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“That’s the most important thing. It can be manageable,” Marino said. “That’s why you should have a positive attitude about it and just understand what the circumstances are.”
Of course, mindset alone wasn’t enough. Doctors gave him a straight-to-the-point game plan:
“The doctors right away said that can be reversible, it can be taken care of, but, mainly for me, they were saying, like, ‘You gotta work out. You got to lose weight,’” Marino explained.
The Lifestyle Overhaul
Marino didn’t make excuses. He went to work. The first step was cleaning up his diet. Out went the junk food – no more late-night pizza, no more candy binges, no more endless desserts. His doctor pointed him toward the Mediterranean diet, and he committed.
But Marino didn’t stop with food. He leaned on his support system. His wife Claire joined him for nightly bike rides and walks. Former teammate Terry Kirby trained him in the gym. And Marino stuck with the plan day after day.
“It’s exercise, riding bike, walking, and diet, and then getting back to just being consistent – waking up and making sure you gotta do something every day,” Marino said.
The results have been undeniable. His ultrasounds show his condition hasn’t worsened, and he’s convinced his health will “get better and better and better.”
Using His Platform to Help Others
Marino could have kept this private. Instead, he went public. Teaming up with Novo Nordisk for their “Unordinary Stories” campaign, Marino is determined to raise awareness and encourage others not to ignore the warning signs.
“If you get diagnosed with fatty liver and MASH, doing the things you need to do, like I talked about – diet, working out – and staying consistent with it, that’s what our message really is,” Marino explained.
The message couldn’t come at a better time. Millions of Americans are carrying the disease without even realizing it. Some might notice fatigue. Others may shrug off weight gain or a fading exercise habit. Marino’s story proves it’s possible to manage the disease – but only if you catch it early and make the hard changes.
A Champion’s Mentality
Marino’s career stats are legendary: over 61,000 passing yards and 420 touchdowns. But the way he’s handled his diagnosis may be even more inspiring.
“There’s one thing I always take away from football, athletics and sports: that’s being positive,” Marino explained. “Look forward and look for answers and see what you can do and how you can be the best you can be.”
That’s exactly what he’s doing – showing that real champions don’t just fight for themselves, they fight to inspire others.
The Takeaway for Every American
If you’re over 50 and haven’t been keeping up with your health, Marino’s story is a wake-up call. This disease doesn’t care if you were once an NFL great or just a regular American trying to get through the week.
The lesson is clear: get checked. If the diagnosis comes, take responsibility. Cut out the excuses, make the tough lifestyle choices, and stay consistent.
Dan Marino has proven that with faith, discipline, and the right mindset, even a disease threatening millions of Americans can be beaten. And that’s a message every household needs to hear.
