She Survived Cancer and a Heart Transplant, Then Made History | Dr. Dawn Mussallem
She Survived Cancer and a Heart Transplant, Then Made History | Dr. Dawn Mussallem  
Podcast: The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Published On: Thu Aug 27 2026
Description: Dr. Dawn Mussallem survived stage 4 cancer, received a heart transplant, and became the first person in history to complete a full marathon just one year later. Her remarkable story doesn't end there. After experiencing unimaginable loss, Dawn found new love in the produce aisle—thanks to a purple sweet potato. And after 25 years at Mayo Clinic, she is beginning another major chapter as chief medical officer at Fountain Life. Dawn joins Chuck Carroll to share her extraordinary journey and the health lessons she has learned along the way. They discuss: The difference between longevity and health span The foods associated with healthier aging Why fiber may be one of the most overlooked health tools Protein needs for active adults and people taking GLP-1 medications The surprising reason Dawn developed prediabetes How sleep can affect blood sugar Personalized nutrition and the gut microbiome Her historic marathon after receiving a heart transplant Finding new love in the produce aisle Her major career move after 25 years at Mayo Clinic Chuck and Dawn will both appear at the Plant Powered Party, September 4–6 in Las Vegas. Explore the complete speaker lineup, schedule, tickets, and current virtual-access information at the link below. 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom   🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas 👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty   🎉 Dr. Dawn Mussallem 👉 https://dr-dawn.co   This episode is powered by Dr. Brooke Bussard — a lifestyle medicine health coach who believes in the power of plants to maximize wellness. 👉 https://drbrookebussard.com   This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.   - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated action