Many fans still regard Flex Wheeler as one of the greatest bodybuilders to never win a Mr. Olympia title. Flex earned the nickname “The Sultan of Symmetry” because of his proportionate physique. While Flex never won the Mr. Olympia title, he ruled the Arnold Classic stage. The bodybuilding icon won the Arnold Classic four times and held the record for most wins for over a decade until Dexter Jackson broke it in 2015.

However, many fans may not know that Wheeler competed in bodybuilding while struggling with health complications. Recently, the Arnold Classic winner opened up about his alarming kidney issue.

How a rare kidney disease has the bodybuilding icon

On Aug 1, Flex Wheeler appeared on The Menace Podcast. Bodybuilding coach Dennis James hosts the podcast with Milos Sarcev and Chris Cormier. Wheeler, who joined remotely from the hospital bed, opened up about his health issues. The former champion had recently had his shoulder surgery. However, after the surgery, Flex contracted a GI infection. The infection caused his kidney issue to flair up.

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Flex, who got a kidney transplant in 2003, is always at risk. “You know, the kidney has done its job, but it’s showing definite signs of wear and tear,” said Flex. “They are concerned… It’s showing signs of failure.” Wheeler added. To Wheeler’s surprise, the transplanted kidney has lasted nearly two decades.

“When you get a kidney transplant, for a normal person, it lasts about seven years,” said Flex. The Mr. Olympia runner-up also said his kidney donor was a petite person, while he was a big guy. “It’s stressful for that kidney anyway because it’s so small.” said Flex.

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In November 2019, Flex had to go into emergency surgery. The Arnold Classic winner started having circulation problems, and a blood clot formed on his right leg. The doctors partially amputated Wheeler’s leg to save his life. 

The doctors didn’t take Flex Wheeler seriously

Flex also opened up about how in 1999, doctors didn’t take him seriously. The Arnold Classic winner said he went to multiple specialists. However, they said, “Oh, you eat too much protein. Oh, it’s the sports technology drugs you take. Oh, you’re too heavy,”.

It wasn’t until 2000 that he got a kidney biopsy and found he had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Flex has been battling the issue since then.

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The bodybuilding icon reached the top of his sport. But a rare kidney disease cut his career short. While Flex has battled the disease for a long time, his struggles are far from over.