After five open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant, Mallory Streacker is now a body builder. -19

Explicit content warning

05/23/23 • 38 min

Mallory Streacker, a professional body builder and currently studying exercise science, was born with a tricuspid defect called Epstein Anomoly. She had her first open heart surgery at 12 years old which caused serious depression for her. Then, at 16 years old, she had another valve replacement as well as a bypass to reroute blood flow to reduce pressure on the right ventricle. At 25 years old, she went into atrial flutter which put her in end stage heart failure. It was then she had open heart surgeries 3 and 4. At 30 years old, her heart took up 75% of her chest cavity and she was admitted to Cleveland Clinic and put in IV meds to keep her alive. There, she had her 5th open heart surgery to transplant a RVAD. 3 days later, she got a new heart.

After such a series of events, Mallory had two choices: feel sorry for herself or become a body builder. She is now thriving as a body builder and is in school for exercise science. She is also acutely aware of the importance of nutrition in her healing journey.

Boots asks her pointed questions about the physical, mental and spiritual impacts this path has had on her and Mallory is raw and real in her answers.

Mallory and Boots also talk about how they met through WomenHeart and their new roles as Heart Champions.

Boots asks her pointed questions about the physical, mental and spiritual impacts this path has had on her and Mallory is raw and real in her answers.

Mallory and Boots also talk about how they met through WomenHeart and their new roles as Heart Champions.

Previous Episode

The first unroofing of a myocardial bridge in Michigan

#18 Kathy Hoseth was the first patient to be unroofed for her myocardial bridge in the state of Michigan at age 58. She began experiencing symptoms at age 8 from a myocardial bridge but would not receive the diagnosis until age 58. Throughout childhood, she couldn't catch her breath, her legs hurt, and she just didn't feel right. She even passed out when standing in line for too long in high school. She kept living her life, had two boys in her 20s and even went back to school as a mom. She had her first ER visit during college and was discounted as having stress. She kept going back to the doctor and was diagnosed with pleurisy as well as pericarditis. She was told to take Motrin. She kept living her life. Then, she bought a Fitbit and noticing her heart rate which would be as high as 185. After several more doctors and a heart monitor, Kathy spoke up and said "my inner voice said something is not right." Finally, she had a nuclear stress test and heart catherization which found the myocardial bridge. BUT! Then she was put on medications which did not help. Finally, Kathy had another heart catherization with a female doctor who could see how significant her bridge was. Thanks to Spectrum Health Hospitals for performing the first unroofing procedure at that facility. Kathy is now living her best life. She reflects at the end about how heart surgery changed her. Boots also weaves in some of her story with Kathy's including her ridiculous experience attempting to participate in track in high school.

Website: The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

Transcript: Joyful Beat | The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

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Thanks to Michael Moeri for being my right hand man. Michael Moeri - Audio Editor, Podcast Producer and Marketing Director

Next Episode

Host, Boots Knighton, shares reflections on season one as well as new learnings

#20 Boots shares how much she has grown from launching this podcast as well as all the people she has had the priviledge to meet with Michael Moeri, the sound guru for this podcast. She also shares recent developments with her health and the importance of holistic dentistry.

Michael reflects as well on how he met Boots and the episodes that touched him.

You can hear Boots in Episode 209 – Making Friends with Stillness, Boredom and Courage with Suzanne Boots Knighton - The Jackson Hole Connection

Open Heart Surgery with Boots - After five open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant, Mallory Streacker is now a body builder. -19

Transcript

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Hello and welcome to the Heart Chamber. I am your host, boots