Episode Summary
At just 25, Marisa Kimmel learned she carried a BRCA mutation that put her at dramatically increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. With a newborn baby at home, she chose a preventative double mastectomy with flat closure, documenting her journey online and building a vibrant community around honesty, humor, and radical self-acceptance.
Marisa also lives with alopecia, a condition that began when she was nine years old and taught her early lessons in identity, resilience, and shedding societal expectations. In this conversation, she shares what it means to navigate uncontrollable shifts in appearance, body, and risk—and how rebellion and celebration have become central to her healing.
Key Takeaways
Receiving a BRCA diagnosis while six months postpartum and choosing preventive surgery
Why flat closure, for Marisa, was the most empowering choice
The intersections of alopecia and hereditary cancer: navigating uncontrollable identity shifts
How documenting her journey online created both personal catharsis and communal healing
The importance of rebellion, humor, and celebration in claiming one's body and story
Why self-referencing and agency are vital in the face of societal stigma
About the Guest
Marisa Kimmel is a creative, mother, and online community-builder who shares her journey with alopecia and BRCA mutation through radical authenticity and celebration. Her work centers on dismantling stigma, normalizing diverse bodies, and helping others find freedom in self-acceptance.
Find Marisa Online
Instagram & TikTok: @MarisaKimmel
Resources & Links
Free guide: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis at sarachampielcsw.com
Connect with Us
Follow on Instagram/TikTok: @facetherisktogether
Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts
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