I recently had the opportunity to join Sasha Graham on the Sports Will Save Us All podcast (episode here) to talk about one of the most meaningful journeys of my life—donating a kidney to a stranger in 2017 and later joining four other living donors to climb the highest point in all 50 states in record time.
Our mission wasn’t simply to set a Guinness World Record. It was to demonstrate something far more important: that living kidney donors are not limited. They can return to full, active, and even extraordinary lives.
During the conversation, I shared what dialysis really does to patients, why living donor kidneys last significantly longer than deceased donor kidneys, and how more than 90,000 Americans are still waiting for a transplant today.
The climb itself was filled with extreme weather, logistical challenges, and emotional moments, but it continually reinforced why we were there—to raise awareness, change perceptions, and help others see what is possible after donation.
More than anything, the experience—and this conversation—highlighted that strength is not defined by physical achievement alone, but by service, purpose, and the willingness to act when you have the opportunity to save a life.
If this story resonates with you, I invite you to go deeper.
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.
I’ll go ahead and get these added to your site.
