Tarek El Moussa: The Painful Secrets Behind His Wild Success

“Flip or Flop” star Tarek El Moussa seemed to have it all—hit TV shows, fame, fortune—but behind the scenes, his life was falling apart. In this deeply revealing episode, Tarek opens up to Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen about the hidden brain struggles that shaped his life: birth trauma, multiple mental health diagnoses, alcoholism, cancer, toxic self-talk, and a near breakdown at the height of his career. After a revealing brain scan and emotional conversation, he begins to understand why he’s struggled for so long—and what he can do to finally heal. This is a relatable story of turning pain into passion and rebuilding from within.

00:00 Intro

00:44 Sponsor

01:08 Chance Encounter

05:45 Why I Am the Way I Am

08:13 Your Brain is Hurt

13:23 Coming Off of Meds

16:09 Turning Pain into Fuel

18:03 The Birth of the “Flip” Empire

24:04 The Brain’s Rejection of Success

26:06 The Last Day as a Family

31:46 Self-Medication

34:32 Tarek’s Brain SPECT Scan (Surface)

36:30 Neuropsychological Testing

42:04 Mental Hygiene

48:48 Parents/Self-Talk

51:33 The Plan

57:48 Sponsor

58:36 Wrap Up