The 20-year-old was diagnosed with brain cancer in October 2023 — now she is reflecting on what she could have done differently

Isabella Strahan is reflecting on the things she could’ve done differently throughout her brain cancer journey.

On March 1, the 20-year-old daughter of Michael Strahan appeared on the Beyond the Battlefront podcast and opened up about receiving her diagnosis and undergoing emergency surgery to remove a large medulloblastoma — a type of malignant tumor — in her cerebellum in October 2023.

While speaking to host Noor Hassan, a high school junior and cancer survivor, Isabella shared what she regrets about her health struggle.

“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,” she shared. “But one thing I wish I did was move.”

“I know it’s super hard at times and I did not want to move, but I wish I just made myself walk, even 100 steps a day because I lost so much of my leg muscle,” she explained. “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’d tell myself, ‘Move. Move yourself. Drink a lot of water.’ All the health stuff.”

Isabella Strahan in the hospital for brain cancer.Isabella Strahan/instagram

Isabella added that she also wishes she had kept a more positive mindset while in the hospital.

The model, who documented her cancer journey on social media, was known for keeping her spirits up throughout her treatment. But she admitted that she didn’t initially have the best attitude about her diagnosis.

“At the beginning of my journey, I was not so positive. I only kind of thought about the worst things that could happen. And I think that’s pretty detrimental,” she said.

Isabella said she would spend a lot of time “researching bad stuff” on the internet about her diagnosis and wishes she ignored the possible negative outcomes and instead, recognized that her journey is different from anyone else’s.

Isabella Strahan ringing the hospital bell after completing chemotherapy.Isabella Strahan/instagram

After connecting with so many other people going through similar battles, the college student said she hopes that’s the one thing people learn from her.

“Always have a positive mindset and not shut yourself off like, ‘This is the end. Life is never gonna get better.’ I definitely was that person and now I’m trying to see how I can not be that person,” she said.

After her diagnosis, she went through six weeks of radiation, four rounds of chemotherapy and three brain surgeries. She documented her entire health journey on her YouTube series.

On July 18, 2024, Isabella posted a vlog — titled “Goodbye Hospital” — announcing that there was no sign of cancer in her body.

“After the wildest 8 months, I finally got to ring the bell. Grateful for my journey 🩶” she wrote on Instagram at the time.