FilterLIFE Podcast ep. 15- Michelle McMurtery: Why Every CKD Patient Needs a Renal Dietitian

FilterLIFE Podcast ep. 15- Michelle McMurtery: Why Every CKD Patient Needs a Renal Dietitian

🎙️ Why Kidney Patients Need a Renal Dietitian | CKD Nutrition, Dialysis Diet & Kidney Health Tips Did you know that not all dietitians specialize in kidney disease? In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Navy veteran, kidney disease advocate, and Enlisted Kidney Foundation founder Dan Holmes sits down with renal dietitian Michelle McMurtery to discuss one of the most overlooked members of a kidney care team: the renal dietitian. If you've been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), FSGS, IgA Nephropathy, Membranous Nephropathy, APOL1 Kidney Disease, or are preparing for dialysis or kidney transplant, this episode could change the way you think about nutrition. Many kidney patients are told to: • Eat healthier • Watch their sodium • Cut back on protein But what does that actually mean? Michelle explains why renal dietitians receive specialized training in kidney disease and how they help patients understand lab results, protein intake, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, medications, and nutrition strategies designed to help slow kidney disease progression. In this episode you'll learn: ✅ The difference between a Dietitian and a Renal Dietitian ✅ Why kidney nutrition is different from general nutrition ✅ How nutrition impacts eGFR, proteinuria, and overall kidney health ✅ Plant-based diets and kidney disease explained ✅ Common mistakes CKD patients make with food choices ✅ How small dietary changes can improve kidney lab results ✅ Why accountability and coaching matter for long-term success ✅ How to navigate the confusion that comes after a CKD diagnosis Whether you're living with Stage 3 CKD, Stage 4 CKD, dialysis, transplant, or supporting a loved one through kidney disease, this conversation provides practical guidance and hope. 👇 TAKE THE NEXT STEP 👇 Visit FilterLIFE.org [http://FilterLIFE.org] to connect with The Enlisted Kidney Foundation and access free kidney disease resources, patient support, advocacy programs, Coffee & Conversations, and our growing community of kidney warriors. No kidney warrior should ever have to navigate this journey alone. 👍 Like this video 💬 Comment with your kidney diagnosis or biggest nutrition question 🔔 Subscribe for more kidney health education, veteran advocacy, transplant stories, dialysis support, and patient empowerment content #KidneyDisease #CKD #ChronicKidneyDisease #RenalDietitian #KidneyDiet #KidneyHealth #Dialysis #KidneyTransplant #Proteinuria #eGFR #FSGS #MembranousNephropathy #APOL1 #PlantBasedDiet #KidneyNutrition #VeteranHealth #PatientAdvocacy #EnlistedKidneyFoundation #FilterLIFEPodcast #KidneyWarrior #KidneyFailure #RenalNutrition #CKDStage3 #CKDStage4 #DialysisLife #TransplantJourney #FilterLIFE Subscribe to FilterLIFE and join a community that's filtering in hope, knowledge, and support for kidney warriors everywhere. 💚

FilterLIFE Podcast Ep. 14 | Rev. Leroy Miles: “We Know the Statistics. Now Let’s Fix It.”

In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with Rev. Leroy Miles — community leader, health advocate, endurance athlete, and founder of Philadelphia’s nationally recognized “Know Your Numbers” men’s health initiative. Fresh off Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church’s annual Know Your Numbers event, Rev. Miles shares why Black men’s health, kidney disease awareness, early detection, and healthcare access are critical conversations that can no longer wait. Together, Dan and Rev. Miles dive into: • The hidden kidney health crisis impacting Black and Brown communities • Why health literacy and healthcare access must go hand-in-hand • Building trust in communities historically failed by the healthcare system • The importance of early detection, screenings, PSA testing, blood pressure monitoring, and kidney awareness • How faith, discipline, martial arts, cycling, and endurance training shaped Rev. Miles’ mindset • The real meaning behind “Your body is a temple on loan” • Why collaboration — not competition — is the key to saving lives • Dialysis, transplant advocacy, and helping patients navigate healthcare systems • Mental resilience, grief, purpose, and turning pain into service Rev. Miles also shares the incredible impact of Enon’s “Know Your Numbers” event — an 18-year community health initiative providing FREE screenings, nephrology support, lab work, mental health screenings, kidney health education, and direct healthcare navigation for hundreds of men every year. This conversation is bigger than kidney disease. It’s about purpose. Community. Advocacy. Trust. And learning how to FILTER OUT the noise so we can focus on what truly matters. If you or someone you love is living with kidney disease, dialysis, hypertension, diabetes, or navigating transplant conversations — this episode is for you. Subscribe to FilterLIFE Podcast for real conversations around kidney health, veteran health, chronic illness, toxic exposure, advocacy, transplant awareness, and patient empowerment. Follow & Support: Enlisted Kidney Foundation [https://www.enlistedkidneyfoundation.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] #KidneyDisease #BlackMensHealth #KnowYourNumbers #KidneyHealth #RevLeroyMiles #FilterLIFE #EnlistedKidneyFoundation #HealthEquity #Dialysis #TransplantAwareness #ChronicIllness #CKD #Nephrology #KidneyWarrior #HealthAdvocacy #VeteranHealth #MentalHealth #CommunityHealth #KidneyFailure #HealthcareAccess

