When an NFL lineman tells you, “You can’t do push-ups for your kidneys,” you pay attention.

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, former NFL player Marques Ogden opens up about the hidden cost of being “big enough” for the league—and the kidney lessons every athlete needs to hear.

Growing up around football greatness, including his father’s career at Howard Bison and alongside his brother Jonathan Ogden, Marques witnessed firsthand how size, diet, and years of physical strain can take a devastating toll. What started on the field eventually led his father to dialysis, kidney failure, and an early death, an experience that became Marques’s wake-up call.

Marques shares the raw reality of watching his father spend years on dialysis, hours at a time, multiple days a week, slowly losing energy, confidence, and quality of life. From the physical toll of treatment to the emotional weight of seeing someone you love give up, this episode pulls back the curtain on what kidney disease really looks like behind the scenes.

As Marques reflects on his NFL journey with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars, he explains how he worked to break the cycle. It wasn’t just about getting bigger, it was about staying consistent, staying active, and protecting his body beyond what shows on the outside.

This conversation dives into the culture of elite sports, where athletes are pushed to be bigger, faster, and stronger—often without enough focus on long-term health. Marques highlights the importance of understanding your family history, monitoring blood pressure, and building a personal “medical board of directors,” including specialists who can help track and protect organ health over time.

Beyond football, Marques shares how he continues to prioritize his health today—cutting alcohol, improving his diet, staying active, and making intentional choices that support longevity. His journey offers practical insight for athletes, veterans, and anyone looking to take control of their health before it’s too late.

If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or someone living with risk factors like high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, this episode is a must-listen.

This isn’t just an NFL story—
it’s a story about legacy, loss, and learning how to protect what matters most.

If this message matters to you, help us get it out there.
Like, subscribe, and share—because it truly affects the algorithm and helps us reach more people who need this.

Learn more at FilterLIFE.org.

[email protected] is you know someone struggling with Kidney Disease

https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

World Tour on Dialysis—Wins Only.

Platinum-selling artist David Rush is living proof that kidney disease doesn’t define your limits. Diagnosed with FSGS and living on dialysis with no kidneys, he went on to tour the world—while managing treatment.

This isn’t a story about surviving chronic illness.
It’s about building a life anyway.

In this episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with David Rush—artist, speaker, and kidney health advocate—to break down how mindset, purpose, and resilience turned adversity into action.

From waking up on dialysis… to taking his machine across 42 cities… to building a legacy rooted in impact—this conversation will challenge how you think about kidney disease, dialysis, and what’s possible.

“Every day is a win.”
“I refuse to lose.”
“Leave your mark. Leave your legacy.”

If you or someone you love is living with kidney disease, on dialysis, or considering a kidney transplant, this episode is for you.

• What it’s really like living on dialysis with no kidneys
• How David Rush toured while managing kidney disease
• The mindset behind the Wins Only philosophy
• Real talk on transplant fears, risks, and timing
• How purpose and family turn struggle into legacy

If you’re a veteran navigating kidney disease or trying to figure out the kidney transplant process—you are not alone.

👉 Visit https://www.FilterLIFE.org
We built this for you.

The FilterLIFE Podcast shares real, unfiltered stories about kidney disease, dialysis, transplant journeys, and overcoming adversity. Our mission is to educate, connect, and stand with kidney warriors—especially veterans.

Subscribe for more conversations on:

• Kidney disease awareness
• Dialysis life
• Kidney transplant journeys
• Veteran health advocacy
• Chronic illness mindset & resilience

If this episode hit home or you're navigating kidney disease, drop a comment—we’re in this fight with you.

What happens when you’re in your 20s—building your career, planning your future, figuring out life—and suddenly you’re diagnosed with a rare kidney disease?

In this powerful episode of the #FilterLIFE Podcast, we sit down with Megan Huff, a young registered dietitian whose life took an unexpected turn in her mid-20s when she became the patient.

At a time when most people are just getting started, Megan was forced to navigate a diagnosis that changed everything her health, her career, and the way she viewed her future.

Despite her clinical background, she quickly realized something many patients learn the hard way: even as a dietitian, she needed a renal dietitian to truly understand what her body was going through.

This conversation dives deep into what it’s really like to face chronic illness as a young adult in today’s world while trying to keep moving forward.

We get into:

• What it feels like to be diagnosed in your 20s when life is just beginning
• The mental and emotional weight of navigating kidney disease as a young adult
• How her diagnosis reshaped her identity and career path
• Why specialized renal nutrition matters and why it’s often missed
• The importance of support systems when everything feels uncertain
• How Megan is using her story to advocate for awareness and better care

This episode hits on something bigger because kidney disease doesn’t wait until life slows down. It shows up when people are building careers, relationships, and futures.

Megan’s story is real, raw, and especially powerful for younger patients trying to find their footing in a world that suddenly feels very different.

Because at the end of the day, this journey isn’t about having all the answers—

It’s about learning how to Filter Out the Noise and Filter In LIFE.

