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After Losing His Leg Due to Horrifying Health Issues, 57-YO Bodybuilding Legend Makes a Heartwrenching Confession: “I Find Myself Praying It’s All Just a Dream”

Published 01/22/2024, 7:01 AM EST

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Flex Wheeler is a bodybuilding legend not only because he was amazing on stage and took everyone’s breath away but also because he faced extreme hardships in his life and conquered them all. The bodybuilding ace not only became a four-time Arnold Classic winner but also defied all odds whether physical or mental to continue bodybuilding despite going through several surgeries and a genetic kidney disease.

Unfortunately, in the year 2019 due to a life-threatening condition, he had to undergo a leg amputation surgery. Four years have already gone by since that fateful day and even though he has become used to wearing a prosthetic leg and accepted his life as it still haunts him from time to time.

Flex Wheeler’s heartbreaking story

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In the Instagram video while narrating his story he said, “I was driving to church this morning and I looked around and I noticed that I don’t have a leg.” He even admitted the fact that it has already been four years since the surgery and even now he goes into shock sometimes realizing the fact that he will never get his natural leg back or even his old life back.  The realization that his life will never be as it used to be, hits him more often than he would like,  “As I drove to church this morning, a wave of realization washed over me – I don’t have a leg. It’s a strange sensation that often haunts me, especially at night. Waking up in a panic, trying to take that first step, only to find that my right leg is missing.”

However, despite that Wheeler has decided to embrace adversity and fight through all problems. He has always been an athlete; from track football, to baseball, and even martial arts to finally becoming a professional bodybuilder his journey had always been a roller coaster ride. However, becoming an amputee was the biggest change in his life. He even asked his followers how they would face their obstacles and summon the strength to go on.

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The bodybuilding veteran motivated not only himself but also his fans and shared his wisdom that in these moments of adversity, true resilience will always shine through. The leg surgery was due to Ste**id usage which made his body have inflammation and finally underwent a diagnosis.

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Wheel’s amputation is a lesson in caution

While talking to FitnessVolt, Wheeler revealed that the bodily inflammation needed a diagnosis and the doctors found out that he had Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG). This is one of the deadliest kidney diseases but despite that, he kept competing, and then things went downhill.

 Both of his legs and flicks still face some lingering problems because of the continuous blockage in his arteries. He elaborated by saying, “The doctor said ‘The disease you have now causes occlusions of your arteries. So you’re at risk now, of losing your left leg’”. 

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Watch this story: Bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Mocked Sylvester Stallone’s Special Rambo Knife Showcasing One of His Own

Such drastic adversities he still believes in the positive energy of resilience and always strives through.

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Written by:

Tanushree Bhowmick

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I am Tanushree Bhowmick. I have always loved running and sprinting since I was a child and I often took pride in being unbeaten at sporting events in school. The love I had for sport continued to follow me into adulthood.
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Edited by:

Smrutisnat Jena