She Has to Eat Every 15 Minutes to Stay Alive – Here's What She Looks like Today

Doctors were stunned by the young woman's birth, puzzled by how she had managed to stay alive before entering the world. After visiting several medical experts who couldn't explain her symptoms, she finally got a clear diagnosis in her mid-twenties.

The famed motivational speaker has shared her journey with a rare condition that has captured worldwide attention. Despite eating large amounts of food, her body does not retain weight.

What makes her story stand out is how it began. She arrived four weeks early, weighing only two pounds and ten ounces, with barely any amniotic fluid surrounding her.

Her mother, Rita, once a church secretary, remembered in an interview, "They told us they had no idea how she could have survived."

At first, doctors considered De Barsy syndrome as a possible cause, but they dismissed it when they noticed she did not have learning difficulties. Despite countless tests and specialist visits, her condition remained a mystery.

Rita, who kept detailed notes about her daughter's medical journey in dozens of notebooks, shared, "They kept on trying to figure out what was wrong with her but we treated her like any other child."

Her condition drew global medical interest and led to her participation in a study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, led by Professor Abhimanyu Garg.

His team suspected she had Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome (NPS), a disorder that causes rapid aging, fat loss, and tissue issues. While each case differs, doctors were hopeful since she had healthy teeth, organs, and bones. Her future remained uncertain, but research on her condition continued.

As medical studies pressed on, the writer reached a turning point in how she viewed her condition. In another interview, the Texas native shared that by the time she was around 13, she no longer wished for a cure.

Though she was blind in one eye and had a fragile build, her health was otherwise stable. She explained that if there were a pill or surgery to help her gain weight, she would not take it, "All the struggles I've had made me who I am today."

As she grew older, her daily routine remained shaped by the demands of her condition. At 21, she needed to eat every 15 to 20 minutes just to stay stable. Though she consumed between 5,000 and 8,000 calories each day, her weight never exceeded 4 stone 3 pounds. She divulged in a June 2010 interview:

"I weigh myself regularly and if I gain even one pound I get really excited."

Her meals, which included everything from crisps and noodles to doughnuts and pizza, helped keep her energy up. She admitted feeling upset when people wrongly accused her of having an eating disorder.

This constant need to eat continued into her early twenties, yet it made little difference to her weight. At 23, while studying at Texas State University, the motivational speaker weighed only 58 pounds. She explained that her stomach was so small she could not eat much at once, often needing another meal just half an hour later.

Despite her steady intake, she remained extremely thin. Dr. Atul Chopra, a medical genetics resident at Baylor College of Medicine at the time, pointed out that she had no adipose tissue — the fat layer that stores energy under the skin — and admitted, "We just don't know why."

Even without clear answers, she has remained steady in how she views her condition. While she does not wish for a cure, she has expressed a desire for a proper diagnosis. "I'd like a diagnosis – a name so I can say, 'this is what I have,'" she said, even joking that the syndrome could carry her name.

After years of uncertainty, her long-held hope for answers was finally fulfilled in an unexpected way. Best known as a motivational speaker and author, Lizzie Velásquez gained recognition after sharing her life story online and in public appearances.

In May 2024, through her YouTube channel, she divulged that her appearance on the "Today Show" led to a breakthrough. A genetic doctor in Houston saw her interview — thanks to his wife — and reached out. The writer revealed:

"After many years, he was the one person to officially diagnose me at the age of 25, with neonatal progeroid syndrome."

Lizzie added that the condition includes two components: lipodystrophy, which prevents weight gain, and Marfanoid features. While Marfanoid traits are somewhat common, her specific form is extremely rare.

Gaining clarity about her condition marked a major step, but the challenges Lizzie faced began long before that diagnosis. Due to her appearance, shaped by a syndrome few understood, she endured years of harsh bullying — especially during elementary school. Recalling her first day of kindergarten, she expressed in an interview once:

"I felt like some sort of monster."

The teasing hurt so deeply that she kept it to herself, often crying during evening baths out of shame. Her father, Lupe Velásquez, who also taught at her school, would speak to her classmates each September. "This is Lizzie. She's just like you guys, she just looks a little different," he would say, which made a big difference.

Over time, Lizzie turned those painful memories into motivation to help others. While balancing her college studies, she wrote two books and gave talks to students across Texas. Her "It Gets Better" video on YouTube, reached a wide audience. She explained that sharing her story also helps her heal, adding, "It's kind of the grown-up version of my dad coming to class."

Lizzie's efforts to support others not only touched those around her but also deeply moved her own family. Her mother, Rita Velásquez, once shared her admiration, saying she could hardly believe the bravery Lizzie showed when speaking to large audiences:

"How she has the courage to get up and talk to crowds of people is beyond me because I'm terrified of doing anything like that."

Rita added that her daughter's confidence continued to surprise her, especially during moments of personal doubt, recalling how Lizzie would reassure her with simple words, "Mom, don't be that way."

The confidence Lizzie showed throughout her life didn’t stop at public speaking — it grew into a powerful platform for change. Now 36, and once a speaker on "TEDxYouth," she has also become a vocal activist.

She once posted a detailed message online, speaking about her early experience with cyberbullying. She described how, at 13, a stranger posted a video about her that gathered over four million views and was filled with cruel messages telling her to take her own life.

The YouTuber said that pressing a flag button was her only option at the time and admitted that the experience made her feel completely powerless. According to her, this moment defined her mission to make the internet a safer space.

Lizzie shared that although cyberbullying may never completely go away, one person can still influence change. She also reflected on meeting Tina Meier, who lost her daughter Megan to online bullying by an adult woman, and called the Megan Meier Foundation's efforts inspiring.

She emphasized that social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram need to be held accountable, noting that current tools like blocking or reporting feel more like worn-out patches than real solutions.

Despite her continued advocacy, the emotional toll of online cruelty has not disappeared. Around the same time, she broke down after seeing a particularly hurtful post about herself. The constant stream of harsh comments remains painful, and she admitted the tears came easily that day.

Lizzie reminded others that her experience is just one among many, and said she would keep working toward making social media a space where people feel safe to show who they are — without needing dozens of filters or fearing judgment for having a different view.

Even with moments of heartache, Lizzie continues to receive uplifting words from those moved by her courage and honesty. Supporters celebrate her efforts with words of appreciation.

One person wrote, "Lizzie Velasquez, you are a total inspiration." Another praised her, "Well done girl, proud of you." Others offered heartfelt encouragement, including, "Beauty may be on the inside, but how we dress and carry ourselves is a reflection of that- Lizzie, I think you are fabulous and love your sense of style!! Bless the incredible work you are doing and the lives you are changing!" and another stating, "Thank you for showing us what true kindness is all about."

Lizzie has faced a rare condition, ongoing health challenges, and public cruelty with strength and purpose. Despite the lack of a cure, she has embraced her identity and turned her experience into a platform for awareness.

Her advocacy against bullying and cyber abuse has reached millions and continues to grow. Through her speeches, writing, and activism, she pushes for lasting change in both real life and online spaces. Lizzie's journey is not just about surviving, but about making every voice count.