Gift of the Graft

Jess’s story is one of those ones that really stays with you.Diagnosed with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), she went from living a full, active life to a place where even a single breath could feel like a hard-fought win.In this episode, we talk about:what it actually feels like to lose your breath, slowly, over timethe emotional side of being sick trying to hold onto normal life while everything is shifting underneath youthe surreal lead-up to transplant including the call, the chaos, and getting herself to hospitaland what life looks like on the other side of a double lung transplantJess is open, honest, and incredibly grounded. There’s a lot in here that will resonate, whether you’ve been through transplant yourself or not.🔗 Connect with JessJess now supports others going through transplant through her work:🌐 Website: www.thetransplantcoach.co.nz📸 Instagram: @the_transplantcoach

Shane Leger’s story is one of resilience, perspective, and what it means to grow through life’s toughest moments.Diagnosed with a serious heart condition at birth, Shane faced challenges early that would shape the way he sees the world today. But what stands out isn’t just what he went through—it’s how he’s processed it. There’s a calmness and clarity in Shane’s outlook, captured in a line that sums him up perfectly: “death can have me when it’s earned me.”In this conversation, Shane reflects not only on his heart transplant journey, but how his mindset has evolved over time. From the fearlessness of youth to the deeper awareness that comes with having more to lose, his story is honest, grounded, and quietly powerful.This episode isn’t just about survival—it’s about perspective, growth, and learning what really matters.

In this episode, I sit down with Antony Vlatkovich, liver transplant recipient, cancer survivor, and all-round legend.We talk about his childhood growing up with the knowledge that he would one day need a transplant, the weight of that reality, and how it shaped who he became. Antony shares the moment he received “the call,” the life-saving operation that followed, and his recovery.This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, and what it means to be given a second chance at life — and how you choose to live it.

The first episode of the Gift of the Graft podcast features a conversation between kidney transplant recipient Conal Beban and his kidney donor, Andy Bryant. The podcast aims to provide information and support for individuals considering live organ donation. The conversation covers the emotional and physical journey of becoming a kidney donor, including the motivation, decision-making process, medical tests, psychological evaluation, family support, financial security, hospital admission, and the operation day experience. The conversation covers the experience of kidney donation and the impact it has had on both the donor and the recipient. It delves into the recovery process, the emotional impact, and the rewards of donation, highlighting the unselfish act and the resilience of both individuals.TakeawaysLive organ donation processEmotional and physical journeySupport and preparation for donation Unselfish ActRecovery and ResilienceChapters00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast05:25 Preparation for Donation: Medical Tests and Psychological Evaluation11:24 Family Support and Financial Security for Donors23:23 Pre-Operation Experience: Hospital Admission and Preparation33:35 Operation Day: Donor's Experience and Recovery38:41 The Operation and Recovery Process49:13 The Impact and Rewards of Donation