FilterLIFE™ Podcast

What happens when you need a kidney transplant but don’t have a living kidney donor? What if your donor isn’t a match? How does paired kidney exchange work—and when should someone with chronic kidney disease (CKD) start preparing for transplant?

In Episode 18 of the FilterLIFE™ Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with Wilson Du, “The Renal Warrior,” a nationally recognized kidney disease advocate, kidney transplant recipient, and former dialysis patient, for an unfiltered conversation about kidney disease, dialysis, living kidney donation, kidney transplant, paired kidney exchange, donor voucher programs, patient advocacy, and taking control of your kidney health.

This isn’t another surface-level kidney disease interview.

Wilson has shared his story on stages, podcasts, and patient advocacy platforms across the country. Dan has spent years advocating for kidney patients and veterans.

This time, they sit down together to answer the questions kidney patients are actually asking—and leave nothing unfiltered.

After spending five and a half years on dialysis, Wilson knows what it feels like to fight through end-stage kidney disease, prepare for transplant, and ultimately receive a kidney transplant. Today, he uses that lived experience to help kidney patients better understand the transplant process, living kidney donation, and the options available when finding a donor isn’t simple.

Dan and Wilson tackle questions including:

• I need a kidney transplant, but I don’t have a donor. What do I do?
• My living kidney donor doesn’t match me. Now what?
• How does paired kidney exchange work?
• What is a living donor voucher program?
• My nephrologist hasn’t mentioned living donation. Should I ask?
• When should a CKD patient start learning about kidney transplant?
• What can I do now to become a stronger transplant candidate?
• How can patients take a more active role in their own kidney health?

The conversation also goes beyond transplant.

Dan and Wilson discuss kidney disease education, patient mentorship, self-advocacy, navigating short medical appointments, veterans navigating kidney care and transplant through the VA, and the gap between being given medical information and actually knowing what to do with it.

Because being told to “get healthier,” “find a donor,” or “advocate for yourself” is one thing.

Knowing what that actually looks like and having someone willing to walk beside you while you do it, is something completely different.

Wilson puts the FilterLIFE™ philosophy perfectly:

“Life throws a lot of bullshit at you. You filter that out and you get to the real stuff.”

That’s FilterLIFE™.

If you’re living with chronic kidney disease, approaching dialysis, searching for a living kidney donor, preparing for kidney transplant, supporting someone with kidney disease, or simply trying to understand what comes next, Episode 18 is for you.

You don’t need to know everything today.

But you do need to know your next step.

Learn more, get support, and connect with the Enlisted Kidney Foundation:

FilterLIFE.org
EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

FilterLIFE™ Podcast — Real People. Real Stories. Real Impact.

Most people know someone waiting for an organ transplant.

Very few people know you can donate part of your liver while you're still alive.

Even fewer realize that your liver can actually regenerate after donation.

In this episode of the FilterLIFE™ Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with liver transplant advocate Rae Hernandez to uncover the truth about living liver donation, the liver transplant process, and why education could save countless lives.

Living liver donation remains one of the most misunderstood topics in organ transplantation. Rae shares her personal journey while waiting for a liver transplant, explains how living donation works, discusses common misconceptions, and offers hope to patients and families navigating chronic liver disease.

• What living liver donation really is

• How living liver donation differs from kidney donation

• How the liver regenerates after donation

• Domino and paired liver donation explained

• Common myths that prevent people from becoming living donors

• What it's really like waiting for a liver transplant

• How social media is helping patients find lifesaving donors

• Why education, community, and advocacy save lives

Whether you're living with liver disease, kidney disease, waiting for a transplant, considering becoming a living donor, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in organ donation, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and hopeful.

If this episode helped you:

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💬 Leave a comment and join the conversation.

📤 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

🔔 Subscribe to the FilterLIFE™ Podcast for more conversations about kidney disease, transplantation, living donation, veterans' health, chronic illness, and patient advocacy.

The FilterLIFE™ Podcast, presented by the Enlisted Kidney Foundation (EKF), brings together patients, caregivers, living donors, physicians, researchers, veterans, and healthcare leaders for honest, unfiltered conversations about kidney disease, transplantation, chronic illness, and patient advocacy.

