Flex Wheeler had one of the most aesthetically fit physiques in the history of bodybuilding. However, Wheeler couldn’t get through some legendary bodybuilders, hence, never won a Mr. Olympia title. Wheeler competed with Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, and Ronnie Coleman. Even though Flex had an impeccable physique, these other legends were massively built as well.

The specialty of Flex Wheeler was his determination and perseverance for bodybuilding. Despite having a kidney problem since he was 14, he opted to become a bodybuilder. Moreover, he had to fight against his opponents in addition to his own body as well. Four years ago, Wheeler confessed the point in his life when he used to blame himself for his condition. He also explained how he got through that point.

Flex Wheeler was going into a dark phase

Flex Wheeler was first diagnosed with Proteinuria when doctors found traces of protein in his urine. However, because of the lack of research and knowledge about the topic, it went untreated properly. Later, Wheeler became a bodybuilder and trained hard, and at the same time, he used anabolic steroids to improve his physique. 

Trending

Bucks Injury Report: Game 6 Return for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Looks Plausible After Miraculous Win

May 01, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT

“Kissing & Hugging Too Much”: Charles Barkley Claims Michael Jordan Had No Friends, Warns Anthony Edwards of Tough Future

April 30, 2024 07:00 AM EDT

“I’m So Disappointed in Kobe”: Charles Barkley’s Bold Take on Live TV Forced a Midnight Call With Frustrated Lakers Legend

May 02, 2024 02:13 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

While fighting his kidney disease, Wheeler continued to train hard and take steroids. But in the late 90s, doctors again diagnosed Flex with a kidney issue. He was diagnosed with FSGS, a condition where the kidney fails to filter blood properly. 

“Wouldn’t Be Alive Today if It Weren’t for Her”: Bodybuilding Beast Flex Wheeler Once Revealed How He Escaped Death Against All Odds

In an interview in 2018, Flex said, “Did I do this? Did I do this to myself based on what I use? What I have done, you know? If I pissed in the bed, I gotta sleep in it.”

Wheeler gradually came to know the reality of the disease

Flex Wheeler kept going hard on himself when he came to know about his diagnosis in the late 90s. But as time passed by, he came to know about various other people who were suffering from the same disease. Eventually, Wheeler realized it was not the steroids that resulted in his kidney failure. 

Wheeler confessed, “I remember him saying there’s a famous basketball player that has the same disease, and we know he didn’t do what you do. And they wouldn’t tell me his name then, but now I know what it is. It’s Alonzo Mourning. And then later on I started meeting families you had kids that obviously didn’t do what I did.”

Watch this story: From Young Age to Becoming a Beast Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Insane Transformation

Flex Wheeler had a hard time accepting the reality when he got diagnosed with FSGS. He blamed himself for his condition until he found out anabolic steroids were not the trigger to cause kidney failure. This gave him a sigh of relief from all the massive problems he had back then.