoughts on biology and prayer

(1:06:58) Maria Menounos's work with Heal Squad and her WWE career

(1:07:28) Closing remarks and call to action

(1:08:10) Disclaimer and gratitude to sponsors

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