Frankie Muniz: The Thrill of Dying Keeps Me Alive

Frankie Muniz (actor, musician, and race car driver) breaks down the life lessons he’s learned from the psychology of racing, the origins of his concussions and memory loss, plus his mini-stroke misdiagnosis and what the problem actually was. He opens up about the status of a possible Malcolm in the Middle reboot, the anxiety he felt getting back into race car driving after a near catastrophic accident, his career as a professional musician, and why he thinks moving away from the entertainment industry saved his life. He reveals the reasons he doesn’t drink, his meditation practice and why he struggles with it, and why he wants to start therapy. Mayim resonates with Frankie’s explanation of his memory loss as it relates to being an actor and she breaks down aura migraines.
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Learn more about Frankie Muniz' racing career: www.munizracing.com/
Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong.
#MayimBialik​​​ #BialikBreakdown #FrankieMuniz #MalcolmintheMiddle #concussions #memoryloss #racing

[@Christine_GoBills]

Frankie is one of those people that just explodes with charisma!! He’s so likable. Great episode! Happy birthday Mayim!!🎉🎂🥳

[@thegingergyrl455]

I’ve suffered from migraine with aura since I was 4. It’s not easy to find a doctor who’s willing to listen and not dismiss your symptoms as stress or faking. I’m so happy for Frankie that he found a doctor to help him.✌🏻👩🏻‍🦰👍🏻

[@lovingmayberry307]

So interesting that we have had such differences in medical experiences! I have had occular migraines (migraines w/out pain and with auras), for about 40 years now and have never had a medical professional dismiss my symptoms or accuse me of faking. Perhaps it's a regional problem you're facing?

[@josievaccaro]

I didn't even know about it until listening and reading your comment. Good, that's out there.

[@offbeatheartbeats]

I’ve had this problem all my life as well. no one listens, you eventually stop complaining

[@vicricciuti4690]

Jonathan gave the best explanation of meditation I’ve ever heard. It’s very encouraging. I appreciate his comment.

[@Myrafly]

Guruji Jonathan.

[@KingGoku32794]

I grew up watching Frankie Muniz on Malcolm in the middle I can't believe he's 38 wow but its great to see he's doing well

[@Aimlessartist]

What a well rounded, inspiring and overall great guy. Damn, he gives me so much hope and I’ve never even seen MITM, oddly. Only a few episodes here and there but I just might have to revisit at 36. 😊

[@TerriGillespieAuthorforAuthors]

I also suffered from migraines with auras since puberty. Since menopause it is rare that I get one, usually stress motivated. New on the scene are ocular migraines. Talk about weird visual distortions. Thanks for this episode.

[@MrRobertBatchelor]

Anyone with migraines read this! I had my first one at 10 years old. Lost my vision etc. Pretty much exactly how Frankie explains his. For ten years I was getting them. I finally got diagnosed because I googles my symptoms. Thank you internet. They gave me a pill and when I got a migraine, I took it and it went within 10 minutes. I had the cure! Just knowing I had the cure meant I didn’t have one in years. I think being so scared of having one, brought it on in a way. They unfortunately started coming back and I was in a period of bad eating and drinking. After analysing everything I did I realised that every time I drank fizzy water, I would get a migraine within 30 minutes. Another thing I realised was whenever I went on a sugar binge, the next day I got one mid afternoon. I also noticed that drinking an alcoholic beverage would remove the migraine. So what I did was completely stop drinking anything fizzy and sugary. After researching a lot, I came across something talking about fluids being too thick to go around the brain properly creating the migraine. So the alcohol thinning the blood would explain that and maybe having very high sugar and then low sugar would create a thicker blood also? Anyway, if you’re struggling with migraines, try only drinking water and only consuming sugar in low quantities, preferably from plant sources which helps because the fibre slows the absorption.

[@Aimlessartist]

I think the problem with substance use is that it’s soooo engrained in our society that it does come off as shocking or appalling for a teen to abstain but really, most people just can’t stand the fact that someone isn’t partaking with THEM. Frankie said he couldn’t understand why people cared that he didn’t drink but it’s really them caring that he’s not drinking for* them. As someone struggling with sobriety, I’ve lost a lot of circles because of this kind of selfishness and honestly, that’s when you realize who your true friends are.

