Recently, I joined The Thought Atlas podcast to discuss living kidney donation, transplant advocacy, and the deeper question of how personal experiences shape purpose. The conversation focused not only on what I’ve done—donating a kidney and participating in a record-setting climb of the highest point in all 50 states—but why those decisions matter.
My perspective on kidney disease began decades ago when my father developed kidney failure and spent nine years on dialysis. Watching that gradual decline—physically and emotionally—left a lasting impression on me and ultimately led me, years later, to become a non-directed living kidney donor in 2017. That decision reframed how I think about service, risk, and responsibility.
During the podcast, we discussed the broader realities of kidney transplantation. More than 90,000 Americans are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, yet many people are unaware that living kidney donation is a viable and often life-saving option. Living donor kidneys typically last 15 to 20 years—often twice as long as kidneys from deceased donors—and recipients generally experience better outcomes. Despite this, misconceptions about risk and recovery continue to limit awareness.
We also explored how perspective drives action. Following my donation, I joined four other living kidney donors in a record-setting expedition to climb the highest point in all 50 states in 41 days. That journey, documented in my book Ascending America, was designed to challenge assumptions and demonstrate that kidney donors can return to full, active, and even extraordinary lives.
The central theme of the conversation was simple: when you understand a problem clearly—and recognize that you can be part of the solution—you begin to see opportunity where others see limitation. For me, that has meant using storytelling, speaking, and advocacy to expand awareness of living kidney donation and help more patients move from dialysis to transplant.If you are interested in living kidney donation, kidney transplant education, dialysis realities, or the role of perspective in shaping meaningful action, I encourage you to listen to this episode of The Thought Atlas podcast.
In Ascending America, I share the full journey—climbing the highest peak in all 50 states alongside four fellow living kidney donors, pushing through brutal conditions, and challenging the limits people assume come with donation. More than an adventure story, it’s a powerful look at the science, resilience, and life-changing impact of living kidney donation.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s truly possible after saving a life—or how one decision can create a ripple effect that impacts dozens more—this book is for you.
👉 Get your copy of Ascending America today and rethink what’s possible.
