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“Wouldn’t Tell Me His Name” : Bodybuilder and Kidney Patient Flex Wheeler Revealed the Untold Truth About $70 Million Worth NBA Star’s Disease

Published 12/05/2022, 9:30 AM EST

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The ‘Sultan of Symmetry’ who received the ‘Lifetime Achievement award’ by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Flex Wheeler needs no introduction. Diagnosed with the deadly disease ‘focal segmental glomerulosclerosis which attacks the limbs, Wheeler underwent a kidney transplant. In an interview with London Real in 2018, Flex Wheeler made a shocking revelation about an NBA basketball player who also had a disease. 


In the interview, Wheeler revealed that it was NBA basketball player, Alonzo Mourning. Additionally, Flex Wheeler also spoke about a key difference between him and Mourning who also had the same disease in his interview. 

Mourning was also told the shocking reality that there is no cure for the disease and he might have to be put on dialysis.

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Revelations from Flex Wheeler about his doctors and more

During the interview with London Real, Wheeler spoke about how he wondered whether the disease was due to something he used. Here, Flex refers to the use of steroids which he has also publicly admitted.

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“There’s a famous basketball player that has the same disease and we know he didn’t do what you do”, Wheeler spoke. Continuing, Wheeler said, And they wouldn’t tell me his name then, but now I know what it is. It’s Alonzo Mourning. ” The doctors’ revelations confirmed that steroids had nothing to do with the disease for The Sultan. 

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The bodybuilding legend carried on to speak about the toll the disease had on his mental health. He spoke about how it was rough on him. Continuing, he remarked how he almost died from 9 surgeries that he underwent in just 11 weeks!

Wheeler had also earlier given a response to Alonzo’s kidney transplant. “Alonzo is a true warrior” Wheeler spoke. The bodybuilding legend also said that he hoped Alonzo’s new kidney would be in good health and the disease wouldn’t affect Alonzo. 

A vocal Sultan gave epic details of his period of “Darkness” 

Wheeler spoke about how he was finding it difficult to compete in the Olympia and couldn’t run 100 miles/hour like other athletes. “I went through such a depression”, the bodybuilding legend said.

via Getty

The bodybuilding legend also spoke about how he would lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, and the fact that he’d stay awake 17 hours a day because of the prescribed drugs. Flex also told how the self-doubt was agonizing for him and that he was unsure whether he could pursue a bodybuilding career again.

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Wheeler’s open disclosures about his disability reflected how he didn’t want to obscure the reality of life for his fans. Flex is all about breaking regressive norms around disability. His humility and perseverance are truly inspirational!

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Written by:

Priya Hinduja

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Priya Hinduja is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. Post pursuing her Master's Degree in English, she worked as an English language trainer at Osmos Club and also dabbled with marketing at Debugee Technologies Pvt Ltd for a year. With a keen interest in playing chess and badminton in her leisure time, she also follows the activities of Michael Phelps, whose story motivates and inspires her.
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Edited by:

Jahnabi Choudhury