[@ReinaDido]

Oh my god, Frankie makes me so fond of him, he is at the same time pure energy, enthusiasm, a vibe like going for everything - obviously you have to have a strong competitive instinct to be passionate about risking your butts in car races "just" for the feeling of reaching the goal first - and at the same time it seems so... candid I think that would be the word, vulnerable in the best of senses. Such a sweet and vibrant guy. It's like his personality is a party in itself :)

[@orland0110]

Thank you so much for this great episode with Frankie Muniz and happiest of birthdays beautiful Mayim!🎂🎉🎁❤❤❤❤❤

[@edenjennings8395]

Medical coder here. Someone tell him that you can have your current doctor assist you to request your prior records be ammended of the G or Z code on his charts that are stopping him from getting life insurance now that the diagnosis has been disproven.

[@KristinM626]

Happy Birthday Mayim!!🎉🎉🎉🎉 Add Frankie to the list of guests I hadn’t thought of but loved hearing his stories

[@awkander]

It's so great to see that he's doing so well. I do hope they bring back Malcolm In The Middle, i loved that show.

[@mackenziegreenfield]

Happy birthday Mayim. You are literally one of my favorite actress. I loved you on Big bang theory and blossom and call me kat

[@altaresjoyceee]

First of all, Happy Birthday Miss Mayim! 🎉❤ wish you all the best in life 😊 we love you 🫶🏻 I just finished listening to this on spotify. Another great episode! 💯 I think its really good to hear that someone wants to go a therapy or meditation 😊

[@danastonerock]

Happy birthday. Mayim, !! 🎉❤

[@matiaspereira9382]

Happy birthday Mayim! Thank you for your awesome performance as Amy Farrah Fowler on Big Bang Theory! She's the best fictional woman character ever created! I had never related to a fictional character very much before! I found her very similar to me! Thank you for all lessons Amy taught me on the show!

[@dazzosheps]

I swear Frankie doesn't age! Looking forward to this one :)

[@m_brokenleg]

Happy birthday Mayim! 🎉🎉🎉 At 1:09:49: Best counsel EVER about meditation by Johnathan to all of us who in some moment of our lives felt unable to be constant in meditation or prone to abandon it! THANKS! From my 💙! As a person with migranes with auras how I understand Frankie and his collection of misdiagnoses! Great episode too about how our own brain is able to trike us, about how we can “create” memories so far away from reality! Amazing, powerful but terrifying 🧠!

[@ReinaDido]

About meditation, exactly that, yes. I have listened to and read a few meditation teachers and that very line is repeated among those who do not claim to be saints or gurus of anything, which in my opinion gives good credence to the advice. Eventually the moments of emptiness widen, or you become more aware that they are there, but that is a byproduct of meditation (or *that* specific type of meditation), which consists of nothing more nor less than sitting with your mental chaos and allowing moments of awareness of that chaos,without hating it or fighting with it

[@TheRealRyan1]

For me, Frankie’s memory issues are 100% down to his poor sleep. Can’t imagine Frankie will be reading this comment but if you do, I strongly strongly recommend cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). You can do it online or in person. I found it an absolute god send for my sleep and my memory. it doesn’t require medication or any silly sleep hygiene practices, it’s just such a good way to train your brain to sleep. Even if Frankie doesn’t see this, for anyone who relates go check it out.

[@Stlouisbartending]

I do. I don’t know why, yes, I do Yes. Sleep effects my memory terribly

[@maxshadow...]

It's amazing how POWERFUL music is. It has a PROFOUND impact on child development and coping with life, well into adulthood.

[@infinitydld]

This was a great episode! I identified so much with both the migraines and miscommunication of drs and with the way people react when you don’t drink/smoke/cuss even in my case. This was fascinating and I really appreciate the insights from all three of you!

[@elizabethmurphy5256]

Happy Birthday Mayim!🎂🥳🎉 Look forward to this show every week. So informative.

