Hailey Bieber is speaking candidly about the health challenges that changed how she views her body — and her life.
The 29-year-old model and Rhode founder recently revisited the frightening experience of suffering a mini-stroke in 2022, followed by heart surgery shortly after. During an appearance on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast, she explained how that period forced her to slow down and reassess her relationship with wellness.
“That situation made me a little bit extra hyper-aware of my body and a little bit more nervous about things and staying on top of them,” Hailey said. “But I’ve just always been really focused and fascinated on health.”
The incident led doctors to discover that she had been born with a previously undiagnosed heart defect. The corrective procedure, though minimally invasive, was still emotionally overwhelming.
“Then I found that I had this heart defect that I was born with, so I had to get surgery for it, which sounds really crazy,” she recalled. “But they went through my groin and I was in and out of the hospital the same day.”
Though the recovery was swift, the emotional impact lingered. Rather than creating fear, however, it deepened her curiosity.
“I just am so fascinated with the body and medicine and doctor,” she continued. “And I love it… It was also kind of what led me to want to Rhode. My obsession with skin care also comes from my obsession with medicine.”
For Hailey, wellness is not about aesthetics alone. It’s rooted in understanding how the body functions and how to care for it proactively. That mindset has shaped not only her lifestyle but also her business.
Her experience has also made her more attentive. She’s open about becoming more aware of subtle physical changes and more committed to staying informed.
While she has returned to work and continues to grow her brand, the health scare remains a defining chapter. It shifted her from passive wellness habits to intentional ones.
