Love Life With Matthew Hussey 300: Letting Go of the Life You Thought You’d Have: Grief, Truth, and Rebuilding Connection w/ Mary Fisher
Jun 11, 2025
Mary Fisher, an influential artist and activist known for her powerful advocacy for HIV and AIDS awareness, joins the conversation to discuss profound themes of grief, loss, and rebuilding connections. She reflects on the emotional complexities of losing relationships while still having loved ones alive. The duo emphasizes the importance of radical honesty in fostering deep connections and the process of creating art as a form of healing. Fisher shares insights on building chosen families and the courage it takes to reinvent one’s life and speak one's truth.
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From Near Death to Grieving
- Mary Fisher initially asked David Kessler to help her die when she thought she was dying from HIV and the effects of COVID.
- David helped her see she was grieving, not dying, which shifted her perspective and gave her hope to live.
Grief Gives Life Back
- Naming her feelings as grief instead of depression allowed Mary Fisher to reclaim energy and purpose.
- She found a new way to address trauma by speaking her truth and creating new chapters in her life.
Courage Born from Protecting Children
- Mary Fisher’s courage to speak publicly about AIDS emerged from wanting to protect her children from stigma.
- She was encouraged by Betty Ford to use her diagnosis to help others despite family resistance.