Lindsey Morgan recently opened up about the deeply personal reasons behind her departure from "Walker" during its second season. In a forthcoming episode of Tommy DiDario's "I’ve Never Said This Before" podcast, shared by "The Hollywood Reporter", Morgan — who was known for her role as Micki Ramirez in the CW series — revealed that declining health issues compelled her to step back from her television career.
"I suffered a spinal injury that began impacting my nervous system and brainstem," she disclosed, recounting how this health challenge manifested in debilitating anxiety and overwhelming stress, rendering her unable to perform her duties effectively on set.
At 34, Morgan acknowledged the heartache of stepping away from what she once considered a dream fulfilled: a lead role on a television series. "I was truly fortunate that I began working and never had to pause," she reflected. "Yet, in hindsight, I see my error. Like an athlete who continually exerts without proper recovery, I kept pushing, working, putting out energy without allowing myself time to recuperate. While my dreams were materializing, internally, I was unraveling. Personally, I was in a state of disarray. My anxiety was off the charts."
Morgan confessed that, upon reflection, she felt she had not delivered her best work. "Now I realize that my physical and mental state was in disarray," she continued. "I was overwhelmed and couldn't comprehend why. The weight of responsibility felt immense, and I constantly felt like I was letting everyone — including myself — down."
Her doctors eventually presented her with a difficult choice: continue with her grueling 16-hour workdays while relying on medication to manage her condition or radically change her lifestyle to reduce stress. The deterioration of her health left her feeling as though she had failed.
"I'm someone who always pushes myself hard, who holds very high standards, and I never want to disappoint those around me," she said, according to THR. "I felt like I had let Jared [Padalecki] down or failed the show, and that was the hardest part for me. It still makes me emotional, even though I know it’s absurd because I had to prioritize my well-being, which is ultimately more important."
Morgan first announced her exit from the series in December 2021, telling "Entertainment Weekly" that it was “one of the toughest decisions I've ever faced."
"I needed to carve out time to focus on my health and well-being — physically, emotionally, and mentally — and reassess how I ended up where I was, making some necessary changes," she said at that time.
Reflecting further, she shared, "My life had been so career-centric; I neglected self-care throughout my twenties. The relentless work, the ceaseless ambition — it all caught up with me, leading to a profound state of burnout."
The Quran - Chapter Al-Ma'arij: 29- 31
and those who guard their chastity
except with their wives or those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, for then they are free from blame,
but whoever seeks beyond that are the transgressors.
