What happens when the internet’s “No Excuse Mom” is diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at 42—while raising three boys and running a business? She fights. She transforms. And she finally lets go of everything she used to prove.
In this raw, riveting episode of Not Young. Better., I sit down with Maria Kang—viral fitness icon, nonprofit founder, cancer survivor, and truth-teller—to talk about what’s beneath the hustle.
You may know Maria from her infamous “What’s Your Excuse?” post that sparked global headlines and fierce backlash. But behind the abs and ambition was a woman unraveling—battling bulimia, chasing external validation, and eventually, facing a terrifying cancer diagnosis that would shake everything loose.
In this episode, Maria shares:
What stage four cancer taught her about the connection between trauma, illness, and unexpressed emotions
How she healed spiritually, emotionally, and physically—beyond chemo
Her unfiltered thoughts on motherhood, identity loss, rage, and finally feeling safe in her body
Why she’s no longer interested in being “liked” and what actually matters now
This is a wake-up call. Not just about health—but about presence, purpose, and the real work of healing. It’s Maria like you’ve never heard her before.
🔗 Connect with Maria:
Instagram: @mariakangfitness
Website: mariakang.com
—
✨ Hosted by Chelsea Etheridge
Founder of Not Young, a wellness brand for women in perimenopause and midlife.
Explore The Baseline—our foundational supplement for hormone balance, energy, mood, and metabolism.
📲 Connect with Chelsea + Not Young:
Chelsea: @chels_holland
Brand: @notyoung.co