Lexie Brown Shows You Can Be a Pro-Athlete With Crohn’s

Most mornings, Lexie Brown, a professional basketball player with the WNBA and Athletes Unlimited, heads into her pink lit Pilates studio to build strength without heavy dumbbells. Since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 29, she’s made many life changes. This autoimmune disease, affecting around 750,000 people in the U.S., can cause severe pain and other symptoms. Brown shared her struggle with Crohn’s, from tiredness to extreme pain, and sought treatment after barely making it through a game. She underwent emergency surgery for two fistulas and was later diagnosed with Crohn’s. Brown had to adjust her lifestyle, including eliminating trigger foods and doing more Pilates instead of weight training. She also plans her meals based on her digestive needs and communicates openly with her team about her health. Despite the challenges, Brown encourages others not to feel ashamed about dealing with health conditions like Crohn’s.