Dr Dawn Mussallem’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma in her 20s and given a limited prognosis, she went on to recover, become a physician, and dedicate her life to helping others do the same. Years later, after developing severe heart failure caused by her cancer treatment, she experienced cardiac arrest, underwent a heart transplant, and—one year later—ran a marathon.
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dawn to explore the science and spirituality behind her survival. We dive into how mindset, nutrition, movement, and faith can shape recovery, and why food, love, and community are often the most potent forms of medicine. From the latest insights in cancer nutrition to emerging research on longevity, this episode is full of evidence and inspiration for anyone looking to protect their health and rediscover vitality.
What We Cover
- How mindset, purpose, and love influence recovery
- Lessons from Dawn’s near-death experience and heart transplant
- The role of plant-based nutrition in cancer prevention and survivorship
- Managing metabolic health and insulin on a plant-forward diet
- How fasting, sleep, and stress affect cancer outcomes
- Debunking myths around soy, seed oils, and grains
- The science behind ultra-processed food and cancer risk
- Key supplements for longevity, brain, and heart health
- Insights on GLP-1 agonists, weight loss, and muscle preservation
- Why social connection and joy are as important as diet or exercise
Dr Mussallem’s story is a reminder that healing is not just about surviving—it is about rediscovering purpose, nurturing the body, and choosing to thrive.
Connect with Dr Dawn Mussallem on Instagram or LinkedIn to follow her work in lifestyle medicine, cancer recovery, and longevity research.
- How a Doctor Overcame Stage 4 Cancer and Heart Failure to Transform Her Life (00:00)
- Why Dr. Dawn Mussallem Choses Medicine and How It Became Her Calling (05:16)
- How Faith and Mindset Can Influence Healing and Recovery (09:30)
- Why Human Connection Is the Foundation of True Healing (15:06)
- The Emotional and Physical Journey Through Heart Failure and Transplant (36:31)
- How Dr. Dawn Mussallem Found Strength Through Personal Loss and Struggle (42:33)
- What a Near-Death Experience Revealed About Life and Acceptance (48:35)
- How Dr. Dawn Mussallem Ran a Marathon After a Heart Transplant (01:08:17)
- How Integrative Medicine Is Changing Cancer Care (01:16:04)
- Coffee, Soy, and Cancer: What the Science Actually Says (01:28:38)
- The Proven Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet for Cancer Prevention (01:35:00)
- How to Get Enough Protein on a Plant-Based Diet During Treatment (01:39:25)
- How to Manage Blood Sugar on a Plant-Based Diet (01:51:08)
- What Research Reveals About Fasting and Cancer Treatment (01:59:46)
- The Truth About Common Nutrition Myths in Cancer Care (02:07:11)
- How Exercise and Lifestyle Choices Can Help Prevent Cancer (02:12:18)
- What to Know About GLP-1 Drugs and Cancer Risk (02:17:02)
- The Most Important Nutrients During Cancer Treatment (02:23:19)
- How to Choose Quality Supplements That Actually Work (02:31:50)
- Her Final Message on Faith, Healing, and Living With Purpose (02:47:29)
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More about Dr Dawn Mussallem
Mission: Elevate human flourishing. Guiding patients, communities, and institutions to heal through science-driven lifestyle change, compassionate care, and the wisdom of lived experience.
Dr Dawn Mussallem is a distinguished Consultant in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Mayo Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Medicine. A double board-certified lifestyle medicine specialist at the Robert and Monica Jacoby Center for Breast Health, she advances evidence-based, holistic breast cancer care that integrates nutrition, movement, mind-body practices, and conventional therapies. She also serves as Chair of Mayo Clinic Florida’s Employee Well-Being Committee, Medical Director for the Humanities in Medicine program, and a Councilor-at-Large for the Officers & Councilors of Mayo Clinic staff. In 2015, Dr Mussallem founded Mayo Clinic Florida’s Integrative Medicine & Breast Health Program. It is a patient-centered model that supports individuals during and after a cancer diagnosis by optimizing lifestyle alongside standard treatment. Her philosophy reframes cancer as a “teacher of life,” helping patients discover vitality, purpose, and joy through healthier living. She is championing a proposed regenerative farm initiative at Mayo Clinic that pairs sustainable agriculture with clinical and culinary education. This broadens access to nutrient-rich plant foods for patients, staff, learners, and the community.
With more than 25 years of patient-centered clinical wellness experience, Dr Mussallem is internationally recognized in human performance, cancer prevention, lifestyle medicine, integrative medicine, and survivorship. Her own health journey, stage IV cancer diagnosed three months into medical school and a life-restoring heart transplant in 2021, infuses her work with uncommon empathy, resilience, and urgency. A sought-after keynote and motivational speaker, Dr Mussallem has shared her message on premier stages, including events surrounding the Super Bowl, Wimbledon, and the US Open. She appears across major podcasts, most recently The Mel Robbins Podcast, webinars, radio, and television. As an author and researcher, she has contributed book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts, and invited commentaries. Her research explores the multifaceted role of lifestyle in cancer prevention and management. She examines how whole-food, plant-based nutrition shapes the tumor microenvironment and disease progression. It also focuses on enhancing cancer survivors’ quality of life, longevity, and restorative well-being with evidence-based strategies.
Beyond clinical care and research, Dr Mussallem is deeply engaged in medical education. She is Co-Director of the International Medical Breast Training Program and Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum. She serves as Scientific Advisor to IM8 Health, P4 Medical and Clinical Innovation Ltd (P4ML), HERS Provider Group, the Center for Nutrition Studies, MISTA Nutrition, and Jacksonville University’s Department of Exercise Science. In community and systems leadership, she is a physician leader with the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville Steering Committee and the Food Policy Council. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Mayo Clinic Patient Experience Award, the American College of Physicians Volunteerism in Medicine Award, Mayo Clinic’s Hospital Instructor of the Year, and Marquis Who’s Who in America Top Doctor (2021).
In a milestone that continues to inspire patients and clinicians alike, Dr Mussallem became the first person in the world to run a full marathon one year after a heart transplant. Grounded in rigorous science and animated by love for humanity, Dr Mussallem champions a future where healthcare empowers people to eat to live, move to thrive, and connect to flourish. This transforms adversity into aliveness and medicine into a path for human elevation.
