After suffering a major health setback, supermodel Anok Yai is taking measures to heal and take care of her body.

Anok Yai has been ruling the ramp ever since she started walking on it, but last year, the Sudanese descent suffered a major setback when she was diagnosed with a 'congenital defect' that she described as overworking her heart and destroying her lungs.

In December last year, she underwent surgery for the condition, and in an interview with Dazed in February, Yai opened up about how she is taking care of her body post the procedure.

“After my recent healthcare journey, I’ve really learned to listen to my body. Your body is always communicating with you and sending you signs, and I’ve stopped ignoring them. I now treat my body as a separate entity to myself – I take care of her, and she takes care of me.”

On December 19, 2025, the American model shocked everyone by sharing a post on Instagram detailing her diagnosis and surgery. In a long caption that started with her revealing that she had been battling the condition for a year, she explained her journey in detail.

She wrote, "What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe."

She continued by saying that despite the diagnosis, she continued working, skipping her treatment for the 'right time and the right doctor.' She eventually realized that she had to prioritize her health before it's too late. Although the 28-year-old didn't reveal her exact condition, she underwent robotic lung surgery to treat it.

According to the American Lung Association, it is a non-invasive procedure performed by a robotic system that involves making small incisions. After her procedure, Yai is taking all the necessary steps to keep her body healthy and fit.

Anok Yai’s Wellness Routine

Anok Yai's approach to diet and fitness is simple and yet very effective. Being a supermodel requires working around the clock in different time zones, but Yai makes sure to keep her body healthy by following a healthy lifestyle.

Strength training

Anok Yai once told Elle UK that she works out every day, and her routine mostly involves lifting weights with very little cardio. “I’m always working out, but a month before the first show starts, I start working out a lot, Yai told Fashionista.

Sauna

She loves saunas as it helps her detox and then hydrate. She also does facials to repair her skin from the damage caused by constant touching at fashion weeks.

Protein diet

She follows a clean, protein-centric diet, no matter which country she is in.

Self care

Nothing beats self-care when it comes to keeping your body healthy. Apart from exercise and eating healthy, she keeps her mind refreshed with activities like reading and drawing.

Let's hope that her health keeps getting better, and she rules the ramp for many more years.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil