This week on Sports Will Save Us All, Sasha sits down with Dr. Matthew Harmody—retired ER physician, endurance athlete, living kidney donor, and author of Ascending America. In 2017, Matt donated a kidney to a complete stranger. A few years later, he joined four other living kidney donors on an audacious mission: climb the highest point in all 50 U.S. states in under 43 days and set a Guinness World Record.

Five donors. Fifty peaks. One RV. Endless snow, summit fever, team tension—and a powerful purpose.

In this conversation, Matt breaks down:

• The truth about living kidney donation—risk, recovery, and why donors are not physically limited
• Why kidneys from living donors last nearly twice as long as those from deceased donors
• What dialysis really does to quality of life—and why the need is urgent (90,000+ Americans are currently waiting for a kidney)
• The wild team dynamics of chasing 50 state high points under extreme weather and time pressure
• The near-disasters, crevasse falls, RV chaos, and emotional breaking points along the way
• The difference between victory and fulfillment—and why the latter matters more

You'll hear about Denali, Granite Peak, frozen river crossings, camp fuel mishaps, and the emotional moment that reminded the team why they were really out there: raising awareness for the National Kidney Registry.

This episode is about endurance—but not just the physical kind. It's about service, sacrifice, and redefining what strength looks like.

If you've ever wondered whether an ordinary person can do something extraordinary, this conversation is for you.

Learn more:

• Matt's book: Ascending America
• Living donation resources: National Kidney Donation Organization

As always, if this episode moves you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Sports are just the beginning.

About Sports Will Save Us All podcast

Sports Will Save Us All is an inspirational sports podcast hosted by Sasha Graham, featuring powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, and changemakers about how sports shape mental health, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Through real-life stories of women in sports, inclusive and adaptive athletics, and athletes overcoming adversity, the show explores how sports change lives—on and off the field.

On Instagram @SportsWillSaveUsAll

Online at www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

To be a guest: Contact us on Podmatch or Via email at SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com