Maria Kang spent years building her life around fitness, healthy food and wellness. Known online as the “No Excuse Mom,” the California mother of three became a familiar face in the fitness world after a photo of her sculpted body with her young sons went viral in 2013.

More than a decade later, Kang faced a diagnosis that challenged everything she believed about health. In November 2023, she learned she had Stage 4 colon cancer. The diagnosis came after years of digestive problems that she had gradually accepted as normal.

Kang, now 46, said digestive issues had followed her since adolescence. Chronic constipation and bloating became worse during stressful periods. She tried fiber pills and laxatives, but relief often remained difficult.

“It didn't matter how many fiber pills or laxatives, it just took a long time to go,” Kang said.

Over time, she began treating those symptoms as part of everyday life. Looking back, Kang said that was a mistake.

“One thing that I realized is that we normalize problems, and we think it's OK, but it’s not OK,” she said. “Digestion should be like breathing. It should be like inhaling and exhaling. It should be simple. But it wasn't simple.”

Her experience highlights why persistent changes in bowel habits should not simply be dismissed, even when someone otherwise appears healthy.

A Diagnosis That Came as a Shock

Instagram | diagnosismariakangfitness | Despite leading an exceptionally healthy lifestyle, Kang was completely shocked by her cancer.

Kang said the cancer diagnosis stunned her because she considered herself exceptionally healthy. She exercised regularly, paid close attention to nutrition and even filtered her drinking water.

“It was definitely a complete shock because I was the healthiest person I knew,” she told Fox News Digital. “I wanted to blame the food, but I didn't eat bad food. I filtered my water. There was no excuse why I had this cancer.”

A tumor was later identified through a biopsy following a colonoscopy. Kang initially chose a holistic approach for about 12 weeks. The tumor did not shrink during that period and may have grown slightly.

She then started FOLFOX chemotherapy in 2024. FOLFOX combines several chemotherapy medicines and is used to treat certain gastrointestinal cancers.

After her first treatment, Kang went to an emergency room after her colostomy stoma retracted. A scan reportedly showed that the tumor had shrunk substantially. She subsequently asked to stop chemotherapy and move forward with surgery.

Major Surgery Followed

Kang underwent extensive surgery to remove the tumor and approximately one foot of her colon. Surgeons also removed several reproductive organs and her appendix.

The treatment also meant living temporarily with a colostomy and later an ileostomy. The procedures and recovery changed her daily life, but follow-up scans have provided encouraging signs.

Kang said her MRIs have shown “no suspicious mass detected.” She continues to receive blood tests and imaging every six months.

However, she has not been formally declared NED, or “no evidence of disease.”

“Much of what remains appears related to postoperative healing and inflammation,” she said. “Because of my history, my doctors continue surveillance, but I have not been formally declared NED (no evidence of disease).”

Colon Cancer Rises in Younger Adults

Kang’s diagnosis also comes as colorectal cancer continues to affect younger adults in the United States.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 158,850 Americans will receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2026, while about 55,230 people are expected to die from the disease.

Overall colorectal cancer rates have declined, particularly among older adults. Increased screening has contributed to that decline. At the same time, younger adults are seeing a different trend.

Among adults under 50, colorectal cancer incidence increased by 2.9% annually between 2013 and 2022.

The American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that adults at average risk begin routine colorectal cancer screening at age 45. People with certain risk factors may need screening sooner.

Age should not become a reason to ignore persistent symptoms.

Looking Healthy Isn't Everything

Kang said cancer forced her to reconsider the difference between appearance and actual health.

“It was a really big, humbling look in the mirror when you say to yourself, ‘I look healthy, but I'm not healthy,’” she told Fox News Digital.

She pointed out that a person can have a normal weight and still face serious health problems.

“When someone is at a normal range in their weight, they could have cancer. They could have autoimmune issues,” Kang said. “We don't know what's going on inside of a person. We always just want to look the part versus be the part.”

That lesson has become a central part of how Kang now views wellness. Fitness, body size and diet can all contribute to health, but they cannot provide a complete picture of what is happening inside the body.

A Different Approach to Wellness

Instagram | diagnosismariakangfitness | Since her diagnosis, Kang swapped her intense weekly training for gentle, comfortable movement.

Kang’s daily routine has also changed since her diagnosis. Before cancer, she trained five or six days a week. Now, she focuses more on movement that feels comfortable and sustainable.

“I used to train five or six days a week, but now I only move when I want to,” she said. “Walking is my best friend. I love to dance. I still love to strength-train because it's fun for me and it makes me strong.”

She also avoids activities that feel forced.

“If there's anything that I feel forced to do, I don't do it,” Kang said. “If I feel awful, my body's going to express awful.”

Her relationship with food has shifted, too. Instead of labeling foods as strictly “good” or “bad,” she now focuses on balance. Fruits and vegetables remain a natural part of her diet, but she does not believe eating pizza or other foods should automatically create guilt.

Symptoms Deserve Attention

The American Cancer Society advises people to speak with a healthcare provider about persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and other unusual gastrointestinal symptoms.

Those signs can have many causes that are unrelated to cancer. Still, persistent or concerning changes deserve medical attention, regardless of age or fitness level.

Maria Kang’s experience offers a simple health lesson: appearance cannot reveal everything happening inside the body. A strong physique and healthy habits can support overall wellness, but they do not make someone immune to serious disease.

Kang now describes health in broader terms. “Health is not what you think it is,” she said. “It's not just how you look. It's how you feel.”

For people dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms, that message carries particular weight. Paying attention to changes, discussing concerns with a healthcare professional and following recommended screening guidelines can help identify problems before they become harder to treat.