Wellness Wednesday – A Decade With One Kidney: What I’ve Learned Since 2013

In 2013, I did something that changed two lives—mine and someone else’s. I became a living kidney donor.

It wasn’t a dramatic decision for me. It was rooted in something quiet but fierce—a deep sense of love, responsibility, and purpose. I didn’t know then all the ways this choice would shape who I am today.

Now, more than a decade later, I’m still learning what it means to live well, fully, and strong with one kidney. Here are a few things I’ve come to understand:

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1. My body is resilient—and so am I.
I’ve climbed mountains (literally), deadlifted my own body weight, biked across Texas winds, and hiked through some of the toughest days emotionally and physically. Having one kidney hasn’t held me back—it’s taught me how powerful it is to trust and care for the body I have.

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2. Wellness is not a number.
It’s not my weight. It’s not the amount I can lift. It’s not even how far I can go on a trail. Wellness is how I show up for myself—especially when no one’s watching. It’s rest, movement, nourishment, boundaries, and self-compassion.

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3. Living donation taught me how to hold joy and grief at the same time.
You don’t go through something like this without being changed. I’ve supported grieving families through donation and faced my own moments of loss and fear. But I’ve also seen the ripple effect of hope and healing. And I carry both every day.

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4. I am my own best advocate.
I ask questions. I do the research. I listen to my body. I’ve learned to speak up in doctor’s offices, advocate for more compassionate care, and model what it means to live a full, thriving life as a donor.

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5. My story matters. So does yours.
When I tell people I’m a living donor, their eyes often widen—and then soften. Because stories like ours give people hope. Whether you’re a donor, a recipient, or just someone navigating your own health journey: your story is powerful. Please keep telling it.

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So today, more than a decade later, I celebrate this one beautiful, capable body—and the life it’s made possible for someone else.

Here’s to wellness. Here’s to choice.
Here’s to living with heart, grit, and one badass kidney. 💛

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☀️ Sunshine says:
“You don’t need two of anything to live fully. You just need one good reason—and a little faith in your own strength.”