#50: Competing in Bodybuilding with Kidney Failure: Max Amsden's Story of Resilience

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to:https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth In this powerful episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, we sit down with Max Amsden, a competitive bodybuilder living with kidney failure and dialysis, to unpack one of the most inspiring stories of grit, discipline, and purpose you’ll hear.Max opens up about:Being diagnosed with kidney failure due to a genetic autoimmune conditionCompeting in bodybuilding while on dialysisNavigating divorce, fatherhood, and mental healthFacing online criticism and steroid accusationsTraining, nutrition, and recovery with compromised kidney functionLetting go of the “why me” mindset and choosing forward momentumThis episode dives deep into resilience, mental toughness, delayed gratification, and choosing health even when life feels unfair. We also discuss diet strategies, protein intake, creatine myths, stress management, and how fatherhood became Max’s greatest source of motivation.If this episode inspires you, please like, comment, and subscribe. Your support helps us share more real conversations about health, healing, and human potential.⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – The “Why Me?” Moment00:37 – Living With Kidney Failure & Severe Symptoms01:30 – Mental Health, Depression & Choosing Healing02:25 – BetterHelp Sponsor Message03:00 – Discovering a Bodybuilder Competing on Dialysis03:52 – Introducing Max Amstend04:44 – Family History & Genetic Kidney Disease06:28 – Dialysis: The New Reality07:01 – Letting Go of “Why Me”08:46 – Discipline, Grit & Next-Level Mindset10:05 – Doing the Hard Thing First12:09 – Internet Hate & Social Media Criticism14:03 – Steroid Accusations & TRT Truth16:53 – “I Didn’t Come This Far Just to Come This Far”17:45 – Divorce, Stress & Emotional Impact19:58 – Using Training as Therapy21:25 – Fatherhood as Motivation23:56 – Genetic Risk & Parenting With Perspective28:14 – Diet, Training & Kidney-Friendly Nutrition30:44 – Protein Intake, Labs & Long-Term Health33:00 – Off-Season Diet Strategy35:16 – Research-Driven Health Decisions36:29 – Creatine & Kidney Health Explained39:46 – Good Days vs Bad Days on Dialysis42:03 – Breathwork, Support & Brotherhood43:18 – Episode Reflection & Gratitude44:30 – Choosing Health, Power & Purpose📣 Connect with Max Amsden ➡️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therookielift...➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therookieli...🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast 💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://anchor.fm/mindcore-fitness🛍️ Shop Merch: https://bit.ly/45Xd3r0#kidneywarrior #dialysiswarrior #mentalstrength #bodybuilding #health #alternativehealth #healthandfitness #mentalhealth #vegan