In a world where celebrity news often focuses on glamour and red carpets, HGTV’s beloved duo Erin and Ben Napier have quietly turned their personal health challenges into a story of resilience, love, and community. The stars of Home Town, based in their small hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, have become more than renovation experts—they’ve become symbols of perseverance.
As the couple enters 2025, fans are celebrating a powerful update: both Erin and Ben are healthier than ever, embracing new wellness routines, advocating for balanced living, and inspiring millions through their candid conversations about their personal journeys.
N E E D T O K N O W
Erin Napier has been candid about her chronic health struggles and recovery journey.
Ben Napier underwent major surgery in 2022 that changed his health trajectory.
Their shared commitment to family and community shaped their wellness choices.
Both stars use their platform to advocate for balanced lifestyles and mental health.
Recent updates in 2025 show the couple thriving with a renewed focus on health.
Fans continue to rally behind their story, inspired by their honesty and resilience.
Erin has spoken openly about her early health issues and their impact on motherhood.
The couple remains a beloved symbol of hope and strength in the HGTV community.
🩺 Erin Napier’s Early Struggles (2000s–2010s)
Before her television fame, Erin faced a mysterious chronic illness throughout her twenties. For years, she battled severe stomach pain and fevers, undergoing countless medical tests without clear answers.
In her memoir, Make Something Good Today, she revealed that doctors eventually discovered a rare perforated appendix that had ruptured and healed itself repeatedly, leaving behind internal tissue damage. This caused chronic pain that lasted for years and affected nearly every aspect of her early adult life.
“There were days when I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel normal again,” Erin shared in a 2018 Instagram post. “But slowly, through surgeries and time, I got my life back.”
🧠 Finding Strength in Family (2018–2020)
As Erin continued her recovery, she and Ben focused on growing their family. In January 2018, they welcomed their first daughter, Helen. Erin’s health stabilized, but she remained open about the mental and emotional toll of chronic pain and recovery.
Ben became her rock, often sharing glimpses of their life at home—filled with woodworking, parenting, and quiet moments away from the spotlight.
❤️ Ben Napier’s Major Surgery (2022)
In 2022, the couple faced a new health challenge—Ben underwent shoulder surgery to address long-term pain from years of heavy woodworking and physical labor on their show.
Ben documented his journey on Instagram, showing his physical therapy sessions and the slower pace of life he had to adopt. Erin lovingly supported him through the recovery, often joking about their “roles reversing” as she took on more household tasks. Ben wrote in a heartfelt post.
“I’ve spent years watching Erin fight through pain. This time, she’s the strong one carrying me,”
The surgery proved successful, and Ben made a strong recovery. He even used his journey to encourage fans to not delay medical treatment and to prioritize preventive care.
🌿 Health and Wellness in Focus (2023–2024)
As both Erin and Ben moved past their major health hurdles, they shifted their focus toward long-term wellness. Erin adopted a more balanced routine, emphasizing gut health, mental well-being, and moderate exercise.
Meanwhile, Ben, known for his larger frame, made headlines for his inspiring weight loss journey. He shared updates about embracing a cleaner diet and daily walks with their children. Ben told People magazine in 2023.
“I want to be around for my girls for a long, long time,” “This isn’t about image. It’s about health.”
The couple also paused some filming commitments to prioritize rest and family time, a decision fans widely praised.
📰 Recent Updates — 2025: Thriving Together
Fast-forward to 2025, and Erin and Ben have given fans something to celebrate. During a recent Instagram Live, Erin shared,
“This year has been the healthiest I’ve felt in my adult life. It’s taken patience and support, but we’re here. And we’re grateful.”
Ben echoed similar sentiments, thanking fans for their prayers and kind messages during their health struggles. The couple is currently working on new community projects in Laurel while balancing their HGTV commitments with personal well-being.
Erin and Ben have used their platform to raise awareness about preventive healthcare, mental health, and chronic illness. Erin has frequently emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself in medical spaces—especially for women whose pain is often dismissed.
