A 29-year-old woman is receiving widespread attention online after sharing her deeply personal story of living with Trimethylaminuria (TMAU).
TMAU is a rare condition that causes persistent body odor, and the woman says she entered a relationship with a 69-year-old man because she accepted her when others wouldn’t.
The emotional video, posted by Miami-based DJ and radio personality DJ Yoyo, features the unnamed woman doing chores while narrating her story.
She explains that TMAU made it extremely difficult to date younger men, claiming they “wouldn’t put up” with her odor. She eventually had a child with a man four decades her senior, stating:
“He didn’t judge me for it.”
But the story doesn’t end there.
“Acceptance isn’t the same as peace of mind,” she says in the video. The woman describes how becoming a mother led her to reassess her relationship, stating:
“If I stay, my daughter will grow up in a home filled with unhappiness, constant disagreements, and broken energy — and I refuse to let that be her story.”
The video, which has gone viral on social media platforms, resonated with many viewers who praised her for her vulnerability and courage.
She concludes with a powerful affirmation:
“I’m not happy, I’m not thriving — I’m just surviving. And the truth is, I deserve to live life, to love life, and to be loved in peace and happiness… It’s never too late to alchemize.”
TMAU, often referred to as “fish odor syndrome,” is a rare metabolic disorder that prevents the body from properly breaking down trimethylamine, leading to a strong odor.
Individuals living with the condition often suffer from social isolation, depression, and anxiety due to stigma and misunderstanding.
By sharing her truth publicly, this woman not only humanized the lived experience of someone with TMAU, but also offered a message of empowerment for anyone who has stayed in an unhealthy situation out of fear, shame, or a lack of self-worth.
Her final message: “My past or current situation does not define me — it’s building me into the greatest self.”