Hosted by Dan Holmes, a U.S. Navy veteran, kidney warrior, and Founder of the Enlisted Kidney Foundation, FilterLIFE bridges the gap between medical expertise and real-life experience.

Because kidney disease isn't just medical...

It's mental.

It's emotional.

It's personal.

🌐 EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

Explore free educational resources, connect with our community, discover upcoming events, and learn how EKF is helping kidney warriors across the country.

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For the first time in six years, Stacey and I won't be attending the annual NephCure Patient Summit.

That feels strange to say because NephCure has been one of the most influential organizations in my kidney disease journey. When I was diagnosed with Membranous Nephropathy in 2020, I found myself doing what many newly diagnosed patients do—searching for answers, searching for hope, and searching for someone who understood what I was going through.

What I found was NephCure.

NephCure helped connect me to education, research, specialists, clinical trial opportunities, and most importantly, a community of people who truly understood rare kidney disease. They didn't just help me become a better patient—they helped shape my advocacy journey and played a pivotal role in the work we do today through The Enlisted Kidney Foundation.

Since we couldn't be at Patient Summit this year, we wanted to do our part by bringing the spirit of Patient Summit directly to our audience.

In this special episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, I sit down with my friend Josh Tarnoff, CEO of NephCure, to discuss the future of rare kidney disease and why there has never been more hope for patients living with FSGS, Membranous Nephropathy, IgA Nephropathy, and other rare protein-spilling kidney diseases.

Together we discuss:

• How NephCure helped transform the rare kidney disease landscape
• The approval of new treatments like FILSPARI for FSGS
• Why reducing proteinuria is critical for long-term kidney health
• The role patient advocates play in advancing research and policy
• How the FDA, researchers, advocacy organizations, and patients worked together to create a new era of kidney disease treatment
• Why early detection matters and what every family should know about kidney health
• The future of rare kidney disease over the next 5–10 years

Whether you're newly diagnosed, living with chronic kidney disease, caring for a loved one, or simply looking for hope, this conversation offers insight into how far we've come—and where we're headed next.

NephCure was there when I needed them most. This episode is our way of saying thank you while helping share their mission with even more patients and families.

Learn more about NephCure and their work supporting rare kidney disease patients around the world.

https://Nephcure.org

https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

#KidneyDisease #RareKidneyDisease #FSGS #MembranousNephropathy #IgANephropathy #NephCure #FILSPARI #PatientAdvocacy #KidneyHealth #Dialysis #Transplant #ChronicKidneyDisease #FilterLIFEPodcast #EnlistedKidneyFoundation

🎙️ Why Kidney Patients Need a Renal Dietitian | CKD Nutrition, Dialysis Diet & Kidney Health Tips

Did you know that not all dietitians specialize in kidney disease?

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Navy veteran, kidney disease advocate, and Enlisted Kidney Foundation founder Dan Holmes sits down with renal dietitian Michelle McMurtery to discuss one of the most overlooked members of a kidney care team: the renal dietitian.

If you've been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), FSGS, IgA Nephropathy, Membranous Nephropathy, APOL1 Kidney Disease, or are preparing for dialysis or kidney transplant, this episode could change the way you think about nutrition.

Many kidney patients are told to:

• Eat healthier
• Watch their sodium
• Cut back on protein

But what does that actually mean?

Michelle explains why renal dietitians receive specialized training in kidney disease and how they help patients understand lab results, protein intake, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, medications, and nutrition strategies designed to help slow kidney disease progression.

In this episode you'll learn:

✅ The difference between a Dietitian and a Renal Dietitian
✅ Why kidney nutrition is different from general nutrition
✅ How nutrition impacts eGFR, proteinuria, and overall kidney health
✅ Plant-based diets and kidney disease explained
✅ Common mistakes CKD patients make with food choices
✅ How small dietary changes can improve kidney lab results
✅ Why accountability and coaching matter for long-term success
✅ How to navigate the confusion that comes after a CKD diagnosis

Whether you're living with Stage 3 CKD, Stage 4 CKD, dialysis, transplant, or supporting a loved one through kidney disease, this conversation provides practical guidance and hope.