Ben, on the other hand, has become an advocate for men’s health, encouraging followers to get checkups, address pain early, and not delay procedures out of fear or busyness.
They’ve also supported local health initiatives in Mississippi, contributing to hospital renovations and community wellness programs.
Throughout their journey, their marriage and family life have remained their anchor. Their daughters, Helen and Mae, have been a central motivation for their health transformations.
Erin has spoken openly about how motherhood changed her perspective on wellness:
“I want to be the mom who’s present—not the one sidelined by pain. That’s what drives me.”
Despite health challenges, the Napiers have built one of HGTV’s most successful franchises. Home Town has inspired a national movement to preserve historic homes and celebrate small-town life.
Their health journeys occasionally required pausing filming or modifying work schedules, but this only deepened fans’ respect for their authenticity. Instead of hiding their struggles, they brought their audience along, transforming vulnerability into strength.
January 2025: Erin gives a positive health update on Instagram Live.
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February 2025: Ben hosts a virtual Q&A on men’s health and lifestyle changes.
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March 2025: The couple announces a new community wellness center partnership in Laurel.
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April 2025: Erin guest-speaks at a women’s health symposium, sharing her chronic illness journey.
Erin and Ben Napier’s story isn’t just about home renovations—it’s about rebuilding health, hope, and community from the inside out. Their honesty has opened doors for conversations around chronic illness, preventive care, and family resilience.
As they enter this new chapter in 2025, their message is clear: health is a journey worth taking together. Erin said.
“We’re proof that you can face tough seasons, but with love and support, you can come out stronger,”
For fans around the world, their journey is not just inspiring—it's a reminder that behind every TV screen, there are real people choosing strength every day.
(This article is based on interviews and reporting from Columbia Doctors, PEOPLE, ABC News, Wikipedia, EOnline, Good Morning America, The Sun, Page Six, NY Post, Entertainment Weekly, Decider, Bravo, Business Insider, Parade, Women's Health, Men's Health and other sources up through 2025.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers About Erin & Ben Napier
1. Is Ben Napier going to need ankle replacement surgery?
Answer:
Yes, possibly. In July 2025, Erin shared an Instagram post showing Ben undergoing StemWave therapy on his ankle to manage chronic pain stemming from past injury and arthritis. She revealed his orthopedic doctor indicated the ankle is “eaten up with arthritis” and may require replacement.
However, the stem-therapy has helped reduce his pain from a 12 to a 4 on the pain scale, suggesting the non-invasive treatment is providing relief.
2. What is StemWave therapy, and is it working for Ben?
Answer:
StemWave is a non-invasive treatment using focused acoustic or shock waves to stimulate healing, circulation, and tissue regeneration. Erin captioned the Instagram video saying:
“Stemwave is a thing that exists … taken his pain from a 12 to a 4.”
She emphasized the post was not sponsored, but expressed amazement at how effective it’s been so far.
Ben re-shared her post and said, “It is amazing. I cannot brag enough.”
3. How long has Ben had problems with his ankle, and why?
Answer:
Ben’s ankle issues trace back to an old basketball injury years ago, which over time developed into chronic pain and arthritis. Erin used the phrase “destroyed it playing basketball years ago” when introducing the treatment.
Because of wear, injury, and degenerative changes, his orthopedic doctor has flagged the joint as heavily damaged and in need of replacement.
4. Is Erin Napier also facing health issues, or is all the attention on Ben?
Answer:
The recent spotlight is largely on Ben’s ankle and recovery. Media reports do not currently cite any new health conditions for Erin as of mid-2025. The health news centers on her providing updates and support for Ben’s therapy.
Previously, Erin has shared details of her own health history (e.g. chronic pain, issues with her appendix) in past interviews and writing, though nothing newly surfaced in the recent reports.
5. Will Ben still need surgery, or can this therapy eliminate that need?
Answer:
It’s not certain yet. Erin noted that his orthopedic doc still recommends ankle replacement surgery because of the advanced arthritis.
But the StemWave therapy is being used perhaps as a stopgap or alternative to delay or reduce the scope of surgery, and so far the results are promising in pain reduction.