🎧 Listen now and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

#FilterLIFE Podcast is where real stories meet real impact—highlighting patients, caregivers, and advocates, and turning lived experience into guidance for those navigating kidney disease.

FilterLIFE.org

From Dialysis to Mentorship | FilterLIFE Podcast Ep. 9

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with Patrick Colson—an Enlisted Kidney Foundation supporter whose journey through kidney disease is a testament to resilience, discipline, and purpose.

After years of pushing through symptoms, Patrick’s life changed overnight when a routine eye exam revealed severe complications—leading to a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease with only 10% kidney function.

But this isn’t a story about giving up.

It’s about stepping up.

From in-center dialysis to home hemodialysis, Patrick shares how he took control of his health, adapted his lifestyle, and found strength through education, community, and mindset.

Today, he’s not just surviving—he’s mentoring others walking the same path.

This is what it means to live the #FilterLIFE.

• The early warning signs of kidney disease most people ignore
• What it’s really like starting dialysis
• The difference between in-center and home hemodialysis
• How to take control of your health journey
• Why community and mentorship are critical

🌐 Website: FilterLIFE.org
📩 Join our community: FilterLIFE Mentorship Program
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple & more

00:00 – Introduction
02:10 – The Moment Everything Changed
06:45 – Diagnosis: 10% Kidney Function
12:30 – Starting Dialysis
18:50 – Home Hemodialysis Decision
25:10 – Mental & Emotional Battle
32:40 – Finding Purpose Through Mentorship
40:00 – Living the FilterLIFE

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, we sit down with Seferiana Day just days before her life-changing kidney transplant surgery.

For nearly ten years, Seferiana lived with membranous nephropathy, managing her condition while continuing to live a full and impactful life. As a national kidney disease advocate, she has traveled across the country—and around the world—sharing her story, working with organizations and health leaders, and helping raise awareness for patients living with rare kidney disease.

But in a shocking turn of events, after nearly a decade of relative stability, her kidney function rapidly declined in just two months, accelerating her journey toward transplant.

In this deeply personal conversation, Seferiana opens up about what it feels like to be days away from transplant surgery, the emotional weight of facing such a life-changing moment, and how stress may have played a role in triggering her sudden kidney decline.

For someone who has spent years advocating for others, this moment represents a powerful shift—the advocate now needing the very awareness and support she has spent years creating for others.

In this episode we discuss:

• What it feels like to be days away from a kidney transplant
• Living with membranous nephropathy for nearly a decade
• How kidney function can change rapidly—even after years of stability
• The potential role stress can play in disease progression
• The emotional reality of preparing for transplant
• The importance of patient advocacy and awareness

Seferiana’s story is a powerful reminder that kidney disease can change quickly—and why awareness, early detection, and community support matter.

Kidney disease affects 1 in 7 Americans, and 90% don’t know they have it.

Through conversations like this, we continue Filtering IN those who have been Filtered OUT.

If you or someone you love is living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and needs support, guidance, or community, please reach out to the Enlisted Kidney Foundation.

Visit www.EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org to connect with our team, learn about our programs, and discover how EKF is working to ensure no kidney warrior fights alone.

Subscribe to the FilterLIFE Podcast and share this episode to help us spread kidney disease awareness.

1 in 7 adults are living with kidney disease.

90% of them don’t know it.

Sandra Hall was one of them.

She didn’t find out during a routine checkup.
She didn’t find out because of mild symptoms.
She found out after she woke up from a stroke.

Imagine this:

You pass out at home.
You wake up in a hospital.
And the first question a doctor asks you is:

“Where do you want your port?”

Neck or arm?

Sandra didn’t even know what dialysis was.

She didn’t know her kidneys were failing.
She didn’t know she was in kidney failure.
She didn’t know her life had just changed.

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Sandra shares the moment she learned she was in Stage 4 kidney disease — not during a conversation about prevention, but in an operating room being asked to choose where they would place the access point that would keep her alive.

We talk about:

• The silent nature of chronic kidney disease
• Being blindsided by kidney failure
• Waking up to life-altering decisions
• The emotional trauma of emergency dialysis
• Running from treatment out of fear
• Feeling like a burden to family
• Finding strength through faith and community

Sandra openly admits, “I ran from dialysis.” The fear was real. The stigma was real. The weight of that moment — choosing a port location without understanding what was happening — was overwhelming.

Today, Sandra is listed for kidney transplant at Duke University Hospital and Wake Forest University Hospital. She is waiting for the gift of life.

If you or someone you know feels called to explore living kidney donation or wants to see if they may be a match, please reach out directly to us. EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org/contactus

Our team will guide you through the proper next steps and connect you with the appropriate transplant center resources.

Kidney disease is often silent. It progresses quietly. And too many people only find out when it’s already advanced.

Sandra’s story is not rare.

That’s the problem.

This episode is a wake-up call.

Because here at FilterLIFE, we believe in filtering IN those who have been filtered out.

Listen. Share. Start the conversation.

