At 19, Marisa was told her colon might need to be removed to heal her ulcerative colitis. At 29, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But today, she’s thriving—and sharing how she used food, intuition, and determination to heal.
In this powerful episode of The Exam Room, Chuck Carroll sits down with Marisa to unpack her two-decade-long health journey. From life-threatening flare-ups and hospital stays to a macrobiotic diet, emotional resilience, and the importance of advocating for your body, Marisa’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone navigating chronic illness.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How Marisa used macrobiotics to heal
- Why Marisa said “no” to surgery—and what happened next
- How trauma, stress, and intuition played a role in recovery
- The life-changing mindset shift she wants everyone to hear
Don’t miss this one—especially if you or someone you love is struggling with ulcerative colitis, thyroid issues, or chronic inflammation
Key Takeaways
What is a macrobiotic diet?
Marisa describes a macrobiotic diet as eating "a perfect plate" -- one that is plant-based and balanced in foods containing carbohydrates and starches, and healthy fats, for example.
What’s the connection between stress and chronic illness?
Marisa’s flares often followed emotional events. Her journey highlights how stress and trauma can manifest physically, and why emotional healing is vital.
Who is Marisa Marinelli?
Marisa is a health and wellness advocate who healed from ulcerative colitis and thyroid cancer. She says a macrobiotic diet, self-education, and emotional resilience played a significant role in her recovery.
— — SHOW LINKS — —
Marisa Marinelli
Instagram: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macromarinelli
— — —
Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise
https://holisticholidayatsea.com
— — —
Gout Cereal Study
https://bit.ly/cerealgoutstudy
— — EVENTS — —
International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine
Where: Washington, DC
When: August 14-16, 2025
Tix & Speakers: https://www.pcrm.org/icnm
— — —
Wellness Weekend
Where: Canaan Valley Resort - Davis, WV
When: Sept. 26-27, 2025
Tix & Speakers: https://www.brendaworkmanspeaks.com/wellness-weekend
— —EXAM ROOM NEWSLETTER — —
Sign up: https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip
— — THIS IS US — —
The Exam Room Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexamroompodcast
— — —
Chuck Carroll
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChuckCarrollWLC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChuckCarrollWLC
X: https://www.twitter.com/ChuckCarrollWLC
— — —
Physicians Committee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physicianscommittee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCRM.org
X: https://www.twitter.com/pcrm
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PCRM
Jobs: https://www.pcrm.org/careers
— — SUBSCRIBE & SHARE — —
5-Star Success: Share Your Story
Apple: https://apple.co/2JXBkpy
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pMLoY3
— — —
Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!
