The doctor who beat cancer and now helps others do the same | Dr Dawn Mussallem

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Oct 27, 2025

Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a Mayo Clinic physician and cancer survivor, shares her incredible journey from battling stage 4 cancer to thriving after a heart transplant. She discusses the power of mindset and lifestyle in recovery, emphasizing plant-based diets for disease prevention. Dawn also highlights the importance of community support and connection for healing, as well as dispelling myths about nutrition. Her insights on integrating lifestyle changes into cancer care and the importance of joy and movement in longevity are both inspiring and practical for anyone seeking a healthier life.

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INSIGHT

Adversity Reveals Human Generosity

Mussallem emphasizes that adversity revealed the goodness and spirit of others, which reshaped her worldview.
She says gratitude and love from strangers became central lessons that deepened her faith and purpose.

ADVICE

Offer Practical, Specific Help

When supporting someone with cancer, do something tangible: bring healthy food, gas cards, time, or a comforting item rather than asking "What can I do?".
Offer specific, practical help because patients often won't request what they need.

ADVICE

Inspire Rather Than Motivate

Inspire patients rather than relying solely on motivation or motivational interviewing; show stories and practical steps to build hope into knowing.
Start with lifestyle medicine pillars alongside conventional care for sustainable change.

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Dr Dawn Mussallem’s life has defied all odds. After surviving stage 4 cancer, severe heart failure, and a heart transplant, she ran a marathon just one year later. In this conversation, I sit down with Dawn as she shares what she’s learned about resilience, faith, and the science of healing.

We explore the mindset behind recovery, how food and lifestyle can prevent disease, and the lessons from decades of cancer research and clinical care. It’s a deeply human discussion on what it means to live with intention, vitality, and compassion.

What We Cover

Mindset, purpose, and finding meaning in adversity
Plant-based diets for cancer prevention and metabolic health
Fasting, sleep, and stress management
Supplements, Omega-3s, and key nutrients to focus on
Myths about seed oils, soy, and grains
GLP-1 medications, muscle preservation, and weight management
Why connection, joy, and movement are central to longevity

A testament to the strength of the human spirit—and a guide to living better, not just longer.

Connect with Dr Dawn Mussallem on Instagram or LinkedIn to follow her work in lifestyle medicine, cancer recovery, and longevity research.

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