FilterLIFE Podcast ep13- John Thomas: Worlds Largest VEGAN Bodybuilder

In this episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, Dan Holmes sits down with John, “The Bodybuilding Vegan,” to challenge everything you think you know about food, kidney disease, and personal responsibility. Dan opens up about living with kidney disease, chronic pain, and the struggle to make the “right” choices while running at full speed in real life. John brings over 20 years of vegan living, elite bodybuilding, and coaching hundreds of clients on plant-based nutrition and performance. Together, they dive into: * Plant-based diets and kidney health * The myth that you “can’t get enough protein without meat” * Fast food, convenience, and making better choices on the go * How culture, income, and environment affect food decisions * The mental battle: accountability vs excuses * Why leaders must align their actions with their mission * The emotional reality of chronic illness and survival mode * Raw talk on animal ethics and personal responsibility This isn’t a lecture. It’s a turning point. Dan makes a public commitment to start transitioning toward a plant-based lifestyle, not overnight, but with intention and invites YOU to walk that journey with him. Because at the end of the day: 👉 Your health is your responsibility 👉 Your choices shape your future 👉 Nobody is coming to save you but YOU If you’re a kidney warrior, living with chronic illness, or just tired of feeling stuck in your own habits, this episode is for you. 🔗 Learn more about John (The Bodybuilding Vegan) and his coaching: https://vegansquadcoaching.com/ [https://vegansquadcoaching.com/] 🎁 Need help with your diet? EKF will connect you with a FREE plant-focused coaching session to help you get started. 🌐 Learn more about the Enlisted Kidney Foundation (EKF): https://FilterLIFE.org [https://FilterLIFE.org] 💥 Stop waiting. Stop making excuses. Start choosing what actually fuels your life.

FilterLIFE Podcast ep12- Marques Ogden: NFL Strength & His Father’s Kidney Battle

When an NFL lineman tells you, “You can’t do push-ups for your kidneys,” you pay attention. In this powerful episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, former NFL player Marques Ogden opens up about the hidden cost of being “big enough” for the league—and the kidney lessons every athlete needs to hear. Growing up around football greatness, including his father’s career at Howard Bison and alongside his brother Jonathan Ogden, Marques witnessed firsthand how size, diet, and years of physical strain can take a devastating toll. What started on the field eventually led his father to dialysis, kidney failure, and an early death, an experience that became Marques’s wake-up call. Marques shares the raw reality of watching his father spend years on dialysis, hours at a time, multiple days a week, slowly losing energy, confidence, and quality of life. From the physical toll of treatment to the emotional weight of seeing someone you love give up, this episode pulls back the curtain on what kidney disease really looks like behind the scenes. As Marques reflects on his NFL journey with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars, he explains how he worked to break the cycle. It wasn’t just about getting bigger, it was about staying consistent, staying active, and protecting his body beyond what shows on the outside. This conversation dives into the culture of elite sports, where athletes are pushed to be bigger, faster, and stronger—often without enough focus on long-term health. Marques highlights the importance of understanding your family history, monitoring blood pressure, and building a personal “medical board of directors,” including specialists who can help track and protect organ health over time. Beyond football, Marques shares how he continues to prioritize his health today—cutting alcohol, improving his diet, staying active, and making intentional choices that support longevity. His journey offers practical insight for athletes, veterans, and anyone looking to take control of their health before it’s too late. If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or someone living with risk factors like high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, this episode is a must-listen. This isn’t just an NFL story— it’s a story about legacy, loss, and learning how to protect what matters most. If this message matters to you, help us get it out there. Like, subscribe, and share—because it truly affects the algorithm and helps us reach more people who need this. Learn more at FilterLIFE.org [http://FilterLIFE.org]. EKF@FilterLIFE.org [EKF@FilterLIFE.org] is you know someone struggling with Kidney Disease https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org [https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org]

FilterLIFE Podcast ep11- David Rush: World Tour on Dialysis—Wins Only Mindset

World Tour on Dialysis—Wins Only. Platinum-selling artist David Rush is living proof that kidney disease doesn’t define your limits. Diagnosed with FSGS and living on dialysis with no kidneys, he went on to tour the world—while managing treatment. This isn’t a story about surviving chronic illness. It’s about building a life anyway. In this episode of the FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with David Rush—artist, speaker, and kidney health advocate—to break down how mindset, purpose, and resilience turned adversity into action. From waking up on dialysis… to taking his machine across 42 cities… to building a legacy rooted in impact—this conversation will challenge how you think about kidney disease, dialysis, and what’s possible. > “Every day is a win.” > “I refuse to lose.” > “Leave your mark. Leave your legacy.” If you or someone you love is living with kidney disease, on dialysis, or considering a kidney transplant, this episode is for you. ---------------------------------------- 🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN * What it’s really like living on dialysis with no kidneys * How David Rush toured while managing kidney disease * The mindset behind the Wins Only philosophy * Real talk on transplant fears, risks, and timing * How purpose and family turn struggle into legacy ---------------------------------------- 🇺🇸 VETERANS – START HERE If you’re a veteran navigating kidney disease or trying to figure out the kidney transplant process—you are not alone. 👉 Visit https://www.FilterLIFE.org [https://www.FilterLIFE.org] We built this for you. ---------------------------------------- 🔗 ABOUT FILTERLIFE The FilterLIFE Podcast shares real, unfiltered stories about kidney disease, dialysis, transplant journeys, and overcoming adversity. Our mission is to educate, connect, and stand with kidney warriors—especially veterans. ---------------------------------------- 📢 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE Subscribe for more conversations on: * Kidney disease awareness * Dialysis life * Kidney transplant journeys * Veteran health advocacy * Chronic illness mindset & resilience ---------------------------------------- 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION If this episode hit home or you're navigating kidney disease, drop a comment—we’re in this fight with you.