👇 TAKE THE NEXT STEP 👇

Visit FilterLIFE.org to connect with The Enlisted Kidney Foundation and access free kidney disease resources, patient support, advocacy programs, Coffee & Conversations, and our growing community of kidney warriors.

No kidney warrior should ever have to navigate this journey alone.

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In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with Rev. Leroy Miles — community leader, health advocate, endurance athlete, and founder of Philadelphia’s nationally recognized “Know Your Numbers” men’s health initiative.

Fresh off Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church’s annual Know Your Numbers event, Rev. Miles shares why Black men’s health, kidney disease awareness, early detection, and healthcare access are critical conversations that can no longer wait.

Together, Dan and Rev. Miles dive into:

• The hidden kidney health crisis impacting Black and Brown communities
• Why health literacy and healthcare access must go hand-in-hand
• Building trust in communities historically failed by the healthcare system
• The importance of early detection, screenings, PSA testing, blood pressure monitoring, and kidney awareness
• How faith, discipline, martial arts, cycling, and endurance training shaped Rev. Miles’ mindset
• The real meaning behind “Your body is a temple on loan”
• Why collaboration — not competition — is the key to saving lives
• Dialysis, transplant advocacy, and helping patients navigate healthcare systems
• Mental resilience, grief, purpose, and turning pain into service

Rev. Miles also shares the incredible impact of Enon’s “Know Your Numbers” event — an 18-year community health initiative providing FREE screenings, nephrology support, lab work, mental health screenings, kidney health education, and direct healthcare navigation for hundreds of men every year.

This conversation is bigger than kidney disease.

It’s about purpose. Community. Advocacy. Trust. And learning how to FILTER OUT the noise so we can focus on what truly matters.

If you or someone you love is living with kidney disease, dialysis, hypertension, diabetes, or navigating transplant conversations — this episode is for you.

Subscribe to FilterLIFE Podcast for real conversations around kidney health, veteran health, chronic illness, toxic exposure, advocacy, transplant awareness, and patient empowerment.

Follow & Support:
Enlisted Kidney Foundation

#KidneyDisease #BlackMensHealth #KnowYourNumbers #KidneyHealth #RevLeroyMiles #FilterLIFE #EnlistedKidneyFoundation #HealthEquity #Dialysis #TransplantAwareness #ChronicIllness #CKD #Nephrology #KidneyWarrior #HealthAdvocacy #VeteranHealth #MentalHealth #CommunityHealth #KidneyFailure #HealthcareAccess

In this episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with John, “The Bodybuilding Vegan,” to challenge everything you think you know about food, kidney disease, and personal responsibility.

Dan opens up about living with kidney disease, chronic pain, and the struggle to make the “right” choices while running at full speed in real life. John brings over 20 years of vegan living, elite bodybuilding, and coaching hundreds of clients on plant-based nutrition and performance.

Together, they dive into:

• Plant-based diets and kidney health
• The myth that you “can’t get enough protein without meat”
• Fast food, convenience, and making better choices on the go
• How culture, income, and environment affect food decisions
• The mental battle: accountability vs excuses
• Why leaders must align their actions with their mission
• The emotional reality of chronic illness and survival mode
• Raw talk on animal ethics and personal responsibility

This isn’t a lecture. It’s a turning point.

Dan makes a public commitment to start transitioning toward a plant-based lifestyle, not overnight, but with intention and invites YOU to walk that journey with him.

Because at the end of the day:
👉 Your health is your responsibility
👉 Your choices shape your future
👉 Nobody is coming to save you but YOU

If you’re a kidney warrior, living with chronic illness, or just tired of feeling stuck in your own habits, this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more about John (The Bodybuilding Vegan) and his coaching:
https://vegansquadcoaching.com/

🎁 Need help with your diet?
EKF will connect you with a FREE plant-focused coaching session to help you get started.

🌐 Learn more about the Enlisted Kidney Foundation (EKF):
https://FilterLIFE.org

💥 Stop waiting. Stop making excuses. Start choosing what actually fuels your life.

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