[@add1796]

I really enjoyed this episode thank you Mayim, and Happy Birthday! ❤🥳

[@wickymay]

Frankie was the actor I grew up with!! I would run home from school not to miss his show 😂. But ,man I did not know he was a racer 😮 super shocked.

[@danaw23]

What a great interview with great topics and very likable people! ❤

[@MyStylist.Naomi12]

This was SUCH a good episode. I'm incredibly behind on my episodes and insist on watching them in order. So I've been powering through episodes trying to get to this one. I've really been looking forward to it and I was NOT disappointed 😍

[@Busradaisy]

Happy birthday mayim 🥳🥳 I am so happy to know you💗 I wish you a peaceful, healthy and beautiful life with your loved ones

[@aristidastankus8043]

Great interview, Mayim! Happy birthday to you today!

[@LavandarBunny]

Happy Birthday Mayim❤🎉 hope it's a wonderful day!

[@brandi1719]

I can relate to the part where he talks about memories from childhood. Is it the concussions or too much going on that the brain only holds so much. I didn't have a lot of concussions, a couple, but I dealt with a lot of trauma so there's only so much of my childhood I remember.

[@jodirollins]

Great interview thank you!!!

[@keepnitredneck5578]

I was impressed with how Frankie did in the arca series I can't wait to see what he's going to do this coming year in the Xfinity series

[@ihebabidi1205]

holy hell I didn't know this KZbin channel existed until now, I watched the big bang theory recently and I absolutely love you as Amy and as an actor

[@MayimBialik]

So happy you found us!! 🧠🫶

[@ihebabidi1205]

@@MayimBialik love from Tunisia!

[@Squirrel36]

Frankie seems like a sweet gentleman :)

[@raecatlin5062]

Happy Birthday mayim!!

[@user-mk4cg7qk7i]

First of all, I’d like to say that since ( somehow ) your channel came up in my feed, I’ve watched three episodes and with each one, I’ve grown to enjoy them immensely. Mayim, your voice has such a comforting tone, so much so that I would love to listen to you speak at great lengths on just about anything except politics. Hahaha Are there any books that you have read that I might find on Audible ?? Forgive me, I’m old, I just realized that I could google that, and most likely find out. I also am a huge Big Bang fan. Two years ago is when I started watching it and really got hooked on it. I’ve never seen a bad one, always a good laugh, and the whole cast was perfect. Nice job 👏🏼👍🏼. When Malcom in the Middle was on the air, at that time I was a single mom of two and didn’t have much time for TV. I don’t think I had watched maybe five episodes of it and we didn’t have all the technology to record like we do today. With that being said, I didn’t know who Frankie was until I watched this, then it came back to me. He’s an interesting person. I was wondering if at any time he had hit his forehead just above his left eyebrow, because I noticed a considerable size bump that may or may not have been caused from an injury. Just curious. Please don’t be offended, but who is your co-host ??? I really like him as well. BTW, I am a subscriber, and will go back and check out other shows. Thank you for just being you and for this channel.

[@MayimBialik]

Very happy you found us and are enjoying the episodes so far!! 🧠🫶

[@user-mk4cg7qk7i]

I do hope you read the whole comment,, but if you didn’t, I understand, it’s pretty long for a first one. From now on they won’t be. Y’all are wonderful !!💕❤️

[@EveryHandleIsTaken979]

Okay, I’m an ADHDer and Frankie sounds like a fellow ADHDer! ADHD presents differently in different people and he isn’t exactly like me but sounds SO much like other ADHDers I know

[@ross-annamckissack507]

Omg same! This whole time I'm like, "are you sure you don't actually exist on the spectrum?....." Like, I feel like you belong to US. 😅 That comment about hating time 🤌🏾

[@mckenzycasey8320]

Happy birthday Mayim

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

Another Awesome Episode Like Usual! 👊✊😊😆👍🍁

[@ch1cksng3r]

Memories are part of our being but they don’t have to be vivid, recallable memories. They become part of us.

