Surfing, Cycling, and Ironman After Organ Removal

What happens when elite athletes lose major organs? This episode explores real stories of high performers who adapted after gallbladder removal, kidney donation, and even liver transplantation. From professional surfer Lakey Peterson winning the MEO Pro Portugal after cholecystectomy, to Ironman triathlete Hilary Baumann competing with one kidney, to Chris Klug winning an Olympic bronze medal 18 months after a liver transplant — these aren't bounce-back narratives. They're stories of metabolic problem-solving, invisible labor, and learning a new body. If you're recovering from surgery and wondering what's possible, this episode offers something more useful than forum posts.