Life in a Cult and a Devastating Diagnosis - Uncut with Megan Marx
Feb 6, 2024
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Megan Marx, who grew up in a cult, talks about her early marriage, appearance on reality TV, and being diagnosed with a rare neurological condition. She shares how the diagnosis has changed her approach to dating and discusses the challenges of explaining it to her egg recipients.
Megan Marx shares her unique upbringing in a strict cult and the process of leaving it.
Megan discusses the challenges she faced as a bisexual woman in a church that condemned homosexuality.
Megan opens up about her recent diagnosis of Spino Cerebellar Ataxia and how it has changed her perspective on life and relationships.
Deep dives
Megan's Upbringing and Leaving the Church
Megan Marks shares her unique upbringing in a church that had strict rules and isolation from the outside world. She discusses how she got married at a young age and eventually made the decision to leave the church. It was a gradual process influenced by questioning the beliefs, wanting new experiences, and the realization that the wedding day felt wrong.
Coming Out as Bisexual and TV Show experience
Megan opens up about her sexuality and the challenges she faced in a church that condemned homosexuality. She shares her experience of being on a reality TV show, where she left the show with another female contestant. She reflects on the public scrutiny and gossip surrounding her relationship and how bisexual relationships were viewed differently at the time.
Diagnosis and Living with Spino Cerebellar Etaxia
Megan reveals her recent diagnosis of Spino Cerebellar Etaxia, a neurological condition with no known cure or treatment. She discusses the impact of the diagnosis on her life, including the uncertainty of the progression of the disease and the challenges it presents in relationships and future planning. Megan shares her efforts to live life to the fullest, reduce stress, and prioritize her health and well-being.
Navigating Dating After Leaving a Strict Upbringing
After leaving a strict upbringing and the church, the speaker reflects on dating experiences and struggles with people-pleasing and a fear of judgment. As a woman, she discusses the pressure to be compliant to men and how it has affected her relationships. She explores the societal conditioning that teaches women to please and accept things they shouldn't, and the need to break free from those expectations. The speaker also shares her experience of being on a reality TV show and facing backlash for being in a same-sex relationship, highlighting the hate and criticism she received. Overall, she emphasizes the importance of not betraying oneself, having agency in relationships, and not settling for less than what one deserves.
Living with a Rare Neurological Disease and Finding Acceptance
The speaker opens up about her diagnosis of Spino-Sarabella ataxia, a rare neurological disease that affects her cerebellum and spine. She shares her journey of realizing something was off during her appearance on a reality TV show, experiencing symptoms such as imbalance and speech difficulties. She discusses the uncertainty of her condition and the impact it may have on her future. Despite the challenges, she grapples with finding acceptance and dealing with the fear of being misunderstood or seen as a victim. The speaker also reflects on her decision to live a quieter life and step back from public exposure, in order to prioritize her mental well-being and authenticity.
Today we are joined by the wonderful Megan Marx! We could have done an episode for each of the really interesting parts of Megan's life. She grew up in a cult, was married at 18 and divorced in her early 20s. She was one of the first bisexual people we ever saw on our screens in Australia & it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Megan also speaks about being diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA6), a rare inherited neurological condition that progressively affects movement. She talks about being hyper aware of her own mortality and how the diagnosis has changed the way she lives her life. Megan speaks about the different considerations she now has when she dates, and how she felt explaining the diagnosis to the people she donated her eggs to.
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