1217. From Suicide & Shame to Self-Acceptance: Celebrity Hairstylist Chris Appleton’s Story

1217. From Suicide & Shame to Self-Acceptance: Celebrity Hairstylist Chris Appleton’s Story

Author: Heal Squad January 20, 2026 Duration: 45:22
Hey Heal Squad! Today Chris Appleton is with Maria and if you thought you knew his story… think again. Beyond the exterior of being a celebrity hairstylist (he’s worked on some of the most iconic women in the world like Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Ariana Grande), Chris is opening up about a side of his life the world has rarely heard. In this episode, Chris goes deep into the generational trauma, childhood labels, and bullying that shaped him at age six, and the years he spent abandoning himself in order to perform for the world. He also speaks candidly about the night he tried to take his life after coming out: a moment that was both devastating and, shockingly, the beginning of his reinvention. But Chris’s story doesn’t end there. He was rescued, and that moment became his second chance to live authentically. This is all detailed in his new book, Your Roots Don’t Define You, and reminds all of us that becoming who you really are is always worth the fight. If you’re on your own path of  transformation, this is a must-listen. Just a heads up, it’s a very honest and vulnerable conversation, so please listen with care.  HEALERS & HEAL-LINERS:  Reinvention Begins With Returning to Yourself: Chris reminded us that reinvention is about going back to the version of yourself you’ve abandoned & real transformation begins when we choose to see ourselves without apology.  How to Break Generational Patterns: Trauma can get passed down quietly through silence, survival, and emotional suppression. But healing can move forward through awareness, therapy, and refusing to live by the labels you were given. It can stop with YOU! HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy’s Page: Shop My Macy’s Storefront EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host AUDIBLE:  https://audible.com/healsquad AG1: drinkag1.com/healsquad  GUEST RESOURCES: Chris Appleton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisappleton1/?hl=en Chris Appleton TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisappletonhair Book: Your Roots Don’t Define You: Transform Your Life. Create Your Comeback https://yourrootsdontdefineyou.com/?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos’ passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company’s Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

There’s a raw honesty to Heal Squad x Maria Menounos that comes from a place few hosts can genuinely claim. Maria Menounos doesn’t just discuss wellness from a theoretical standpoint; she’s lived through the kind of health crises that redefine a life-a personal brain tumor, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, infertility, and caring for her mother through a similar illness. She channels those profound experiences into every conversation, transforming her survival into a practical, empowering resource for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their own health. This daily podcast feels like a trusted friend cutting through the noise, offering clarity on everything from mental resilience and physical fitness to the nuanced realities of chronic conditions and preventive care. You’ll hear from leading experts and compassionate voices, but always filtered through Maria’s perspective as an Emmy-winning journalist and bestselling author who knows how to ask the real questions. The goal isn’t perfection, but progress-actionable steps and relatable stories that make taking control of your well-being feel possible, not intimidating. Tune in for a candid, grounded approach to healing that acknowledges the struggles while consistently pointing toward sustainable solutions and hope.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Heal Squad x Maria Menounos
Podcast Episodes
Potluck Saturday: What We Got Wrong Back Then… [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
Happy Potluck Saturday, Heal Squad! Today’s potluck starts with a throwback… an old Andy Griffith clip (A Face in the Crowd) that somehow launches us into… baton twirling?! Yes, really! From childhood batons with tassels…
RGF Ep. 266: You Adapt Faster Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:50
Happy Regular Guy Friday, Heal Squad! This week starts with life in El Salvador, adapting on the fly, why Kev’s backpack and “swimmies” are suddenly essential, and how quickly you realize what you actually need. From the…
Sunday Set Up Ep. 30: Trust the Timing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:07
Happy Sunday, Heal Squad! Kev kicks this one off with some music nostalgia (The Kinks, The Monkees, and a few Hall of Fame hot takes) before getting into something bigger… timing, letting go, and trusting that things hap…
Potluck Saturday: What Happened to Hollywood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Happy Potluck Saturday, Heal Squad! This one starts in old Hollywood, Greta Garbo disappearing at the height of her fame (but secretly knowing exactly what she was doing), Oscars past vs. present, and why movies just don…
RGF Ep. 265: When Your Gut Says No (St. Patty’s Week) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:21
Happy Friday, Heal Squad! It’s a Lonely Guy Friday: St. Patrick’s Day Week edition… and Kev takes us from holiday energy and Boston traditions into one of his wildest Kev-on-the-Scene stories yet. What starts with St. Pa…