In October 2023, Strahan was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that developed in the back of her brain. The daughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan chronicled her treatment journey through YouTube vlogs before doctors declared her cancer-free last July.
Strahan recently appeared on the Beyond the Battlefront podcast. The 20-year-old reflected on a difficult aspect of her journey.
“I lost a lot of weight during my treatments, which was bound to happen because my appetite was out and I was nauseous all the time,” Strahan told host Noor Hassan, a high schooler who survived cancer (h/t People). “But one thing I wish I did was move.”
Strahan is still working to regain her strength while re-adjusting to her normal routines.
“I know it’s super hard at times and I did not want to move, but I wish I just made myself walk, even just like 100 steps a day because I lost so much of my leg muscle,” she continued. “It was not funny. It’s not fun to get back because I’m paying for it now, trying to work out and everything. I think the one thing I’d tell myself is, ‘Move. Move yourself. Drink a lot of water.’ All the health stuff.”
Tanita Strahan, Isabella Strahan, Louise Strahan, Michael Strahan, Sophia Strahan at the star ceremony where Michael Strahan is honored with the first Sports Entertainment star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Gilbert Flores/Getty Images
Strahan also admitted that she struggled to stay optimistic after her diagnosis. She initially went into “loopholes” researching “bad stuff” online.
“At the beginning of my journey, I was not so positive,” she said. “I only kind of thought about the worst things that could happen. I think that’s pretty detrimental.”
Last month, ABC aired a “Life Interrupted” special detailing Isabella’s road to recovery. Before the documentary aired, she shared another lesson during a “Good Morning America” interview with her father’s co-host, Robin Roberts.
“I learned how you should advocate for yourself. I think the whole journey has taught me that,” Strahan said. “I think I should have known something was wrong earlier, and I think it’s always important to trust yourself and trust your body.”
