Some moments remind us how fast life can shift. That’s what Ellen DeGeneres shared in her recent Netflix special, where she talked openly about several health problems that appeared after she stepped away from the spotlight. Her honesty felt warm, simple, and very human.

Ellen revealed she now has osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones weak and easy to injure. She joked that she felt like a “human sandcastle,” but the pain was real and frightening. What she thought was a small injury turned out to be something much bigger.

Therapy also brought another surprise diagnosis: OCD. Ellen admitted she didn’t understand the condition for years because her family never talked about illness. Looking back, she now sees that her father had many of the same habits, like checking doors and appliances over and over.

She later learned she has ADHD as well, which makes focusing difficult. With her usual humor, she said her worry and forgetfulness sometimes balance each other out. Still, living with ADHD, OCD, and osteoporosis has changed the way she moves through each day.

Ellen also mentioned the stress of her 2020 controversy, which pushed her to reflect deeply and finally end her long-running show. She said she now tries to let go of what others think and hold onto what she knows is true.

In the end, her message was simple: aging and healing are hard, but facing them with honesty — and a little humor — makes the path feel lighter.