[@marisamartinezolivera]

First things first: May you have the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS Mayim! 💜🎉🎁🎂! I do hope that the humble Booksware gifts we, the worldwide #MBTabbies sent to you arrived well and on time! Chag sameach in the sixth night of Hanukkah too! 🕎🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️Said that, going to watch the episode! Biggest hug!💙🤍💙

[@theguy1466]

❤❤❤ Amy and Malcolm ❤❤❤

[@ukpaullouis2708]

At 18 he learnt how to drive a standard in North Vancouver for a movie he was doing at the time. Apparently, he needed to drive a standard car for a short bit and they set up driving lessons for him. It was after that he really started to get into driving. Do you think he remembers learning stick? Great to see he is having a great time.

[@joankgillette]

My husband and I don’t drink either and everyone is always so shocked lol. I’ve had some drinks in my life but never even been tipsy or drunk.

[@brittanybooker2730]

Happy birthday 🎉❤

[@ch1cksng3r]

I think many of us have memories from the outside. I see pictures in photo albums and THEN I remember the memories. But, my husband, LONG before he was my husband, remembers seeing me when we were teens. He remembers what I was wearing, etc. we all have different memories at different times in our lives. Some sink in. Some don’t. So interesting! Some of my memories were not in pictures but they were poignant points of my life. And lyrics from older songs? YESS!!

[@ch1cksng3r]

I really think no one remembers everything. We need to have prompts and we remember. We live very busy lives. And if we’re not Sheldon Cooper, we don’t remember EVERYTHING. We don’t need to. Only so much bandwidth.

[@lonm6433]

Oh my Gawd! Yay!!!!!!

[@kencoleman5007]

I was wondering if what I had experienced in my 20's were aura migraines. At least twice (these happened four or five times in total), it coincided with stomach cramps and severe pressure from an inguinal hernia. For periods of about a half hour, i would be nauseous and all of my field of vision vision was dark brown aside from the brightest brights (which were fuzzy). The more I'd try to use my vision, the more disorienting it would be, so I'd try closing my eyes and navigating to a chair where I could just rest my head between my legs until normalcy resumed.

[@katrinarelph-mueller8490]

It has taken me 20 years of work, practice and determination to sleep more than 4 hours. I have struggled with sleep since birth. My poor parents. I can relate to the brain not turning off. I can wake up feeling like I didn't sleep because my dreams are so active. I also remember all of my dreams. But I am up to 6 hours and starting to feel good with this extra sleep. I am 56 maybe some day I will be an 8 hour sleeper. Stillw orking

[@thomasmurphy3021]

Happy birthday

[@keke8880]

Mayim i miss you on Jeopardy 😢

[@cjplay2]

Visualization - I have a VP who knows I can "take things from people", like Frankie mentioned about his Olive Oil company, as I moved into a manager role. He gave me a powerful visualization 4 years ago. "Imagine your arms fell off and you still had to get the job done." My brain loves visuals/anecdotes and so I literally felt like Nathan Fillion at the beginning of Suicide Squad. Visualizing something the opposite of what you know you could do is VERY powerful for me.

[@tamaramccarthy8811]

If anyone has a diagnosis documented in your medical record that is incorrect, you can submitt a correction request to the location to have the correction documented and it has to be included in any record request. Also protest any facility using incomplete/incorrect records for insurance determination. It is illegal. "From a Health Information professional".

[@kkl8631]

I wonder if you would recommend Frankie get a scan from Dr Amen? He might find that he could do some things to help heal his brain. The racing brain also makes me wonder about possible ADD, etc. I know Dr. Aman also has a lot of information on various types of ADD/ADHD and how to help with symptoms related to that. Frankie seems like a very interesting person. Great interview!

[@SongJLikes]

I broke my collarbone in a motorcycle accident, and I didn’t realize it until I tried to pick my bike up about 2-3 mins after the incident…. For a second, it didn’t even hurt, I just simply couldn’t source leverage to lift the bike from one side of my body.. then the adrenaline wore off, and any time I moved my upper body, searing pain was set-off

[@corbyking4844]

I suffer from focal aware seziures since I was 9 ,what he described sounded very familiar

[@user-pb4ex6rc4l]

I've had migraines since my early 20's. Always wondered if falling from a horse head first when I was 19 has anything to do with it. But there is also a family heredity aspect going on. I thought when I went into menopause they would go away. Although better, they are still happening regularly. 😢

[@chrismk2033]

