Bodybuilders have extremely strong physiques. Moreover, to become massive, they had to go through some immense training, discipline, and much more which reflects their mental strength as well. But there is a retired bodybuilder who had some extra challenges, and he faced them like a champion. Flex Wheeler is a retired American professional bodybuilder with four Arnold Classics under his name.

Flex Wheeler first faced the disorder with his kidney when he was just 14 years old. At that small age, doctors discovered him with traces of protein in his urine. However, the science wasn’t that advance at that time and they couldn’t diagnose him properly. But they knew the problem and treated him accordingly. In 2007, Flex revealed how he ducked a near-death experience with the help of a girl.

Flex Wheeler could have been dead back in 2003

After suffering from a kidney disease early in his life, and no proper treatment led the condition became worse. Despite suffering from kidney issues, Wheeler worked arduously to become a legendary bodybuilder. However, in the late 90s, the doctor successfully diagnosed his disease as FSGS, a condition that restricts the filtration of blood in the kidney.

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However, he got good treatment but eventually, in 2003 his kidneys couldn’t take it more. As a result, he had to do a kidney transplant. In an interview in 2007, a reporter asked Flex, “I read about your troubles. How a girl from your church offered you her kidney. That’s some story!” 

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Flex replied, “Dude, I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for her. The surgery required follow-ups, and I’m on medication for the rest of my life. They’ve cut it down for me, but I’m quite used to taking pills every day.”

The episode of leg amputation

The kidney had been Flex Wheeler’s hurdle in his whole life. Although it is exceptional, the way Flex escalated in his career despite having numerous health issues with him. However, the use of anabolic steroids during his bodybuilding days might have made his kidney situation worse. Nonetheless, after having 16 successful years with the transplanted kidney, he once again broke down in 2019.

This time, things went too ahead. The improper filtration of blood led to several blocked arteries in his lower limb. After hypothesizing over different results of different ways, the doctors could only see two ways to treat it, either to amputate the leg or leave it like that, which eventually lead him to death. With utmost heaviness in heart, Flex decided to go for the first option and had his leg amputated in 2019.

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Flex Wheeler had the story of a warrior written all over his journey. It was the big heart of the woman who helped him to be alive in 2003, and Flex will always be thankful to her. The act of the lady shows we might have come on this planet alone, but we can support each other for the good of the time we live here.