Emilia Clarke, renowned for her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in *Game of Thrones*, revealed the profound impact of surviving two brain hemorrhages during a recent episode of the podcast *How To Fail with Elizabeth Day*. The first incident occurred shortly after she completed filming the first season, where intense stress led to her collapsing at a gym in London. Describing the experience, Clarke likened the sensation to an elastic band snapping around her brain, emphasizing the immense pressure she felt. Despite her fear of being perceived as weak by her employers, she underwent a brain scan that ultimately revealed the severity of her condition.

The second hemorrhage struck while she was performing in a Broadway play in New York, resulting from a previously monitored aneurysm. A complication during a repair procedure necessitated emergency surgery, with doctors warning her parents about her critical condition. Following this ordeal, Clarke noted a significant emotional toll, feeling hypersensitive and detached from her surroundings. She expressed that her work provided a vital outlet for coping with her trauma, stating, “Without my work, I don't know what I would have done.” Clarke's journey illustrates the resilience required to navigate life-threatening health challenges while maintaining a career in the public eye.