I was 17 when I got my first migraine and it as a doozy. This was years ago. I was working part time in the Montgomery Wards children's dept. I noticed my peripheral shrinking more and more until I went totally blind. Scared to death. They called my mom to come get me. She immediately drove me to our opthomologist…..you could do that in those days. She had to keep stopping the car to let meet out to throw up. Didn’t take I’m long to diagnose it. Gave me a shot and a prescription of something, I believe. Went home and slept fora long time. After that I’d get the preceding auras. I’m 78 now and will find myself suddenly blinking a lot to clear my eyes when it dawns in me that a migraine is on its way. Mostly the aura will pop up out of the blue. I can cut it pretty short pretty quickly with the stuff i takenow.

[@RebekahVee]

It sounds like he might have SDAM (severely deficient autobiographical memory). It’s a quite newly researched phenomenon. I have aphantasia which is often linked to SDAM and can relate a lot to what Frankie is saying. I don’t have full SDAM (I don’t think) but this seems so much like what I experience due to my global aphantasia. SDAM is not fully understood, it is possible he was born with it or it is acquired due to his upbringing or the concussions or both. Also, not diagnosing him at all, just a thought.

[@litaibarcena4041]

I don't remember stuff that my relatives remember about me and things I lived, until they let me know and still I am missing a lot of details! And I do remember lyrics and old movie scenes that I didn't even intended to remember! Are these things ever been studied? Maybe there' s something out there explaining these phenomena. I am reading comments and it looks like we' re not alone! Maybe you could find a little bit more information for us?

[@Myrafly]

His numerical and music memory is kind of savant level. From what I understand sometimes memory space is allocated to other things when it's important. Maybe the studying of scripts used up his gray matter. The disrupted sleep can explain the memory issues.

[@curseofcontext]

how sad that health infringers like that could be treated as an excuse to take people out of an occupation like that, how does that deem should not be insured so alarming! always pains me a little when people say "as dumb as that sounds" because on some level i also have that internalized but it's so nice to see how what follows usually is an expression of passion or an exploration of an idea without having it all figured out just yet just going out on a limb

[@Ironbat92]

It's been 15+ years since Malcolm in the Middle and Frankie Muniz hasn't aged a bit.

[@ericrobin5709]

This is really terrific ever huh honestly I think it is extremely awesome ever I really do like this video is interesting ever nice

[@michaelcaraccia7819]

What was the magic pill called? Or what type of doctor figured out the issue and gave you the pill? That information would probably help thousands. Thanks

[@litew8]

I have a terrible memory similar to Frankie. I had a bad concussion I a car accident when I was 19 and I wonder if it’s connected. I’ve just dealt with it and feel like I’m always explaining to people that I have a terrible memory but I think I come off as ditzy or insensitive 🤷‍♀️

[@fionnbeith1]

RE: "stopping" thoughts in meditation - the key to this mindful magic lies in the body. Yes, the body! Studies reveal that calming the body through various somatic practices - like deep breathing, body scanning, and gentle movements (i.e. Tai Chi or Yoga) - can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. These techniques help you tune into your body's sensations and create a sense of grounding. It’s like telling your body, “Hey, it’s chill time!” So, when your mind goes on a thinking spree, your body can be the anchor that says, “It’s okay, we’re just OK here.” This approach helps create a balance where your mind can be as busy as it wants, but your body stays calm and collected, like a wise old tree in the midst of a bustling city.

[@sinnerforlife2827]

I can’t I am the same age as him. Damn

[@andreaw4745]

is there a way to watch all the podcast videos, in chronological order from oldest to new? i see a play all option, as a subscriber, but i was hoping to start from the first podcast years ago... work my ay to the newest. any help would be great!

