Ep 01: Alex Simmons

In this episode of The Kidney Collective™, hosts Tamara Ruggiero and Mike Spigler speak with Alex Simmons, a kidney transplant recipient and fitness instructor, about his unexpected journey with kidney disease. Alex shares his experiences from diagnosis to dialysis, the challenges he faced, and the importance of raising awareness about kidney health. 

Alex Simmons is an athlete, fitness instructor, “girl dad” and kidney transplant recipient. He is the owner of the Pray Focus Grind gym in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Despite having been in exceptional shape his whole life, he unexpectedly was diagnosed with kidney failure on February 1, 2023. He is active in spreading awareness for kidney disease and has even worked with AKF on our AMKD Awareness Day initiative.

Listeners can follow Alex on X, Instagram and TikTok at @AverageBlackMan.

More resources:

• Mental health and kidney disease
• Physical activity and kidney health
• APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)
• AKF's Know Your Case campaign
• Tests for kidney disease

Chapters

• 2:43 Life Before Diagnosis
• 4:53 Alex's Dialysis Journey
• 9:27 Getting Diagnosed and Knowing Your Cause
• 11:26 Alex's Transplant Experience
• 12:44 Advice for Those Looking for a Kidney Donor
• 14:43 Genetic Testing and APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease
• 16:13 Early Detection, Prevention and Kidney Health Awareness
• 19:06 Mental and Physical Health with Kidney Disease
• 24:42 Recap of Alex's Conversation