This week, we sit down with Robert Sanchez, a man whose life story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and relentless advocacy. Robert’s journey is unlike any other: after spending 15 years in prison, he co-founded the renowned Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program—a transformative initiative that inspired the film "Sing Sing." But his story of rebuilding didn't stop there.

Today, Robert is a leading patient advocate with a deeply personal mission. Living with the rare kidney disease FSGS and having survived two kidney transplants, he now dedicates his life to empowering others navigating the complex world of kidney health. As the director of The Jentosy Project at Kidney Forward and a Clinical Interviewer at Albert Einstein Medical College, he works on the front lines to increase living kidney donations and fight for health equity in underserved Black and Brown communities.

In this powerful conversation, Robert shares:

• How his 15 years inside and co-founding RTA shaped his approach to community and advocacy.
• The reality of living with FSGS and the journey through two transplants.
• His mission to demystify kidney disease and build trust in communities often left behind by the healthcare system.
• What it truly means to be a patient advocate—from hospital hallways to barbershop conversations.

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about finding purpose through pain and the ongoing fight to ensure that in healthcare, "rare doesn't mean forgotten."

Find more about Robert's work at his website: https://robertpsanchez.com/

What does it take to fight for over a decade just to give a kidney away?

In this powerful episode of the #FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with Nick Gentile — a living kidney AND liver donor whose story redefines altruism.

From the moment he decided in high school that he wanted to become an organ donor, Nick never wavered from his calling. Even after years of rejection, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles, his faith and determination kept him moving forward.

After more than 10 years of trying, Nick finally donated a kidney — and that wasn’t the end of his journey. He later went on to donate 70% of his liver to a friend in need. Today, he channels that same passion into advocacy through his organization, Compassion Match, helping others navigate living donation.

This episode explores:
• The reality of the living donor process
• Why perseverance matters in advocacy
• How faith can fuel purpose
• The urgent need for living donors
• Legislative efforts like the HEART Act that impact donor opportunities

Nick’s story is a reminder that one person’s determination can save lives and inspire countless others.

If you’ve ever considered organ donation or want to understand its life-changing impact, this episode is for you.

Key message: Even when the system says “no,” purpose and persistence can still lead to “yes.”

You can learn more about the @EnlistedKIdneyFoundation by visiting our website. Donations are always appreciated.

https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

What happens when your kidneys start failing — and you don’t even know why?

For Dan Keaveney, known online as KidneyManDan, that question became life-changing. After years of symptoms, testing, and uncertainty, he was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) — a rare kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.

But Dan refused to let a diagnosis define him.

In this episode of the #FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with KidneyManDan from Maryland for a real, unfiltered conversation about living with chronic kidney disease, managing medications, adjusting diet and nutrition, and learning to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system.

Dan shares what it was like taking up to 42 pills a day, navigating side effects, and facing the mental and emotional weight of chronic illness — all while choosing a mindset of resilience and hope.

This episode is about more than kidney disease.
It’s about taking control of your health, building community, and filtering out negativity so you can focus on what matters most.

• Understanding FSGS and kidney disease
• The long road to diagnosis
• Medication management and side effects
• Diet and nutrition for kidney health
• Patient advocacy and empowerment
• The importance of community support
• Staying informed about new kidney research

💬 Powerful quotes from this episode:
“I was on 42 pills a day at one point.”
“I got FSGS — but FSGS will never have me.”
“Now is the time to get tested.”

Kidney disease affects millions and often develops silently. Early awareness and testing can make a life-changing difference.

If you are a kidney patient, caregiver, donor, or advocate, this conversation will resonate deeply.

The FilterLIFE Podcast shares real stories from kidney warriors and advocates to ensure no one faces kidney disease alone.

👉 Follow, subscribe, and share to help raise kidney disease awareness.

On this episode of the Filter Life Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with living kidney donor and advocate Mark Scotch, whose extraordinary act of generosity began with a chance conversation in a bar — and led to a life-saving kidney donation for a complete stranger.

Mark shares the moment that sparked his decision, the physical and emotional journey of becoming a living donor, how the living donor voucher program works, and why awareness, advocacy, and communication are critical in the fight against chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Mark also introduces us to The Organ Trail, his nationwide kidney donation awareness project designed to spark conversations, connect patients with resources, and normalize living organ donation. Through long-distance cycling and public engagement, The Organ Trail is reframing what it means to donate an organ and showing how one storyteller can impact an entire community.

This episode unpacks:
✔ the realities of kidney donation and living donor recovery
✔ misconceptions and barriers to organ donation
✔ how donor health is monitored and protected
✔ why more living donors aren’t coming forward (and how to change that)
✔ how storytelling can save lives by increasing kidney disease awareness

Mark’s journey demonstrates how ordinary conversations can lead to extraordinary outcomes — and why living a Filtered Life means using your time, energy, and relationships with intention and purpose.

If you're interested in organ donation, transplant advocacy, kidney health, or how one person can create a ripple effect of impact, this episode is for you.