[@MayimBialik]

Hi, Andrew! You can create your own private playlist and order the episodes chronologically (or in whichever order you'd like), or here's a link to all of the episodes and you can save the playlist that way: kzbin.info/aero/PLedDhastjmeXkgwl4KJ5IIwnMZyUEfY-h Happy watching! 🧠🫶

[@andreaw4745]

@@MayimBialik HI MAYIM! omg - thanks for replying! adding your videos to create my playlist, i would have to add each podcast on my youtube one by one... and as you know you have almost 200. that would be time consuming, so i will just keep listening on my iPhone via Spotify. there i can easily listen in order from old to new, without having to create anything. otherwise, i love your podcasts and eagerly look forward to each next episode. i just got two friends to start listening. your guest list has been amazing. and i enjoy your genuine personality with passion of many things. you are very easy to listen to.. honest, transparent, goofy funny and so kind. ❤ thank you mayim. all the best in the new year.

[@LitHouseTieDye]

This guy needs sleep meditation and some sleep headphones. It's changed the way I sleep and live. Now when I wake up I can just focus on the meditation and drift back off. It gives my mind a place to go. It's also a great way to teach your brain how to meditate. You Tube is great for sleep meditations. I just found things that felt good to my brain and figured those are the right ones. This was a very interesting conversation all around.

[@MayimBialik]

🙌🙌

[@amismarterthanmy6thgrader]

That first 2 minutes,, made me think, I remember photos but not much more,, is there something to this

[@shelly936]

@Mayim Bialik I think Frankie could benefit from Dr. Joe Dispenza teachings. ❤ This podcast and this episode. Praying only the best for Frankie and his family. Prayers for Frankie's protection during his races.

[@jessihaney9807]

My sister often claimed as a child she was our Dad's sister 's daughter who he adopted!!! She looks like our Aunt

[@onebraveheartlion]

My eye dr blew these what I describe as grey spots that shift. It sounds a lot like what you are describing.

[@lee28.78]

Start making movies again ,,,😊

[@canadianrobot]

Bert is the only only human that enjoys talking about themselves more

[@kp50065]

I want Frankie to listen to this and hear himself say that when u have fear you should stop racing then later in the interview he talks about watching the race and feeling afraid. This was such a great interview.

[@marlenefeliciano9774]

He seemed so happy, I’m so glad he is good. So many bad reports of him. I’m so happy they were all BS.

[@CelebrityHeart]

Fun fact: Frankie & I share the same birthday, December 5th

[@Myrafly]

painless migrane with auro was triggered in me by low blood sugar and exhaustion.

[@KMM-br1ny]

Advice for someone who suffers migraines?

[@derekriddle5101]

His memory sounds pretty much jusst like mine/shrug. We are probably just the outliers of a 'less normal" type of memory but its still pretty much....just normal.

[@user-fq9un9bz8b]

Hey my girl happy birthday iv got a couple of birthday cards on the way to you iv missed you so much 😮 😂 ❤ 😊 I love it when your happy and smiling 😂 I'm always thinking about you happy birthday sweetheart amanda Miller Rockledge Florida

[@Bartcmh]

Yes No Maybe…I don’t know. Can you repeat the question?

[@carltonpenuel7595]

After he started talking about running out of time, I knew he was a Sagittarius.

[@toniledford2640]

Paul Newman was a great example.

[@darnitthelma4247]

Everyone knows the lyrics to Jon Secada and we have no idea why 😂

[@percytheprefect5540]

LOL Frankie is the opposite of Malcolm! He is such a cool, down to earth, chill person!

[@MsRotorwings]

In other words, Frankie’s wife has two children at home. It must be like living with a dementia patient. Isolating. He says “you know what I mean” every 15 seconds.

[@debrapahl7573]

Obviously he never recovered from being unresponsive in ICU !

[@joanlynch5271]

My life involves weird memories.

[@ch1cksng3r]

I don’t remember what I ate yesterday. Mundane things are just that.

[@litost]

you create your memory while sleeping. that may be the reason on why he have memory issues.

[@juliemuchow4576]

He needs to snowboard.

[@mosaicpaint3223]

I think it is trauma. When you had something bad happen to you, and trauma happened, you dont remember prior to that. This is just a hunch

[@manichispanic5234]

Maybe compare it to going from a helicopter to flying a 747. The same, but not the same at all lol😂

[@karaleelu4597]

What is this magic pill Muniz?? How you gonna hold that secret?? LOL

[@DendaJayne]

No! NASCAR and Indy are not the same thing 😂

[@calsavestheworld]

Heh. Malcolm in the Middle Age.